Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

[jpage]

Ok, it's late but since I was trying out these JBs in my LP Studio, I thought I'd do clips of them. The AC/DC riff starts off w/the bridge p/u volume backed off and then tuns up fully, the SRV debacles are both p/u together and the single note wanking at the end is the neck only.

Splawn through greenback (direct to amp) w/same settings on all clips

It's late--wrong notes galore but I'd like to hear opinions (tone-related, like the JBs or no?) if you have time to comment

Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I thought it was more appropriate here...

Pearly Gates set (LP Studio):

http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000166048_000026861.mp3

JB/JB (LP Studio)

http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000166048_000026863.mp3

Burstbuckers (LP Standard)

http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Members/000166048_000026862.mp3

 

[Buckeyedog]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I like the PG most in these clips. Thanks for doing this.....neat comparison.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I liked the presence the PG's had over the others.

 

[MrHeavyMetal]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

yeah the Pearly Gates rule among the BB's or JB.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

Which set of Burstbuckers were these? 1, 2, 3, or the BB Pros?

-Mark

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

Ug, is that actually what PG's sound like? That was SO fuzzy, harsh and abrasive. It hurt my ears. I liked the Burstbucker the best.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I think the PG sounded better in the middle/neck positions than it did in the bridge where I felt it was fuzzy and icepicky in the top end...

The JB jes confirmed my own findings having one in a LP.. The custom is a far better high output matchup in the bridge of a Les Paul, IME/IMO

The BB bridge was def the best of the 3 bridge pups to my ears..had bite but not the fizzy top of the PGb and overall a more even frequency response than the JB or PG......In the neck, I would not say the BB was any better than the PGn, but just different..I liked both equally well..the PG was a bit more bluesy, and the BB smoother and had a more singing like quality.

EDIT: BTW that Splawn RAWKS!

 

[Tommygun72]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

Pearly gates are awsome in the neck and in my sz520qm it goes great with a CC

 

[jpage]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I'm glad to hear the input...it was a fun little project although I have to say it pretty much reinforces my opinion I have that pickups are more "seasoning" of your basic tone--eq and amp choice really are the foundation of your overall sound. Although I think I agreed with the consensus; BB, PG, then JB, I think with a little amp tweaking any of them could be made to sound good. In fact, who is to say that the amp setting and mic placement weren't set up more optimally for the BBs?

And I sincerely apologize for drinking too many scotches while doing this project. Glenfiddich & electronics & guitar playing do not mix!

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

The JB is overall ballsier in it's low mids and seems to have more output...I Like the PG but my favorite was the BB because it wasn't quite as toppy and fuzzy in the highs with gain...

I don't use the JB,but it sounded good in your guitar...I guess I liked the BB the best in your samples...Nice guitar playing also!

 

[jpage]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

The JB is overall ballsier in it's low mids and seems to have more output...I Like the PG but my favorite was the BB because it wasn't quite as toppy and fuzzy in the highs with gain...

I don't use the JB,but it sounded good in your guitar...I guess I liked the BB the best in your samples...Nice guitar playing also!

The JB definitely had more output. The only adjustment I made in the "test" was to lower my level when using that pickup to avoid clipping. Funny though that it wasn't noticably "darker"--the effect I usually hear with higher output pickups.

Thanks for the kudos but listening back the next day I was wincing an awful lot. :smack: But I think it got the point across...

 

[drp555]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I thought the BB sounded the best, then the JB, then the PG.... but I noticed in the intitial post that the BB clip was done using a LP standard and the JB and PG clips were using a LP studio...so maybe I was hearing the difference in guitars more than the pups....

 

[papersoul]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

I think a big difference will always be the guitar itself even when comparing the same model type. I thought the JB was a touch muddy compared to the others. A lot of times it seems that swapping out pickups is like splitting hairs and I myself get caught up in it and it also depends on the quality of the pickup being replaced and if there is a specific tone sought. The PG sounded the loudest and biggest to my ears.....but it may have been the added highs, etc.

The one pickup I have used that always seems to make a pretty big difference is the Rio Grande BBQ because of it's unique tone....kind of like a fatter JB but with the presence of the PG.

This little test has me wanting to keep my 2003 Standard totally stock other than maybe a pot/cap change.

Are those BB Pros????

Thanks for the test.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

JPage...

You said you lowered the level for the JB test.......did you also lower the gain? The PG sounded loudest!

 

[jpage]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

JPage...

You said you lowered the level for the JB test.......did you also lower the gain? The PG sounded loudest!

No, just the level on the board. I might have lowered it too much but I'm pretty sure the ouput levels were pretty close...

 

[papersoul]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

No, just the level on the board. I might have lowered it too much but I'm pretty sure the ouput levels were pretty close...

ONe thing I've noticed is that the BB Pro does not require me to add more gain at the amp as I thought when going from something like a JB. The BB Pro has a good bite and good aggression.

 

[Thames]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

Too much gain in the clips for me. :\

 

[papersoul]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

Listening through good speakers and I think the JB sounds smoothest.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Les Paul pickup shootout (BBs, PGs, JBs)

curse these crappy computer speakers!!

i think the pg sounds the best but it doesnt sound much better than the bb. the jb sounded good but the others are more my flavor