How about a Gibson Burstbucker in a Hamer Studio?

[lidbjork]

I've played my stock '94 Archtop Studio for ten years now and been very happy with the '59 + JB combo. But I'm keen to get a creamier sound (both in the general meaning and in the Baker/Clapton/Bruce sense), i.e. a more vintage Les Paul sound with maybe a little less output. I also happen to have a Gibson Burstbucker Pro laying around, and I'm thinking about pulling the JB for it.

So, anyone tried the Burstbucker Pro in a Sunburst or similar Hamer USA? If so, how did it sound in this guitar? How does it work together with the Duncan '59 and how does it compare to the JB?

Thanks!

[murkat]

I do not think that you will achieve a creamy tone with the BB Pro.

I have dealt with many years with BB's at the GCS.

A5 mag, un matched coils, and usually the hotter coil is the adjust side.

a hotter seth (8.5+), or a Classic Plus would get you into the creamy zone.

No comparison to a JB. JB is a JB (newer ones). HOT wind.

[Disturber]

Try the Dimarzio 36th anniversaries. They'll probably be to your liking.

[velorush]

I do not think that you will achieve a creamy tone with the BB Pro.

I have dealt with many years with BB's at the GCS.

A5 mag, un matched coils, and usually the hotter coil is the adjust side.

a hotter seth (8.5+), or a Classic Plus would get you into the creamy zone.

No comparison to a JB. JB is a JB (newer ones). HOT wind.

Hopefully not a hijack, but my only lengthy experience with A2's was with the 490(R/T) set that came stock in my Gibson Howard Roberts. I absolutely hated those pickups because of some weird spike in the upper mids (almost a cocked wah thing). I played a friend's LP Studio with the 490R / 498T set and it seemed much the same in both positions. I assumed all A2 pickups sounded that way. Edited to add (and link to OP): I just couldn't find a Clapton sound in them.

[Armitage]

I really like the various flavours of Burstbuckers, just not the Burstbucker Pro.

[triodecr]

Try the Dimarzio 36th anniversaries. They'll probably be to your liking.

+1

I really like the 36th set. I think the neck is smoother than the average '59 and the bridge is present and clear but with extreme highs rolled off.

[django49]

Have not tried them myself, but I was told the DiMarzio 36th is quite similar to the Duncan Seth Lover.....Maybe try whichever is easiest to come by(?)

[FrankieIII]

On the Hamer Studios with the Duncan '59/JB combo, I discovered a very warm tone with both pickups on, bridge volume at 10, and neck volume at 5 or 6 to taste.

Also try lowering the height of the JB to tame and warm it up.

[gtone]

On the Hamer Studios with the Duncan '59/JB combo, I discovered a very warm tone with both pickups on, bridge volume at 10, and neck volume at 5 or 6 to taste.

Also try lowering the height of the JB to tame and warm it up.

Or you could try throwing the JB in the trash and trying just about anything else...

jk (or am I?... )

[lidbjork]

FrankieIII -- Yeah, you make some good points. I like the sound I get with the JB (bridge) on 10 and the neck ('59) on 7. I think I have lowered the JB height several years ago, but I'll try to do it some more. I've always like the '59/JB combo, but thought I'd try to mix things up a bit now after ten years.

gtone -- Don't you like the JB?

[bubs_42]

Having just had a set of 36ths in one of my Sunburst's I could recomend them for a fat, creamy tone. They were not my cup of tea but I lean to the Duncan's.

[gtone]

gtone -- Don't you like the JB?

Whatever gave you that idea?....

Not a fan of JB's myself. Some guys luv 'em (zenmindbegineer comes to mind) - more power to 'em.

[hamerican gigolo]

On the Hamer Studios with the Duncan '59/JB combo, I discovered a very warm tone with both pickups on, bridge volume at 10, and neck volume at 5 or 6 to taste.

Also try lowering the height of the JB to tame and warm it up.

Or you could try throwing the JB in the trash and trying just about anything else...

jk (or am I?... )

Amen! I absolutely despise the 59/JB combo. There are far better choices available.

[FrankieIII]

Or, my absolute fave low output bridge pickup for the money is the Duncan Seth Lover.

[formula73]

I do not think that you will achieve a creamy tone with the BB Pro.

I have dealt with many years with BB's at the GCS.

A5 mag, un matched coils, and usually the hotter coil is the adjust side.

a hotter seth (8.5+), or a Classic Plus would get you into the creamy zone.

No comparison to a JB. JB is a JB (newer ones). HOT wind.

Hopefully not a hijack, but my only lengthy experience with A2's was with the 490(R/T) set that came stock in my Gibson Howard Roberts. I absolutely hated those pickups because of some weird spike in the upper mids (almost a cocked wah thing). I played a friend's LP Studio with the 490R / 498T set and it seemed much the same in both positions. I assumed all A2 pickups sounded that way. Edited to add (and link to OP): I just couldn't find a Clapton sound in them.

The 498T is A5 and the 490R is A2, which means the bridge pup might be fairly bright but the neck ought to have been fairly smooth. Most people who don't dig it, don't because the low wind with the A2 is muffled in the neck position. I liked the 498T, a lot. I've got a set coming for my 93 Classic.

[flattop]

JB's are horrid pickups

The SD SH14 is a better choice