Gibson Pickups

[Victory Pete]

Man, I'm jealous about the SG-12!!! I've wanted one for years, but could nevet afford it. I've even considered getting the Epi doubleneck just to get the 12, but besides being unweildy and very impractical, I figured everyone would think I was trying to be Page.

I had a Gibson EDS-1275 in the 90's. I sold it when I was broke. Wish I still had it even though it was impractical and awkward, but man did it have a lot of sustain! These SG-12 strings are the 50th anniversary limited run, they have never been made before. I asked Gibson Custom Shop for a price for one 5 years ago and they said 5 grand, boy am I glad I never went through with that, I would have been pretty bummed when I got the e-mail a year ago about these selling for $1469, not a bad price. I have had problems with the action though, Gibsons new PLEK system is terrible, I have been tweaking my nuts and saddles ever since I got it.

VP

 

[Greg_L]

I think the plek setup is pretty cool. Its consistent and I have yet to pick up a plek'd new Gibson that doesn't feel soft and smooth. No fret buzz anywhere, easy action,damn near perfect intonation.

 

[Victory Pete]

I think the plek setup is pretty cool. Its consistent and I have yet to pick up a plek'd new Gibson that doesn't feel soft and smooth. No fret buzz anywhere, easy action,damn near perfect intonation.

Gibson giving PLEK a bad name? - My Les Paul Forums

VP

 

[JHudson]

To add to this - a lot depends on what type of music you are playing, and what amp you intend on using for your "main" amp if you are really looking to perfect your tone. That being said - 57 Classics are very very popular and for good reason - smooth, versatile, and punchy - I currently had 498t & 498r in mine, and am very very pleased. They clean up well when the volume is rolled back, without changing tone shape - and when I want it do bite, it does. Chords have a nice smooth "even-ness" to them, and leads are very defined with good sustain. In closing to this short novel, every time I have taken it to the studio, it has always had a better and more versatile tone than any other les paul with different pickups that we have compared it to. Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Victory Pete]

To add to this - a lot depends on what type of music you are playing, and what amp you intend on using for your "main" amp if you are really looking to perfect your tone. That being said - 57 Classics are very very popular and for good reason - smooth, versatile, and punchy - I currently had 498t & 498r in mine, and am very very pleased. They clean up well when the volume is rolled back, without changing tone shape - and when I want it do bite, it does. Chords have a nice smooth "even-ness" to them, and leads are very defined with good suatain. In closing to this short novel, every time I have taken it to the studio, it has always had a better and more versatile tone than any other les paul with different pickups that we have compared it to. Hope this helps a bit.

It helps me, I better order some of those puppies soon!

VP

 

[Greg_L]

Now I'm thinking maybe Burstbuckers are what I'm looking for. Sheesh, it just never ends, does it? Well, unless I win the lottery and can afford the Peter Green/ Gary Moore LP.

Go play some. You can't go wrong with either the 57 or Burstbuckers.

 

[Victory Pete]

So some nobody guitar snob wannabes on one of the snobbiest sites on the net don't like plek, and that's what you use to bolster your argument? Shocker.

No, I use my own bad experience with my new SG 12 string. My contact at Gibson is no help either, they keep sending me the wrong parts, last part I got was an already PLEKED bridge, I repeat: Already PLEKED. As if any competent Luthier could accurately cut the slots in a bridge without even having the guitar in front of him. It is really a shame.

VP

PS: Please stop harassing me again.

 

[Greg_L]

I'm not harrassing you. Just giving a different viewpoint based on my own experiences. I mean, neither one of us has anything but our own experiences. Yours are bad, mine are good. Let the people decide for themselves.

 

[Greg_L]

Pot....kettle....


Anyway, I think pretty much all of the Gibson pickups are pretty good. Like mentioned earlier, the "number" pickups are comparitively hotter than the name pickups, with the exception of the "Dirty Fingers" pickup, which I've never used, but the name and literature pretty much says it all.

 

[Victory Pete]

This is a very helpful graph:

VP

 

[JCH]

This is a very helpful graph:

VP

What is that graph measuring? millivolts?, frequency response?, resonant peak? inductance?, or just how loud it is? How were these values assessed? Scientifically, or did your Mom tell you?
That graph tells you nothing about how a pickup sounds!

IMHO Burstbuckers, and 57's both sound pretty good. The biggest difference is the b'buckers are unpotted.

 

[Victory Pete]

What is that graph measuring? millivolts?, frequency response?, resonant peak? inductance?, or just how loud it is? How were these values assessed? Scientifically, or did your Mom tell you?
That graph tells you nothing about how a pickup sounds!

IMHO Burstbuckers, and 57's both sound pretty good. The biggest difference is the b'buckers are unpotted.

Just what it says: "Comparative Pickup Output". Any other questions you have should be directed to "Gibson", since the graph is on their website.

VP

 

[JCH]

Are you questioning Gibsons own graph? Or just trolling?

VP

Hell yes I'm questioning the graph. It has no relevance whatsoever unless it explains exactly what they are measuring, and how they came about those measurements. Otherwise it's just smoke and mirrors. Not questioning such things is a trait of a simple mind.

 

[Victory Pete]

Hell yes I'm questioning the graph. It has no relevance whatsoever unless it explains exactly what they are measuring, and how they came about those measurements. Otherwise it's just smoke and mirrors. Not questioning such things is a trait of a simple mind.

It is the "Output", you know, the volume (Sensitivity) of the pickups. I think Gibson is quite able to determine the output of their pickups. I imagine they have some kind of a "Test Lab" with "Test Equipment", you know, sound level meters, oscilloscopes, and the like. Who knows, they may even have an "Anechoic chamber". Now stop stalking me please.

VP

 

[JCH]

You are in no postition to be "Outing" me in any manner. You are just another rude and resentful troublemaker.

Pay attention to this part Pete; The main reason I visit this forum is to learn more about recording to better my abilities. Lately just by reading in the tone thread I've gained more valuable information than I'll be able to digest in a year. I generally keep my mouth shut, and my ears open. Especially on subjects of which I'm not too knowledgeable. These boards are a fantastic learning tool. You OTOH simply act like a tool. You're pretending to be some sort of expert. You're constantly trying to prove yourself. None of that is helping your rep around here. I'd have much more respect for you if you seemed a little more genuine, and didn't try so hard.

If you are going to "Question" my knowledge and advice please try to make some kind of a specific "Valid Argument" instead of "Vague Accusations".

You really don't want to go there. Is that thread still in the cave?

I again ask to please stop the personal attacks and trolling.
VP

OK here's the deal.. I'll start fresh with you right now. I'll lay off if you'll stop the B$.

 

[notCardio]

To get briefly back on topic here

The Burstbucker has a little more growl to it. More punch and bite. Not really hotter, but more grit. I think it's more like a vintage PAF p/u than the others. The 57 Classics are smoother. They're both great pickups if you want a toneful vintage sound. The Burstbuckers are just a little more aggressive to me.

So would it be reasonable to assume that a Burstbucker in the bridge and a 57 in the neck might make a good combination for 'classic rock'?

 

[Victory Pete]

VP, once again, just because someone disagrees with you that doesn't mean they're stalking or trolling. When you put out bad or questionable info, prepare to be disagreed with. That's how the internet works. More and more people are on to your schtick and you can't hide behind the mods forever.

And VP, just so we're crystal clear ......I'm not stalking or trolling you. I'm giving you a little heads up because you are lost bro.

Pay attention to this part Pete; The main reason I visit this forum is to learn more about recording to better my abilities. Lately just by reading in the tone thread I've gained more valuable information than I'll be able to digest in a year. I generally keep my mouth shut, and my ears open. Especially on subjects of which I'm not too knowledgeable. These boards are a fantastic learning tool. You OTOH simply act like a tool. You're pretending to be some sort of expert. You're constantly trying to prove yourself. None of that is helping your rep around here. I'd have much more respect for you if you seemed a little more genuine, and didn't try so hard. You really don't want to go there. Is that thread still in the cave? OK here's the deal.. I'll start fresh with you right now. I'll lay off if you'll stop the B$.

So again you are "Questioning" Gibsons credibilty here? I simply post a graph that was taken from Gibsons website that shows "Comparative Pickup Output" and you have to trash me for that? Wow!

VP

 

[Victory Pete]

So would it be reasonable to assume that a Burstbucker in the bridge and a 57 in the neck might make a good combination for 'classic rock'?

There are 3 different Burstbuckers. To get a good balance make sure you get a neck pickup that has less output than the bridge, there is always more string output in the neck position because there is more string travel (amplitude) the farther you get away from the bridge. A good combination would be 57 CL neck / BB3 bridge or 57 Cl neck / 57 Cl plus bridge or BB1 neck / BB2 bridge or BB2 neck / BB3 bridge.

VP

 

[Greg_L]

So would it be reasonable to assume that a Burstbucker in the bridge and a 57 in the neck might make a good combination for 'classic rock'?

Hell yes its a great combo. My LP has a burstbucker3 bridge and 57 neck. Awesome combo.

 

[JCH]

So again you are "Questioning" Gibsons credibilty here? I simply post a graph that was taken from Gibsons website that shows "Comparative Pickup Output" and you have to trash me for that? Wow!

VP

Gibson lost its credibility years ago. If you don't believe me, read your own posts about your twelve string. They're surviving off the name, and the ads are mostly hype.