Pickups For Black Beauty?
- Thread starter Chistopher
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I bet more LP BB's and SG Customs have been purchased over the years for their beautiful looks, than the functional appeal of a middle HB.
I bet more LP BB's and SG Customs have been purchased over the years for their beautiful looks, than the functional appeal of a middle HB.
gregory
New member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
If you said it then it must be true.
Hopefully we aren't also pretending that all Black Beauties have three humbuckers.
...and for the record, I'm not pretending that a preference for bridge + middle over bridge + neck extends beyond me.
If you said it then it must be true.
Hopefully we aren't also pretending that all Black Beauties have three humbuckers.
...and for the record, I'm not pretending that a preference for bridge + middle over bridge + neck extends beyond me.
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GourmetSaint
New member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I have a BB and rebuilt it last year. I use a 3V, 1T config with a Freeway switch and push-pulls on volume pots to swap between series and parallel on the pups.
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
I have a BB and rebuilt it last year. I use a 3V, 1T config with a Freeway switch and push-pulls on volume pots to swap between series and parallel on the pups.
Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I'm not Gregory but I've refreshed a 3 PU's 1976 Gibson black beauty these last weeks : the (obviously stock & never touched) stamped T-Tops were definitively NOT out of phase. All of them had the same polarities. Only difference: the mid T-Top hadn't the same braided shielded cable than the two others:
If I had to recommend Duncan models for a 3 PU's BB, I'd go for clear sounding transducers (like SH2's) for a Gibson and something warmer like 3 Seth Lovers for an Epi. I wouldn't necessarily mount a hotter bridge PU: the bridge+mid position sounds better with matched humbuckers IMHO. YMMV.
Oh, and I've mounted "no load" tone pots+ 50's wiring in this case: it's a reversible mod and it helps the covered PU's to cut the mix.
As a footnote, a pic of the beauty once restaured by the humble freefrog (tarnished hardware included: the owner wanted to keep original parts).
I'm not Gregory but I've refreshed a 3 PU's 1976 Gibson black beauty these last weeks : the (obviously stock & never touched) stamped T-Tops were definitively NOT out of phase. All of them had the same polarities. Only difference: the mid T-Top hadn't the same braided shielded cable than the two others:
If I had to recommend Duncan models for a 3 PU's BB, I'd go for clear sounding transducers (like SH2's) for a Gibson and something warmer like 3 Seth Lovers for an Epi. I wouldn't necessarily mount a hotter bridge PU: the bridge+mid position sounds better with matched humbuckers IMHO. YMMV.
Oh, and I've mounted "no load" tone pots+ 50's wiring in this case: it's a reversible mod and it helps the covered PU's to cut the mix.
As a footnote, a pic of the beauty once restaured by the humble freefrog (tarnished hardware included: the owner wanted to keep original parts).
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
So what pickups went into that? 3 Jazz's or 3 Seth Lover's does sound interesting.
So what pickups went into that? 3 Jazz's or 3 Seth Lover's does sound interesting.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
As I said, the owner wanted to keep original parts so the guitar has still its stamped T-Tops. Changing the stock 300k tone pots for no load ones has been enough to awake the sleeping beauty in this case.
As I said, the owner wanted to keep original parts so the guitar has still its stamped T-Tops. Changing the stock 300k tone pots for no load ones has been enough to awake the sleeping beauty in this case.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
Cool. I'm thinking now of A4 59n (I forgot how great that works in a Les Paul, I've been playing Fender guitars recently) and a Brobucker in the bridge. I'll experiment with the Phat Cat magnets and which phase I prefer.
I can make a switch for phasing, buts it's a darn shame that doesn't work for magnets. My main problem is I'm having trouble thinking what magnets for the PC so that the OOP isn't so thin. I might start with A5/A3.
Cool. I'm thinking now of A4 59n (I forgot how great that works in a Les Paul, I've been playing Fender guitars recently) and a Brobucker in the bridge. I'll experiment with the Phat Cat magnets and which phase I prefer.
I can make a switch for phasing, buts it's a darn shame that doesn't work for magnets. My main problem is I'm having trouble thinking what magnets for the PC so that the OOP isn't so thin. I might start with A5/A3.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
Brobucker and an A4 '59N. Nice.
For the PC, I think A5/A3 will be pretty bright & thin. I've used twin A4's in a middle PC which would be fuller. I still may want to beef it up more, maybe with an A8/A4 pair.
Brobucker and an A4 '59N. Nice.
For the PC, I think A5/A3 will be pretty bright & thin. I've used twin A4's in a middle PC which would be fuller. I still may want to beef it up more, maybe with an A8/A4 pair.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
The idea at first was to have the middle pickup be thin so the OOP wouldn't be too thin, but now I'm thinking that in phase would be a better idea. Twin A4s wouldn't have too much of a output difference when it's in parallel with the Brobucker would it?
The idea at first was to have the middle pickup be thin so the OOP wouldn't be too thin, but now I'm thinking that in phase would be a better idea. Twin A4s wouldn't have too much of a output difference when it's in parallel with the Brobucker would it?
LtKojak
New member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
If *I* had to choose a good 3-p'up set for a BB, I'd go about it as follows:
Neck: A3-modded PGn
Middle: A2-modded '59n
Bridge: UOA5-modded PGb
Assuming you harness have 500K pots for volume.
The six-position Freeway toggle switch allows you to have the same five positions as the strat switch, plus the standard neck/bridge middle position.
Using Triple Shot p'up rings would allow for a good number of USABLE combo tones.
You're welcome.
If *I* had to choose a good 3-p'up set for a BB, I'd go about it as follows:
Neck: A3-modded PGn
Middle: A2-modded '59n
Bridge: UOA5-modded PGb
Assuming you harness have 500K pots for volume.
The six-position Freeway toggle switch allows you to have the same five positions as the strat switch, plus the standard neck/bridge middle position.
Using Triple Shot p'up rings would allow for a good number of USABLE combo tones.
You're welcome.
freefrog
Well-known member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I realize that I've not yet replied to this part of your answer: sorry.
The 3 Jazz's would be for a Gibson. For an Epi, I would try the Seth's first.
But as you can see, my initial advice wasn't that precise: I've evoked "something warmer" and it could be SH55's as well as the other warm models recommended above by our seasoned fellow members (the A3 neck PU mentioned by Pepe would obviously be a good idea too, for example).
Reason of my evasive reply: I humbly but firmly believe that the "best" pickups for a guitar heavily depend on the "discrete" components actually used to make it and on its specific acoustic "signature".
In my humble experience, Epiphone are often brighter sounding than Gibsson... but it's not a rule engraved in marble.
Anyway, what is behind my Seth Lover idea is the memory of an Epi LP with which I've stuggled: the guitar had received not less than SH1, APH2, PG1, SH4 and SH55 (+ 2 models from other brands than Duncan). Only the Seth Lover's were able to give it a mellower attack and a mid response approximating a Gibby. With any other transducer, this Epi was too bright and snappy...
This experience is not supposed to happen to all Epi LP users. But it happened once here and costed us a lot of time + money (including the resale of unused pickups) so I dare to share my little story here.
Good luck in your quest!
I realize that I've not yet replied to this part of your answer: sorry.
The 3 Jazz's would be for a Gibson. For an Epi, I would try the Seth's first.
But as you can see, my initial advice wasn't that precise: I've evoked "something warmer" and it could be SH55's as well as the other warm models recommended above by our seasoned fellow members (the A3 neck PU mentioned by Pepe would obviously be a good idea too, for example).
Reason of my evasive reply: I humbly but firmly believe that the "best" pickups for a guitar heavily depend on the "discrete" components actually used to make it and on its specific acoustic "signature".
In my humble experience, Epiphone are often brighter sounding than Gibsson... but it's not a rule engraved in marble.
Anyway, what is behind my Seth Lover idea is the memory of an Epi LP with which I've stuggled: the guitar had received not less than SH1, APH2, PG1, SH4 and SH55 (+ 2 models from other brands than Duncan). Only the Seth Lover's were able to give it a mellower attack and a mid response approximating a Gibby. With any other transducer, this Epi was too bright and snappy...
This experience is not supposed to happen to all Epi LP users. But it happened once here and costed us a lot of time + money (including the resale of unused pickups) so I dare to share my little story here.
Good luck in your quest!
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audiocheck
New member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
All stock 3pup BBs have all 3 pickups in phase!! its acoustic phase cancellation, due to pickup placement, that creates the quack (same as a Strat).
All stock 3pup BBs have all 3 pickups in phase!! its acoustic phase cancellation, due to pickup placement, that creates the quack (same as a Strat).
audiocheck
New member
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
Epi 3 pup guitars may have non tradition 3pup settings. I had a Epi Firebird Vii that had 3 independent volumes and one tone. Still all pups in phase.
Epi 3 pup guitars may have non tradition 3pup settings. I had a Epi Firebird Vii that had 3 independent volumes and one tone. Still all pups in phase.
gregory
New member
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I guess it's the same mistake as why people call the 2 and 4 on a Strat out of phase.
I guess it's the same mistake as why people call the 2 and 4 on a Strat out of phase.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I almost didn't see your response. I've always heard the standard operating procedure was if a bridge pickup was in the middle it's screw toward bridge, and the opposite if it a neck pickup is used.
I almost didn't see your response. I've always heard the standard operating procedure was if a bridge pickup was in the middle it's screw toward bridge, and the opposite if it a neck pickup is used.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I love the bridge/middle both HB on sound for a lot of Rhythm playing. Beefy but not spacey, less but not boomy, takes the edge off the bridge brittleness.
I'm not gonna argue against P-90 goodness in the middle. That's a GREAT extra sound to have available and would definitely add serious cut/tight to both an A2P in the neck or a CC in the bridge. CC can be fickle about highs, but is it the frowniest face eq you will find.
Seth, PG, JB2 might be real interesting as well.
I always like top think about what sounds are in the neck and bridge, and then what do I want to add to it? If I have scoop in the bridge, then I want midshipmen's in the middle. If I have bass/mids in bridge, then I want highs in the middle. Like an A2P bridge and a full shred middle.
For vintage, you could easily do Seth n, Seth b, and a 59, or maybe a 59/Custom.
I love the bridge/middle both HB on sound for a lot of Rhythm playing. Beefy but not spacey, less but not boomy, takes the edge off the bridge brittleness.
I'm not gonna argue against P-90 goodness in the middle. That's a GREAT extra sound to have available and would definitely add serious cut/tight to both an A2P in the neck or a CC in the bridge. CC can be fickle about highs, but is it the frowniest face eq you will find.
Seth, PG, JB2 might be real interesting as well.
I always like top think about what sounds are in the neck and bridge, and then what do I want to add to it? If I have scoop in the bridge, then I want midshipmen's in the middle. If I have bass/mids in bridge, then I want highs in the middle. Like an A2P bridge and a full shred middle.
For vintage, you could easily do Seth n, Seth b, and a 59, or maybe a 59/Custom.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
OR - just for fun...
PG neck - (I know, you don't like it) softer bass
Distortion Neck in Middle - big middle, less bass, highs. Adds middle to the bridge, tightens bass in neck + highs
Custom in the Bridge - Scooped
RAWK!
Think about Vol Vol Vol Tone for blending accuracy.
OR - just for fun...
PG neck - (I know, you don't like it) softer bass
Distortion Neck in Middle - big middle, less bass, highs. Adds middle to the bridge, tightens bass in neck + highs
Custom in the Bridge - Scooped
RAWK!
Think about Vol Vol Vol Tone for blending accuracy.
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Pickups For Black Beauty?
I might be able make the PGn work in a Les Paul. I got a Custom and Distortion laying around that I could try in it. But the good news is the guy offered me a discount on it because it's been taking up space for so long. $400 new, even with the new pickup is gonna be cheaper than usual.
I might be able make the PGn work in a Les Paul. I got a Custom and Distortion laying around that I could try in it. But the good news is the guy offered me a discount on it because it's been taking up space for so long. $400 new, even with the new pickup is gonna be cheaper than usual.
