Gibson Calibrated T-Types

V

VonBonfire

Well-known member
Man these are a great set of pickups in a 335 with a Twin for playing the blues. So juicy with the right amount of compression. Never muddy. Plenty of bite but the compression kills any harsh trebles in the highs for the most part. Clarity in the neck blows the '57 classic away but still fat enough to sound great for chording. If you are just looking for a great blues or classic rock neck pickup it'd be a top choice unless you can't deal with something unpotted due to rig constraints. I spend a lot of time on the neck, even for solos so it's ideal. It's hard to explain in words but man, the sensitivity to pick attack subtleties and variations is off the charts and is actually thrilling to play. I can't really say enough about them so I'll leave it at that.....

I hope everyone is well this sunday.

@JohnnyGtar
 
VonBonfire said:
Man these are a great set of pickups in a 335 with a Twin for playing the blues. So juicy with the right amount of compression. Never muddy. Plenty of bite but the compression kills any harsh trebles in the highs for the most part. Clarity in the neck blows the '57 classic away but still fat enough to sound great for chording. If you are just looking for a great blues or classic rock neck pickup it'd be a top choice unless you can't deal with something unpotted due to rig constraints. I spend a lot of time on the neck, even for solos so it's ideal. It's hard to explain in words but man, the sensitivity to pick attack subtleties and variations is off the charts and is actually thrilling to play. I can't really say enough about them so I'll leave it at that.....

I hope everyone is well this sunday.

@JohnnyGtar
Click to expand...

 
VonBonfire said:
Man these are a great set of pickups in a 335 with a Twin for playing the blues. So juicy with the right amount of compression. Never muddy. Plenty of bite but the compression kills any harsh trebles in the highs for the most part. Clarity in the neck blows the '57 classic away but still fat enough to sound great for chording. If you are just looking for a great blues or classic rock neck pickup it'd be a top choice unless you can't deal with something unpotted due to rig constraints. I spend a lot of time on the neck, even for solos so it's ideal. It's hard to explain in words but man, the sensitivity to pick attack subtleties and variations is off the charts and is actually thrilling to play. I can't really say enough about them so I'll leave it at that.....

I hope everyone is well this sunday.
Click to expand...

Been interested in these, but have been wondering if they're too bright, too thin, or too anemic. Sounds like maybe not? Was wondering if you've had any experience directly comparing them to the current Custombuckers, the older Burstbuckers before they became a production pickup, or the Memphis MHS 1st version.

FWIW, I've never liked the '57 Classics in anything. Not that they're bad, there are just much better sounding options IMO. My biggest complaint is that they seem generic or lacking character compared to the Burstbucker or MHS. The '57s just sound bland in comparison to me and that makes them sound like they lack muscle. OTOH, I really like the Custombucker, even with the stock A3 magnet, it sounds incredible through a cranked Marshall, even better with an A4 magnet swap. And the 1st series MHS are perfect in an ES. I've got another set I'm going to throw in an SG and see if that holds true there, too.
 
46 yrs ago when i bought my 80 The Paul
I yanked them and threw them in the garbage
Only dimazios were cool in 10th grade homeroom

Soooo i dropped in 2 supers Ds.

Now that im an old fuck and play easier and cleaner i wish i had them back

Although the SDs do sound good clean. Especially the neck. No mud and no boom

 
ChurchHill said:
Been interested in these, but have been wondering if they're too bright, too thin, or too anemic. Sounds like maybe not? Was wondering if you've had any experience directly comparing them to the current Custombuckers, the older Burstbuckers before they became a production pickup, or the Memphis MHS 1st version.

FWIW, I've never liked the '57 Classics in anything. Not that they're bad, there are just much better sounding options IMO. My biggest complaint is that they seem generic or lacking character compared to the Burstbucker or MHS. The '57s just sound bland in comparison to me and that makes them sound like they lack muscle. OTOH, I really like the Custombucker, even with the stock A3 magnet, it sounds incredible through a cranked Marshall, even better with an A4 magnet swap. And the 1st series MHS are perfect in an ES. I've got another set I'm going to throw in an SG and see if that holds true there, too.
Click to expand...
I've never tried Custombuckers or the MHS pickups so about all I can offer you is that the other guitarist in my group has a 335 with what I believe are production burstbuckers and they are somewhat similar in EQ though I suspect the T-Types have a bit more compression, kind of in that 57 comp classic range but much more present and detailed sounding. He uses a Bassman RI and gets a great tone with that arrangement. I use a Twin and more gain than he does.

Not sure if it helps but I was a 57 classic enjoyer prior to this, and I actually love that fat, rich, but biting bridge tone though the neck always left something to be desired in terms of lead tones. The neck is lacking in some character and clarity in that regard. The only other thing I could mention is that if you like Seth Lovers then you could probably disregard what I'm saying because I hated them. Bright and clear but no compression to offset the strident highs the way the T-Types do.
 
I just tore the T-Styles out of my new 70's Les Paul Custom ..... maybe I should throw them in the classifieds ...
 
@ChurchHill if you listen to the overdriven tones in the demo Johnny posted I would say that is fairly accurate in terms of what you're getting. I posted a couple live clips of the tones using some @griff10672 pedals here below though the camera/mic was offset to the side of the mic so probably a touch less bright than real world:

V

Thread 'Uncle Waynzo's World: Griffin Analog, the music maker and the dreamer of dreams'

Back when I got the VBF pedals from Uncle Waynzo aka @griff10672 I told him I'd eventually post up some clips so now seems like a good time. Huge thanks to Unc for helping me with the project. I think @mentoneman has the same box with a different name so unless I'm mistaken maybe he can offer some thoughts on it if he's feeling like a G Brohtato lol. In other news the Calibrated T-Type neck pickup is now my all time favorite.

Griffing analog Vonbonfire deluxe blue side TX edition, Griffin Analog's pultec EQ, and Spaceman meridian engaged


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VonBonfire said:
I've never tried Custombuckers or the MHS pickups so about all I can offer you is that the other guitarist in my group has a 335 with what I believe are production burstbuckers and they are somewhat similar in EQ though I suspect the T-Types have a bit more compression, kind of in that 57 comp classic range but much more present and detailed sounding. He uses a Bassman RI and gets a great tone with that arrangement. I use a Twin and more gain than he does.

Not sure if it helps but I was a 57 classic enjoyer prior to this, and I actually love that fat, rich, but biting bridge tone though the neck always left something to be desired in terms of lead tones. The neck is lacking in some character and clarity in that regard. The only other thing I could mention is that if you like Seth Lovers then you could probably disregard what I'm saying because I hated them. Bright and clear but no compression to offset the strident highs the way the T-Types do.
Click to expand...

Bit more compression, present, detailed, offset the strident highs... now you're talking! Your description sounds like they fix everything I didn't like about the '57 Classics. And no, I didn't care for the Seth Lovers. Didn't like the Antiquities, either. Do like some of the Throbaks, but those are pretty spendy to experiment with. Would love to try some Ron Ellis Signatures, someday.

I still like high output pickups but good PAF-likes are great, too. They both have their places. From everything I've tried, Gibson are as good as anything out there, especially considering the price.

That is surely a sweet neck tone! Think I might have to give these T-Types a shot. Thanks for the info! If you get a chance to try out the MHS or Custombuckers, I think you'd like them. The current Burstbuckers are a little different than when they were from the Custom Shop 20 years ago, but they're still good, too.
 
ChurchHill said:
Bit more compression, present, detailed, offset the strident highs... now you're talking! Your description sounds like they fix everything I didn't like about the '57 Classics. And no, I didn't care for the Seth Lovers. Didn't like the Antiquities, either. Do like some of the Throbaks, but those are pretty spendy to experiment with. Would love to try some Ron Ellis Signatures, someday.

I still like high output pickups but good PAF-likes are great, too. They both have their places. From everything I've tried, Gibson are as good as anything out there, especially considering the price.

That is surely a sweet neck tone! Think I might have to give these T-Types a shot. Thanks for the info! If you get a chance to try out the MHS or Custombuckers, I think you'd like them. The current Burstbuckers are a little different than when they were from the Custom Shop 20 years ago, but they're still good, too.
Click to expand...
Thanks bro, glad I could be of some help. As always, pickups can be very personal since like a microphone for your voice it's basically a mic for your guitar and has to complement your style so until you try them for yourself it's always a crap shoot. I've tried out quite a few mics too! I'd love to try the Custombuckers....kinda wanted an IBG 355 cause they are factory in there for a real reasonable cost but you know how it goes....so much gear, so little cash!
 
ChurchHill said:
Exactly! And compliment the guitar. Even the pickups I love the most don't work in everything.
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I'm going back and forth about putting a Lollar DB in the bridge of my Edwards ES....hard choice when the 57 classic sounds so good in there to me. Every move is a gamble....
 
Interesting, I hadn't seen that one before. I've considered TV Jones, too. Their TV Classic Plus is really nice and I'd think would work well in an ES, or maybe their Starwood. Lollar definitely makes some great pickups, really nice guy, too. Same goes for Fralin, and for that matter, TV Jones has been great to work with.

Here's my dilemma. I've got a 345 with MHS that sounds amazing. Probably the best sounding guitar I've ever played acoustically and equally so when plugged in. I've got a 355 with '57 Classics and it sounds good, but not great. Been bouncing back and forth for awhile on what to put in it, as I'm sure you know, changing electronics in an ES is not exactly my idea of fun (surgical tubing to pull the pots through does wonders). It's good enough that it's not killing me, but at some point, something I'll do something about. What I'm thinking today is that a Custombucker with an A4 magnet in the bridge and a T-Type in the neck. Was considering one of the underwound Custombuckers, but IDK.
 
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