Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Seth Lover with roughcast A5 mag. For bridge. Best all around (just a teeny bit hotter) than my real PAF's.

There are some of us that don't think a degaussed (aged) A2 is the right magnet for Antiquities. Some like full power A2's (which is still a weak magnet, just not as weak as a degaussed A2), others like A3's, UOA5's, or RC A5's.

 

[AZ Picker]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I've got a 2017 Traditional with the Burstbucker 1 and 2. I've ran a few sets through it (Bareknuckle Riff Raff, Abraxas, and a custom 5 (sh-14) and 59). And the Burstbuckers are back in now. All have their strong points, I initially had that same issue where I felt the Bb2 had some weird high end that was a little punishing. I spent some time adjusting the height and found that dialing the bridge pickup closet to the strings than usual for me ( about 2 mm when depressing the strings at the last frets) fattened up the high end, and now I don't notice it ( or have gotten used to it). All that said I've got a set of New Saturday Night Specials sitting in the drawer that will probably find their way in there. I ended up setting up the neck pickup with 50's style wiring and when you back the volume off to 8 or so you get a bit more clarity and less woofiness. Also back it away from the strings a little on the bass side. I might try some of this before giving up on the Burstbucker set.

 

[smitty302]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I think the bb1 is an awesome neck. I can get pinch harmonics all over the place. The bb3 is okay, the middle position is kinda weak on high E and B strings. Might just be my ears because my guitar tech loves them. They have an unique sound that you WILL NOT find anywhere else. That's why I buy another SG whenever I want to change them. My 57 classics are close, but a lot tighter. People always ask "which is better"? And I'm like what are you playing. My 57 classics will take a lot of gain for a stock Gibson Alnico 2 pickup, my burstbuckers sound good until the gain gets to excessive, then it starts getting sloppy. But my favorite is my WLH SG. The Alnico 5 sounds just as bluesy as the other ones, but man they're an improvement. So much clearer. I can turn up the gain on my orange cr 60 and play Black Sabbath sweet leaf on my neck WLH and get Iommi tones. But yeah burstbuckers are no where near my favorite, but you've gotta love that unique sound.

 

[lp1987x]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Not to derail but ... does everyone hate Burstbuckers except for me? I really like them. 57 Classics are a different story altogether ...

Love the BB3+ and BB2 that came stock in my '17 LP Traditional HP.

 

[blind1]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

After doing some tweaking to the heights and pole pieces, as well as trying some different amps and configurations, it looks like I'm sticking with the Burstbuckers for now. I really dig their aggressive sound and clarity. On that same note, I re-installed an EMG 81 and 85 set into a guitar and I also dig the aggressive sound and clarity from them as well. The EMGs replaced SD Pegasus and Sentient which were too dark for my taste.

In other news... I acquired a Marshall JVM 410h (dream amp) for a pretty good deal. The amp is amazing in case you are GAS'in for one. Now I have a belief that the amp / signal chain you use has more significance than swapping PU's. Anyway, thanks for the discussion everyone.

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

After doing some tweaking to the heights and pole pieces, as well as trying some different amps and configurations, it looks like I'm sticking with the Burstbuckers for now. I really dig their aggressive sound and clarity. On that same note, I re-installed an EMG 81 and 85 set into a guitar and I also dig the aggressive sound and clarity from them as well. The EMGs replaced SD Pegasus and Sentient which were too dark for my taste.

In other news... I acquired a Marshall JVM 410h (dream amp) for a pretty good deal. The amp is amazing in case you are GAS'in for one. Now I have a belief that the amp / signal chain you use has more significance than swapping PU's. Anyway, thanks for the discussion everyone.

Glad that you found out how good these BB1 & 2 work for you. Seeing how you have a Rockerverb; how well do the BB1/2 react to an Orange gainy amp such as yours?

I have the same pups in a Traditional and use it with a Dark Terror. How close, or distant, did you end up with pickup heights? On my Trad, I raised the bridge BB2 to just a hair close than 1.95mm (anickel) on high e string and balanced the low e-string side to taste. The BB1 neck is a scosh below the pup ring on low e string and higher than the ring on high e side.

Did you adjust any pole pieces by much?


Studioplayer

 

[blind1]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Glad that you found out how good these BB1 & 2 work for you. Seeing how you have a Rockerverb; how well do the BB1/2 react to an Orange gainy amp such as yours?

I have the same pups in a Traditional and use it with a Dark Terror. How close, or distant, did you end up with pickup heights? On my Trad, I raised the bridge BB2 to just a hair close than 1.95mm (anickel) on high e string and balanced the low e-string side to taste. The BB1 neck is a scosh below the pup ring on low e string and higher than the ring on high e side.

Did you adjust any pole pieces by much?


Studioplayer

I did minimal adjustments to the polepieces.. I basically strummed a chord and if I found any particular string to be unbalanced in terms of volume, I adjusted the polepiece accordingly.

I recently scored a sweet used Les Paul Traditional (NGD btw; see pics below) and the previous owner did several upgrades to it. Most relevant here: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, and also a Jonesy Blues 50s wiring harness. The Pearly Gates sound heavenly. I also am convinced that the 50s wiring rig is the way to go now. I will soon be modding the LP originally mentioned in this thread by upgrading the pots to CTS 500k pots (I'm led to believe Gibson may have installed 300k on the volume pots) and while I'm at it, switching from "modern" to the 50s setup.

I'm hoping that the wiring upgrade will help me get more out of the Burstbuckers. If not... then I'm pretty sure Antiquities will be my pickups of choice since I have the PG set in my new guitar (which by the way, I highly recommend if you are considering Pearly Gates, just get them, you really can't go wrong).

Post edit: guitar porn added

 

[Studioplayer]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Nice looking guitar! I'd be happy with that! I'm still using my '18 Traditional with the BB 1 & 2 pair. I also think this guitar has 300k pots for volumes. I cannot go much below 9.5 on the neck pot. I may elect to put in 500k for both volume pots.

I think it may be my own hearing that “tricks” me into feeling comfortable with the guitar's tone on one day and just the opposite, the next day. Crazy! I run into the same problem with my Classic with Seth Lovers; so I would guess it's not the guitars, but ME.


Studioplayer

 

[blind1]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Nice looking guitar! I'd be happy with that! I'm still using my '18 Traditional with the BB 1 & 2 pair. I also think this guitar has 300k pots for volumes. I cannot go much below 9.5 on the neck pot. I may elect to put in 500k for both volume pots.

I think it may be my own hearing that “tricks” me into feeling comfortable with the guitar's tone on one day and just the opposite, the next day. Crazy! I run into the same problem with my Classic with Seth Lovers; so I would guess it's not the guitars, but ME.


Studioplayer

I love my '18 Traditional. I do believe improvements can be made by switching out the wiring and if that doesn't suffice, then of course swapping PUs with any popular PAF might do the trick. I like the pickups, but the roll-off from both the tone and volume knobs doesn't taper very well. It's like On/Half-on/Off right now. Seriously though, I really like LP Traditionals and they are my favorite guitars. You can't beat the unplugged tonal bliss and sustain that they offer.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Porn indeed!!!! I'm chubbin' a little.

 

[Ben1962]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I did minimal adjustments to the polepieces.. I basically strummed a chord and if I found any particular string to be unbalanced in terms of volume, I adjusted the polepiece accordingly.

I recently scored a sweet used Les Paul Traditional (NGD btw; see pics below) and the previous owner did several upgrades to it. Most relevant here: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, and also a Jonesy Blues 50s wiring harness. The Pearly Gates sound heavenly. I also am convinced that the 50s wiring rig is the way to go now. I will soon be modding the LP originally mentioned in this thread by upgrading the pots to CTS 500k pots (I'm led to believe Gibson may have installed 300k on the volume pots) and while I'm at it, switching from "modern" to the 50s setup.

I'm hoping that the wiring upgrade will help me get more out of the Burstbuckers. If not... then I'm pretty sure Antiquities will be my pickups of choice since I have the PG set in my new guitar (which by the way, I highly recommend if you are considering Pearly Gates, just get them, you really can't go wrong).

Post edit: guitar porn added
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Dont have a blue one, yet . Me like

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

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Amazing looking guitar! It reminds me of my first LP with a flamed top. It was an Epi and I changed the pickups to zebras.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I did minimal adjustments to the polepieces.. I basically strummed a chord and if I found any particular string to be unbalanced in terms of volume, I adjusted the polepiece accordingly.

I recently scored a sweet used Les Paul Traditional (NGD btw; see pics below) and the previous owner did several upgrades to it. Most relevant here: Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates pickups, and also a Jonesy Blues 50s wiring harness. The Pearly Gates sound heavenly. I also am convinced that the 50s wiring rig is the way to go now. I will soon be modding the LP originally mentioned in this thread by upgrading the pots to CTS 500k pots (I'm led to believe Gibson may have installed 300k on the volume pots) and while I'm at it, switching from "modern" to the 50s setup.

I'm hoping that the wiring upgrade will help me get more out of the Burstbuckers. If not... then I'm pretty sure Antiquities will be my pickups of choice since I have the PG set in my new guitar (which by the way, I highly recommend if you are considering Pearly Gates, just get them, you really can't go wrong).

Post edit: guitar porn added
View attachment 95425

View attachment 95426

I totally agree about the 50's wiring. I've got all my guitars (over 50) wired in 50's and couldn't be happier.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I totally agree about the 50's wiring. I've got all my guitars (over 50) wired in 50's and couldn't be happier.

Geez Doc. Even LewGuitar, the king of treble, finally gave up on '50's wiring.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Geez Doc. Even LewGuitar, the king of treble, finally gave up on '50's wiring.

Ha, ha.

Well, to each his own. I like the response and it's simpler than putting in treble bleed circuits. I also always wire my guitars with independent volumes. Nearly all of my custom builds are 2 pups, 2 vol, master tone with tone bypass switch.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

Geez Doc. Even LewGuitar, the king of treble, finally gave up on '50's wiring.

Ha, ha, ha. Yeah, I prefer the simplicity of 50's independent wiring over putting in treble-bleed circuits to retain the highs. In nearly all of my custom builds with 2 pups I use 2 vol, 1 master tone with bypass switch, wired 50's with independent volumes. Works good for me.

But, to each his own.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

<raises hand> Uh, I like '50's wiring.

 

[TVFV]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

We need a 50's wiring support group.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

<raises hand> Uh, I like '50's wiring.

Doesn't seem like most players do, not that it's a popularity contest. Go with what's best for you.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups to replace Gibson BB1 and BB2

I like the response and it's simpler than putting in treble bleed circuits. I also always wire my guitars with independent volumes. Nearly all of my custom builds are 2 pups, 2 vol, master tone with tone bypass switch.

I like the Kinman treble bleed, I don't see how anything could be simpler and cheaper than that. I also wire my guitar independent volume controls, and spin-a-split for the neck PU (with the neck tone pot). That way I can blend the PU's and the 2nd neck coil for a lot of different tones. The most versatility for the least cost.