Stock Probucker 2/3

[xland]

I am one of those who replaced the stock PB 2/3 from my 2015 Epi LP Plus Top Pro but ended up putting them back in. I can't remember which SD pickups I tried (Pearly Gates, maybe) but after a short period of time I decided to put the PBs back in the guitar and they have remained in there for the last 7 years and I have no regrets.

 

[DrBGood]

In that case, I can really answer your initial question in full I ended up buying a lot of Epis over the last three years, most of which had PB2/3s in them. (I'm kinda a hopeless gear addict...)



- Gibson Burstbuckers 1/2/3 with the Epiphone quick connect - went out and found a couple sets just for that satisfaction of knowing the quick connect can actually be used. Think Nintendo Switch commercial *click*. So satisfying!

- the PAF'y kinda stuff - Gibson Burstbuckers1/2/3 (potted and unpotted)/ Classic 57s/57+ / SD Blues set ('59s) / SD Alnico II Pro (non-Slash)/ SD Slash / Dimarzio PAF / Dimarzio 36th Anniversary / SD antiquities / Wizz - soldered and/or using Obsidian harnesses. Because I bought too many models with Probucker 2/3s and had to balance whether to live with the guilt of having the same guitar in different colors or whether to make them functionally different (though in reality, they ended up not being functionally different at all). Color matching is fun though. Double creams, zebras, reverse zebras, aged nickel covers etc...

- Holcomb Alpha/Omega - impulse buy. But these are currently not installed. They were in one of my customs for a bit, but my brain kept telling me they need to go in a black LP (or quiit/flame trans black one) with black hardware. I bought the hardware, but then got sidetracked by......

- .... the SD P-Rails - because i wanted to make my custom have black p-90s. I don't have a '54 custom yet. These are out now with the probuckers back in for cosmetic reasons. Triple shots hurt my hand.

- SD JB/ 59 (or Jazz) / Sentient/Nazgul - Cause these came stock with every fricken non-EMG ESP/LTD guitar and so I have a stockpile of these. Similar situation with the "same guitar/functionality" issue. Just shifted that to the Epiphones and Gibbies. So now I can tell myself that I have Gibbies and Epis that do different things.

-EMGs 81/85/60 - Zakk Wylde. Metallica. 'Nuff said. It's kind of obligatory for everyone with multiple LPs.

- Dime set - ditto - but swapped these out for EMGs instead.

- Throbaks (the original ones - 101 or something like that) - just cause of the hype. These cost more ... like a lot more... than the guitar itself. Struggled for a long time with whether to put these in a Gibson instead. Brain farted and told me that it was stupid either way. One of the few guitar related things I actually sold in the last 15 years or so. Save these for the people that believe.

- Bareknuckles - Started with the Mule, they were okay but it's still kinda the same in terms of functionality. Also tried Aftermaths, Juggernauts and Painkillers, but ended up putting those in some ESP shredders instead. These seem to be becoming the JB/Jazz of 2023. So probably will build up a pile of these over the next couple years.

I have no words ...

 

[Pancreas]

So the LP Std 60's comes with the Probucker 2/3 set installed. personally I think they sound great but I don't have a whole lot to compare them to. My SG now has a set of Pearly Gates in it and it does sound pretty great but I think I still want to keep the PB's in the Les Paul.

So the question is, who is changing out the probuckers for something else, what have you chosen and why did you choose the replacements over the stock pickups?

Personally, I like them. I've been a Les Paul player for 30 years now and this is the best work Epiphone has ever done. Right now, I own the Epi Les Paul Standard 50's, which has the Probucker 1&2's, which are also good, and a new Les Paul Custom with the 2&3's. I think too many people swap them out based on internet reviewers, without actually taking time to dial them in correctly. Don't be afraid to adjust their height and pole pieces to try different tones.

 

[Pancreas]

Nothing wrong at all with the PB 2/3s, very good pickups. To my ears, they sound more like the 57 Classic/Classic Plus combination than the BB 2/3's. And there is nothing wrong with that, 57 Classics are great pickups. I had a set in my Les Paul Signature, very sweet tone.

I agree 100%, the 57 Classics are one of my favorite pickup sets.

 

[Drewn]

and now I go down a rabbit hole of figuring out the best adjustments for individual pole pieces in my pickups. lol thanks Pancreas. if I'm not back in a few days send a search party.

 

[Steve T 667]

in full disclosure, the 2020 PB 1 in my Dali sounded pretty nice the oither night. I just got my Sunn Stagemaster back, and i had never really opened up the carb on that so to speak. I forgot how loud the old Sunn stuff is

 

[rbraad68]

I did a trade with my brother for my first Epi Custom. The other day he sent me a picture saying he removed the covers of his Pro buckers and they were zibras under the covers. I have heard of this happening before pretty cool....

 

[rbraad68]

Since we are on the topic of these pro buckers it's only fair that I mention these "custom" pro buckers that come in the slash models. I have to say that out of all the different pro buckers the 1,2and 3's I like these "custom" the best. They come with the braided wire and no covers. Prob the hardest to get your hands on but they are out there if you look. It's just a shame epiphone didn't use these pups in other models...

 

[Pancreas]

Since we are on the topic of these pro buckers it's only fair that I mention these "custom" pro buckers that come in the slash models. I have to say that out of all the different pro buckers the 1,2and 3's I like these "custom" the best. They come with the braided wire and no covers. Prob the hardest to get your hands on but they are out there if you look. It's just a shame epiphone didn't use these pups in other models... View attachment 663560 View attachment 663561

I agree, I have a Custom Probucker in the Neck position in my new Adam Jones Les Paul Custom. And it's warm and full, without getting muddy.

 

[rbraad68]

I agree, I have a Custom Probucker in the Neck position in my new Adam Jones Les Paul Custom. And it's warm and full, without getting muddy.

That's right they did use the "Custom" Pro Bucker on those Adam Jones guitars . I was thinking they used them in the neck of the JC guitar but i think I was wrong on that.... I like the custom PB's they sound great in my Slash...

 

[BluesDudeAK]

Seems like since your asking the question your not completly satisfied with the PB's. I'm much like noodelingguitars - tried a ton of pickups, including most of the Gibson offerings. I'm someone who keeps trying out pickups in a guitar until I'm happy. And if I pick up a guitar later on and not satisfied anymore there are ones in the parts box that will make me smile . . . old Van Zandts, early Antiquities, etc. Personal favorites - Sigil Holy Grail, Rolph Pretenders, Florance '59.

 

[Drewn]

Seems like since your asking the question your not completly satisfied with the PB's. I'm much like noodelingguitars - tried a ton of pickups, including most of the Gibson offerings. I'm someone who keeps trying out pickups in a guitar until I'm happy. And if I pick up a guitar later on and not satisfied anymore there are ones in the parts box that will make me smile . . . old Van Zandts, early Antiquities, etc. Personal favorites - Sigil Holy Grail, Rolph Pretenders, Florance '59.

I think I'm pretty satisfied right now but I realize I don't know what I don't know. I'm a bit curious about the possibilities out there but what drove the question was I just see lots of people just immediately strip out the stock pickups in Epiphones to replace them and these seem like they might not warrant that without giving them a chance. I'm considering replacing the stock quick change connector for the pickups and if I go that route and, I can swap out pickups without soldering, that opens up a whole lot of room for experimentation. no telling what will happen then. side note, has anyone figured out the part number for the stock connector or are people just replacing it?

 

[syco]

Don't know what other people's opinions are , but you can get solderless harnesses or solderless pots that way you can use any pickup that has enough wire . Initially expensive , but if you change pickups a lot , wort h it ! IMHO . If you already know how , or take the time to learn .... soldering is pretty quick and easy . If you stay only in Epi or Gibson pickup range .... Quick connects are good , but others use a different colored wiring scheme , so you will have to change your hookups from time to time if you go that route .

 

[BluesDudeAK]

Great idea on the quick connects. I'm planning to do that with Strats - loaded pickguards - I've got all the parts - just need the time.

 

[Pancreas]

My 60's Standard 2020 came with a bad harness and rather than return the guitar I decided it was a good excuse to rip everything out of it and start over. I never got to hear my 60's stock. I wound up fitting an Obsidian push pull harness with a set of SD pups the JB n 59 pups. Guitar sounded great it stayed that way till the day i had to sell it. I miss this guitar wish i never got rid of it. Just look at that top on that thing!!! View attachment 663060 View attachment 663061

How do you like the Obsidian Wiring Harness? I'm considering buying one for my LP Custom, but I've read some bad reviews on them.

 

[noodlingguitars]

How do you like the Obsidian Wiring Harness? I'm considering buying one for my LP Custom, but I've read some bad reviews on them.

i have bought quite a few. They're great but (big but) it's a fixed size. So in the LP context, it only works on Gibson LPs and Epiphones that have the same knob placement. They're also a bit pricey and they do NOT come with a countersunk type three way switch. Aside from that, IMHO the wiring and quality is quite top notch.

 

[Pancreas]

i have bought quite a few. They're great but (big but) it's a fixed size. So in the LP context, it only works on Gibson LPs and Epiphones that have the same knob placement. They're also a bit pricey and they do NOT come with a countersunk type three way switch. Aside from that, IMHO the wiring and quality is quite top notch.

Thanks for the tip. I guess I'll just dust off my soldering iron.

 

[Spirit]

Thanks for the tip. I guess I'll just dust off my soldering iron.

I’ve just been looking at these .maybe something similar would be suitable

 

[rbraad68]

Back about 3 yrs ago I bought 3 of them one of each kind. I got the push pull on where you could tap coils I got the 50's one and the switchable one you could choose 50's or 60's for each pickup. Well built harnesses nice and quiet smooth taper all that. BUT getting the wires into those little clamp thingies was a pain in the ass. I sold my 60s standard I put the push pull one in maybe he will chime in say how he likes it? The switchable one i have in my gold top..... I would buy another one for sure if i had the need for one.

 

[DrBGood]

- Gibson Burstbuckers 1/2/3 with the Epiphone quick connect - went out and found a couple sets just for that satisfaction of knowing the quick connect can actually be used. Think Nintendo Switch commercial *click*. So satisfying!

Are Gibson and Epiphone quick connect compatible ?