Pickup Differences

[10guitars]

Greetings, Les Paulites!

Does anyone care to give a quick run-down on the differences between the various Gibson-made Les Paul pickups? Namely:

P90
PAF
Burstbucker/Pro
Mini-humbucker
Classic 57
496R
500T

etc...

Thanks!

 

[lp59aholicDon]

Classics were more or less the New Gibson trying a new IN house PAF type Pickup, ( Patent Applied For) the Burstbuckers are a later incarnation with a few more variations on output and magnets
There are three different styles of P 90s, P-90s are a single large coil pickup
Soap Bars,52-56 Les Paul types. Also found on SG Specials
Dog Ears( found on LP Juniors, some Jazz box ES models . Mini Buckers are just that, A mini humbucking pickup designed to go onto a P 90 sized space , first started showing up on Firebirds , then later on Les Paul Deluxe models with screws, Brighter and a bit more trebly than full sized humbucking
Burstbucker Pro's are bit hotter type PAF, higher output
496R/500T, Gibsons hot ceramic magnet humbucking first installed in Les Paul Classics , ranks third highest Humbucking style pickup for output, Only the Tony Iommi, and Dirty Fingers run higher

 

[tung]

P-90: Great tone, nice bite and cuts through in the lower mids. It has single coil characteristics, like the spank in the mids, but still has a LP sound, with the growl and big bottom end. Noisy as though, nothing you can do about it

 

[lp59aholicDon]

P-90: Great tone, nice bite and cuts through in the lower mids. It has single coil characteristics, like the spank in the mids, but still has a LP sound, with the growl and big bottom end. Noisy as though, nothing you can do about it

Tung, Hmm Ever run thru a Seymour Duncan Convertible amp? every strat I have played thru mine , The 60 Cycle was reduced to near barely noticed levels Since Seymour is such a fan of single coil tones as much or more than Humbuckers, might be worth a try if you can find one Though I am not much of an effects user, I have found going thru a Zoom 505 with ther ZNR turned on helps cut it back too

 

[Fixxxer]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but the 57 classics are PAF inspired by pups, and are alinico II magnets. They are generally not a hot wind. I like the 57 classics. All things being equal, if I never tried WCR or WB, I would still have them in my '58.

The PAF, I think you are talking about the originals, but the burst buckers and 57 classics are PAF's. Thats my understanding.

Burst bucker pro's are alnico 5's and a hotter wind of the group. Again, a fun pup, but lack definition to my ears.

The 496R and 500T are ceramic magnet pups, and are hotter in general. They are ideal for coil splitting, and able to accommodate the Jimmy page wiring. These pickups were on the original Jimmy Page guitar in 1997. My friend Jeff has them, and they are nice. But for me, are not as articulate and sound harsh to my ears.

I hardly ever play guitars with P90's or Mini-humbuckers. I just can't get into them.

The P 90's sound phatter than most singles, but are essentially over wound singles (in my mind), although I am sure that is technically wrong but that is the best way to explain it.

 

[tung]

Tung, Hmm Ever run thru a Seymour Duncan Convertible amp? every strat I have played thru mine , The 60 Cycle was reduced to near barely noticed levels Since Seymour is such a fan of single coil tones as much or more than Humbuckers, might be worth a try if you can find one Though I am not much of an effects user, I have found going thru a Zoom 505 with ther ZNR turned on helps cut it back too

Yeah, i played through them back in the 80s It'll be hard to find one kicking around these days. That's a dino you got there I can't recall how it sounded.

 

[Axeman16]

my favourite is the 57 classic.

 

[AS90]

I have a 57 in the neck, it sounds great, have you heard the SG '61 Reissue with '57s? WOW!