Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
- Thread starter jimman
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Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
I would love to have an axe designated to have a great vintage set of pups like this in. Since Im still a noob (skill wise) and a metal head, I do most of my playing at higher gain.. So, vintage winds and no potting don't work in my normal lineup. (though I do LOVE my WLH set!!!) I put a couple of Zhangs pups in my tele, but due to the feedback I get with the bridge pup, I regretfully will be replacing the bridge one with a Duncan Jerry Donahue when I get time.. The Bunyan sounds great! But not the feedback...
I would love to have an axe designated to have a great vintage set of pups like this in. Since Im still a noob (skill wise) and a metal head, I do most of my playing at higher gain.. So, vintage winds and no potting don't work in my normal lineup. (though I do LOVE my WLH set!!!) I put a couple of Zhangs pups in my tele, but due to the feedback I get with the bridge pup, I regretfully will be replacing the bridge one with a Duncan Jerry Donahue when I get time.. The Bunyan sounds great! But not the feedback...
metlking
Well-known member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Hiya BR! Yep, aint been around much these days! Busy as fark!
Hiya BR! Yep, aint been around much these days! Busy as fark!
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Bridge Notes: For the high gain/volume player, I recommend a no-baseplate bridge pickup. The absence of a baseplate will kill or at least greatly reduce squeal. (If you have any squeal with one of these, it’s your steel surround bridge, so put some wax under that thing.) The absence of a plate also adds very noticeable output and bite, which Tele bridges by nature already have plenty of, so this option is recommended primarily for higher output winds.**
From Zhang's site:
Bridge Notes: For the high gain/volume player, I recommend a no-baseplate bridge pickup. The absence of a baseplate will kill or at least greatly reduce squeal. (If you have any squeal with one of these, it’s your steel surround bridge, so put some wax under that thing.) The absence of a plate also adds very noticeable output and bite, which Tele bridges by nature already have plenty of, so this option is recommended primarily for higher output winds.**
Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
I knew it, I knew it!!! I was correct when I said I had seen a video of the Joe Bonamassa "Skinnerburst Hmbucker Set" wherein SD advertised that the "Skinnerburst Humbucker Set" is comprised of a A3 Neck humbucker and an A2 Bridge humbucker, and not the A3N/A3B that Seymour now advertises. See this link, Post #4....
http://www.marshallforum.com/index.php?threads/alnico-magnets-differences.70443/
I believe it's an attempt to "muddy the waters" after SD realized that he'd let the proverbial "cat out of the bag" for those who'd try to replicate the "Skinnerburst Humbucker Set" w/o spending the $300 + dollars. Caught you Seymour!
I knew it, I knew it!!! I was correct when I said I had seen a video of the Joe Bonamassa "Skinnerburst Hmbucker Set" wherein SD advertised that the "Skinnerburst Humbucker Set" is comprised of a A3 Neck humbucker and an A2 Bridge humbucker, and not the A3N/A3B that Seymour now advertises. See this link, Post #4....
http://www.marshallforum.com/index.php?threads/alnico-magnets-differences.70443/
I believe it's an attempt to "muddy the waters" after SD realized that he'd let the proverbial "cat out of the bag" for those who'd try to replicate the "Skinnerburst Humbucker Set" w/o spending the $300 + dollars. Caught you Seymour!
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Actually, if you read the post more closely he says (and I quote):
"the original les pauls came with a A3 bridge and A2 neck. i strongly recommend a stronger bridge magnet compared with the neck magnet. the string vibration at the bridge is far less then at the neck pickup so you need a stronger pickup at the bridge.
not many of the major pickups come with A3 magnets. the SD joe bonamassa set is as close as you can get to the originals. they are A3/A2."
Seeing how he mentioned the bridge pickup first and then the neck pickup, his "A3/A2" means A3 bridge/A2 neck.
Not sure what "motives" SD would have to "trick" players into buying pickups. Slap an A3/A3 or A2/A3 in a pair of Seths and or Antiquities in order to get roughly 95% there. Antiquities won't compress nor sound as fat like the JBs and seths aren't aged, but at least they don't have the price tagged associated with them. So far, the A3 bridge is a sweet middle ground for me between A2/A5.
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Actually, if you read the post more closely he says (and I quote):
"the original les pauls came with a A3 bridge and A2 neck. i strongly recommend a stronger bridge magnet compared with the neck magnet. the string vibration at the bridge is far less then at the neck pickup so you need a stronger pickup at the bridge.
not many of the major pickups come with A3 magnets. the SD joe bonamassa set is as close as you can get to the originals. they are A3/A2."
Seeing how he mentioned the bridge pickup first and then the neck pickup, his "A3/A2" means A3 bridge/A2 neck.
Not sure what "motives" SD would have to "trick" players into buying pickups. Slap an A3/A3 or A2/A3 in a pair of Seths and or Antiquities in order to get roughly 95% there. Antiquities won't compress nor sound as fat like the JBs and seths aren't aged, but at least they don't have the price tagged associated with them. So far, the A3 bridge is a sweet middle ground for me between A2/A5.
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Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
where are you reading that? the original les pauls had p90s
gibson used alnico 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the paf's depending on what they could get. they sure werent going to stop making pups or guitars if they couldnt get a certain magnet.
ill say again, the first joe b set had a3 bridge and heavily degaussed a2 neck.
where are you reading that? the original les pauls had p90s
gibson used alnico 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the paf's depending on what they could get. they sure werent going to stop making pups or guitars if they couldnt get a certain magnet.ill say again, the first joe b set had a3 bridge and heavily degaussed a2 neck.
Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Did the boxes of the earliest Skinnerburst Humbucker Sets say this on the packaging?
where are you reading that? the original les pauls had p90s
ill say again, the first joe b set had a3 bridge and heavily degaussed a2 neck.
Did the boxes of the earliest Skinnerburst Humbucker Sets say this on the packaging?
Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
I didn't think the A3 bridge would have enough low end response especially for Joe Bonamassa. All of the descriptions of A3 magnets describe them as noticeably less bass than A2 or A5, and more appropriate for neck positions. The main point here being A3 and A2 were initially advertised by Seymour. Then, all of the sudden nothing could be found about this reference and it was A3/A3 like the SD Skinnerburst Humbucker Set had always been made that way. That's what alerted me to the inconsistencies.
On one hand you've got Seymour saying Joe's pups are made this way, and then no they're really made this way. If it were me looking to buy I'd be thinking, "which way is really accurate for Joe's sound?" AND if I'd have bought the earliest JB set w/A3 and A2 mags and now all of the sudden it's actually an A3/A3 set w/a different wind to compensate for magnet combinations, output, differing EQ, etc., I'd most certainly be pissed.
Who wants to buy a product (and not a cheap one at that) only to have ongoing R&D on this product after they've made their initial purchase? I'm sure it was more than just a simple magnet swap.
I didn't think the A3 bridge would have enough low end response especially for Joe Bonamassa. All of the descriptions of A3 magnets describe them as noticeably less bass than A2 or A5, and more appropriate for neck positions. The main point here being A3 and A2 were initially advertised by Seymour. Then, all of the sudden nothing could be found about this reference and it was A3/A3 like the SD Skinnerburst Humbucker Set had always been made that way. That's what alerted me to the inconsistencies.
On one hand you've got Seymour saying Joe's pups are made this way, and then no they're really made this way. If it were me looking to buy I'd be thinking, "which way is really accurate for Joe's sound?" AND if I'd have bought the earliest JB set w/A3 and A2 mags and now all of the sudden it's actually an A3/A3 set w/a different wind to compensate for magnet combinations, output, differing EQ, etc., I'd most certainly be pissed.
Who wants to buy a product (and not a cheap one at that) only to have ongoing R&D on this product after they've made their initial purchase? I'm sure it was more than just a simple magnet swap.
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Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
you do realize the skinner set and first joe b set are based on different things right? granted im sure they arent miles apart but they are intentionally different sounding sets.
can you please link to whatever is giving you fits? as far as i know the skinner set has always been a3/a3 and ive never heard anything to the contrary. im guessing there is first run vs skinner confusion or something on your part?
you do realize the skinner set and first joe b set are based on different things right? granted im sure they arent miles apart but they are intentionally different sounding sets.
can you please link to whatever is giving you fits? as far as i know the skinner set has always been a3/a3 and ive never heard anything to the contrary. im guessing there is first run vs skinner confusion or something on your part?
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Here's the info off the blog:
Apparently, the first run was from his '59 named "Magellan". To capture the tone from the original pickups, they settled with A2 Neck/A3 Bridge.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/guitar-pickups-for-blues
The Skinner burst pickups are from the "Principal Skinner" '59 (entirely separate guitar). Settled using A3/A3 to capture the original pickups.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/t...-bonamassa-signature-skinner-burst-pickup-set
Maybe what you heard was Seymour's guess of what the original magnets might be in the guitar(s)? As far as the final product, the magnets are what they are. Magellan: A2-N/A3-B; Principal Skinner: A3-N/A3-B
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Here's the info off the blog:
Apparently, the first run was from his '59 named "Magellan". To capture the tone from the original pickups, they settled with A2 Neck/A3 Bridge.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-tone-garage/guitar-pickups-for-blues
The Skinner burst pickups are from the "Principal Skinner" '59 (entirely separate guitar). Settled using A3/A3 to capture the original pickups.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/t...-bonamassa-signature-skinner-burst-pickup-set
Maybe what you heard was Seymour's guess of what the original magnets might be in the guitar(s)? As far as the final product, the magnets are what they are. Magellan: A2-N/A3-B; Principal Skinner: A3-N/A3-B
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Thanks for that YRHOY, I never knew that. I wonder if the A3 bridge humbuckers are RC/Polished ; short/long ; or have a stronger charge/weaker charge. I would think that the way A3 magnets have been described with reduced lows that the bridge EQ would have to be compensated for with something like a moderate output wind for example. My Tom Holmes set is 7.87K Neck and 8.72K Bridge which would most likely be perfect for an A3 bridge magnet.
**The advertisement must've been for the "Magellan" guitar although I don't remember hearing that guitar's name being referred to.**
Thanks for that YRHOY, I never knew that. I wonder if the A3 bridge humbuckers are RC/Polished ; short/long ; or have a stronger charge/weaker charge. I would think that the way A3 magnets have been described with reduced lows that the bridge EQ would have to be compensated for with something like a moderate output wind for example. My Tom Holmes set is 7.87K Neck and 8.72K Bridge which would most likely be perfect for an A3 bridge magnet.
**The advertisement must've been for the "Magellan" guitar although I don't remember hearing that guitar's name being referred to.**
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YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
^^ I should've thought of that before I installed them. I'll check next time I change strings. The A3 bridge in the skinner set is wound to 8.7K. I don't find it to lack bass nor output. Really killer bridge pickup, versatile enough to play genres outside the blues.
The "Magellan" set gives *my 336 more of a LP flavor. I've tried 4 sets in that guitar. Those pickups are the only stock ones to do so.
Here are the guitars from his IG:
"Principal Skinner"
"Magellan" on the far right
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^^ I should've thought of that before I installed them. I'll check next time I change strings. The A3 bridge in the skinner set is wound to 8.7K. I don't find it to lack bass nor output. Really killer bridge pickup, versatile enough to play genres outside the blues.
The "Magellan" set gives *my 336 more of a LP flavor. I've tried 4 sets in that guitar. Those pickups are the only stock ones to do so.
Here are the guitars from his IG:
"Principal Skinner"
"Magellan" on the far right
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Southbound Suarez
New member
Re: Got my Skinnerburst pickpups
Very nice YRHOY! Even when I had a good paying job I couldn't afford R8's, R9's, or artist signature Les Pauls. I do however have two lefty LPPP guitars and a R6 goldtop. The Goldtop has stock Lollar P90's, the LPPP w/60's neck has a Tim White Timbucker set, and the LPPP w/50's neck has a WCR Moore/Green set. I'm not changing the pup sets in these Les Pauls for nada.
On a side note, I spoke to Tom Holmes on 8/22/16 (back from vacation) and we discussed my 07' Holmes humbucker set. I mentioned the fact that I thought my Holmes humbucker set to be more of a "moderate" output as opposed to vintage and he said it was most likely due to the inconsistencies in the wire dimension used which I can understand as no pup wire manufacturer has perfect dimension wire throughout. You can do the 5000 winds or 5500 winds and still come out with a higher than normal DCR reading.
I figured if I couldn't get a good price on selling my Holmes set I could always do the A3/A3 or A4/A4 magnet swap even though my Holmes set supposedly has A4 mags. Question is, should I try the Polished long mag for the neck position and a RC long mag for the bridge position for either pairing of mags? I mentioned to Tom that the Holmes set sounded "hard" to my ears with hard crisp lows and highs and the sound was more one dimensional than I expected. Someone mentioned in a forum that their Holmes neck was not "clear" and as I last remember that was my issue as well. There was a review of Gibson pups in "Legendary Tones" where the reviewer said the Gibson 57' Classics (that the Holmes sets parallel) were the least PAF sounding to his ears and more inline for the harder rock players and I wholeheartedly agree. My Holmes HB set reminds me of the 57' Classics.
Thing is, some guys have said A4 pickups don't always sound good in every guitar and another reviewer even went as far as saying they thought Tom Holmes pups sounded better in solid mahogany guitars like SG's f.e. My Holmes set is wax potted which I will always ponder over. The Gibson Peter Frampton Signature guitar has 3 Holmes HB pups (unpotted).
One of my burning questions is what could I expect (tonally) say if I used A3 or A4 RC long magnets in the Holmes neck humbucker which measures 7.87K Ohms approximately?
Very nice YRHOY! Even when I had a good paying job I couldn't afford R8's, R9's, or artist signature Les Pauls. I do however have two lefty LPPP guitars and a R6 goldtop. The Goldtop has stock Lollar P90's, the LPPP w/60's neck has a Tim White Timbucker set, and the LPPP w/50's neck has a WCR Moore/Green set. I'm not changing the pup sets in these Les Pauls for nada.
On a side note, I spoke to Tom Holmes on 8/22/16 (back from vacation) and we discussed my 07' Holmes humbucker set. I mentioned the fact that I thought my Holmes humbucker set to be more of a "moderate" output as opposed to vintage and he said it was most likely due to the inconsistencies in the wire dimension used which I can understand as no pup wire manufacturer has perfect dimension wire throughout. You can do the 5000 winds or 5500 winds and still come out with a higher than normal DCR reading.
I figured if I couldn't get a good price on selling my Holmes set I could always do the A3/A3 or A4/A4 magnet swap even though my Holmes set supposedly has A4 mags. Question is, should I try the Polished long mag for the neck position and a RC long mag for the bridge position for either pairing of mags? I mentioned to Tom that the Holmes set sounded "hard" to my ears with hard crisp lows and highs and the sound was more one dimensional than I expected. Someone mentioned in a forum that their Holmes neck was not "clear" and as I last remember that was my issue as well. There was a review of Gibson pups in "Legendary Tones" where the reviewer said the Gibson 57' Classics (that the Holmes sets parallel) were the least PAF sounding to his ears and more inline for the harder rock players and I wholeheartedly agree. My Holmes HB set reminds me of the 57' Classics.
Thing is, some guys have said A4 pickups don't always sound good in every guitar and another reviewer even went as far as saying they thought Tom Holmes pups sounded better in solid mahogany guitars like SG's f.e. My Holmes set is wax potted which I will always ponder over. The Gibson Peter Frampton Signature guitar has 3 Holmes HB pups (unpotted).
One of my burning questions is what could I expect (tonally) say if I used A3 or A4 RC long magnets in the Holmes neck humbucker which measures 7.87K Ohms approximately?
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