Burstbucker pro or 3?

[slowpokerhino]

Hey guys, I have a G0 and am doing some pickup swapping.
I still have a BB1 in the neck (changed the stock to a zebra) but am having trouble deciding on a bridge PU to go with it.
I liked the BB2 but wanted something a little darker with a bit more output. I switched to a 57 Classic and I like it too, but still not right.
Am thinking of going to a BB Pro or BB3. Any thoughts?
I'd like to stick with the Gibson vintage style pickups if I can.
Thanks.

[cynic79]

The BB2 and the BBPro have about the same output, while the BB3 is supposed to be a little hotter.



I can't speak for the sound of the BB3, but the midrange and high end on the BBPro were pretty pronounced. It had a nice, punchy distorted tone, but with enough high end for a reasonably glassy clean sound as well. The neck unit sounded pretty good, but it was a little too bright in the bridge.

[slowpokerhino]

Thank you for the chart cynic79.

It's always been my understanding that a higher output pickup will have a darker tone than a lower out put pickup. So with that theory the BB3 seems more like what I'm after. However, I know magnets also effect the tone and (I think) alnico Vs produce a darker tone than alnico IIs. So there goes that.
I did try going to a 57 Classic plus but it was even brighter than my 57 classic, which makes no sense based on my limited knowledge.

I also had some Sheptone BK Customs in there for a while (alnico V). I liked the bridge but the neck was too muddy for me.

[slowpokerhino]

So, no body here has compared the BB Pro and the BB3?

I know the BB3 will have more output, my question is which will have a warmer tone?

[zeppelin101]

BBpro is alnico 5 and BB3 is Alnico 2 if Im not mistaken.

[zeppelin101]

So my guess is that the BB3 would be warmer.

[SKATTERBRANE]

The higher RESISTANCE usually gives you less highs. AlNiCo Vs are typically brighter sounding than AlNiCo IIs. So, BB3 is your best bet (or 57 Classic Plus)

[zeppelin101]

Originally Posted by SKATTERBRANE

The higher RESISTANCE usually gives you less highs. AlNiCo Vs are typically brighter sounding than AlNiCo IIs. So, BB3 is your best bet (or 57 Classic Plus)

yea the 57 plus is a much better pup than BB3s

[slowpokerhino]

Thanks guys.

[guitarcase]

Why not BB-2 if you have bb-1 in neck, better match? Also 57 you tried is better in Neck. The 57 plus in Bridge. This is what I thought.... BB pro (alnico v) a bit brighter at top end. BB 1- 2 and 3 (alnico 11) a bit grittier and edgy. 57's a bit smoother and controlled. I now have bb-2 and bb3 and like em a lot. 57's are considered a more allround and controlled pup and very popular.. . . BB-2 and 3 have similar outputs to 57, and 57 plus. BB-1 slightly less than 57. So mebbe a 57 plus, and swap bb1 for 57 in future?

[slowpokerhino]

I actually did have a 57 in the neck (and bridge). I could dial in a tone I liked for either the neck or bridge but never both. That's why I started this "quest". Since the neck was too muddy if I had it set for the bridge I decided to go back to the BB1 in the neck since it's the lowest output (brightest?) of the Gibson pickups.
I tried a 57 Plus in the bridge and it was actually much brighter than the 57? That doesn't make sense I know but what can I say, it was. Maybe I got a bad one (I did buy it on ebay).
I now have the BB1/57 combo and it sounds really good. I do like the 57 better than the BB2 BUT, I would like the bridge pickup to be a bit warmer with a little more girth. That's why I thought maybe the BB3 would suit me better. Guess I'll just have to try it and find out.

[guitarcase]

Hi. 57 plus is a bit hotter than normal 57, which makes it a bridge pickup so I guess as it's nearer bridge it would sound a bit brighter.. Ebay is full of fakes and you don't really know what you had bought. Seen cheap 496 sold as 57's ! I have a bb3 in bridge and I wouldn't call it warm, more gritty. Found 57 warmer. any hows, stick to what sounds good, like you have, and work your amp AND guitar volume controls( aka jimmy page). I like the fact you experiment ! I found a good youtube vid, type in burstbucker 3 and hunt around, the guy uses about 5 differnt Gibsons,playing same riff, with bb pro, 57, bb-1 -2, etc.

[SlyStrat]

I like BB3's better than '57 Classics. There's something about the Classics I never liked.
My friend puts BB3's in all his Les Paul's. He has great tone.

[Blues4U]

I put BB pros in my double cut standard--finally replaced the 490-498 combo---


I like the neck BB pro--It's a nice, open sounding neck pickup---The bridge Pro sounds good on it's own but when you compare the two, the bridge sounds weak--The DC has master volume/master tone so you can adjust between the two pups very well. play the neck pickup, go to the bridge and you lose volume/you fall right out of the mix-

both of these pickups are very, very close to each other when you get out the ohm meter--neck 7.52 bridge 7.67---I think I am going to have to put something with a little more balls in the bridge--OR, sell my set of zebra BB pros and get something different-

Can't decide right now-

[guitarcase]

Originally Posted by Blues4U

I put BB pros in my double cut standard--finally replaced the 490-498 combo--

both of these pickups are very, very close to each other when you get out the ohm meter--neck 7.52 bridge 7.67---

this seems odd . My old pros were 7.6 and 8.16

[MrRhoads]

Originally Posted by guitarcase

this seems odd . My old pros were 7.6 and 8.16

My Burstbucker Pros are 8,3kOhm and 7,68kOhm

[guitarcase]

So blues readings are a little closer than ours Mr Rhoads? I didn't find such a problem with bridge. did you ever try a alnicoII in your pros? Would it make them a little less ehm, shrill?

[The_Sentry]

The BB2 seems like it has a little bit more bite in the neck position vs. the Pro...but the Pro is very smooth...

[MrRhoads]

Originally Posted by guitarcase

So blues readings are a little closer than ours Mr Rhoads? I didn't find such a problem with bridge. did you ever try a alnicoII in your pros? Would it make them a little less ehm, shrill?

No didn´t try Alnico 2 in them, couldn´t find any good deals on magnets at the time before when i thought of it.
I love my T-Top replicas i have in my guitar for the moment so i won´t by trying any magnet swap for the moment.

[tazzboy]

Joe Bonamassa I know uses Burstbucker 2 and 3 Pickups in his Goldtop inspired by series.