SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

[stm113]

Curious, if anyone knows, what Seymour Duncan Pickups are the closest in tone replacement to Gibson Burstbucker pro, 498 t, 500t & the Dirty Fingers?

 

[Maynardo]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Pearly gates, custom V, Duncan Distortion and Invader?

 

[Jolly_Rancher]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Pearly gates, custom V, Duncan Distortion and Invader?

PG is an AlNiCo 2 whereas the Burstbucker Pro has AlNiCo V, so I'd gander that the '59 is more like the BB Pro.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Do any Duncans use mismatched coils? Since that is the most distinguishing characteristic of Burstbuckers (1, 2, 3, and V/Pro), those would be the ones most like BBs. Fralin makes the Unbucker if SD does not make anything similar.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Do any Duncans use mismatched coils? Since that is the most distinguishing characteristic of Burstbuckers (1, 2, 3, and V/Pro), those would be the ones most like BBs. Fralin makes the Unbucker if SD does not make anything similar.

custom59 hybrid

 

[Varg]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

The only thing I prefer with Gibson pickups is the fact the covered ones look classier than the SD ones.
I don't think the 59 is that much like the BBPro, not as bright.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

To my ears, the BBP doesn't sound as scooped as the '59. I'd also suggest the C/59 hybrid would sound closer.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

To my ears the only pickups close to one another are the Seths and Burstbucker 1 + 2 set.

BB1+2 are left unpotted.

 

[jeremy]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

the custom/59 hybrid i heard didnt sound much like a bb at all.

if you like gibson pups, just buy a gibson pup

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

I've got to do that hybrid this weekend. I am so curious. It seams, in theory, like it would be my perfect pup...Shimmery highs from the 59, ballsy mids from the Custom, Strong lows from both.

I guess I'll just have to try it and see.

 

[jmcorey]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

the custom/59 hybrid i heard didnt sound much like a bb at all.

if you like gibson pups, just buy a gibson pup

Yeah, but Duncans have cooler street, or stage, cred....

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

It's not really an issue. If you like Gibson PU's, get them or leave them in your guitar. If you want a different sound, get something else. Why try to get something like a Gibson, when Gibsons are easy enough to get, new or used?

Gibson hasn't kept up with PU development and innovation like some of the aftermarket manufacturers have. And some of these guys outdo Gibson's current production when it comes to PAF's. What the question should be is: 'What PU's will give me the sounds I want for my style of music?"

 

[Prismlead]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

What the question should be is: 'What PU's will give me the sounds I want for my style of music?"

+1

 

[Varg]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

I understand the OPs point though - he may love certain Gibson pickups, but we all know they cost a LOT more new and used than Duncans or Dimarzios. So it makes sense to look for a similar alternative.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

I understand the OPs point though - he may love certain Gibson pickups, but we all know they cost a LOT more new and used than Duncans or Dimarzios. So it makes sense to look for a similar alternative.

Then buy them used, like many of us have done.

 

[Varg]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Then buy them used, like many of us have done.

Maybe its different over there, but in the UK, used Gibson pickups cost double what used Duncans do.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

IMO the BBpros don't sound like the 59s, PGs or A2Ps. The BBpro feels like it doesn't have the bass of the 59, and doesn't have the mids of the PG (but the same kind of "bite" is there), and is brighter than an A2P.

The 498t always struck me as "wanting to be a JB", but not as hot.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

The BB Pros are very close to stock '59s spec-wise.

Sound-wise there's just no comparison.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Maybe its different over there, but in the UK, used Gibson pickups cost double what used Duncans do.

True, but this guy's in the US, and the used PU market is thriving. Tons of stuff.

 

[Aceman]

Re: SD alternatives to Gibson pickups

Well - the over hyped cost of Gibson pups is one reason...


There was a thread on this topic started by me a couple of years ago, where we listed all the Gibson pups and the nearest Duncan.

A flamingly obvious example of this is the 500t. I'd never pay Gibson price for that when I could get a Distortion.

same with BB's - I'd rather have a PG.