Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesomeness

[d1dsj]

Last week I got another Brobucker off King IzzO))) (thanks again) for my PRS Modern Eagle. The stock PRS RP bridge pick up didn't do it for me, it seemed to have a kind of strange upper mid nasal "honk" but only when I was really digging into power chords? As I knew that the Bro was my favourite pick up for my classic rock/ hard rock style it seemed to be the obvious choice to try in the ME and it doesn't disappoint. The guitar has a rosewood neck and board / maple top with mahogany back and is extremely resonant, you really can feel the vibrations and it sustains so much better than any of my other guitars. It now sounds smoother, warmer and tighter without sounding dark, the notes ring very clear even under heavy gain. So comparing it to the other guitars with a Brobucker, it still retains a more modern, tight sound but very balanced... more civilised and sophisticated I guess. The LP is a '57 RI and therefore all Mahogany, it has a beefier sound, more bottom end end you'd expect but again it's never too dark... probably the best sounding LP I've ever played. The Gordon Smith SG is pure Angus, very raw, rough and ready... this guitar is the cheapest guitar I own and is absolutely the best sounding guitar I've owned for how I play at least!. Now that may well be because even at 47yrs of age AC/DC are still my all time favourite band and Angus's tone is my personal grail and this guitar does it in spades. Best of all, as the overall length of the guitar is about 1 - 1/5" shorter than a Gibson it balances perfectly on the strap... I love it.

I guess the whole point of my thread to thank all of you Forum Folk who had a direct input into the specs of the Brobucker and to the SD folk who made it happen. This pick up just seems to bring out the guitars individual character, I think I need to look for another for my LP standard! Here's the 3 amigos....

Brushed nickel

Aged Gold

Aged nickel

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Very cool Don! I'd love to grab one of those GS SG's too...

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Very cool Don! I'd love to grab one of those GS SG's too...

Stevie, I really think you'd like this SG however if you do get one make sure you see and play it. I bought mine blind off Ebay knowing it was a great price but also knowing they are a little rough around the edges. The Gibson 61 RI and even the Epiphone '65 and custom SG's had a much better finish and better hardware. I already had the pick ups in my spares box (Bro/ A2Pn) so it was worth a punt. The wrap around bridge also leaves a little to be desired but it does the job. I am seriously thinking of getting the guitar refinished ala the Jeff Tweedy SG but keep thinking that whilst I'm sure it will look great and the finish would be far better than stock, why fix what isn't broke? The refin would cost more than the guitar so I'm still unsure. I don't want to sound negative about GS, but they do seem to be more about making usable, functional fit for purpose guitars than worrying about dotting the i's and crossing the t's if you know what I mean? I would however buy another if it came along at the right price but as I already have one if I ever see a bargain I'll let you know first and if you aren't interested then I'll take a closer look myself.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

I know what you mean. I've played a few different GS guitars (although not an SG) in various shops and there's very much that homemade feel about them. Not in a bad way, as you said they are guitars fit to do the job without the bells and whistles or expensive finishes. I kind of like that...

I'd maybe have a think about dropping in one of the Wilkinson wrap-around bridges...

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

I know what you mean. I've played a few different GS guitars (although not an SG) in various shops and there's very much that homemade feel about them. Not in a bad way, as you said they are guitars fit to do the job without the bells and whistles or expensive finishes. I kind of like that...

I'd maybe have a think about dropping in one of the Wilkinson wrap-around bridges...

Will do. I'll check out the Wilkinson bridge. I do like that rough and ready no nonsense vibe, it's just a shame because the woods they use (or used... this one must be a fair few years old) is really very good. The fret board is at least a full 6mm thick and so dark and hard I wouldn't be surprised if it weren't a Brazillian board.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Ha, awesome, glad it's being put to good use, it was wasting away on my pickup shelf.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Were you able to use the PRS cover on the Brobucker, to retain the brushed stainless/gold pole look?

Your only other option would be all gold, to match the bridge. Beautiful guitar!

My mahogany LP Custom Black Beauty also has Brobuckers. It's a little more open sounding than when I had a C5 in the bridge. But the C5 rules in my SG.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

GJ, Ref the brushed nickel cover.... I had a new shiny S.D nickel cover in my parts box and took some ScotchBrite to it being careful not to scour it too deep and keeping the lines going nice and straight. I just kept checking it against the originals. I also had 6 gold screw poles spare so I was set... I don't think you can tell and I'm extremely happy with the results.

I had a C5 in my old Epi SG and whilst it did sound superb, I was really after that raw, open clarity so the Bro stays. Thanks to you and a couple of other guys here, all of my guitars sound superb but it's kinda funny that the amount of other musicians I know who come to our gigs comment on that little SG. The last time was a guy who has a fair few top line guitars including Suhr, Gibson, PRS, Fender, Charvel.... etc and he's a great player. He said, and I quote "How come that bag of sh!t SG sounds so cool?". Ha ha... when he picked it up after the gig he couldn't believe it played so good either! I just laugh now because I know it's a Big Bad Wolf in sheeps clothing.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Cool looking guitar threesome.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Thanks to SD and the Forum, introducing The 3 amigos - Brobucker equipped awesome

Nice. The Brobucker is one of my favs. I miss the one I had but at the time I wasn't using it and needed some cash. I'm looking to get another one. That might actually be a killer pickup in my 335.