New Member, Humbucker ID help please

R

Randydrummer

New member
Hello all,

I would like some help identifying the following pickup please. Please see pics. I have the pickup installed in an Alder bodied Gibson Explorer from 1983-4, neck position, and the pickup is really sweet. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


photo 5.jpgphoto 1.jpgphoto 2.jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 4.jpg
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

BP is not a recognised model/winder identifier.

If the sticker lettering had been so badly misaligned that the first letter(s) were absent, ? B D might indicate an SH-1B '59 for Bridge position.
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Thanks, I believe your correct. Upon further looking, the sticker appears to have been cut next to the "B". I see the ink in a straight line on the edge of the sticker...here is a better picture, if you can zoom.photo(1).jpg
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Do they still make 59's in all black? Looking online I only found zebra for the 59. Any idea what circa this pickup is from? Thanks again.
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Yes, you can still get them in black.

P is the winder's initial...probably Lupe Perez or Patty Vasquez

Long legs, butyrate bobbins and a large logo base plate put this in the 1982-86 range most likely
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Thanks so much. Question- Since this seems to be a 59B, how is does the 59N compare? I have the 59B pickup paired with a vintage Gibson Dirty Fingers that measures almost 15K, so having the 59B in the neck position seems smooth and tame vs. the Dirty Fingers. Is the 59N tonally similar with just less output?
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Yes, the 59N is slightly lower in output and a bit brighter than the 59B because it was designed to match it in the neck, where there is more vibrational string energy and the sound is naturally much warmer than closer to the bridge. They are both known for being clean sounding, vintage-output "PAF" style pickups.

The Dirty Fingers, on the other hand, is a high-output model designed for punch and drive in the bridge position. Totally different goal than the '59 set.

If you are looking for better balance between the 2, try raising the 59B closer to the strings and lowering the Dirty Fingers slightly. Believe me, you can back the Dirty Fingers away from the strings pretty far and still get a nice response. You may even find that you prefer it that way. Also, don't be afraid to tweak those pole pieces to help fine-tune the string balance.
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Harhash said:
Gets mine, too!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your help.

Does anyone have experiences with the Vintage Blues set? I'm looking to replace pickups in a Les Paul. I play Rock, classic rock inspired, through a Marshall Vintage Modern, no effects. Pretty straight forward classic rock guitar tones.
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

I've only tried them in an sg and through my DSL I got great Zeppelin, AC/DC tones type. A lot of those classic rock guys used LPs with stock PAFs which is what the 59 pickup set is replicating.
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Randydrummer said:
Thanks for your help.

Does anyone have experiences with the Vintage Blues set? I'm looking to replace pickups in a Les Paul. I play Rock, classic rock inspired, through a Marshall Vintage Modern, no effects. Pretty straight forward classic rock guitar tones.
Click to expand...

Take your 59B, move it to the bridge and you've got half a "Vintage Blues" set already. Whether the VB set (59N/59B) will work for you really depends on what you're after. The VB set is very versatile, but you may find you want pickups with a little more output if plugging straight into the amp.

Staying close to the "PAF" heritage, you could also try the Alnico II Pro "Slash" Set, the Pearly Gates models, the Whole Lotta Humbucker set or even a '59 with something like a Duncan '78 in the bridge. Again, it really depends on what you're after.

What pickups are in the Les Paul now? What is it about them that you want to change or improve on?
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

masta' c said:
Take your 59B, move it to the bridge and you've got half a "Vintage Blues" set already. Whether the VB set (59N/59B) will work for you really depends on what you're after. The VB set is very versatile, but you may find you want pickups with a little more output if plugging straight into the amp.

Staying close to the "PAF" heritage, you could also try the Alnico II Pro "Slash" Set, the Pearly Gates models, the Whole Lotta Humbucker set or even a '59 with something like a Duncan '78 in the bridge. Again, it really depends on what you're after.

What pickups are in the Les Paul now? What is it about them that you want to change or improve on?
Click to expand...


Currently there are 2 Dirty Fingers with Gibson's PCB (Les Paul 70's Tribute 2013). I want to gut the guitar and install new wiring, jack,switch, and pots, then wire 50's style. I have 2 vintage DF's that I run in the bridge positions on another Les Paul (490R in neck) and the Explorer (59B in neck) from this post, so I am familiar with them.

That is a very interesting idea you propose about using higher output pickups to plug straight into amp. It's just that 59B sounds and responds so sweet in the neck of my Explorer. So my thinking was, imagine a 59 set in my new Les Paul.
 
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Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

You may very well like the VB set.

In fact, if you're interested in trying a '59N, I happen to have a newer all-black one in excellent condition with a little over 12" leads. I'd be willing to do $45 shipped via Paypal "gift" (as long as you're in the U.S.)...let me know!
 
Re: New Member, Humbucker ID help please

Personally, I prefer the SH-2 neck as a bridge pickup over the SH-2 bridge model, act. the same goes for the Lil 59!!! There's something about it being a little less hot that makes it sound so much better & much closer to a real P.A.F.! That's just my 2 cents, but yes it a early to mid 80's SH-2. I love how "road worn" & rusty it looks! I bet it sounds like honey???
 
New Member, Humbucker ID help please

2manyguitars said:
Personally, I prefer the SH-2 neck as a bridge pickup over the SH-2 bridge model, act. the same goes for the Lil 59!!! There's something about it being a little less hot that makes it sound so much better & much closer to a real P.A.F.! That's just my 2 cents, but yes it a early to mid 80's SH-2. I love how "road worn" & rusty it looks! I bet it sounds like honey???
Click to expand...


Yes, honey would be a great description (thick and sweet). The pickup, as well as the guitar, have a road worn character. Funny enough, I've never toured that particular guitar. I purchased the Explorer in 99' and I sat on the guitar for 10 years before I could re-finish and get her going. I have no idea what life the guitar had before, I purchased it from a pawn shop on the beach in Fl, so salt air may have something to do with the aged appearance. Early to mid 80's fits the age of the Explorer (1983). I wonder if the Dirty Fingers in it is that old as well? You can see the DF in pic 4 above.
 
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