Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

[GoldenVulture]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

Poll: Do you think Thanathong has seen the error of his ways ?

1: Yes

2: No

3: Maybe

4: Technically

5: Possibly

6: Drex Option

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

666

 

[AlexR]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

You're right, I take it all back. You all make fine points, and I've seen the error of my ways.

Aren't you the one that keeps arguing technical points on the electrical specifics of pickups? And these electrical specifics are based on physical properties? Now you come into this thread and flatly disbelieve that physical properties are causing electrical specifics like induced current frequency response.
For someone with your supposed technical knowledge your attitude in this thread is more like juvenile stubbornness.....maybe you cannot be in a situation where you become the schooled.

Edit - anyhow, I'm now on a device where I can link a thread. This is from James the proprietor of ReWind. Should be instructive for you.....should you be able to learn.
http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/showthread.php?t=369099

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I was also let down by the 57's. I first heard about them in the early 90's but didn't play a guitar with one until 2011, so the anticipation was pretty severe. When I finally plugged in I was underwhelmed. It was shocking how mediocre they sounded.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

You have emotionally biased perception of sound, and you have this unproven hearsay from some guy that worked at Gibson, and some utterance about how the coil winding process has changed over the years. Adding together numerous dubious data points does not create one quality data point.

You're not going to get the technical data you want, because those are trade secrets. So basically, all guitar tones sound similar to you because can't trust your ears and you don't have charts to show that they're different? That'll save you a lot of money on music gear.

Tell us the truth: are you actually a robot?

 

[Benthedemon007]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I was also let down by the 57's. I first heard about them in the early 90's but didn't play a guitar with one until 2011, so the anticipation was pretty severe. When I finally plugged in I was underwhelmed. It was shocking how mediocre they sounded.

I don't mind the 57s, but the new burstbucker pros are the worst.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I don't mind the 57s, but the new burstbucker pros are the worst.

There's been mixed reactions to BBP's here. Seems as if Gibson wanted to have an A5 PAF to address claims of their A2 PAF's being dark and muddy in some guitars, but they may not have had enough players try them before they went into production. If I worked for Gibson, I'd keep tabs on the used PU market, to see what stock Gibson PU's were being removed from guitars, and whenever possible, why they were removed. The vast majority of players spending $2,000 or $3,000 on a guitar should be pleased with the stock PU's.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

The BB Pros in my studio have the tonality of Seths, they just weren't as clear in comparison. I think they are quite good. It's just if you happen to have the Duncan Seths you realize how much better some PAFs can be.

 

[The Convert]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I'd like to offer food for thought regarding the "echo chamber".

So on the one hand, there's the pizza rule. That is, you know how hard it is just to get 4 people to agree on pizza toppings? It's all the more harder to get a broad group of people to agree on any opinion. When this happens, it says something about that group--not ALL people.

Second is the nature of a normal distribution. If you have a sufficient enough sample size, you should see a marked and somewhat balanced set of responses.

The fact that this forum has a specific, branded identity combined with the fact that the small number of responses lean strongly--nay, hyperbolically--in one direction certainly supports the possibility that the group participating in this thread is probably not representative of the entire guitar playing community.

I could also suggest threat to identity and reaction formation, but I don't think the "why" is necessary to explore really. Just that it is very unlikely that the dominant view in this discussion is actually a majority perspective in the wider population.

Pick anything you think is vile in culture and there's surely a million people who love it. That's the nature of opinions and large numbers of people. And again, yes, these are in no way objective--they are opinions.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

...If you have a sufficient enough sample size, you should see a marked and somewhat balanced set of responses.

The fact that this forum has a specific, branded identity combined with the fact that the small number of responses lean strongly--nay, hyperbolically--in one direction certainly supports the possibility that the group participating in this thread is probably not representative of the entire guitar playing community.

The only thing I could add is that my experience "in the wild" is that the responses here, and the number of responses on one side or the other, mirror my experiences with the general population. Whether or not that reflects a greater echo chamber within the entire guitar playing population, I wouldn't speculate. But I can say as someone in the pickup business, these responses seem mainstream. Some people love their 57 Classics, many others think they are "just okay" or uninspiring sounding. Same goes for the Burstbuckers, though often people I talk to will say "the __ number is great, the other two are not so great" and the Burstbucker model that they think is the "good" one, is not the same as someone else who tells me the same thing. But that's no different than the Jazz, A2Pro, Pearly Gates, 59, etc. Players will have a favorite among those and find another one uninspiring.

 

[thanaton]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

My experience of other people's experience says that the average person's experience is consistent with the average experience, observed on average, by a sample set that I whimsically define, and may or may not accurately recall, over some unknown period of time ranging between now and three or four Christmases ago.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

My experience of other people's experience says that the average person's experience is consistent with the average experience, observed on average, by a sample set that I whimsically define, and may or may not accurately recall, over some unknown period of time ranging between now and three or four Christmases ago.

You know, I've been pretty patient with you, and put up with a lot of baseless criticism and accusations. It was one thing when you were limiting your attacks to the things I've said and done since leaving Seymour Duncan, but now you've moved on to challenging things that I said and/or did while at Seymour Duncan, implicating them as well. It may be within forum rules to speak openly about Duncan, but it doesn't mean it's not rude.

I've said things that are based on a long history of working in the pickups game, talking to a lot of customers, artists, novices, veterans...Now you're just treating me like a piece of garbage. I don't deserve it.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

Agreed.. Lets not be rude, mock or discredit your forum bros.. Frank has taken alot of time over the years to give some pretty in depth educational lessons. So, pls show some respect. As with him or any other poster, if you dont like or agree with what is said and cant add something positive, let it roll and move on. just sayin

 

[TNTales]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

While I wouldn't pay the prices that they put on them I have burstbucker pros in my LP Studio Faded and I love them.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I've said things that are based on a long history of working in the pickups game, talking to a lot of customers, artists, novices, veterans...Now you're just treating me like a piece of garbage. I don't deserve it.

Frank, I've told you to let thanaton go more than once. Can you see why?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

Someone is pressing their own self destruct button methinks.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

Frank, I've told you to let thanaton go more than once. Can you see why?

Maybe we should have the members vote in a poll?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

I'm down for that poll - bring it on! LOL

1) IMO, Gibson pickups are simply overpriced in today's market for what they are, but people pay for the "authenticity" of the brand in the same way BMW owners pay extra for "genuine" BMW floor mats when potentially superior aftermarket versions are available for much less.

2) Regarding 57's...they aren't the worst pickups in the world, but they tend not to excel in any way. The first time a '57 truly blew me away was last year when I put one in the neck of a friend's Les Paul. I can't explain it...it was bright but full bodied, really articulate and very musical in that guitar. Perfect, really. Even held up pretty well under gain. Thinking I must've been harboring some inaccurate memories about my previous experiences with the '57s, I went right out and bought another one for myself to put in the neck of my own Les Paul. In the end? Despite our nearly identical guitars, the '57 in mine didn't hold up to any of those redeeming qualities. It was far more temperamental and surprisingly boring in my guitar. I gave it a couple weeks, but it eventually had to go.

3) As far as bias, I may be a SDUGF member, but that never sways my opinions about pickups from other manufacturers or the recommendations I give. Most here try to be very fair and realistic. Personally, I currently have guitars with Duncans, DiMarzios, EMGs, Bill Lawrence and even one with some new Schecter USA pickups. I'm about to add an original set of Joe Barden Tele pickups to that list, also. I've owned and tried so many other pickups, vintage and new, it hurts to think about. And I'm not the only one here that can say that - not by a loooooong shot!

4) When you diss Frank, you're dissing this Forum and the integrity of a man who has probably provided more useful information than all of the other members, including myself, combined!

5) Anyone who knowingly and intentionally dismisses the importance of wire type, tension, turns-per-layer/coil geometry, magnets, etc. in determining the final performance/sound of a pickup simply shouldn't be allowed to post at all.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

The 'echo chamber' thing is BS. There's a whole gamut of views and opinions here, which is one of our strong points. If anything, it's hard to get a full consensus on this site about anything.

I have many brands of PU's, and judge them on the sound quality. Doesn't matter who makes them. I've tried PU's based on favorable comments from others, some of those PU's I've liked, some I haven't. I like to hear other people's experiences and opinions of PU's, guitars, amps, pedals, etc, but I certainly don't agree with all of them.

 

[Securb]

Re: Why do Gibson pickups cost so much?

Not a fan of the 57's they just are not my cup of tea. I took them out of my Les Paul Traditional replaced them WLHs and never looked back. On the other hand, I have Gibson 498Ts in two of my Ibanezs and my Gibson SG. I love those pickups. I am also digging the Gibson MHS pickups. They are giving me the best blues tone I have ever had in the neck, and the bridge gives me a thick, chunky and heavy sound when hit with some dirt. The pickups are unreal.