Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

AngryDeli

AngryDeli

New member
Hey folks! I have a question that hopefully someone here can answer for me. I have a Gibson Les Paul BFG that I would like to replace (or enhance) the BurstBucker 3 humbucker in the bridge without changing the P-90 in the neck. About a year ago, I went and did a silly thing: I actually got an active Blackout AHB-1 in the bridge while still keeping the P-90 but obviously it didn't work out so hot so I restored the BB3 back in the bridge. Now, as for amps, I play metal through a Peavey 6505+ halfstack and sometimes a Peavey 3120 (backup or whenever I want to change things up soundwise) and I noticed that the BB3 is really weak for producing those gut wrenching, pant flapping sounds that the aforementioned amps are famous for. I tried playing the BFG through a ZW-44 Overdrive pedal and while this enhanced the bite, it killed the bottom end. Since putting an actual Blackout in the bridge didn't really work, I am curious if the Blackout Modulator Preamp would be a good solution here. I thought about some of the other passive pickups like the Invader or the Distortion (pass on the Dimebucker, my co-guitarist has one and it sounds like a bag of ass to me) but since my other Les Paul Studio has Blackouts and sounds killer, I wondered if the Modulator Preamp would serve the same purpose without messing with the P-90. Any thoughts or advice?
 
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Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

BB3's a great pickup, but I can see you wanting something different for teh metlaz. I'd try a Distortion, a Custom, or a Custom 8.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

I don't know if it'll work or not, but the idea of a 'Blackout 90' in the neck has got me trembling...

If it works, let us know, this thread has got me thinking about an active P-90 and how awesome it could sound!
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

I had an ink blue BFG a few years back and I can agree with you with the Burstbucker 3. Just simply didn't like it. It didn't have any of the nice vintage qualities the BB1, BB2, or BB Pros have and as a hard rock pickup it lacked harmonics.

Having a P90 in the neck didn't help matters either as neither the hum-canceling nor the output matched between the pickups.

You really don't need to go the active route to get awesome lead tones through a 5150/6505 as they already have retarded amounts of gain, but it is important your pickups are balanced. You certainly don't need additional preamps if your pickups/amp are awesome.

I think a Custom SH-5 or Distortion SH-6 would make a great replacement in the bridge and perhaps a P90 sized humbucker in the neck, ie. DiMarzio DLX plus.

Personally I found the Gibson P90 neck to be muddy, but that's just me.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Go for a Custom in the bridge. Check the string spacing first, that might take a TB-5.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Thanks, everyone! I'm definitely leaning towards the Custom or the Distortion. So far, every review about the Blackout Modulator Preamp was a mixed bag ranging from spectacular to downright awful so I think actually replacing the BB3 is the way to go at this juncture. It's just strange how I have to dime the Low, High, Resonance and Presence controls and my Pre-Amp gain is up to 7 and it's still falls short of metal face-melting satisfaction. I am also beginning to think that the 6505+ might need to be checked out because while it is certainly loud enough, the overall tone, even with my LP that has Blackouts, sounds really farty to me.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

This might help some :



. . . skip to 11m28sec


I like the Full Shred.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Mont97 said:
I don't know if it'll work or not, but the idea of a 'Blackout 90' in the neck has got me trembling...

If it works, let us know, this thread has got me thinking about an active P-90 and how awesome it could sound!
Click to expand...

I've got a pair of P90 Bartolinis... I'll let you know how they work out. ;)
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Mont97 said:
I don't know if it'll work or not, but the idea of a 'Blackout 90' in the neck has got me trembling...

If it works, let us know, this thread has got me thinking about an active P-90 and how awesome it could sound!
Click to expand...

No ****!:scratchch
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Not sure, but the forst thing I'd do is get a hot P-90 in the neck, that is, if you really do metal.Just my opinion.
I've always liked the BFG. Just might get me one some of these days.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

MetalManiac said:
Not sure, but the forst thing I'd do is get a hot P-90 in the neck, that is, if you really do metal.Just my opinion.
I've always liked the BFG. Just might get me one some of these days.
Click to expand...

I was a bit leery when I first picked up this particular BFG, considering that many players think that they are only two inches away from an Epiphone or something. It was listed on Craigslist for about $800 in mint condition and plus it was a Silverburst so being a sucker for a good deal and silverbursts, I couldn't resist. As for the P-90, I don't really use it at all in my band's performances except when I'm just noodling around at home and feel like playing something that isn't all chug-chug-chug-chug, weeedly-weedly-weeee. It definitely sounds very muddy with a high gain amp blasting away but in a clean setting, it is rather creamy in tone so it's nice to hear once in a while.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

I had that guitar running BFG -> Vox Satchurator -> Traynor YCV50

I would dial the guitar in for the BB3 and as soon as I switched to the P90, I'd get all sorts of feedback and hum.

It's just one of those ideas that sounds good on paper, but sucks in actual performance.

Stick with dual singles or dual humbuckers.

If you really love the P90 neck, try out a GFS Mean 90 in the bridge. It'll still do metal, but you won't have any balance issues.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

If you like the tone of the blackout bridge but want a passive, the duncan distortion will get you close; i have 2 identical ibanez RGs - one has the AHB-1 in the bridge, the other has the DD. The major EQ difference I can hear are the mids - the DD has more than the blackout, obviously a touch less output, and isn't quite as tight, but i love the sonic contrast it gives. Treble is about the same, and because of the mids the DD sounds more in your face to me - better for older styles of metal and very good for death metal.
The blackout is better for more modern downtuned stuff - so tight and with a slight mid scoop, it does (whatever)-core really well.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Try an A8 mag in that BB3 before giving up on it.

If you still feel you need to get something different then Custom, C8, or DD.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

Mont97 said:
I don't know if it'll work or not, but the idea of a 'Blackout 90' in the neck has got me trembling...

If it works, let us know, this thread has got me thinking about an active P-90 and how awesome it could sound!
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the Blackouts preamp needs a 4 conductor pickup. The preamp won't work with a P90, unless it's a 4 conductor stack.
 
Re: Gibson Les Paul BFG dilemma

All this slagging on the humbucker / P90 setup...jeez

Its a rocknroll guitar. That setup is awesome for rocknroll. If you play modern, higain metal, its the wrong instrument to begin with.

Regardless, your 5150 should he able to make it scream. Get your amp looked at.
 
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