Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

[Borderline11]

Is it just me? I recently purchased a 2012 LP Standard with the Burstbucker 1 & 2 set, returned it, then bought a 2011 PRS SC-58 with the 57/08 set. The 57/08s sound like the Burstbuckers to me. Thin and shrill. Is that what I should expect? I don't mind low output, but they sound drastically different from my Duncan pickups (in different guitars).

I'll update this with a sound clip or video, but in the meantime, what's the deal? I've tried adjusting pickup height, and amp settings. The difference is night and day, the Duncans sound hands down better in all cases. I'll also swap the Duncans into the SC-58 to see what difference the guitar makes. Should The Slash set be anywhere close in tone to the 57/08s?

The benchmark I was using is my PRS SE 245 with the Duncan Slash pickups and my Lonestar Strat with the PG in the bridge. I also have the Custom/Custom in my LTD Lynch. Amps used were the Friedman Dirty Shirley (G12M & V30 cab) and Mesa Roadster (G12-EVH cab). I really like my USA Tremonti with the Tremonti pickups, so I don't think it's a personal bias for Duncan pickups.


Confused in Texas!

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

Different pickups are different? Different guitars sound different?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

Maybe your ear likes fatter A2 magnet pickups.

 

[Borderline11]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

Thanks! I appreciate the suggestions!

The A2 mags are something I like (thus the Custom/Custom). Are the 57/08 and BB's A5? Is that what I should expect from A5? My Tremonti bridge is ceramic and sounds great.

I'll try the Slash set in the SC-58 probably tomorrow to see how they pair up.

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

BB's are a2

 

[Matzanias]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

I want to hear your opinion of the Slash pickups in your SC-58. I've got a 2011 as well.

 

[Borderline11]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

I want to hear your opinion of the Slash pickups in your SC-58. I've got a 2011 as well.

Will do! I really like the Slash set and think the SC-58 will brighten and tighten them.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

I'm thinking that if you had a Standard, they might have been the BB V, with the Alnico V mags. Definitely a different tone than the A2 mags in the Burstbucker 1, 2 and 3. The BB 1&2 have a brighter, some say edgy, tone for a PAF, but the BB V (aka BB Pro) are even moreso. I don't care for the BB V at all.

I have Les Paul Historics with the BB 1&2 sets; don't plan on changing them for the Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz, etc. that I play. I use Mesa amps and play in versatile G/K/B/D cover band.

If I need mellower tones, I'll use my 335s or my LP Elegant with '57 Classics--they are much warmer than the BB 1&2 sets; not as defined, less sharp.

The BB 1&2 for rockin' bar crowds...

The '57 Classics for the clean tones when playing to the over 60 age group....LOL!

Bill

 

[Borderline11]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

Well, I have to eat crow on this post. After doing a detailed comparison, the 57/08 and Slash set are not as far off as I thought. The 57/08 (and BB1/2) is still brighter than I prefer, almost like having the presence turned up. After setting the 57/08 pickup height to what PRS recommends (I had them too far away from the strings), that helped immensely,. Check out my findings....

What you need to know... The Duncan Slash (bridge) is a higher output pickup and is a little warmer sounding with more midrange. In the room, I prefer the Duncan. I also set the Duncan at 5/32 below the strings versus 2.5/32 for the PRS. This helped the Duncan to have a little less output and more detail. The PRS had more detail, but also had a higher treble content, almost like turning the presence knob up a little higher than where you normally prefer, but It is a great pickup none the less.

The big factor was the guitar (PRS SC-58), which made the pickups punchy and clear with great sustain.

 

[Lampy H]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

I like the BB 1/2 set in my explorer, although I'm still curious as to what a set of Duncan's could bring to the table. I get a really full, tight rhythm tone, but a lot of that comes from my right hand, and the way I EQ. Still, they sound much better to me than the stock pickups in my LTD guitars.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Why don't I like the 57/08 or Burstbucker 1/2 pickups?

Different pickups are different? Different guitars sound different?

Are you kookoo? This is scientifically impossible! It's all wood and strings, so the "I want it to sound this way" rule applies.

/sarcasm