• richp
  • richp
  • Bronze Member
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  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 30

Topic: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

I am thinking of putting a Gibson Burstbucker 3 in the bridge position of an HSS formatted Stratocaster.I've read that these pickups ARE NOT wax potted.
I do play loudly at times and was wondering if the alleged feedback was really an issue. I mean is this thing going to be a squealing pig?
I have numerous HSS formatted Strats and have other Gibby pups in them. I don't want to repeat and get the same type of pup for the new one.
I've heard good things about Burstbuckers and want to try them; but not at the expense of my guitar howling!

So.......lemme know.....................thanks...........


The new guy!

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"One of Chuck's children out there playin' his licks"
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

I have a BB 1&2 set in my R8 Les paul and a set of BB Pros in my 70's SG. Both sound great.  The BB 2&3 set are the stock pickups in the Joe Bonamassa Les Paul if I'm not mistaken and I haven't heard anything but good things from that set.  I think the BB 3 is a little hotter, almost like a BB Pro which is pretty dang hot in it's own right.  I would probably go with a BB Pro in the bridge if you want a hot, wax-potted Gibson BB pickup.

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-11-01
  • Posts: 103

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

I use a BB 2 and 3 in a mahogany strat and 1 and 2 in my les paul.
I haven't had any problem with squealing or howling at all unless my amp is dimed and I'm 3 feet away with an overdrive pedal pushing hard and even then after moving a couple of feet away it stops.
I think people worry too much about feedback when you have to really push the amp to get it and one great thing about the unpotted BB's is that you can get a nice usable feedback when you want it. I also found when a/b'ing them against the BB pros they seem to have a more 3 dimensional sound. That could be because of the wire vibration but when I want to I can sustain a note, turn toward the amp slightly at high volumes and the note blooms.
If you're worried about it then you might want to use a BB2 instead of a 3. You won't lose anything in tone, just take down the power a bit.

  • richp
  • richp
  • Bronze Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2006-05-08
  • Posts: 30

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

Thanks for the replies!! The only thing stopping me from a BB Pro is the fact that it is not available in double black bobbins exposed...only in nickel or gold covers.

I have just had my mind made up BB3 all the way!!

"One of Chuck's children out there playin' his licks"
  • From: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

I have BB 1&2 and they my favorite pickups and I have owned many guitars and put in quite a few pickups in my day, including Semour Dunan JBs..

T

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

eww gross! Cross contamination!

ha ha just kidding...

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2008-04-23
  • Posts: 553

Re: Question to all you Burstbucker owners............

I had BB #1 and 2 in a '57 goldtop and they were squaling
pretty bad at higher amp volume. I replaced them to Staufer '57 Pafs.
They sound much better and doesnt squeal.
In my JBLP are BB #2 and 3. They are pretty good.
No squeal and the sound top.

Alex

...it's a musical journey
www.u2-experience.de

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