Pickups for gibson explorer

[SF audio]

Got the 2018 antique natural coming, and it has the burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups as stock. I may or may not like them, we'll see.

If I don't, and that's highly probable as I've not really bonded with gibson pickups in the past, I'm looking for lower output pickups to try out. Antiquities, seth lovers, Dimarzio paf anniversary or similar? It's an all mahogany guitar with a Torrefied Granadillo fretboard, but you probably knew that already...

I want dynamics and sensitivity, sweet rather than rude...

Thanks

 

[hamerfan]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

If you really like lower wound pickups, you will dig the seth Lover set.

 

[chadd]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

If you don't like the BB3 in the bridge, try moving the BB2 there. It's a little more open and a little lower output. Once you know what you like and don't like about those pickups, it would be a lot easier to point you towards something you will like. Otherwise, you're most likely just going to get people suggesting their favorite pickups over and over again.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

BB2 to the bridge, Seth neck or PGn in the neck.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

If you love classic PAF's, I think you'll be fine with the BB's.

Dirty Fingers
500T
BB1,2,3's

And depending on your taste maybe the 57 Classics

All seem to pretty decent. I'd never replace BB 1/2 set for PG's. Doubt I'd replace them at all if I wanted PAF stylings.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

An Alnico II set is sweet, and good if you use a ton of gain and volume. You might get some microphonic feedback on Seths or Antiquities if you are using a lot of gain and volume...but if you don't use those things, the Seths and Antiquties are really the definition of sweet, touch-sensitive tone.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

Creme Brulees from Rewind are vintage output and very sweet indeed.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I like the BB1 at the neck of my LP Trad Plus. It was the BB2 at the bridge that I couldn't live with.
Still, that's a very bright guitar - in a warm or fat one I imagine it would do much better.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

If you really like lower wound pickups, you will dig the seth Lover set.

Or the Antiquity set. Either is great but the Seths are slightly brighter and the Ants slightly more textured and complex.

The best pickups I own are the Antiquitys I put in my PRS and then changed the magnet in the neck pickup to an A3 roughcast.

Thanks to this forums magnet swappers (like Bluesman) I'm finally getting the sound I've always wanted, and I've been playing since about 1964.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I think one of the best Explorers I've ever heard had Antiquitys. Guy was doing classic rock and blues, Marshall amp, and it was just killer. Actually, one of the contributing reasons why I went with Duncan Seths and Antiquitys in my first two Les Pauls.

Bill

 

[chadd]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

+1 on the BB2... to the bridge... captain's orders... I had a friend who used to make fun of me for having a BB3 in the bridge of my Epiphone Les Paul. He'd say, "You gotta get that death metal pickup outta there!"

I liked the BB3 and BB1 combo when it was in my Les Paul, worked well for my 90s band. I moved that combo to my 335 and I'm tempted to go back to the BB2 in the bridge and use it for less distorted tones.

 

[TinPan]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I have a set of Slash signature in my explorer, wouldn't change a thing, of course it depends on what style music, I play much blues and get awesome bell tones with the neck pup and I also do classic rock so the bridge pup is great for that, great sustain when I crank it up!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I think one of the best Explorers I've ever heard had Antiquitys. Guy was doing classic rock and blues, Marshall amp, and it was just killer. Actually, one of the contributing reasons why I went with Duncan Seths and Antiquitys in my first two Les Pauls.

Bill

Only drawback to the Antiquity is that the covers are aged. So if you put them in a new guitar the pickups will look 50 years old and the rest of the guitar won't. I have Antiquity in my favorite guitars, but I removed the covers.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

Ants can be ordered with non-aged hardware, or you can put it on yourself. Just factor in the additional cost of covers and screws.

 

[Explorer84]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I put in a set of 57 Classic's in my 1984 Explorer CMT. The Dirty Finger's that came with it also sounded really good. I've been toying the idea of putting the Dirty Finger's back in.

 

[JWR]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I think Explorers are more difficult to find a pickup match than other instruments. My '81 came stock with the Dirty Fingers. I tried to top them with a full Shred, 57 Classics, and ended up just putting the Dirty Fingers back. Overkill on the neck big time but I just don't use it on that guitar.

 

[esandes]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I'd go for the slash set or 78 (custom shop) bridge/59 neck. PAF perfection.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I haven’t ever had a problem with burstbuckers. Other gibson pickups have issues. But burstbuckers sound as good and play as well as Seth’s and PGs I have. I’ve even mixed them, like BB3 bridge Seth neck, matched really well. Have also had 500T bridge BB3 neck and that worked really well. Wait until there’s a problem, then think about how to solve it.

 

[esandes]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

I have the BB1/BB2 in my les paul. They get the job done and I'm content. Apparently the 57 and 57+ are far more sought after than the BB. I think the slash set smokes the 57s.

 

[jimlp]

Re: Pickups for gibson explorer

Dimarzio 59 PAF is a good lower output option, very clear. Do you want covers? The Dimarzio only comes double creme, I am not sure if that is a deal breaker. Antiquity and Seths are great as well, better to many optioins than not enough!