• From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2012-02-15
  • Posts: 16

Topic: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

Hey guys,

I'm looking into getting one of the Joe Bonamassa Signature Les Paul Studio's, but I've never actually played a guitar with the burstbucker's before.

I haven't found one in my local stores yet either, so I wanted to see what you guys thought about them. How is their tone compared to your guitars?

My main concern is how do they compare with the pickups in my guitar now. I have an SG standard, with the 490R in the neck and the 498T in the bridge.

Any input would be great, thanks smile

"One great rock show can change the WORLD!"

RocknRoll5's Website

  • Devan
  • Devan
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

I have an SG Standard as well as a JB Les Paul.

If I have to evaluate the tonal differences, I would say that the Burstbuckers tend to slap the amp a little harder.  They're not TOO hot, but there is certainly some punch there that is not in the SG pickups.  Although a lot of that could be to do with the extra weight of the LP too.

I normally don't play on the next pickup of humbucker guitars, as I find it too dark and woody in most guitars, but on the JBLP, the neck Burstbucker still has a nice warmth to it, with enough kick to make it more articulate.

Definitely a pickup set that benefits from tweaking the volume and tone controls a bit to suit the situation.  I like them.

cool

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

I have an SG with same pickups as well as 2 LP Standards one with 57 classics and another with burstbuckers. I had some equipment out this weekend and all my guitars and I ran through them all in a row to show a friend of mine tonal differences. Long story short, in direct comparison with the 490s the burstbuckers sound a bit brighter even though SGs seem to be a tad brighter than a LP. They aren't overkill, they sound great I'm sure you'll like them. Personally I find my other LP with 57s in to have a better mid tone and slightly cleaner which I like. But either way I like both.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2012-02-15
  • Posts: 16

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

Awesome, thanks very much! Just what I was looking for smile

Now for another question on buying:

I've never bought a guitar online. I just always felt more comfortable ordering and playing them in the store. Now, I've never owned a Les Paul before, so I was thinking of still going in to play some Les Paul Studios to see how I like the weight and the feel, even though I can't find JB one. I guess it'll get me close enough, even though I've read that JB definitly has it's differences.

This time, however, I'm thinking of getting one online. I've heard very good reviews on the JB one, and it's got'n a lot of praise online (especially here! lol) Plus it's linked to one of my favorite guitarists, and I'm sure I want it.

By buying online, I would save about a hundred bucks on tax vs buying in store. I have heard that you can send it back if there are flaws, but I'd really like to minimize my chances of having to do that.

Any recommended places to go to buy my JB Les Paul Studio?

"One great rock show can change the WORLD!"

RocknRoll5's Website

5 Reply by helrazr84 (edited by helrazr84 2012-02-19 23:22:43)

  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

It sounds like you've already made the decision in your head you want one so I would just look to see who ever has them in stock and order one. I've never had any issues with musicians friend, guitar center, american musical, swetwater is very good- they have the best customer service I've come to realize and experience. I'm sure when you open the case and see the guitar, you'll be more than pleased. For me, I don't care if my guitars have flaws, marks, dings..but granted if I ordered something "NEW" and it showed up with a good sized dent or crack somewhere, it would be going back. Fortunately the larger companies are able to compensate for such losses and you will be taken care of, even if you simply don't like it.

  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 163

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

Based on my experience with the JB Studio-you can't go wrong.  IMHO the Burstbuckers blow out the 490's (had them in an Elitist).  Just fuller.  As far as I am concerned, the JB Studio is a TONE MONSTER.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2012-02-15
  • Posts: 16

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

helrazr84 wrote:

It sounds like you've already made the decision in your head you want one so I would just look to see who ever has them in stock and order one. I've never had any issues with musicians friend, guitar center, american musical, swetwater is very good- they have the best customer service I've come to realize and experience. I'm sure when you open the case and see the guitar, you'll be more than pleased. For me, I don't care if my guitars have flaws, marks, dings..but granted if I ordered something "NEW" and it showed up with a good sized dent or crack somewhere, it would be going back. Fortunately the larger companies are able to compensate for such losses and you will be taken care of, even if you simply don't like it.

Thanks. I've dealt with Sweetwater in a past, and agree they have exceptional customer service. However, they don't have the JB Studio listed. Could prob get it, but would be a special order thing..

I think I'll give MF a shot on this one.

Thanks so much for the help!

"One great rock show can change the WORLD!"

RocknRoll5's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

I have owned both a SG Standard and an Epiphone Les Paul Joe Bonamassa.  BurstBuckers are double the pickup comparied to the stail sounding 490 and 498's.  The SG was one of my favorite guitars but I hated the tone after awhile because it was my first Gibson I ever played or owned, after trying out other models I replaced those pickups.  The Epiphone out of the box was one of the best les paul tones I've ever owned, but it lacked playablity of a Gibson.  You won't be disappointed in the Les Paul, you might even find that your disappointed in your SG more then you were.  Do yourself a favor and replace them with something at some point and you'll see what I mean.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Latrobe PA
  • Registered: 2012-02-02
  • Posts: 96

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

Good luck finding any JB Studios in stock anywhere. I ordered mine thru MF in mid-Dec and it's backordered until late April!

The good news is that these are Plek'd so they generally are pretty well setup out of the box.

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

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

How close are you to Detroit? There's one forsale at MotorCity Music. I played it smile
The Les Paul will be a lot heavier than that SG, but without the neck-dive.
Those pickups in that SG aren't the best... putting in Classic 57 and 57 plus will change the personality of that SG. cool

- 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: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

RocknRoll5 wrote:

I think I'll give MF a shot on this one.

As of today, Guitar Center claims to have 'em in stock:  http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Limi … 1774397.gc

So does Same Day Music:  http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--GIBLPSJB

So does American Musical Supply:  http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-GIB-LPSJB-LIST

Good luck!

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejmZn9Mz70

Here you go!

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: norway
  • Registered: 2011-07-29
  • Posts: 93

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

AD3THREE wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MejmZn9Mz70

Here you go!

This vid id with burst bucker pro that is a long way from burst bucker 2 and 3 that is in bonamassa guitars.

You cant compare Jimmy Page with God. I mean he's cool and all, but he's no Jimmy Page!!

mrwarensemble's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

True but look at how much better they are then the 498T

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: norway
  • Registered: 2011-07-29
  • Posts: 93

Re: JB Les Paul Studio - BurstBucker Pickups

Was this not a limited run guitar or did they make more of them like the epiphone model?

You cant compare Jimmy Page with God. I mean he's cool and all, but he's no Jimmy Page!!

mrwarensemble's Website