Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

[warlok]

I bought a set of gold covered Epiphone pickups for a cheap project. The guy was honest saying he bought them from someone as Probuckers that were removed from a new guitar but couldn't guarantee what model they are. For $25 shipped, I figured I'd give them a shot. They have no ID stickers at all, 4 conductors with gray sheath like the Probuckers and Alnico Classic Pros (no quick connector, or it was clipped and wired direct). But the weird part is they have the old style brass backplate that just says "Epiphone" with R on one and F on the other like this.

All the PB and ACP's I've been able to research have the silver backplate that says "Designed by Epiphone USA" like this.

Do these sound familiar to anyone? I don't have them yet so can't measure DCR or post actual pics yet.
Thanks

 

[warlok]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Actually, Here's the ebay ad.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Epiphone-P...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Well, they're definitely not probuckers. Probuckers don't have a brass baseplate.

They could be the 700T/650R.

 

[superpete]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

these look identical to the fake epiphone humbuckers i pulled out of a chinese les paul

 

[blueman335]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Those are the old crappy Epi pickups, suitable as paperweights. Complaints about them were why Epi started it's pickup upgrade program as few years ago. The 2nd pic is what Probuckers really look like, and Alnico Classic Pros have a similar white tag on them.

You bought junk pickups, send them back. The guy either knows nothing or ripped you off.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Yep, basic, low end Epi pickups with the stickers removed. Pretty sure the guy knew that, btw. He was just baiting someone who didn't know...and found a bite

BTW, since he did state they were "Probuckers" in the title and doesn't actually state anywhere that he "didn't know for sure"...I'd file a claim and get my money back! You can get a proper set of Probuckers (nice pickups) for not much more!

I hate to overgeneralize, but these are basically muddy junk as Blueman said.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Yep, I concur - probably mudbuckers, or even fakes.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Yep, I concur - probably mudbuckers, or even fakes.

Ha. I forgot that nickname for them, 'mudbuckers.' Very accurate name. Terrible pickups. I can't believe anyone would actual sell them, and that they could ever be an upgrade over any existing pickup.

 

[warlok]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

The seller didnt do anything wrong. I messaged with him before I bought and he was clear that he didnt know what they were. I took a chance. Most of my guitars have Duncan's and I dont have much experience with Epi pickups. I've never seen an epiphone with 4 conductors except ACP and PB's.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

A couple things...

1) You didn't pay a whole lot for them, so that's a positive

2) They *could* be the transitional "Alnico Classic" pickups found in late-2000's guitars like the Epi LP "Ultra" I/II, which are better sounding than the typical ceramic ones despite looking very similar. However, these are certainly not the later "Pro" version and I bet the guy you bought them from took the stickers off himself to hide what they really were.

3) While Blueman can be wrong about so many things, such as the JB's efficacy in a Les Paul (nudge nudge...just kidding, Blueman!), he's not wrong about the older, plain-Jane Epiphone pickups. They sucked. There are hardly any other pickups I would dare say that about with such sweeping generalization. Sure, good music has been made with them, but good music has been made from someone finger-thumping on a log in the forest, so that's not saying much.

 

[warlok]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

You could be right about tge transitional Alnico Classic. Heres the only one I've found with a brass backplate and gray 4 conductor wire. http://www.rt1guitars.com/epiphone-alnico-classic-humbucker-hot-neck-pickup/

 

[blueman335]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

If you can solder, try them out, they may be just fine. Blueman is a negative know it all that gets pleasure from ruining peoples excitement for their gear. I hope they sound great!

Have you played a guitar with Epi mudbuckers? My comments were mild compared to what some of the members here have said about them.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

If you can solder, try them out, they may be just fine. Blueman is a negative know it all that gets pleasure from ruining peoples excitement for their gear. I hope they sound great!

That's not only rude, but it's very untrue. Maybe you are the one you are describing.
If he seems like a "know-it-all" to you, maybe it's because he actually does know more than you.

 

[warlok]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Got the pickups.. Holy ****, bridge is way hotter than I hoped. Bridge is 15.81k. Neck is 8.09. I was definitely hoping gor something in the 8k area on both. Like was said previous, happy I didnt pay much. Maybe I'll hold off for something else. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Have you played a guitar with Epi mudbuckers? My comments were mild compared to what some of the members here have said about them.

Mine are rotting in a landfill in Hell.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

You can always try that bridge pickup in parallel (if there are 4 conductors). That should tame it a bit.

 

[warlok]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

I actually like the Wilkinsons in the guitar now, was just looking to try some others. I'll see where it goes from here. Thanks

 

[Discharged]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Got the pickups.. Holy ****, bridge is way hotter than I hoped. Bridge is 15.81k. Neck is 8.09. I was definitely hoping gor something in the 8k area on both. Like was said previous, happy I didnt pay much. Maybe I'll hold off for something else. Thanks for the replies.

Now that you're measured'em, I can with confidence say that they're the same sold on aliexpress for
15 bucks a set, postage included. Ceramic magnets.

/Peter

 

[Johnny-DK]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Late to the show, but Epiphone Probuckers and Alnico Pro pickups have silver nickel base plates. The old (and what many regard as muddy) Epi pickups had brass baseplates.

 

[superpete]

Re: Identify some Epiphone pickups. Probuckers??

Now that you're measured'em, I can with confidence say that they're the same sold on aliexpress for
15 bucks a set, postage included. Ceramic magnets.

/Peter

i have a set of legit epiphone humbuckers and a chinese knock off "epiphone" set. Both read around 14k bridge and 8k neck. i'm 50/50 on whether they are legit epi pus or not. but as pointed out already, def not probuckers.