• Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Topic: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Hi all,

So I need a bit of advice. I've bought a set of Joe Bonamassa Pickups that I want to put in one of my les paul's. I'm unsure which one to put these in. I have a 94" reissue that I've had since I was like 15 years old and it was my main guitar for a very long time. I'm thinking I'd like to put them in that guitar. It has EMG's in at the moment which are great but I'd like a little more vintage tone which I could definitely get from the JB pickups.

On the other hand I've also got a Don felder les paul which I do like a lot. Its fun to play live and it looks like an oldie as its been aged. And of course it being made to look like Felder's old 59'. I was thinking to put the pickups in there as well but of course being the felder guitar I didn't want to spoil the sound as its suppose to sound like that in the first place.

What do you guys think Felder or my reissue?

Thanks

Paul

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Put it in the guitar that sounds the best acoustically.

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

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Coming from someone that had EMGs in his 1979 Gibson Explorer, I will say don't swap those pickups. Yeah, they are black and boring looking, but you WILL miss them. They sound awesome and are totally reliable. They also play well with pedals and every amp I've played through. I got rid of mine and have regretted it.

I'd put the new pickups in the Don Felder lester...

- 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
  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Coming from someone that had EMGs in his 1979 Gibson Explorer, I will say don't swap those pickups. Yeah, they are black and boring looking, but you WILL miss them. They sound awesome and are totally reliable. They also play well with pedals and every amp I've played through. I got rid of mine and have regretted it.

I'd put the new pickups in the Don Felder lester...

Thanks for the post. I thought they might be better suited for the felder les paul than the reissue. As you mentioned the EMG's do a particular job and I think I would miss them if I took them out.

I'm also wondering the pickups in the felder guitar are burst buckers I'm thinking what are the differences between them and bonamassa pickups? I remember reading the JB's were an alnico 3 magnet and the burst buckers were an alnico 2 magnet. Anyone else know the differences?

  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
  • Posts: 99

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Felder has bustbucker 1&2s in I believe.

Sounds the perfect guitar to put the Bonamassa pickups in if wanting a more vintage feel, would only enhance the sound of an already brilliant guitar which in my opinion is where they should go if there's a choice.

Wouldn't mess with anything that has EMGs in already, I missed them the first time swapped out, won't do that again.

  • From: Was NY now FL/GA line
  • Registered: 2007-12-16
  • Posts: 2,857

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Put them in any LP you wish. But! If it was me, I wouldn't fukk with my #1. Unless of course your unhappy with it and have grown past what it can give. Sometimes change is a good thing! big_smile

  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

If i remember all those years ago when I got my reissue it had seymour duncans in already not sure what they were. When I got a little older and more experienced I realise I needed to change the pickups as they were a little weak sounding. The EMG's have only been in a year or so and I must say they do make the guitar sound a lot better.

I think I'll take your advice and put them in the felder they are more suited for that guitar.

Looks like I have to wait for the pickups to come back into stock someone got the last ones today just as I ordered and I got an email saying they'll be back in in about 10-14days.

Oh well just my luck I'm sure they will be worth the wait though.

  • Registered: 2010-03-09
  • Posts: 422

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Did you check the JB Store?  I ordered mine from there and got a free strap with them.  I too had problems trying to figure out where to put them.  I like the BB2 and 3.  The funny part is I have Bonaburst #2 and they shipped me pickups #222.  The serial numbers mean nothing to me just thought it was an amazing coincidence.  Still haven't installed them in anything.....

  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

xcorporate wrote:

Did you check the JB Store?  I ordered mine from there and got a free strap with them.  I too had problems trying to figure out where to put them.  I like the BB2 and 3.  The funny part is I have Bonaburst #2 and they shipped me pickups #222.  The serial numbers mean nothing to me just thought it was an amazing coincidence.  Still haven't installed them in anything.....

I did the other day but they had taken them off. I've just looked again and they've been put back on again. I've managed to get a couple of freebies with the pickups cause the guitar shop I bought them from made a little mistake with my order. They were very nice to offer free delivery and a couple packs of strings. I'd have to get them shipped to the UK which will take around a week to 10 days so I might as well wait for them to come back in stock.

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

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Paulg2uk wrote:

I'm also wondering the pickups in the felder guitar are burst buckers I'm thinking what are the differences between them and bonamassa pickups? I remember reading the JB's were an alnico 3 magnet and the burst buckers were an alnico 2 magnet. Anyone else know the differences?

As you might now, there's burstbuckers in Joe's Gibson Signature CustomShop, Studio, and Epiphone Goldtops... so if you're chasing "Joe tone" burstbuckers is what he uses.  If you're looking for the "vintage" tone (not necessarily Joe tone) I think Seymour Duncan made these pickups specifically after one of Joe's 1959 Les Pauls. Given, "Pearly Gates" pickups were made after Billy Gibbons' '59 sunburst Les Paul, and - of course - Seymour Duncan has a line of pickups called '59s... hmm
the differences of which I do not know...

- 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
  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

xcorporate wrote:

Did you check the JB Store?  I ordered mine from there and got a free strap with them.  I too had problems trying to figure out where to put them.  I like the BB2 and 3.  The funny part is I have Bonaburst #2 and they shipped me pickups #222.  The serial numbers mean nothing to me just thought it was an amazing coincidence.  Still haven't installed them in anything.....

Cancelled my order today and reordered from the JB store as they had some more in stock. They were a little cheaper buying them from the JB store than buying over here in the UK a saving of £69. Result, can't wait to get them now.

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

Paulg2uk wrote:
xcorporate wrote:

Did you check the JB Store?  I ordered mine from there and got a free strap with them.  I too had problems trying to figure out where to put them.  I like the BB2 and 3.  The funny part is I have Bonaburst #2 and they shipped me pickups #222.  The serial numbers mean nothing to me just thought it was an amazing coincidence.  Still haven't installed them in anything.....

Cancelled my order today and reordered from the JB store as they had some more in stock. They were a little cheaper buying them from the JB store than buying over here in the UK a saving of £69. Result, can't wait to get them now.

Just hope it doesn't come with a duty charge. If not a definite result.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

13 Reply by Paulg2uk (edited by Paulg2uk 2012-04-25 14:28:12)

  • Registered: 2012-04-08
  • Posts: 26

Re: Joe Bonamassa Pickups Which Guitar To Put Them In?

PSmith1946 wrote:
Paulg2uk wrote:
xcorporate wrote:

Did you check the JB Store?  I ordered mine from there and got a free strap with them.  I too had problems trying to figure out where to put them.  I like the BB2 and 3.  The funny part is I have Bonaburst #2 and they shipped me pickups #222.  The serial numbers mean nothing to me just thought it was an amazing coincidence.  Still haven't installed them in anything.....

Cancelled my order today and reordered from the JB store as they had some more in stock. They were a little cheaper buying them from the JB store than buying over here in the UK a saving of £69. Result, can't wait to get them now.

Just hope it doesn't come with a duty charge. If not a definite result.

I think it probably will but i can't see it being a lot not with the weight and size. One thing is for sure it won't be £69 lol