Gibson BurstBucker 2 Humbucker Pickup

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Recapture the classic sound only Gibson's "Patent Applied For" humbuckers from the 1950s could produce, with the medium-output BurstBucker Type 2 pickup.

Gibson BurstBucker 2 Humbucker Pickup

The initial demand for Patent Applied For replica pickups came from Japanese collectors, and the BurstBucker was offered exclusively in Japan beginning in 1996. By 1999 word has spread of the unique replica tones produced by BurstBuckers. Gibson USA put the first BurstBuckers on a production model with the Gary Moore Signature Les Paul in the Summer of 2000, and Gibson's Custom division then equipped the Class 5 Les Paul, Custom Authentic '68 Les Paul Custom and Custom Authentic '58 Les Paul Standard models with BurstBuckers.

The variations in pickup output and tone came from inconsistencies in winding the bobbins, a result of the lack of automatic shutoffs on Gibson's winding machines in the late 1950s. Seth Lover, who invented the humbucker, always said they wound the bobbins 'until they were full,' and original examples suggest that employees stopped the winding machines after the counter reached approximately 5000 turns. When the two coils in a pickup have a different number of turns, that variation puts a little 'edge' or 'bite' on the classic humbucker sound. That's the sound BurstBuckers replicate. (The 'creamy' sound that Gibson's '57 Classics replicate comes from equal coil windings.) Gibson then carries the replication process two steps farther, with unpolished Alnico II magnets and no wax-potting of the coils, just like the originals.

BurstBuckers are offered in 3 different versions:
BurstBucker 1 (IM57A-NH) is slightly underwound, read more with medium 'vintage' output, and works well in both bridge and neck positions.

BurstBucker 2 (IM57B-NH) is wound in the range of Gibson's '57 Classic, with slightly hotter 'vintage' output than the BurstBucker #1, and works well in the bridge position with a BurstBucker #1 in the neck position.

BurstBucker 3 (IM57C-NH) is slightly overwound, with hotter output, and works well in the bridge position with a BurstBucker #2 in the neck position.

BurstBuckers are available with German silver nickel-plated covers.
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- Output: 7.4
- Position: Both
- Magnet: Alnico II
- Wiring: 2-Conductor
- Historically accurate "Patent Applied For" replica with airy tone and unbalanced coils

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (15 ratings)
Submitted April 11, 2012 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Right on Gibson!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I've tried many pickups, but this one finally does it for me. So far these Burstbuckers fit best. They have a definite vintage sound! Not modern sounding and just the buzz I needed. I've tried Duncan which were too modern for me and Burstbucker Pros which seemed to be hotter than 3 with wax-potting. I like them un-potted so I can get dist. feedback LOL. Also great job zzounds for fast accurate order!

Musical Background:

7 year player

Musical Style:

blues rock, new age
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No longer available at zZounds

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