NGD: 50s Standard and Burstbucker question

[afireinside]

Grabbed a mint used 2019 50s Standard from GC. Its more of a plain top with a touch of hidden flame like a R8. Heavier then i wanted 9.8lb (store said 8.5 which i knew was too low) but man plugged in this thing sounds super clear puchy, articulate and has this plucky resonance/thump i have never heard in a LP before!

I assumed their were some aftermarket pickups their had to be! My 2020 tobacco burst sounds darker and muddier by far. So pulled the pups and BB1/2 as they should be but no PAF sticker but a Gibson USA baseplate...... havent seen ones like this before. I know they sell aftermarket BB1/2 that are unpotted and these sound more like my Seth Lovers (unpotted). Could these be the unpotted ones? Not sure if the solders have been messed with.....

Ideas?

 

[LCW]

The PAF stickers aren’t that robust so maybe they fell off or they forgot to put them on that batch.

I have a ‘21 50s Std and has BB1/2 and love them. They sound like you describe. People only rag on them because the Custom Shop switched to “Custombuckers”.

Mine (in circuit) measured 7.57 and 8.11 (neck and bridge respectively). You could check that way to get an idea. But I think the white stickers are usually correct.

 

[afireinside]

Ok cool my 2020 tobacco (that is now being returned, neck was too slim 1st-5th for me) and now becuase it is much more muddy/dark sounding.

 

[DonP]

Never seen BB1 or BB2 with a Gibson USA baseplate before. They used to have the blank baseplates with PAF stickers. But who knows, times change, Gibson changes specs when they feel like it.

The caps in the control cavity are obvious replacements, so who knows what else was done.

 

[afireinside]

Also i should say that i am a firm believer that each hunk of wood sounds different. But this must be a great sounding chunk!

Also lets start a new myth, that plaintops sound better!

 

[Gryphon]

The caps in the control cavity are obvious replacements, so who knows what else was done.

Surprised that whoever did the caps didn't wire them 50's style.

Regarding the better tone in this model: are the pot values same as the 2020?

 

[LCW]

The caps in the control cavity are obvious replacements, so who knows what else was done.

The caps look similar in my 50s Standard (‘21). Haven’t looked behind the pickups. I will when I do a string change.

 

[jbash]

Easy way to tell if they are wax potted is to screw out one or more of the pole pieces. Should be able to find some wax that way,

 

[afireinside]

So here's my 2020 tobacco (bought new)

And this 2019 in question

Looks the same to me..diff caps

 

[LuthierVandross]

Yeah man, looks to me the pups were swapped. There’s is glob of pigeon shit on the one pot. I know Gibsons QC has been crap over the years, but I’ve never seen a pot wired like that.

 

[Classicplayer]

Those control look like my 2018 Traditional. Orange drop caps, simple wiring with Burstbucker 1 & 2. If the guitar sounds fine, hang onto it; especially if you got a good deal with the purchase. My Trad is 9 lbs and the pickups remind me of my 2000 Classic with Seth Lovers.

Classicplayer

 

[Midnight Blues]

Not sure if they're unpotted, but as long as you're happy with the sound, don't worry about it.

Congrats, HNGD and play her in good health!

 

[smk506]

.
Also lets start a new myth, that plaintops sound better!

It’s true. Especially with some gold paint on them. That bronze mica absorbs atmospheric tonez and transfers them directly to the guitar via osmosis.

It’s just science.

 

[hotshot]

That is really a good looking guitar. Happy NGD !!!!