Adjusting Burstbucker Pickups

[Classicplayer]

Long time member here, but seldom post “new“ threads. I've been using stock Burstbucker 1 and 2 combination in my 2018 Traditional. While I have struggled to find the right adjustments to satisfy my ideas of good Les Paul tone, I have (after 6 years) tweaked them to a fare the well l and arrived my goal. I know lots of owners swap these out for a more vintage sounding pickup, but I feel these are meant to be more modern sounding and designed that way. I'm interested in reading comments from those who still use this Burstbucker pair; as to how you learned to get along with them.

Classicplayer

 

[spidey]

I have the BB1 & 2 set in my 335. I was always underwhelmed with their sound unless I added a clean boost. However I stumbled across this video -

and followed the recommended heights. Once adjusted to the recommended heights they sound excellent. Mine were way off these heights previously and had come factory fitted in 2016.

 

[NickiC]

Burstbuckers can be very responsive to adjustments. I too “tweaked them to a fare the well” for about a year. I could hear the tones I wanted somewhere but, just couldn’t catch ‘it’. I finally started over with Gibson suggested measurements, and close up pictures of how my favorite players: BB players, pickup heights. Clear pictures required for this. Keeping the individual adjustment screws flush with the cover or bobbin was a good point to start with too. I’ve had good luck using this as a starting point when dialing in BB’s.
In the end, I wound up being 1/16”-+ from
Gibson.

 

[Classicplayer]

Burstbuckers can be very responsive to adjustments. I too “tweaked them to a fare the well” for about a year. I could hear the tones I wanted somewhere but, just couldn’t catch ‘it’. I finally started over with Gibson suggested measurements, and close up pictures of how my favorite players: BB players, pickup heights. Clear pictures required for this. Keeping the individual adjustment screws flush with the cover or bobbin was a good point to start with too. I’ve had good luck using this as a starting point when dialing in BB’s.
In the end, I wound up being 1/16”-+ from
Gibson.

My BB bridge heights are +- 4/64” on the 1st string side and 6/64” on the low E side..strings fretted at last fret. Neck 6/64” and 8/64”. Those measurements after adjusting several pole screws for their “sweet spots”. Took many tweaks to achieve that.

Classicplayer

 

[bern1]

My Les Paul Standard Faded came with BBs. I liked them just fine, especially the bridge. However, like others, I wound up chasing something else. Now on the third set of pickups for the guitar, I am occasionally tempted to put the bridge BB back in. We’ll see how motivated I get.

So many ways to adjust pickups……

 

[charliechitlins]

6 years to get your pickups adjusted?

 

[NickiC]

My BB bridge heights are +- 4/64” on the 1st string side and 6/64” on the low E side..strings fretted at last fret. Neck 6/64” and 8/64”. Those measurements after adjust several pole screws for their “sweet spots”. Took many tweaks to achieve that.

Classicplayer

My neck heights are: 1/8” low E , 6/46” hi E. This is with a BB3&2. I keep each individual adjustment screw top flush at the minimum, shoulder of screw flush at maximum, with the cover or bobbin. Helps reduce the harshness of a Burstbucker. Less heat. Especially a 2 in the bridge, I’m pretty much flush across the top. Then go from there.

 

[NickiC]

6 years to get your pickups adjusted?

It’s a journey. A 6yr quest. 1yr. Each string.

 

[Classicplayer]

6 years to get your pickups adjusted?

Started 5-6 months ago. Sounded decent 6 years ago, sounds better today.

Classicplayer

 

[bern1]

These things take time.....especially if you keep changing pickups. I'm about to do it again. I think I am going to put the BB bridge back in the Standard Faded and put the reversed magnet Duncan 59 in the neck position. I have nothing else that sounds like that.....

Some guitars stay the same and others get hot rodded.