Probuckers

[jdto]

I have Probuckers (2 and 3 I think) in my Les Paul Std PlusTop Pro, and Alnico Classics (similar to Classic 57's) in my ES-335 Pro. I like them both and will keep them both. I have replaced the pots/caps/switch/jack in both however. I am not a fan of fake single coil sounds, and the push pull pots them selves were crap. Now I have CTS brass shaft pots, Mallory caps, switchcraft switch and jack in both guitars, and they sound and feel great. I actually prefer linear pots for the volume control, and that is what I've installed, but I know most people prefer audio for the volume pots.

On Epiphone's website, the ProBuckers and Alnico Classic Pros are said to be of similar design, but with A2 in the ProBuckers and A5 in the ACP. As far as I know, 57 Classics are A2 magnets. According to this article (link), the ACP gives "higher output and a slightly more modern sound" over the classic PAF sound of the ProBucker. Of course, what Epiphone says and what our ears hear are not always the same.

And then, just to confuse matters, they apparently use a pickup called Alnico Classic in their standard models, which is not part of this new lineup of redesigned pickups. At least, that's what I've been able to glean from way too much Google research. If I'm incorrect, I'd love to be enlightened on the subject.

 

[drpietrzak]

Nice!

 

[Ahpook]

I picked up a Studio with them installed recently.

Gibson Les Paul Studio Faded 2016 T - Worn Brown | Sweetwater.com

They sound great but not quite as defined as I was hoping. There is a slight bit of uncontrollable nastiness while chording

I've been playing it along with a Strat that has a Custom Custom installed, though. That thing sings

 

[1allspub]

I've had PBs in a couple of different Epi LPs and always found them to be very decent and acceptable. Good. Solid. But not excellent. (One set in particular was very microphonic though and I returned the guitar as a result. They sounded fine at low volume, but with any kind of volume they just squealed like a stuck pig.)

Then I got a set of PBs from a friend who had pulled them out of his PTP to put in some Duncan 59s (which sound amazing in his LP, BTW). These particular PBs in his guitar seemed pretty dark and not very alive (hence the swap out for the Duncans). He gave them to me for a low-budget project Epi LP I had (can see the results of that project here: http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/epiphone-les-pauls/350758-shes-alive-franken-marge-98-epi-lp.html) and in my guitar these PBs just woke up! Obviously my guitar must be naturally much brighter than his and in it these PBs sing. I am honestly very impressed with them. This set at least I would call excellent! So I think it can kind of depend on the guitar they are in. In a darker guitar they can seem kinda dull, but in a brighter guitar they can really come alive. At least that’s been my experience. Hope this helps.

 

[musicmaniac]

Too early to tell with my new TPro. I love my BB's in my R7. I will give my thoughts after further review.

Well, I've played with these pups a lot this week and here are my conclusions. They are very similar to the BB's I have and have sounded better with some tweaking. They have that classic humbucker sound. They can be clear and pleasing when the volume is down and down and dirty when turned up. I get pretty good string seperation when strumming and chunky chugging when I put the hammer down. I'm not very good at describing these things but too me they sound like a humbucker should.

 

[cmcoram]

I'm happy with my probuckers I. My LP plus top I wanna give it a Jimmy page wireing treatment

I installed them in an old LPC I had, with a JPLP wiring rig. They sound amazing, and the JPLP gives me more options than I'll ever need.

 

[JS73]

I am very happy with the PBs in my Standard PTP.

 

[Sustainamaniac]

I pulled the probuckers out of my PTP and while I'm still a huge fan of the railhammer pickups that I replaced them with, I still kinda miss the probucker sound so I'm itching to put them in another guitar.

...and here comes the GAS again

 

[jdto]

I snagged another set of PBs from EBay to try in my ES-339 after the disappointment of the mixed set I bought several months ago. I wanted to just try to find a bridge, but couldn't get the single. For $65 best offer, I figured it would be worth a shot to see if I like them better than the Alnico Classic Pros.