I recently caved and picked up the Whole Lotta Humbucker set after much deliberation. Like most, I was very skeptical about this set, being a "signature" pickup of types; It is not openly stated, or endorsed, but the name really says it all. I had been searching high and low for a pickup set for my ES 339, having tried Gibson 57 Classics, 59 Tributes, Bare Knuckle Abraxas set, Bare Knuckle Rebel yell, and Seymour Duncan Phat Cats (humbucker sized p90s) in that one specific guitar. All were great pickups but lacked something one way or another. Some had too little gain and definition (57s) some were too hot and hard to control in a semi hollow (BKP Abraxas/Rebel Yell). So I decided "what the hell, if its good enough for Page, Clapton, and the like, its gotta be good enough for me!" I am very glad I did. These pickups are very deceiving from the specs and demos. I really didn't want to like them at first but after putting them through their paces, and playing my other guitars to give me a side by side comparison, I found the whole lotta humbuckers to have an amazing mix of everything I wanted. The bridge is powerful, yet not harsh. Great dynamic range clean or driven. The Neck is warmer than a vintage PAF, yet articulate. Just enough definition and midrange to really give you that slightly overwound PAF tone. Together they are superb.
Directly compared to my other 2 Les Pauls, one sporting a BKP Abraxas, and the other a Gibson Burstbucker 3, the WLH bridge wins hands down, having more perceived output and drive, and still very dynamic and controllable. The WLH bridge pickup made the Abraxas seem thin and mellow, and the Burstbucker 3 sound mushy and undefined.
I never thought that this set would make me rethink all my pickup swapping efforts thus far, but now I wish I had grabbed this set sooner. These pickups will cover Led Zeppelin tones from III onward, but dont pigeon hole them there; The "feel" of these pickups is so pleasing, at higher volumes, you feel like you can lean against the tone eminating from your cab(s). Dont hesitate one more second, grab these and experience them for yourself. Highly recommend.
**Notable mention, all 3 guitars have the same 50's style tone circuit with BKP 550k pots, and BKP (Jensen) Paper in Oil caps, .022 for Treble pickups, and .015 for Rhythm pickups. All 3 guitars strung with DR Pure Blues 11-50, with very similar setups.
Directly compared to my other 2 Les Pauls, one sporting a BKP Abraxas, and the other a Gibson Burstbucker 3, the WLH bridge wins hands down, having more perceived output and drive, and still very dynamic and controllable. The WLH bridge pickup made the Abraxas seem thin and mellow, and the Burstbucker 3 sound mushy and undefined.
I never thought that this set would make me rethink all my pickup swapping efforts thus far, but now I wish I had grabbed this set sooner. These pickups will cover Led Zeppelin tones from III onward, but dont pigeon hole them there; The "feel" of these pickups is so pleasing, at higher volumes, you feel like you can lean against the tone eminating from your cab(s). Dont hesitate one more second, grab these and experience them for yourself. Highly recommend.
**Notable mention, all 3 guitars have the same 50's style tone circuit with BKP 550k pots, and BKP (Jensen) Paper in Oil caps, .022 for Treble pickups, and .015 for Rhythm pickups. All 3 guitars strung with DR Pure Blues 11-50, with very similar setups.
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