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

Topic: Whats the better humbucker?

I'm thinking my 57' classics sound a bit harsh in the bridge and muddy in the neck.  I have a new amp now (Fender hot rod deluxe) and I am happy with the sound for rhythm on either or both pickups, but riffs on the neck pickup are muddy and not very detailed, leads on the bridge pickup get harsh at times.  Some would say its the amp's fault but other guitars I have are fine, just the humbucking guitars bug me with it. 

Is the Burstbucker a smoother creamier sound then the 57' Classics?  Or other brands maybe like Lindy Fralins.  I'm just looking for a smoother bridge sound and a clear neck sound.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I have BB 1 & 2 set in my R8 and I have no mud problems.  When dialing in my tone sometimes I'll switch to my neck pickup first, then dial the amps in.  When I'm happy with the tone I switch to the bridge pickup.  If it's too harsh then I roll the tone knob back until it evens out.  If this doesn't work then you should probably change a pickup out.  I have heard that the Burstbucker 2 is warmer than the '57 classic bridge pickup.  Also, try thicker strings to fatten things up.  Good luck man, hope you get it ironed out!

'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.
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

Oh I forgot, you can also play around with your pickups height, bass/treble angles, etc.  These have a dramatic affect on the sound.  I find that the closer the pickup to the strings the warmer and gainier/louder it is.  Further from the strings the cleaner, clearer, more articulate the sound.

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

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I don't think the strings are a problem I run .011's through .052 ernie balls.  I've thought about putting pure nickel strings on as those are supposed to warm up the sound a bit, but that wouldn't help the neck.  I've got an RS Guitarworks kit in it so maybe I'll try changing the caps first and see if that does anything for me.  The neck just feels like its not giving me all its treble.  I'm not used to this amp yet either.  It works better at higher volumes but in general its being used in my basement for practice where I'm not cranking up at all.  Maybe the answer is just an attenuator to get the pre amp and the output tubes burning equally hot.  The sound I got is fine btw I am just being really picky about what I want now.  I'm pretty sure Joe would cringe if he ever heard the sound I got coming from my amp.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

Is it a factory Gibson or customshop?
If its factory, definately change the pots.
I have a classic, put alnicoIIs in as I didnt like the high gain pickups. When my pots started acting up I replaced them all and then realised I should have done it right away. The tone is so much clearer. It was a very muddy tone I had and it was all down to the pots...so get them changed...much cheaper than buying new pickups and gibson pots suck.

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

Jimi_lp wrote:

Is it a factory Gibson or customshop?
If its factory, definately change the pots.
I have a classic, put alnicoIIs in as I didnt like the high gain pickups. When my pots started acting up I replaced them all and then realised I should have done it right away. The tone is so much clearer. It was a very muddy tone I had and it was all down to the pots...so get them changed...much cheaper than buying new pickups and gibson pots suck.

interesting Ihave a les paul limited edition and was considering changing pots as one is scratchy
which type of pots do you recommend??

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • Registered: 2009-02-10
  • Posts: 470

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

SOFTMC wrote:
Jimi_lp wrote:

Is it a factory Gibson or customshop?
If its factory, definately change the pots.
I have a classic, put alnicoIIs in as I didnt like the high gain pickups. When my pots started acting up I replaced them all and then realised I should have done it right away. The tone is so much clearer. It was a very muddy tone I had and it was all down to the pots...so get them changed...much cheaper than buying new pickups and gibson pots suck.

interesting Ihave a les paul limited edition and was considering changing pots as one is scratchy
which type of pots do you recommend??

I got these http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics … _Pots.html long shaft 500k.
only problem is, ive had to put epiphone knobs on as the gibson ones dont fit
definately cleans up the pickup though, the clarity is fantastic now.
I recommend them.

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

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the higher K resistance, the hotter the pickup... but also darker the sound. So if you put hotter (higher K) pickups in your neck pickup area, it won't be as clear as a lower K humbucker. You can always get a hotter pickup and just back off on the pickup height I think.

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

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I don't care to go for hotter pickups as they tend not to clear up as easily as lowwer output humbuckers.  I'm not going for blazing leads just clear sounding leads.  I have changed the pots out they are CTS from RS Guitarworks.  I agree the standard Gibson pots suck.  RS Guitarworks has some great volume kits out there that will give you more control of your tone.  I'm seriously thinking of swapping out the bridge pot for a 300k to make it a little more smooth and take out the bite it has to it.  Maybe I should do the same for the neck and put a 1 meg in its place to brighten up the tone.  That would of course be last resort before I buy new pickups.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 197

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the higher K resistance, the hotter the pickup... but also darker the sound. So if you put hotter (higher K) pickups in your neck pickup area, it won't be as clear as a lower K humbucker. You can always get a hotter pickup and just back off on the pickup height I think.

Pots vs. Pickups: OPPOSITE

The higher the "K" on a POT, the more treble the pot lets thru. 1M (1000K) pots are VERY bright.

In PICKUPS the higher the "K" usually means a hotter/darker pickup.

  • Registered: 2009-03-18
  • Posts: 30

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I perfer the BB 2s in front and 3s in bridge in my LP. I'm very interested in these Bareknuckles though but i've never played them but everyone seems to have good comments about them. And as with any guitar I own or will own I use the "true" 500k cts pots for vol and tone controls. There's something about the BB pros I don't care for. I know they are potted and maybe that's it. Just not as "workable" to me.

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

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

Try a Gibson P-94 (humbucker-sized P-90) if you want some real clarity, and if you don't mind the (gasp) look of it. Seymour Duncan makes an equivalent called the Phat Cat.

- 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: Missoula, Montana
  • Registered: 2008-08-18
  • Posts: 308

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I have one Gibson with the 57s and one with Burstbuckers, and to me the burstbuckers are superior pickups. They have a much deeper and bassier tone, I really love them.

#275 JB LP

tmcguire's Website

  • Registered: 2007-11-04
  • Posts: 404

Re: Whats the better humbucker?

I'd love to hear my R8 with low output Lollars in it.  However the wonderful burst buckers will have to do for awile.