NGD - 2024 Les Paul Studio - Hate the Burstbucker Pro!

napalmdeath

napalmdeath

Well-known member
Picked up a used LP Studio, and after a setup, it's super nice and plays beautifully. However, I'm not pleased with the Burstbucker Pro in the bridge. It's bright, no warmth, and thin. I'll experiment with the height a bit today, but as it stands, I hate it. Screams for leads, but lacks punch and warmth for rhythm work. Anybody else with similar thoughts on the BB Pro? Of course the damn thing has the PCB with Quick Connect system, so the easiest would be another Gibson pickup... The 490T in my last SG sounded way better than this.
 
Hate to say it but some of it is the quick connect system. That and if you don't normally use low output pickups. 490T is quite a bit hotter sounding and if it worked for you before, then you should be able to find or at least get a quick connect version or quick connect adapter. That said these pickups are one of the most guitar dependant pickups kinda like the JB only on the opposite end of the spectrum. Good luck and congrats on your new axe, love me some studios!
 
Ive got a quick connect 2014. Pulled the burst bucker for a 498t...its hotter but both are pretty bright. Likely ripping the entire quick connect out as I dont really use any of the coil tapping
 
Mike Oxhuge said:
Hate to say it but some of it is the quick connect system. That and if you don't normally use low output pickups. 490T is quite a bit hotter sounding and if it worked for you before, then you should be able to find or at least get a quick connect version or quick connect adapter. That said these pickups are one of the most guitar dependant pickups kinda like the JB only on the opposite end of the spectrum. Good luck and congrats on your new axe, love me some studios!
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I don't think the quick connect system itself plays that much of a role. I've owned multiple SG's, and other Studios with the PCB. I also had an LP Classic that had the PCB. That's the only guitar I've ever had gutted and replaced with a 920D Custom wiring kit and Seymour Duncans. The SG's I've had, (3) with the 490R/490T, I never felt the need to change anything. The 490T isn't what I'd consider hot. It's still between 8-9k, if I'm not mistaken.
 
PiggySmallz said:
Ive got a quick connect 2014. Pulled the burst bucker for a 498t...its hotter but both are pretty bright. Likely ripping the entire quick connect out as I dont really use any of the coil tapping
Click to expand...
I've had several older Studios with the 498T, as well as older SG's that had them. I never had any issues with them. They sound great for high gain, and I think they're in the 14k range. One of their hottest pickups. But, I prefer lower output in Gibsons these days.
 
I have the same guitar. It has taken me awhile to like the pickup but don't love it. I tried getting a store to change my pickup and found out about the quick connect. It is definitely frustrating because there are not really great quick connect options right now.

I'd love to get something else in there.
 
Here is mine
20241112_163228.jpg
 
The whole quick connect systems does in fact impart unfavorable tone frequencies. I yank out the whole circuit board and wire it traditionally. It adds nasty high end frequencies. Also, you can source the quick connect ends and wire in what ever pickup you want. Just need to decipher the wire colors. You can also clip the the one that’s on the BB and splice it with the pickup of your choice.
 
romanianreaper said:
Here is mineView attachment 416917
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👍 That's what I got, Ebony.

I'm going to play with pickup height here in a minute, and also throw an EQ in the loop of the amp and cut some highs and boost some low mids. The BB Pro does have some clarity, and ridiculous harmonics, so I can see the positives.. It's just overly shrill and a bit on the thin side.

Plan B is I got a 490T from Stratosphere for $75 brand new that's been likely pulled from an SG Standard they parted out. I like that pickup, actually. It's a Quick Connect, so it'll be plug and play.
 
Emg77 said:
The whole quick connect systems does in fact impart unfavorable tone frequencies. I yank out the whole circuit board and wire it traditionally. It adds nasty high end frequencies. Also, you can source the quick connect ends and wire in what ever pickup you want. Just need to decipher the wire colors. You can also clip the the one that’s on the BB and splice it with the pickup of your choice.
Click to expand...
True.
 
As others have said, I would swap out the quick connect system.

If that does not get it where you want it, you could do small changes like changing the wiring and stuff but that's not going to make the pickup that much different you dislike the overall tone of it.

If you end up swapping, check out Planet Tone.

I have had several sets for myself and others so if you have any questions about anything on that end sound wise, I may be able to give some input.
 
You can always rip out the quick connect, wire in real electronics along with some DiMarzios 😎 you dont even have to get dubbel kreems and I'll still let you join the DiMarzio Dubbel Kreem Brotherhood.
 
metalmm785 said:
It's the pickups. Burtsbucker pro's are probably my least favorite Gibson pickups. Harsh/thin/weak all at the same time. The 490s and even the 498s are far better than the pro's.
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Which is wild because I swapped out my 490R/498T set due to not quite hitting the mark with the pairing of the two. The 498T is a fun pickup for a specific 80s kinda high mid sound on its own but doesn't work with that neck, which is a bit wooly and also snappy? Idk didn't dig em.
 
I did not get along with BB pickups at all. They sound small and plasticy...also have a half-cocked wah pedal thing happening in the upper-mids. They generally lack weight and warmth. I don't know why anyone would keep them when the Duncan Custom is available...because that's what it sounds like they were actually shooting for.
 
Music&Chaos said:
Which is wild because I swapped out my 490R/498T set due to not quite hitting the mark with the pairing of the two. The 498T is a fun pickup for a specific 80s kinda high mid sound on its own but doesn't work with that neck, which is a bit wooly and also snappy? Idk didn't dig em.
Click to expand...
I agree with you there. If you didn't dig the 498T, the 490T sometimes pairs better with the 490R neck pickup. I had that combo in an LP tribute and it sounded really good. With that said, some pickups combos just don't work with some guitars for whatever reason. Probably why there are a million pickups out there.
 
An EQ in the loop and lowing the pickup helped. I was able to tame the harshness and add a little beef. Sounds pretty good. That said, I got a 490T coming, I think it's a better pickup. Never felt the need to change that one in the SG's I've owned.

The neck BB sounds great. No need to change it, but it's not a BB Pro, either.
 
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