Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

[gripweed]

Burstbuckers 1&2 specifically. I have a buddy that has them in his '58 Reissue and wants to replace them with Duncans. He says he find the Burstbuckers too "twangy" (although I don't hear them that way) and wants something with vintage output and tone, but smoother than the Burstbuckers.

I assume these would be the options

1) PG's -- although if he wants to change the Burstbuckers, he probably won't like these.
2) Seths -- although these are probably closest to the Burstbuckers?
3) Antiquities -- although I'm guessing he doesn't want to spend that much.
4) Alnico II Pro -- I'm thinking these might be the ticket? What do you think? He says he loves Slash's tone.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Personally I prefer the BB1/2 to everything else you posted. To my ears they are more authentic sounding. Maybe not as clear or as articulate as the Duncans..but more authentic, and they have *the honk* I don't find them twangy at all...I find a 59 for example much more twangy than a BB2.

PGb will be closest to the BB2 as its an uneven wind...and has that bite/snarl on top. But it doesn't quite have the low mid growl of the BB2.

If he wants smooth go with Seths or AP2.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Too twangy? Uhhhhhh
He might need higher output. If he likes Slash's tone the BB's are the ticket along with the APH1's but they are similar anyway. I think the BB's are woodier, but they are 2 conductor and NOT potted so they squeal like a pig.
He might need something a bit bigger like a 59 and something overwound in the bridge.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Too twangy? Uhhhhhh
He might need higher output. If he likes Slash's tone the BB's are the ticket along with the APH1's but they are similar anyway. I think the BB's are woodier, but they are 2 conductor and NOT potted so they squeal like a pig.
He might need something a bit bigger like a 59 and something overwound in the bridge.

Only aftermarket BB1/2/3 are unpotted. Those that come from the factory in guitars are potted

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Really? I cannot argue on this but I have to ask - I used some fancy LP with a Soldano and howled a lot. Hmmmmm, maybe it was something else.

Either way I love the BBs

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

If he wants Slash's tone...Alnico Pro II. 'Nuff said.

 

[callous_frigid_chill]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Maybe he should try lowering the pickups? A few people here and on the LPF say that really helps the sound.

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Ive heard nothing but big praise for the alnico 2 burst buckers from gibson. My tech puts them up above lots of pickups he's tried including most duncan and dimarzios (virtual PAF neck aside...he loves that one more )...i have the burst bucker pros and if he was saying that they are too twangy i would understand but i thought the burst bucker 1/2/3 were meant to be very smooth and vintage sounding...especially the 1 and 2...they should be nice and vintagy.

If you must change them then from what you've said just get a set of Alnico 2 pros.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

Ive heard nothing but big praise for the alnico 2 burst buckers from gibson. My tech puts them up above lots of pickups he's tried including most duncan and dimarzios (virtual PAF neck aside...he loves that one more )...i have the burst bucker pros and if he was saying that they are too twangy i would understand but i thought the burst bucker 1/2/3 were meant to be very smooth and vintage sounding...especially the 1 and 2...they should be nice and vintagy.

If you must change them then from what you've said just get a set of Alnico 2 pros.

Yeah I don't get the twangy part either. I thought they were pretty good pickups, but I've only played that guitar once. I didn't like them more than my Seth though. The Seth just seemed to have more character.

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Who has experience with Burstbuckers?

i used to like my burstbucker pros(modded with A2) until i tried the seth bridge and later also changed the neck with antiquity neck.