What pickup is similar to the second degree black belt that does not have a huge wait time?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mooncobra
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mooncobra

mooncobra

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I like the second degree black belt, but I dont like playing email tag and waiting for months to get a pickup.

anyone know of something very similar without a big wait time?

or else something like the Duncan Steckel, but slightly hotter?
Thanks
 
Duncan 78 model. it's a hot PAF 9K assymetric coil winds, A-2 magnet, no wait they are on Reverb in stock. If you don't like the A-2 magnet maybe they can install the magnet that Wade uses. I thought the 2nd degree BB was either and A-3 or A-5 magnet, but I'm not 100% sure.

Then there is the standard SD 59B which is around 9K symmetrical coilwind A-5 magnet, you could swap magnets until you find something you like, 79 bucks. Just listen to Redplated 1984 clips, he was really impressed with the 59.

I had always heard the throwbacks were good, but you are back to a wait issue I think with those.

The Steckel has my interest as well.:unsure::thumbsup:

About the only PAF pickup I would still like to try in the Tom Holmes 455 but those prices went nuts years ago.
 
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Duncan 59 is very close. I recently A/B'd the BB and 59 in the Panama tone thread. I actually prefer the 59 in my Charvel. Similar output but the harmonic content is even better.

I have two Les Paul's with throbak SLE-101+ in them. I absolutely love those pickups. But they are expensive. I found a couple sets used for decent prices. Oddly enough, the throbak feel way hotter than you'd expect. Very clear and articulate at the same time.
 
harddriver said:
Duncan 78 model. it's a hot PAF 9K assymetric coil winds, A-2 magnet, no wait they are on Reverb in stock. If you don't like the A-2 magnet maybe they can install the magnet that Wade uses. I thought the 2nd degree BB was either and A-3 or A-5 magnet, but I'm not 100% sure.

Then there is the standard SD 59B which is around 9K symmetrical coilwind A-5 magnet, you could swap magnets until you find something you like, 79 bucks. Just listen to Redplated 1984 clips, he was really impressed with the 59.

I had always heard the throwbacks were good, but you are back to a wait issue I think with those.

The Steckel has my interest as well.:unsure::thumbsup:

About the only PAF pickup I would still like to try in the Tom Holmes 455 but those prices went nuts years ago.
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The steckel is a straight up amazing pickup. The clarity and punch it has is killer. I could be happy with the steckel. Just would like a little more output, not much, just a little.
 
RedPlated said:
Duncan 59 is very close. I recently A/B'd the BB and 59 in the Panama tone thread. I actually prefer the 59 in my Charvel. Similar output but the harmonic content is even better.

I have two Les Paul's with throbak SLE-101+ in them. I absolutely love those pickups. But they are expensive. I found a couple sets used for decent prices. Oddly enough, the throbak feel way hotter than you'd expect. Very clear and articulate at the same time.
Click to expand...
I will have to find your clip and listen. Thanks!
 
Rio Grande BBQ. when I replaced the bridge humbucker in my Les Paul it came down to the Blackbelt and the BBQ.
I found a used BBQ on reverb for a great price and decided to give it a go, and I'm glad I did, sounds terrific.
 
This is a great thread! I'm really curious about this because I have the 2nd Degree Blackbelts in my Les Paul and always wondered what was comparable. I've never had a 59' but have always been intrigued.
 
RedPlated said:
Haha.

The 59 with stock A5 is a killer pickup. Can’t beat it for $79

The BB is good but the price and wait isn’t justified to me.
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Does it have the same feel as the 2nd degree black belt?
 
RedPlated said:
Haha.

The 59 with stock A5 is a killer pickup. Can’t beat it for $79

The BB is good but the price and wait isn’t justified to me.
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The Duncan Steckel is also very bad ass, but pretty low output. I think it’s 7.1 bridge. Although, in the clips put out by steckel it doesn’t do it justice because he just has gobs and gobs of gain.
 
mooncobra said:
Does it have the same feel as the 2nd degree black belt?
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Pretty similar. I was really shocked how close they sounded/ felt. And the 59 made those harmonics in the Panama clip so much more effortless.

I’d say for $79 you should give it a try. Don’t like it, you can flip it easily. No huge loss in trying it.
 
One of the mid to higher output Jim Wagners will be what you're looking for.

Or swap magnets on a 59.
 
mooncobra said:
The steckel is a straight up amazing pickup. The clarity and punch it has is killer. I could be happy with the steckel. Just would like a little more output, not much, just a little.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you love the clarity of the Steckel but you would like just a bit more output like the 2nd Degree BB.

I hear all of those in that 59B A-5 magnet clip of Redplated's. That clip had great clarity, great harmonic content and has the around 9K ouput of the 2ndDBB pickup IMHO. No need to swap magnets as the 2ndDBB uses an A-5.

To my ears in the 2ndDBB clip it sounded like it had less clarity and PAF janglyiness/harmonic content than the 59B.
 
harddriver said:
Sounds like you love the clarity of the Steckel but you would like just a bit more output like the 2nd Degree BB.

I hear all of those in that 59B A-5 magnet clip of Redplated's. That clip had great clarity, great harmonic content and has the around 9K ouput of the 2ndDBB pickup IMHO. No need to swap magnets as the 2ndDBB uses an A-5.

To my ears in the 2ndDBB clip it sounded like it had less clarity and PAF janglyiness/harmonic content than the 59B.
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You’re spot-on. Couldn’t have described it better.
 
RedPlated said:
You’re spot-on. Couldn’t have described it better.
Click to expand...
I knew the SD59B would sound good but I was a bit shocked at how good it sounded against the 2ndBB. The 2ndDBB sounds great in it's own right but your clips shows the 59B can get the goods!
 
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