Burstbucker Pros too”pokey”

[PATXL69]

Love my LP Modern as a playing platform, but find the BB Pro’s striking me as being too bright, and “pokey” (as The Capt. at Anderton’s would say). I’m looking for something with a tad more grit and somewhat darker without rolling off too much of the more pleasing highs, especially on the the bridge. Playing through a Marshall Origin 20 with a Boss DS-1 and/or SD-1.

 

[Big Al]

Use the tone control.

 

[Bob Womack]

Yes, the BB Pros are a bit bright, and hot! But, it gives your guitar that "Tele on steroids" sound. I just pull the bridge pickup back to three or four.

Bob

 

[Classicplayer]

You should be able to get any number of tones from the Pro's. Turn off the pedals, dial your amp and guitar to the volume and grind you prefer (I'd start with a bit of a crunchy amp, then experiment with your guitar's volume amd tone knobs. You'll get better results. Experiment with the pedals later after you like what you hear from the Marshall.

Classicplayer

 

[CK6]

Love my LP Modern as a playing platform, but find the BB Pro’s striking me as being too bright, and “pokey” (as The Capt. at Anderton’s would say). I’m looking for something with a tad more grit and somewhat darker without rolling off too much of the more pleasing highs, especially on the the bridge. Playing through a Marshall Origin 20 with a Boss DS-1 and/or SD-1.

What strings are you using?

 

[NickiC]

Have you considered a 490T?

 

[PATXL69]

What strings are you using?

StringJoy 10-48

 

[PATXL69]

Have you considered a 490T?

Indeed I have. Its on the short list.

 

[CK6]

StringJoy 10-48

Not sure who makes their strings, but D’Addario have been very pokey with certain pickups that I had, including the burst buckers. Try some Ernie Ball or GHS strings & see if it makes a difference

 

[spidey]

My 2003 standard had burstbucker pros on when I bought it. I found them to be brash, hot and abrasive.

I tried the Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates but didn't bond with the bridge. I loved the neck pup though.

I switched to Jim Wagner Crossroads pickups and they have been in ever since.

Around that time Jim's pickups were very popular on this forum.

JWP Guitar Pickups

 

[NickiC]

It’s got to be the A5 magnets that Gibson uses. Swap a Gibby A5 into most pickups; let’s say a 57 Classic or even a Duncan 59/ vintage blues,
I find this will make the pickup sound sterile, strident and brash. Some have had good results with. BB Pro can be a lifeline for a semi hollow body. Or a dark sounding Les Paul.

 

[synthetic88]

Tried to get along with the Burstbuckers in my LP Traditional for years. Finally swapped in Duncan Antiquities and it was a massive difference. All the icepickiness was instantly gone. Worth trying if that 6k spike is bugging you.

 

[NickiC]

Tried to get along with the Burstbuckers in my LP Traditional for years. Finally swapped in Duncan Antiquities and it was a massive difference. All the icepickiness was instantly gone. Worth trying if that 6k spike is bugging you.

How do they sound in the neck, is it boomy at all? I find BB’s in the neck position to be less boomy, bottom heavy than most PAF types. They fall in to weak and thin, or just not correctly calibrated to work with the bridge pickup.