Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

G

GOB

New member
I know Les Paul bridge pickups aren't exactly a new topic.

I recently picked up a new Les Paul Standard 60s and I love everything about the guitar except that bridge pickup! It sounds ok for some things, but it gets a really nasal quality to it in notes around the Bb-C on the 3rd-5th frets of the G string. Overall it's sort of honky and thin.

It also does this annoying thing where it is too bright and too dark at the same time! The top three strings get really sharp and too bright while the low strings are still very dark and boomy!

I don't have much experience with Gibson humbuckers, but this one is making me think it might be time to throw a Duncan in there :)
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

The Saturday Night Special is what you want from this description.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

GOB said:
It also does this annoying thing where it is too bright and too dark at the same time!
Click to expand...

This is how I felt about the burstbucker pros that were in my 2006 Standard. I went through a lot of pickups before I came to a few Duncans that I liked. Seths, WLH, 59s w/A2 mags; all were much better than the BBs. Seths were probably the best, but currently I'm running 59 neck and 59/Custom bridge b/c I wanted something a little hotter than the rest of my stable of PAF guitars.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

A lot of A5 magnets sound that way to me, but BB pros were awful. This is coming from a guy that actually liked the BB1, BB2 and BB3, as well. The 61T is pretty much the same thing as a Pro B with the coils swapped, from what I understand, so I can't imagine liking it.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

chadd said:
A lot of A5 magnets sound that way to me, but BB pros were awful. This is coming from a guy that actually liked the BB1, BB2 and BB3, as well. The 61T is pretty much the same thing as a Pro B with the coils swapped, from what I understand, so I can't imagine liking it.
Click to expand...

The numbered Burstbuckers used alnico 2 magnets, correct? Because I have experience with (almost) all Gibson humbuckers, and off the top of my head, all the A2 models are pretty good, while all of the A5 ones kinda suck.

The BB1, BB2, BB3(not 100% sure about the BB3 mag?), '57 Classic/+.

All fantastic pickups, the BB1/3 combo, as well as the '57 Classics both absolutely sing in everything I've heard them in. I don't personally have experience with the BB2, I think they are mostly used in the bridge position of semi-hollow bodies, but I assume they are as good as their siblings in guitars that don't need any grunt from the pickups.

The BB Pros and 498T/490R have sounded like crap everytime I've heard them. I have less experience with the latter, but they sound pretty generic to me.

Maybe whoever winds for Gibson just works better with weaker magnets? Or maybe it's total coincidence.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

oilpit said:
The numbered Burstbuckers used alnico 2 magnets, correct? Because I have experience with (almost) all Gibson humbuckers, and off the top of my head, all the A2 models are pretty good, while all of the A5 ones kinda suck.
Click to expand...

The recent Gibson A5 bars that I've tested were 1/3 more gaussed than other magnets of the same (?) alloy... With coils exhibiting a high Q factor, like those in the BB pros, it gives the tone described above as too bright and too dark simultaneously: their high Q factor makes them too focused with powerful magnets (not to mention the tendency to produce unrequested feedback).

FWIW...
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

Have you carefully adjusted the pickup and its pole pieces? You can do a whole lot with that, if you know how.

Lots of modern pickups use magnets that are, quite simply, too powerful for my taste. A5s are quite strong, and can often cause the infamous too bright and​ too dark problem. Too bright due to the power of the magnet...and too dark because it's hitting your amp too hard and distorting the low end.

Try lowering the pickup a bit and rolling back your tone knob. Also, dial in less bass and treble on your amp, and more mids, if you have a knob for them. And make sure you balance the strings's volumes using the adjustable pole pieces.
 
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Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

I bet I could swap out the A5 magnets for a big improvement, but I'm thinking I might just replace the pickup so I can keep the 61T in tact to make it easier to sell.

I think what I really want in this guitar is big, round, and warm. And I can't stand that nasal half-cocked-wah sort of tone. I'll probably just throw in a Seth or an Antiquity and be done :)
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

I have a Gibson Les Paul LPJ with '61T and like it, maybe because of the maple neck it's not dark, but they are bright, I have my tone pot around 5.
As @itsabass suggested I had to play alot with the height and pole pieces. Was using DR Tite-fit and moved to Ernie Ball Power Slinky 11-48 and that worked for me.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

I'd think the Antiquity is what you need. It is nice and open, without honk anywhere. It is also extremely touch-sensitive, and they sound great in LPs.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

what are the specs on these 61 pups? ive heard the neck and bridge models are wound the same and have the screw coil hotter?
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

oilpit said:
The numbered Burstbuckers used alnico 2 magnets, correct? Because I have experience with (almost) all Gibson humbuckers, and off the top of my head, all the A2 models are pretty good, while all of the A5 ones kinda suck.

The BB1, BB2, BB3(not 100% sure about the BB3 mag?), '57 Classic/+.

All fantastic pickups, the BB1/3 combo, as well as the '57 Classics both absolutely sing in everything I've heard them in. I don't personally have experience with the BB2, I think they are mostly used in the bridge position of semi-hollow bodies, but I assume they are as good as their siblings in guitars that don't need any grunt from the pickups.

The BB Pros and 498T/490R have sounded like crap everytime I've heard them. I have less experience with the latter, but they sound pretty generic to me.

Maybe whoever winds for Gibson just works better with weaker magnets? Or maybe it's total coincidence.
Click to expand...

Yeah, 1 and 2 are the A2 version of the pros. BB3 is hotter than the 2, but still A2. BB2 also came in my R7. I'm down to only having them in my 335 now, but I found they were decent pickups and very usable.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

gotcha, a friend has an sg with these and doesnt love em. were gonna try a mag swap to a3 neck/a2 bridge and see how it goes
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

Same experience here with my new Les Paul Std 60’s. Those pickups are gross, just like the BB Pros that spawned them. I am however a BIG fan of all the A2 Burstbuckers and the 57 Classics.

Anyway, the BB61 set came out after a couple of weeks of adjusting them and in went a set of Custom Shop Pearly Gates and they’re a massive improvement, even if they’re not my favorite of all time. (I know, I know, they’re wonderful but everybody has preferences)
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

Oh, and my 61 set measured 7.85k bridge and 7.92k neck out of the guitar and they were specifically labeled rhythm and lead on the baseplate, and are waxpotted.
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

same buddy has the 57s in his lp and likes em. i have a set of those from my '09 lp trad that i dont care for, not bad, but not what i want so if the mag swap doesnt cut it we can try those.

as far as the cs pgs, i love the bridge pup i tried, but i preferred the stock neck. what do you like and not like about em? not to derail the thread, but... :D
 
Re: Gibson Burstbucker 61T... yuck

jeremy said:
as far as the cs pgs, i love the bridge pup i tried, but i preferred the stock neck. what do you like and not like about em? not to derail the thread, but... :D
Click to expand...

Off topic: Yeah, not to derail but I just don’t prefer the nasal mids that the PG bridge has. However, my CS PG set is exactly as it should be, it’s a beautiful pickup set and true to it’s namesake: I can get the sound of the Reverend right away, totally recognizable. Unfortunately that’s not what I generally play so it doesn’t necessarily fit if that makes sense. I generally like tons of gain and a regular old scooped 59 set fits that sound better FOR ME. I also like the slightly gritty nature in the Gibson BB2 for same reason over their smoother more middy 57 Classic. If I had the skills though, these things would sing.

I really like the PG neck though, very clear and without mud at all. It’s a beauty and even if I changed the bridge I would probably keep the neck in there.

I put this set in here though because I have every intention of getting more into blues, and I will eventually...


Back to the original topic: I did have the idea to change out the magnets in the 61 set to maybe A3 or A2 but got sidetracked and figured they were worth more if I wanted to sell them later if they hadn’t been cracked open. Wonder how close to a Custombucker like the R9 comes with they could be with A3 mags in them...
 
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