Stupid question about pickup output (Historic specfic)

[Stickyturd]

I can't be the only one with this question so... why are Historic bridge and neck pickups of equal output to each other, unlike Gibson USA models?

Here's what I mean - I have a USA LP Special, a USA Traditional, and an R9. According to the chart linked below, typical pickup outputs are:
Special bridge (498T): 13k
Special neck (490R): 7.5k
Traditional Bridge (57 Classic Plus): 14k
Traditional Neck (57 Classic): 8k
Gibson/Epiphone Pickups DC Resistance Values - Gibson Guitar Board

Yet, for the Historic series, the vast majority of the outputs I've seen are in the 7.5-8.0k range for both pickups. MGL is my main source for that.

It makes sense to me that a bridge pickup should have higher output since the string vibrates less there. I've always been primarily a bridge pickup player, but in adjusting to my first historic I've been much more comfortable with the neck pickup and now I think I see why. I've lowered my R9's bridge pickup so I can turn it up more, and will also be raising the bridge for more action and more distance between the string and pickup. Am I alone in having some trouble with the transition?

ST

 

[Fiftywattmafia]

The pickups in Historics DC readings are that way because that is the way the original '57-'60 Les Pauls PAF pickups read.

Back then there were no "bridge" and "neck" pickups. There were just pickups and they put them in either position. Some of them had hotter necks...or at least the DC resistance was a bit higher...and vice versa. The rule was...there was no rule. Some sets had a pickup read at 9K. There was no grand plan or rhyme or reason. They made pickups and wired them in....done.

So, that is why you will see with Custombuckers or Burstbuckers for that matter read the way they do.

In fact, several Historic owners are reporting that their neck DC readings are higher than their bridge readings.

 

[Sct13]

Don't expect the pickups to be "hot" you will have to get un-used to the over wound feel and volume of a 490 or the Ice pick of a 57, the custom buckers are are somewhat under wound to try to capture that PAF sound and feel.

That doen't mean that low out put means PAF either....

The balance is in the ability to dirty up with the volume knob of the guitar and clean up with the same.

Much has to do with your amp settings, if your overdriven all the time you'll never hear the nuances.

 

[KS 5150]

If I might ask, Vic, how are the Customs Buckers in your Shanks? Always curious what people think of them vs. BB 1 & 2.

 

[Sct13]

In a few words bright and thinner....burst buckers are thicker and rounder. Funny thing is I dont have a single set of Burst buckers any longer....

the cool thing about those Custom Buckers is their ability to cut through a band mix. On their own, they just teeter on too bright, but not ice picky like the 57's

I did take them out of the shanks and tried a set of mules and it didnt work. Customs went right back in.

However I must add that the joe bonamassa sigs are my favorite right now. Great all around tone.

 

[Stickyturd]

Don't expect the pickups to be "hot" you will have to get un-used to the over wound feel and volume of a 490 or the Ice pick of a 57, the custom buckers are are somewhat under wound to try to capture that PAF sound and feel.

That doen't mean that low out put means PAF either....

The balance is in the ability to dirty up with the volume knob of the guitar and clean up with the same.

Much has to do with your amp settings, if your overdriven all the time you'll never hear the nuances.

Thank you sir, that makes sense. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that despite being completely influenced by 60s and 70s era music (and before), I'm also a product of my technological generation and to this point have relied on a Tubescreamer to add boost and/or dirt. I've never understood how to use a volume knob to clean/dirty my sound without also drastically changing the volume (not so useful in a live situation). Seems that may be because I've never had the right guitar for it before - so I'm entering a world of experimentation on that.

ST

 

[Sct13]

exactly....your on your way....

 

[Sct13]

You know our question prompted me to sit down with the R9 and shanks tonight through my Marshall VM and I did it quietly, (volume not on 10 just 8)

I noticed that the bonamassa pickups had a very similar voice on the high E through the G and the bass strings were much rounder and fatter.

The Custom buckers are thinner and shriller on all the stings....

Not quite sure why...anyway, my observation for the evening ..

 

[strat1701]

If I might ask, Vic, how are the Customs Buckers in your Shanks? Always curious what people think of them vs. BB 1 & 2.

My only guitar with burst buckers now is Goldie. Those still sound great but I suspect it's more the wood of the guitar than the pickups. Custom buckers in shanks and my subsequent CCs sound decent as does my 13 R9. I had a 13 trad but those 57 classics were just way too bright and ice picky. I was gonna swap out for my old 490 and 498 from my 91 studio but I used that credit from my trad towards my new R9 which as we all know is the better all around guitar.

My old r9 had bb 1 and 2 and I liked them. I think it had Alnico 2 mags as well. Most of the custom buckers are Alnico V. I know my beast has those mags as does red eyes neck pickup (its the same bridge pumas the beast as a matter of fact). I think the custom buckers do trump the burst buckers but for some reason they work in Goldie.