Throbak sle 101 or New Duncan Joe Bonamassa pickups???

[evhtone]

I think the point is that the thread is no longer valid as neither pickup set exists. Oh...maybe they do... well then the point is that nobody had both sets... oh wait, I have a set of the SLE 101 LTD and a couple Duncan Bonamassa sets...

Well I can't possibly have an opinion on them, but then again, maybe I do. They both kick serious ass and someone's money would be well spent on either set. The SLE 101 LTD's are out of production though so good luck finding them! I feel privileged to own my set.

The Bonamassa set has a bit more edge to them whereas the Throbak are a touch smoother. I had a bit of a time adjusting the JB set though as I had to bump the neck way up close to the strings for best tone and balance. The Throbak needed some adjusting but had a larger window of awesome tone.

Duncan's = more nasal, raspy and edgy
Throbak = more smooth and full.

Good info and much appreciated!

I've been researching many forums and looking for as much info as I can on PAFs. I've mainly been a Tele player for a long time but finally decided to play more Les Paul.

I do know I would be more inclined to the "edgy" and "raspy" tone rather than the smooth and thicker tone. So, that's what I'm trying to figure out here. Ultimately I will probably buy a few different sets and experiment.

 

[CheopisIV]

Good info and much appreciated!

I've been researching many forums and looking for as much info as I can on PAFs. I've mainly been a Tele player for a long time but finally decided to play more Les Paul.

I do know I would be more inclined to the "edgy" and "raspy" tone rather than the smooth and thicker tone. So, that's what I'm trying to figure out here. Ultimately I will probably buy a few different sets and experiment.

Be very careful entering the PAF tone chase. There are a lot of different replicas and each is based on a different set so they're all authentic (some more than others) but can be worlds apart for tone. It can get very expensive

 

[evhtone]

Be very careful entering the PAF tone chase. There are a lot of different replicas and each is based on a different set so they're all authentic (some more than others) but can be worlds apart for tone. It can get very expensive

I realized that rather quickly.

 

[Laars]

Let your ears choose. You don't have to spend $500.00 on a set of pickups. No offence to Throbaks, but there are other pickups on the market that sound vintage, for half the money. It depends on what your after. The throbaks are made as close to a real PAF as you can get, but it doesn't mean it sounds better then others. They all sound different, and so do real PAFs.

 

[CheopisIV]

Let your ears choose. You don't have to spend $500.00 on a set of pickups. No offence to Throbaks, but there are other pickups on the market that sound vintage, for half the money. It depends on what your after. The throbaks are made as close to a real PAF as you can get, but it doesn't mean it sounds better then others. They all sound different, and so do real PAFs.

Absolutely! More money does not equal better tone.

My personal favorite PAF pickups for the past few years were the Guitarforce LoTB set. Still have them and still love them. I think I got them for ~$100 for the first set used.

I now wind my own, but will always watch for more LoTB sets to pop up in he classifieds! Rare but it happens every few years.

 

[evhtone]

Let your ears choose. You don't have to spend $500.00 on a set of pickups. No offence to Throbaks, but there are other pickups on the market that sound vintage, for half the money. It depends on what your after. The throbaks are made as close to a real PAF as you can get, but it doesn't mean it sounds better then others. They all sound different, and so do real PAFs.

Totally agree with you. A friend of mine has the DiMarzio 36th Anniversary pickups in his Historic and they really sound great. I'm going to buy a set of those regardless and probably a few sets of others to compare and just have fun with it.

Another friend of mine has recommended I try the Manlius pickups which are also very reasonable and seem to get great reviews.

I don't really care how "exact" the materials are to the real thing. I just care about what sounds and feels good to me.

 

[GySgtFTL]

I will tell you that I will be doing a "shoot-out" very soon with 3 or 4 pups in a Les Paul. I will try to do the best that I can and keep each pup set in same positions. I'll do stock BB's, original Patent Number, And the Duncan Bonamassa's. It will be the first MLP member shoot-out vid using the Bonamassa's as to add to the info for the forum. If it works as I hope, you will be able to base your decision on listening comparatively before you order.

Did this "shootout" ever happen?