New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

[CoryXC]

Hi all,

I've had my Gibson PP Les Paul for about a year now. It has the Burstbucker Pro (A5) pickups in them.. I'm really noticing that the bridge pickup is weak and thin at some points. I do play 9's, but sometimes its rediculous. When I plug in my C5 loaded strat, I have to boost the highs so much and lower the bass. The paul just doesn't have the balls.

My main predicament is, I love the classic tone that I get from the BB's. I wanna retain the classic and clarity, but get more balls! Would changing to a '59 or PG be better? Would a 59 sound much different than a BB, considering they're modeling the same pickup? BTW, I've tried moving the pup up and down also.. I've done everything possible.. It gets so rediculously icepicky sometimes.. WEAK... THIN... Can't take it anymore!

Someone help me!

Cory

 

[CoryXC]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Another thing I might add..

When playing lead, It doesn't scream at all.. I mean yeah I have a 5150, and it has all the gain you want, but seriously... the pup itself just seems weak and dead.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Hey Cory, I thought I might drop in and give you some reading material and a hand.

The 59 would be closest to the BB's. You also might want to look into the 59/C5 combo. The C5 is like a 59 kicked up a few notches. Check the tips and clips section for some sound clips. For the MOST vintage sound the antiquities will give you THE tone.

Antiquity---A pup that is hand made by Seymour or MJ that has been artificially aged. The magnet has been degaussed and the cover has been distressed along with the screws so as to appear vintage. Everything is done to make these pups as close to an original that you would buy from a collector that was out of a guitar that was played everyday and gigged with. They have complex mids and are smooth. They are available in A2 or A5 magnet varieties. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Hope this helps!

Luke

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

some BB Pro's sound like this..then again some guitars are dead tonally too

The BBPros and 59 do NOT sound alike...the BB Pro's coils are not evenly wound...the 59's are....it's, a different sound...59's are a bit scooped in the midrange and "rounder" sounding...fatter.and creamier with bite...the uneven wind of the BB pro puts out more mids and an "edgier" tone...and it can be harsh sounding at times...kinda like a low powered JB with a bit more low mids than high mids.

Took me awhile to figger out what I didn't like about the BB or other uneven wind pups...now I know...I prefer (in a PAF at least) the 59/Gibson 57 classic creamy "round" sound..but most seem to prefer the uneven wind sound.

 

[CoryXC]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Thanks for the info! Out of the all the pups you stated.. The '59, A2P, and PG entice me the most.. The anitiquities are just too expensive. I like how you talk about the A2P singing in all.. But i've heard it can be shrill also. Does the PG sing? Is it a definite output increase from a BB? Could you say that all these pups would fatten up coming from a BB? Sorry for all the questions!

Cory

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Thanks for the info! Out of the all the pups you stated.. The '59, A2P, and PG entice me the most.. The anitiquities are just too expensive. I like how you talk about the A2P singing in all.. But i've heard it can be shrill also. Does the PG sing? Is it a definite output increase from a BB? Could you say that all these pups would fatten up coming from a BB? Sorry for all the questions!

Well any PAF style pup can be shrill, but it is probably the fault of a setup or some other strange happenstance to make the A2P sound shrill and thin.

Jeff I didn't say the BB's sounded exactly like the 59's, but the Paul I played with the A5 BB's sounded similiar to the 59's I've played, albeit edgier. No need to get all up in arms about it man.

Luke

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Jeff I didn't say the BB's sounded exactly like the 59's, but the Paul I played with the A5 BB's sounded similiar to the 59's I've played, albeit edgier. No need to get all up in arms about it man.

Luke

Hey bro..not up in arms..I believe we were posting at the same time...wasn't directing that towards you at all

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

To further elaborate on the even vs. uneven wind type thing...

when I think of the even winds (59 like), I think of Angous Young on much of his recorded work...the solo on "too hard to handle" from the black crowes (all of the LP work on that album for that matter). And you can zip over to the Gibson site and listen to clips of the 57 classics..(a2 mags, but even winds).

For uneven winds (like a BB, or PG, or sim)..think of Billy Gibbons, plenty of Jimmy Page (lemon song & Moby **** in particular), martin barre....it's more middy..and a little grainy on the top end...not so "tight" or "creamy".

But also..to address Luke's point...it's def a fact that Gibson can be very inconsistent...QC has been an issue...and pup winding is no diff since they first started making humbuckers, so it's quite poss that some BB Pro's are dang near an even wind or jes MAY be an even wind. But all I have experience with have had the characteristic uneven wind sound...Perhaps the BB's w/ alnico II mags (BB1-3) are different...but I don't have much experience with them to say one way or the other.

Regardless, 59's are some awesome pups, and if ya get a good set, the BB pros are pretty nice too..jes that particular uneven wind is not my tonal choice....but they can def get ya a lot of classic sounds.

 

[JeffB]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

I got to hear some Seth's today in a Les Paul classic..and WHOA!

I may have to rethink my opinions on A2 mags in the bridge....Seth was very impressive...certainly not "tight" like a a5 or ceramic mag...but very nice nonetheless...

They kind of reminded me of a McCarty pup with more low mids...very sweet top end..and a little raunchy on the low end..(the McCarty pups tho I believe are A5 mags)

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Wow, great post Luke.

Both the Antiquity and Seth Lover are not potted, right? How does that alter the tone? (I think I need that wax potting, the original Epis were not and drove me nuts. One of the reasons I went for new pickups so many years ago)

 

[Captain Tightpants]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

I have to agree with previous posters, the 59 is a fine bridge pickup, probably the most underrated SD in the bridge position. It should do just fine with your 5150!

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

If it sounds too thin, turn it up! lol.

 

[theodie]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

The 59 is a great choice but, if you want the PAF vibe with "BALLS" the custom is a great pickup for it.

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

PAF with more balls...exatly what I'm loooking for..which is why im 90% sure thats what I'm goign to get. Sorry to go off topic a little.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Hey bro..not up in arms..I believe we were posting at the same time...wasn't directing that towards you at all

Goes to show what we read is necessarily what was meant, cool man.

 

[Bludave]

Re: New Bridge Pickup in my Paul

Hey Cory, I thought I might drop in and give you some reading material and a hand.

The 59 would be closest to the BB's. You also might want to look into the 59/C5 combo. The C5 is like a 59 kicked up a few notches. Check the tips and clips section for some sound clips. For the MOST vintage sound the antiquities will give you THE tone.

Antiquity---A pup that is hand made by Seymour or MJ that has been artificially aged. The magnet has been degaussed and the cover has been distressed along with the screws so as to appear vintage. Everything is done to make these pups as close to an original that you would buy from a collector that was out of a guitar that was played everyday and gigged with. They have complex mids and are smooth. They are available in A2 or A5 magnet varieties. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The 59---The 59 is the quintessential A5 PAF (patent applied for) pup. Imagine getting in a time machine and going back to 1959 and swiping a brand new A5 pup from the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo and bringing it forward to today. They have found most homes in many neck slots. It has symetrical coils and lots of quack. It has thumping bass, a scooped mid, and cutting highs. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Seth Lover---This pup is as true to the original as can be. This pup is unpotted and comes standard with a gold, or nickel pup cover. It has an A2 magnet and has good quack and fair mids. For this pup imagine going back in time to 1955 and grabbing one of the very first PAF's before they debuted in the LP's. This pup is warm and creamy, but can also get bright with the tone knob on 10. Vintage 2 Conductor Wire

The Alnico 2 Pro---The warmest of the Duncan PAF line. It has symetrical coils and is a modern take on the A2 PAFs. It has round bass and smooth treble, it also has lots of mids to make the guitar really sing. It will warm up the coldest or shrillest of guitars. The most well known Alnico 2 Pro user is Slash of Velvet Revolver and GNR. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Pearly Gates---The PG is the hottest of the Duncan PAF line. It has asymetrical (mismatched) coils and an A2 magnet. The mismatched coils give this particular pup its rude personality. It has a frequency push in the Presence/Cut knob frequency band. This is the "Sizzle" PG owner talk about. It has the most mids of the Ducan PAF line and is also the hottest. Its patron is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Standard 4 conductor Wire

The Jazz---The jazz is the pup that bridges the gap between Vintage and Modern pups. Its output is at or around the vintage level. Don't let the name fool you this pup is very versatile and smooth. It has an A5 magnet and is very widely used in the neck slot. It is articulate regardless of the tuning as well. This pup negociates cleans or overdrive very well. Standard 4 Conductor Wire

Hope this helps!

Luke

Excellent post!!!! If it were me I would go with the Alnico 2 Pros. I have a good friend who has a LP custom. He had done a lot of customizing to try to get the guitar to sound right for what he needed(he is a Jazz player and strings his guitar with 14's). He was about ready to give up on it. I suggested He put in a Alnico2. He put one in the neck and the guitar came to life. He just dropped the guitar off at our shop to have a lot od other work done, but part of the work will be putting in a 2nd Alnico in the bridge. IMO this is the best of the PAF wannabe. All the others are really excellent choices as well, nut I think the Alnico nails the PAF warmth.!!