gibson pickups - you like them?
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ErikH
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80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
The1GuitarPlayer
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Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Burstbuckers are nice if you want some bright A2 HBS
The 490R 498T combo is for mostly wide range clean and metal tones, it's just personal preference. Honestly my favorite Gibson HBs are the original PAF from the 50s-60s or the T-Tops. I'm just more of a vintage tone guy
Burstbuckers are nice if you want some bright A2 HBS
The 490R 498T combo is for mostly wide range clean and metal tones, it's just personal preference. Honestly my favorite Gibson HBs are the original PAF from the 50s-60s or the T-Tops. I'm just more of a vintage tone guy
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
The only set I've ever used is the 57/57+.
I like the 57. I feel like 57+ could be better (like maybe a bit beefier), but it's good enough for now.
I don't have enough experience with PAFs to know if that's common to the bridge position or to these pickups. I was under the impression the extra-winds of the + are to compensate for its position, but it doesn't seem to help much. Then again, if the bridge were beefier, maybe it would sound too much like the neck, eliminating the purpose of having two pickups. Anyway I live on the neck pickup on that guitar.
The only set I've ever used is the 57/57+.
I like the 57. I feel like 57+ could be better (like maybe a bit beefier), but it's good enough for now.
I don't have enough experience with PAFs to know if that's common to the bridge position or to these pickups. I was under the impression the extra-winds of the + are to compensate for its position, but it doesn't seem to help much. Then again, if the bridge were beefier, maybe it would sound too much like the neck, eliminating the purpose of having two pickups. Anyway I live on the neck pickup on that guitar.
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Gibson pickups are very nice and high quality. German silver baseplates. Big fan of that.
Gibson and Fender invented the pickups but SD perfected them.
The only Gibson pickups I have are the BB1/BB2 in my beloved Les Paul. If the guitar wasn't so special (to keep 100% stock) it would have a SD pair.
Gibson pickups are very nice and high quality. German silver baseplates. Big fan of that.
Gibson and Fender invented the pickups but SD perfected them.
The only Gibson pickups I have are the BB1/BB2 in my beloved Les Paul. If the guitar wasn't so special (to keep 100% stock) it would have a SD pair.
BluesIsBlood12
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Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
57s sound pretty good in my friend's LP Classic, but they were garbage in my SG compared to any number of other pickups I tried in there. To be fair, the 57s were on the circuit board setup, and the others got a mojotone harness. The 57s might have been better on there, but I didn't want to clip the quick connect so I could return it to stock.
Burstbucker Pros were not good in my LP standard, though it's bright and hard to match pickups in.
These are the only Gibsons I've used, but I've found a number of SD pickups that worked better, and lowly Toneriders were superior as well.
57s sound pretty good in my friend's LP Classic, but they were garbage in my SG compared to any number of other pickups I tried in there. To be fair, the 57s were on the circuit board setup, and the others got a mojotone harness. The 57s might have been better on there, but I didn't want to clip the quick connect so I could return it to stock.
Burstbucker Pros were not good in my LP standard, though it's bright and hard to match pickups in.
These are the only Gibsons I've used, but I've found a number of SD pickups that worked better, and lowly Toneriders were superior as well.
rainsong86
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
That isn't his original avatar from when he joined the forum, at 3 years old?
rainsong86
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Let me know if this is helpful or in need of any revision (even the subjective things)
490r: alnico II, 8.1k, more upper mids than 57, wax potted
490t: alnico II, 8.1k, more upper mids than 57, wax potted
496r: ceramic, 8.5k, hot, wax potted
498t: alnico V, 9k, overwound 490t, more upper mids than 57+, wax potted
500t: ceramic, 15k, hot, wax potted
61r: alnico V, 7.8k, like a more aggressive Bbucker 1, less mids than 490r, more mids than 57, wax potted
61t: alnico V, 7.9k, more aggressive Bbucker 2, less mids than 490t, more mids than 57, wax potted
57: alnico II, 7.5k, more balanced tone, wax potted
57+: alnico II, 8.3k, like an overwound 57, wax potted
Burstbucker 1: alnico II, 6.5k, underwound PAF best for neck, no wax potting
Burstbucker 2: alnico II, 7.4k, PAF for neck or bridge, no wax potting
Burstbucker 3: alnico II, 8.4k, overwound PAF best for bridge, no wax potting
Burstbucker Pro neck: alnico V, 7.4k, more bite than Bbucker 1 and wax potted
Burstbucker Pro bridge: alnico V, 8.3k, more bite than Bbucker 2 and wax potted
Let me know if this is helpful or in need of any revision (even the subjective things)
490r: alnico II, 8.1k, more upper mids than 57, wax potted
490t: alnico II, 8.1k, more upper mids than 57, wax potted
496r: ceramic, 8.5k, hot, wax potted
498t: alnico V, 9k, overwound 490t, more upper mids than 57+, wax potted
500t: ceramic, 15k, hot, wax potted
61r: alnico V, 7.8k, like a more aggressive Bbucker 1, less mids than 490r, more mids than 57, wax potted
61t: alnico V, 7.9k, more aggressive Bbucker 2, less mids than 490t, more mids than 57, wax potted
57: alnico II, 7.5k, more balanced tone, wax potted
57+: alnico II, 8.3k, like an overwound 57, wax potted
Burstbucker 1: alnico II, 6.5k, underwound PAF best for neck, no wax potting
Burstbucker 2: alnico II, 7.4k, PAF for neck or bridge, no wax potting
Burstbucker 3: alnico II, 8.4k, overwound PAF best for bridge, no wax potting
Burstbucker Pro neck: alnico V, 7.4k, more bite than Bbucker 1 and wax potted
Burstbucker Pro bridge: alnico V, 8.3k, more bite than Bbucker 2 and wax potted
mojosman
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
I’ve tried to like the Gibson pickups I’ve tried, but, they just wasn’t what I had in mind. I’ve owned three Les Pauls, and two ended up with SD’s, and the other has the D. Allen P-51 Mustang set, which is A4, and leans a bit towards the edgier end of what a PAF normally is, but they still cleans up nicely. Very versatile. One LP I put a PG set in, which were a huge upgrade over the Gibsons, and my Traditional has the custom shop Joe Bonamassa Skinnerburst set, which are impeccable. They weren’t cheap, but worth every penny.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I’ve tried to like the Gibson pickups I’ve tried, but, they just wasn’t what I had in mind. I’ve owned three Les Pauls, and two ended up with SD’s, and the other has the D. Allen P-51 Mustang set, which is A4, and leans a bit towards the edgier end of what a PAF normally is, but they still cleans up nicely. Very versatile. One LP I put a PG set in, which were a huge upgrade over the Gibsons, and my Traditional has the custom shop Joe Bonamassa Skinnerburst set, which are impeccable. They weren’t cheap, but worth every penny.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Mine were originally on a circuit board too, which I wouldn't have minded except that the pots were like 250K or 275K or something like that. I swapped the board out for CTS 500K pots, clipped the quick connect leads and soldered the pickups into the circuit. The guitar become much more lively once the traditional pot values were used.
Mine were originally on a circuit board too, which I wouldn't have minded except that the pots were like 250K or 275K or something like that. I swapped the board out for CTS 500K pots, clipped the quick connect leads and soldered the pickups into the circuit. The guitar become much more lively once the traditional pot values were used.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
I get along with the BB1&2 sets in my LP Historics. The BB2 can twang like a monster Tele pickup. Got '57 Classics in my 335s, and a LP Elegant, and no real complaints there. The BBs are brighter and clearer, and mine are factory wax potted. (Oops, just blew up that chart!)
The 496R/500T sets in my 1960 LP Classics were too hot for my Mesa amps, but I thought they sounded okay. I'm happier with Seths and Antiquitys I put in those two guitars.
I could see how some folks could like the 490R/498T, but they drive me crazy. Whenever I switch pickups I want to run back to the amp and adjust the tone. I had them in my two LP Supremes, but swapped one set out for Seths and those are better for me.
My two LP Classic Antiques have the uncovered '57/'57+ sets. They work pretty well. To me the bridge pickup sounds similar to the TB-4 I have in my ASAT Deluxe with 250K pots. It's a good solid rounded midrange rock solo tone.
A lot depends on the amp, the genre and the audience.
Bill
I get along with the BB1&2 sets in my LP Historics. The BB2 can twang like a monster Tele pickup. Got '57 Classics in my 335s, and a LP Elegant, and no real complaints there. The BBs are brighter and clearer, and mine are factory wax potted. (Oops, just blew up that chart!)
The 496R/500T sets in my 1960 LP Classics were too hot for my Mesa amps, but I thought they sounded okay. I'm happier with Seths and Antiquitys I put in those two guitars.
I could see how some folks could like the 490R/498T, but they drive me crazy. Whenever I switch pickups I want to run back to the amp and adjust the tone. I had them in my two LP Supremes, but swapped one set out for Seths and those are better for me.
My two LP Classic Antiques have the uncovered '57/'57+ sets. They work pretty well. To me the bridge pickup sounds similar to the TB-4 I have in my ASAT Deluxe with 250K pots. It's a good solid rounded midrange rock solo tone.
A lot depends on the amp, the genre and the audience.
Bill
Lewguitar
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
I agree. And any of the Burstbuckers are good pickups too.
Derek Trucks uses Gibson pickups and sounds mind-blowingly great. So good tone is there if you can really play.
For me though, I prefer the stock Duncan Antiquity and Seth Lover humbuckers, or the Antiquitys and 59's I have modified with RCA2 and RCA3 magnet swaps over any stock Gibson humbuckers I've owned in the last 40 years.
I also disconnect the tone control from the neck humbucker in some of my guitars. People who need more clarity for cleaner rhythm tones should try it. I guess a no-load tone would achieve the same thing, but if your guitar only has one tone control (like my PRS SE's) I can turn the tone control way down for violin tone from my bridge pickup and get cleaner rhythm tones from my neck pickup with the tone control disconnected from the neck pickup.
I agree. And any of the Burstbuckers are good pickups too.
Derek Trucks uses Gibson pickups and sounds mind-blowingly great. So good tone is there if you can really play.
For me though, I prefer the stock Duncan Antiquity and Seth Lover humbuckers, or the Antiquitys and 59's I have modified with RCA2 and RCA3 magnet swaps over any stock Gibson humbuckers I've owned in the last 40 years.
I also disconnect the tone control from the neck humbucker in some of my guitars. People who need more clarity for cleaner rhythm tones should try it. I guess a no-load tone would achieve the same thing, but if your guitar only has one tone control (like my PRS SE's) I can turn the tone control way down for violin tone from my bridge pickup and get cleaner rhythm tones from my neck pickup with the tone control disconnected from the neck pickup.
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ItsaBass
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Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Forgot to mention Gibson P90s.
Best sounding pickups they make IMO. I have four of them across three guitars (not counting my vintage 1968 ones in my 330), and they are about the best pickups I've ever heard. Never heard an aftermarket take on them sound any better.
Forgot to mention Gibson P90s.
Best sounding pickups they make IMO. I have four of them across three guitars (not counting my vintage 1968 ones in my 330), and they are about the best pickups I've ever heard. Never heard an aftermarket take on them sound any better.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
This is not correct, looking at the whole picture over time.
The difference between potted and non-potted BBs (1, 2, and 3) is usually whether the pickups are OEM, or were bought as an accessory. Accessory copies (i.e. were originally sold separately) are not potted. OEM copies (i.e. originally came in a guitar) are not.
And all BBV/Pro are, aftermarket or OEM.
Historics have come both ways over the decades.
Originally, BBs were not potted. But people who bought expensive Historics complained about squeal, and then Gibson started potting them WHEN they came in a guitar from the factory. At various points and periods over the decades since, Historics may or may not have used potted versions.
And again, the V/Pro versions were always potted.
This is not correct, looking at the whole picture over time.
The difference between potted and non-potted BBs (1, 2, and 3) is usually whether the pickups are OEM, or were bought as an accessory. Accessory copies (i.e. were originally sold separately) are not potted. OEM copies (i.e. originally came in a guitar) are not.
And all BBV/Pro are, aftermarket or OEM.
Historics have come both ways over the decades.
Originally, BBs were not potted. But people who bought expensive Historics complained about squeal, and then Gibson started potting them WHEN they came in a guitar from the factory. At various points and periods over the decades since, Historics may or may not have used potted versions.
And again, the V/Pro versions were always potted.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
Great post rainsong! I'll add my 2 cents which may be more/less accurate and worth more/less than two cents
Great post rainsong! I'll add my 2 cents which may be more/less accurate and worth more/less than two cents
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
496R is a great neck pickup. When I put a 500T/496R set in my LP Studio, I immediately realized why these were in the first version of the Jimmy Page LP. They can get ‘those tones’ but they’re a level hotter, so they work for more styles and work with more amps. Great clear tones, from clean to high gain.
496R is a great neck pickup. When I put a 500T/496R set in my LP Studio, I immediately realized why these were in the first version of the Jimmy Page LP. They can get ‘those tones’ but they’re a level hotter, so they work for more styles and work with more amps. Great clear tones, from clean to high gain.
Re: gibson pickups - you like them?
I got my info from the Gibson forum and the guy said Gibson confirmed it to be true.
One way to find out. Crank it with the strings muffled and stand 6 feet away from the amp. Any squeal can also be due to the cover being a bit loose.
I got my info from the Gibson forum and the guy said Gibson confirmed it to be true.
One way to find out. Crank it with the strings muffled and stand 6 feet away from the amp. Any squeal can also be due to the cover being a bit loose.
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