Ordered a Les Paul w/Burstbucker Pros

[Prozrenie]

There is this vintage cherry mahogany Gibson Les Paul w/Burstbuckers you can get for around $800. Almost no finish on the thing, and it looks like you need to clean it with furniture polish! Looks very nice, in its way. I ordered me one, and am awaiting its arrival.

Never played a Gibson before and my Epi has EMGs. Should I hope for a good result with the above guitar, do you figure? I see that people are a bit reserved in their praise for Burstbuckers.


Thanks!

[thucydides]

I know what you mean re the reservations on the BBs, I've seen that also. It does seem like people like the BB 1 and 2 models, though. I do have that setup in a 335 copy, and they are pretty decent. I got them cheap, though. At full price I may have gone w/something else. I have only heard a few comments on the BB pros, split btw pros and cons.

I'd be interested in hearing what you think of that gtr; I did see a couple of positve reviews re that model.

[hamerfan]

Its up to what you are expecting! For a modern clean and stinging tone they are pretty nice. For a vintage warm or mighty meaty tone you have to look elsewhere.

[KeyOfG]

Prozrenie, I've never tried Burstbucker Pros, but I can tell you from my experience that I really like the Burstbucker 2 & 3 pickups. I've got a pair in a '95 Classic + LP and that guitar sounds absolutely incredibly amazing. Crisp and Airy, but Lush enough to have some GOOD Spongy Depth to it. It can cover Beautitful Cleans to Raunchy CRUNCH (and inbetween) with no problems whatsoever. They are expressive, especially once you dial them in at the right height. They have a great attack with round notes that bite, sing, & sting; while also capable of a very s m o o t h response too. Now all of that is of course with unpolished a2 mags, & mismatched non-potted coils. I suppose the Pros will be different with a5's and light potting too. If you get the itch, I've heard of SDCS pickups that are a 'Jimmy Page' wind that may give the BBPros a run. But I haven't played either types. I also imagine that a SDCS Brobucker set would be super nice too. I guess you're best bet at this point is to play it as is and see how it works out for you.

That thin finish vintage cherry LP sounds interesting btw, I'll have to try and find more info on it. I bet it looks sweet with cream appointments and nickel hardware.

[JumpMarine]

I pulled my BB Pro's within a day of getting my VM Paul and replaced them with the CS Brobucker/CS Antiquity and it was a night and day difference in better tone. The BB's sounded harsh and bright to my ears.

[Rick1114]

I have a VM I picked up a few weeks ago. I really like the BB Pros in the neck position - In fact that's the only way I've been playing this guitar since I bought it. It's perfect IMO. I may try something new in the bridge eventually but I have to hear how it sounds with some OD pedals first.

From what I remember, people mentioned in the LP forum trying a 59 Classic in the bridge in the VM. I may try that eventually but the BB pro is not leaving the neck...ever!

Rick

[Prozrenie]

Thanks everybody for the good-hearted, professionally oriented, and somewhat varying thoughts.

Axe still hasn't made its way here to the sun and sand, but I'm checking the mails! I was looking today at potential Classic 57 Plus to stick in the bridge if I need to. (Still reeling, though, from the difficulties of "dropping" my Seymour Duncans into my Mexican Strat!)

I'll post on how the guitar works out -- thanks a lot for your support, it does mean a lot!

My Best,
--P

[SoCalSteve]

I agree that you should wait and try them before passing judgment. I tried a PG neck and Custom bridge and ended up putting the BB Pros back in. The BB Pros sound more 'LP' to me. You may have to lower the pickups from stock height, though. Most folks prefer them low, including myself.

[Rick1114]

I agree that you should wait and try them before passing judgment. I tried a PG neck and Custom bridge and ended up putting the BB Pros back in. The BB Pros sound more 'LP' to me. You may have to lower the pickups from stock height, though. Most folks prefer them low, including myself.

I just lowered the bridge pup on my VM following your recomendation. WOW - it mellowed out the bridge a lot! It still crunches and sings but in a non piercing way now - I guess I hadn't thought of lowering it.

@ SoCalSteve - What pup heights (measured from string fretted at last fret )are you using on you VM? My neck pup sounds much louder than the bridge after I dialed it in & I'm curious what others are doing.

[aloha]

I just put a BB pro into my Carvin Fatboy.

It sounds great! It makes the jazz vibe of the guitar really skyrocket. It feels more hollow and more airy now.

YMMV.

Z

[Aceman]

I like the sound of the few I've played. Live with them for a while (= months). Didn't know the wind them down tip....

[dr.barlo]

Try them. Don' t forget that the tone you get essentially depends on the paticular wood of your guitar!

B

[Prozrenie]

In case anyone may not have noticed, I received the axe, and my review is posted in the Guitar Shop section, including a quote from Dr. Barlo. Thanks to all for your sincere reflections and for your support!

[SoCalSteve]

I just lowered the bridge pup on my VM following your recomendation. WOW - it mellowed out the bridge a lot! It still crunches and sings but in a non piercing way now - I guess I hadn't thought of lowering it.

@ SoCalSteve - What pup heights (measured from string fretted at last fret )are you using on you VM? My neck pup sounds much louder than the bridge after I dialed it in & I'm curious what others are doing.

Rick, I have my neck pup about even with the pickup ring and the bridge pup just barely above the pickup ring. I've also installed the Treble Tamer kit (new pots and caps) from www.rsguitarworks.net

[Rick1114]

Rick, I have my neck pup about even with the pickup ring and the bridge pup just barely above the pickup ring. I've also installed the Treble Tamer kit (new pots and caps) from www.rsguitarworks.net

Thanks Steve! I tried lowering around to your specs and found the sweet spot. Finally got all 3 positions sounding good. I hadn't used the middle position at all before, but now i thinks it's going to be my favorite.

Is the RS kit worth it in the VM? I've heard about quite a few people on LP forum prasing it but I'm afraid to mess with the tone of my VM since It's already way beyond my expectations. I don't find it too trebly althought the bridge is slightly brash. I'm playing through a DRRI....

Thanks again