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Peter Frampton Les Paul Throbak pickups and the best Luthier/engineer in the business

Harle000

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Messages
15
For 8 years I've hated my PF LP Custom. I took it to approximately ten luthiers/engineers with varied suggested amendments, but none solved my problem. I then took it to Bananas At Large in Marin, CA. and met Tim, their repair specialist.

I put on Ratio locking tuning pegs, a metal connector base plate, and asked him to check the wiring and check the volume and tone pots. I then I got a call that the wiring was totally screwed up. He couldn't find anyone with details of the wiring system; and that included Gibson. After hours of tracking down top luthiers, professional musicians, including those that were close to Frampton himself he eventually found the correct wiring system. Due to some terrible internal soldering he started again from scratch. On finishing the new wiring and new pots he found out that the feedback was due to the Pickups being out of phase.
He installed a custom set (3) of Throbak PFP pickups.
I picked it up yesterday ........... incredible the first class work of 'Tim' and his refusal to give up, the incredible Throbak pickups has produced a Les Paul that in Tim's words is one of the best LPs he's ever worked on.
These pickups re incredible.
Neck PF Custom MXV 7.25 Long A2 Vintage wiring Vintage Baseplate
Middle PF Custom MXV 7.67 Long A2 Vintage wiring Vintage Baseplate
Bridge PF102B Frampton Custom 8.1 Short A2 Vintage wiring, Vintage Baseplate

So if you want your electronics sorted out go to Tim at Bananas. If you want incredible tonal quality - ask him what he thinks of the Throbak pickups.
 

Señor Verde

Active member
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
Very cool you found someone who stuck with it and did the job right. If that guitar sounds anywhere near as good as Frampton's, it's a beauty.
 

Midnight Blues

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
1,703
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Several years ago, I ordered Seymour Duncan (who Frampton used to have wire his PUPS. I believe he uses Tom Holms now though?) Frampton PUPS, and I love 'em! Anyway, when the middle PUP is engaged, you should get a thicker single coil/"OOP" tone, which you can blend-in with either or both other PUPS.
 

Harle000

New member
Joined
Jul 7, 2019
Messages
15
These schematics were checked out by Tim at Bananas, but it seems there are two wiring setups for the PF Les Paul. One has push/pull controls, and the other does not. Mine does not, and hence the reason it took quite a lot of detective work to get the exact wiring correct. But now this this thing is incredible. The tone variations are beautiful, and as you wrote the blending in of the middle pick up creates a deep smooth and rich tone.
The locking tune ups may not fit the original profile, but they hold the note perfectly and so far it stays in tune better than before.
These Throbak pickups have made a very substantial improvement to this iconic guitar, and in perfect phase with one another. The final thing was to insulate the electronic chambers. Very quiet now - and with my Kemper Stage I can't wait to play the thing in anger. Awesome.
 

Midnight Blues

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
1,703
These schematics were checked out by Tim at Bananas, but it seems there are two wiring setups for the PF Les Paul. One has push/pull controls, and the other does not. Mine does not, and hence the reason it took quite a lot of detective work to get the exact wiring correct. But now this this thing is incredible. The tone variations are beautiful, and as you wrote the blending in of the middle pick up creates a deep smooth and rich tone.
The locking tune ups may not fit the original profile, but they hold the note perfectly and so far it stays in tune better than before.
These Throbak pickups have made a very substantial improvement to this iconic guitar, and in perfect phase with one another. The final thing was to insulate the electronic chambers. Very quiet now - and with my Kemper Stage I can't wait to play the thing in anger. Awesome.

If I remember correctly, I got the diagrams directly from Gibson a number of years ago?

Hum? I've never heard of them having push/pull controls? Mine doesn't and I know that Frampton's, either his signature models, or the "Phenix" don't have them either.

I like Throbak PUPS myself and I love watching their videos!

Glad you've fallen back in love with your Frampton!


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