Gibson Calibrated T-Types

[Music&Chaos]

Makes sense to me that if they work very well in a hollowbody, that EQ is not going to be the best for a solid body. The comments seem to mirror that experience. Interesting how that works.

 

[VonBonfire]

I’m an avid enjoyer of both T-Types and Custombuckers. The CBs have a sweeter top end sparkle and less forward midrange, to my ears. Whereas the T types have a party going on in the mids,, that really wide vocal inflection is super addicting to play around with. Mind you I don’t play my 335 (Hamer) thru anything more rawk than an AC30 set to eob so whether u find them too bright, thin, whatever just depends on what tones you’re after.

I kept picking up the (real) antique top 335 in the shops and quickly fell in love w the stock T Types. Was thrilled throwing a set in my Korean knockoff got me 90% there. Same thing with the 64 Trini reissue w stock A3 custombuckers. I can even play a LP with those and I’ll know right off the bat if they’re CBs. Just so sweet!

Great post and thanks for sharing your experiences here with the custombuckers vs the T-Types, it's very helpful. It's like all my picking inflections are being captured in the T-Types while maintaining the semi hollow air....I use a metal fingerpick and the bite really shines through. Yeah, addicting!!!!

 

[Anje]

Makes sense to me that if they work very well in a hollowbody, that EQ is not going to be the best for a solid body. The comments seem to mirror that experience. Interesting how that works.

Not really my experience with old T-Tops; (semi) Hollow VS Solid body is so broad that it is not really a key / precise enough factor to me.
I can find 2 different "solid" body guitars that will sound & feel way more different to each other than a couple particular ES335 VS Les Paul for instance (still keeping it broad).
A characteristic I would associate T-Tops with is "balanced", or "transparent" / "clear" / "open". They really let the guitar voice, and the player, speak through.

 

[ChurchHill]

I’m an avid enjoyer of both T-Types and Custombuckers. The CBs have a sweeter top end sparkle and less forward midrange, to my ears. Whereas the T types have a party going on in the mids,, that really wide vocal inflection is super addicting to play around with. Mind you I don’t play my 335 (Hamer) thru anything more rawk than an AC30 set to eob so whether u find them too bright, thin, whatever just depends on what tones you’re after.

I kept picking up the (real) antique top 335 in the shops and quickly fell in love w the stock T Types. Was thrilled throwing a set in my Korean knockoff got me 90% there. Same thing with the 64 Trini reissue w stock A3 custombuckers. I can even play a LP with those and I’ll know right off the bat if they’re CBs. Just so sweet!

Yeah, the Custombuckers are surprisingly, to me at least, great pickups, even with the stock A3s. Swapping to an A4 increases the mids without taking away from the sweetness of the highs, A2 does the same although to a lesser extent with the mids.

Good to hear that the T-Types have more mids, although I'm sure the A5s contribute to that, too. I like bright pickups, what I don't like is harsh. I can always roll back the tone a bit, but if it's harsh, that doesn't really help.

Thanks for the review and comparison! That helps, especially the part about the LP. I've got CBs in an LP, so that is a great reference point.

 

[ChurchHill]

Not really my experience with old T-Tops; (semi) Hollow VS Solid body is so broad that it is not really a key / precise enough factor to me.
I can find 2 different "solid" body guitars that will sound & feel way more different to each other than a couple particular ES335 VS Les Paul for instance (still keeping it broad).
A characteristic I would associate T-Tops with is "balanced", or "transparent" / "clear" / "open". They really let the guitar voice, and the player, speak through.

I agree. Some guitars are brighter, some sustain better, but I've found all combinations across all body-styles whether fully hollow, semi-hollow, or solid. Broadly, an ES doesn't sound like an LP, but there are more differences between my LPs as there are between my R0 and 335, or between my ESs for that matter.

Balanced, transparent, clear, and open sound like what I'm looking for. Thinking this one needs a brighter neck and the T-Type sounds like it'll blend well with a CB for the bridge.

 

[tallcoolone]

I'd love to try the Custombuckers...

You will love the Custombuckers. Right up your alley

 

[ChurchHill]

You will love the Custombuckers. Right up your alley

Yeah, you would love the Custombuckers. IMHO, they are as good as any PAF replicas.

 

[rsm]

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.

My Epi 1963 Les Paul SG Custom has three custombuckers; the white Gibson '61 SG Standard I had and sold, has 60's Burstbuckers. I liked both types of pickups, but can't compare them; the custombuckers are lower, vintage output and warmer, vs the Burstbuckers which are hotter and brighter. For an early 60s SG, I prefer the more vintage custombuckers, just like I do for a 60s spec Fender Jag. You might like the custombuckers?

 

[VonBonfire]

You will love the Custombuckers. Right up your alley

Yeah, you would love the Custombuckers. IMHO, they are as good as any PAF replicas.

My Epi 1963 Les Paul SG Custom has three custombuckers; the white Gibson '61 SG Standard I had and sold, has 60's Burstbuckers. I liked both types of pickups, but can't compare them; the custombuckers are lower, vintage output and warmer, vs the Burstbuckers which are hotter and brighter. For an early 60s SG, I prefer the more vintage custombuckers, just like I do for a 60s spec Fender Jag. You might like the custombuckers?

Definitely keep that in mind for the future. I don't have a lot of plans for any guitar purchases this year unless my finances change. I'm happy with the T-Types so "better" is a gamble. I have more pressing gear needs, mainly amp maintenance and mod work along with some speaker purchase and recones...would love to get some K-120's back in action. I dug out my blown one today doing some work on the house. Been mostly using EV Force 12's for the past two years since my K gave up the ghost. JBL's should be pure magic with Twin and the T-Types.....

 

[LPMojoGL]

Man that's rough cause that is a sick sounding guitar-amp combo you had there.....guitars are meant to be played and dinged up. I plan on wearing all the finish off of mine.

No doubt, I thought about just keeping it and letting it get as beat up as my 02 LP Classic.
It played and sounded so good. But, you know, the wheel keeps spinning. Just picked up a 2003 PRS Artist package CU24. Wasn't even looking, but dude offered it up in trade for the Ibanez RG2770QZA-WPB I had just bought. And I might have a had a beer or 2, so went for it.

Its pretty awesome. Playing it feels like putting on old leather gloves. I'd still take the 335 over it, but I have <$1g less into it.

Folks touting the Custombuckers...
I didn't gel with em in an R8 Lemonburst I had. They were thin, spiky. I tried a few different sets of pups in that guitar, and then flipped it. Pretty sure the Wagner Godwood set I have here would've saved it. Turned me off to the Custombuckers. The T-Types in the 335 were similar, but better overall, in that guitar.

 

[ChurchHill]

Folks touting the Custombuckers...
I didn't gel with em in an R8 Lemonburst I had. They were thin, spiky. I tried a few different sets of pups in that guitar, and then flipped it. Pretty sure the Wagner Godwood set I have here would've saved it. Turned me off to the Custombuckers. The T-Types in the 335 were similar, but better overall, in that guitar.

Nice CU24! The Artist package is really nice, wish they still offered that, but that's what Wood Library is for, I guess.

When I first heard the Custombuckers, I thought they were a little thin, spiky, and anemic until I directly compared them to several others. I'm sure part of it depends on the guitar, too. What I do really like about them is that they have more character. Swapping the A3 for an A4 really made it come alive, at least sounds like it's much higher output and definitely not thin.

I've heard great things about Wagner but haven't tried them.

 

[LPMojoGL]

Nice CU24! The Artist package is really nice, wish they still offered that, but that's what Wood Library is for, I guess.

When I first heard the Custombuckers, I thought they were a little thin, spiky, and anemic until I directly compared them to several others. I'm sure part of it depends on the guitar, too. What I do really like about them is that they have more character. Swapping the A3 for an A4 really made it come alive, at least sounds like it's much higher output and definitely not thin.

I've heard great things about Wagner but haven't tried them.

Thanks! I feel like I got lucky on this deal. It's really one of the best PRS guitars I've played, and love the amber color. Gives me Slash AFD vibes.

I think a lot of it was the guitar, and a lot of it was those particular Custombuckers. It had all the old school vibe, but didn't have any meat to the tone. Lovely guitar tho. That was before I knew about magnet swaps and other such things. Someone on TGP got a great deal when I flipped that guitar for, I think, $2200.

The Wagner Godwood set I put in my Explorer, replacing the stock pups, transformed that guitar. I've since put them in a couple of LPs, and currently have the neck pup back in the Explorer. I think the bridge pup will find its way back too, but right now Im enjoying an old Dimarzio Super Distortion in there. Way better in that guitar than it has been in Strat types.
Those Godwoods, very good for darn near all things.

 

[VonBonfire]

Its pretty awesome. Playing it feels like putting on old leather gloves. I'd still take the 335 over it, but I have <$1g less into it.

A nice PRS, even an SE, is one of my dream axes before I say "enough". My Edwards LP is for sale. Love the guitar but don't care for the slim taper much or the limited fret access. Anyways, sounds like you've got a reason to go 335 shopping heh heh. Man there are some dogs out there but there are some gems too so happy treasure hunting.

I didn't gel with em in an R8 Lemonburst I had. They were thin, spiky.

That's how I felt about the Seth Lovers. Even in my LP they just had a high end spike, strident, brash. When I tossed the bridge seth into the neck position it was workable but even a plain jane 57 classic complemented that somewhat dark guitar better. Thanks for the feedback on there. It's difficult ordering pickups blind only to find they just don't work and you gotta sell at a loss and try again. I ain't got money for that....

 

[LPMojoGL]

A nice PRS, even an SE, is one of my dream axes before I say "enough". My Edwards LP is for sale. Love the guitar but don't care for the slim taper much or the limited fret access. Anyways, sounds like you've got a reason to go 335 shopping heh heh. Man there are some dogs out there but there are some gems too so happy treasure hunting.


That's how I felt about the Seth Lovers. Even in my LP they just had a high end spike, strident, brash. When I tossed the bridge seth into the neck position it was workable but even a plain jane 57 classic complemented that somewhat dark guitar better. Thanks for the feedback on there. It's difficult ordering pickups blind only to find they just don't work and you gotta sell at a loss and try again. I ain't got money for that....

I don't wanna shop 335s again! That one was the 1! I guess its just not for me.

I had a Seth Lover bridge pup in my 02 LP for a long time. Loved the tone, but it was microphonic. Replaced it with a Burstbucker 3. The BB3 was almost identical sounding to the Seth in that guitar, tiniest bit more rowdy, without the microphonics.
The same BB3 sounded thin in my SG, where it was the stock pup, but also gave me some of the best EVH tones I ever achieved. Just goes to show how the end sound is a sum of all the parts.

 

[VonBonfire]

I don't wanna shop 335s again! That one was the 1! I guess its just not for me.

Man a good 335 is like an awesome LP on steroids. Try five or ten and find the magic one again!!!

I had a Seth Lover bridge pup in my 02 LP for a long time. Loved the tone, but it was microphonic. Replaced it with a Burstbucker 3. The BB3 was almost identical sounding to the Seth in that guitar, tiniest bit more rowdy, without the microphonics.
The same BB3 sounded thin in my SG, where it was the stock pup, but also gave me some of the best EVH tones I ever achieved. Just goes to show how the end sound is a sum of all the parts.

Interesting. The T-Types can be slightly microphonic but aren't as sensitive as the Seths were in that regard. One thing I've noticed about Duncan humbucker covers vs Gibsons is the Gibsons are a much softer metal. Not sure if it plays into the tone or how much it plays into it, but I did hundreds of gigs on the seths and they never had a mark on them other than the gold finish wearing off. I did hundreds of gigs on '57 classics and now maybe 30-40 gigs plus a ton of home play time on the T-Types and they are all full of tiny dings from my fingerpick.

 

[ChurchHill]

Just goes to show how the end sound is a sum of all the parts.

Exactly!

 

[Fiesta Red]

I didn't find them to my liking in a Les Paul. Prefer the BB1/BB2 combination if we're staying stock. I can see how they would add some edge and life to a 335.

 

[blackba]

I went through a bunch of pickups in my '73 les paul custom. But now back to the stock t tops with new gold covers. Also got the collapsed bridge replaced and that guitar feels so alive now.

glad to see Gibson reissue them and I can also see how the t-tops would not be for everyone, but these days I am generally going with lower output pickups and letting my pedals and amp do the work. I saw this as I just got my first shredder Ibanez RG with super hot Dimarzios, lol.

 

[ChurchHill]

I never liked any low output pickup until I heard one that didn't sound like it was. 42AWG PE wound to 7.8k with an A2 and unpotted, so not high output by any standards, but it could keep up with a Duncan Distortion tonally and in feel. There are still quite a few I don't like, but as LPMojoGL said above, it really is the sum of the parts.

I think, at least in my case, that being unpotted has a lot to do with it. I still haven't found a potted low-output pickup that I really like.