800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)
When you call, mention priority code QT5-GYX6
close [x]
  • Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri 8AM - 10PM (EST)
  • Sat 9AM - 6PM (EST)
  • Sun 1PM - 7PM (EST)

Gibson BurstBucker Pro Alnico V Humbucker Pickup

Access the legendary tone of the '59 Les Paul with this Burstbucker Pro pickup. It's wax potted to withstand ear-bleeding volumes. (68) Read 5 reviews for this product | Rate and Review This Product
Ships to: Can ship to United States Can ship to APO/FPO
close [x]
zZounds.com 800-ZZOUNDS (800-996-8637)
Click to Enlarge Nickel

Product Description

Pure Sweet Tone
The Gibson BurstBucker Pro enhances the vintage "edge" of Gibson's popular BurstBucker pickups with the added feature of an Alnico 5 magnet.

In 2000, Gibson's new BurstBuckers captured the subtle variations in true humbucker tone with historically accurate "unmatched" bobbin windings and an Alnico II magnet. Two years later, in keeping with Gibson's long history of experimentation and innovation in pickup design, Gibson developed an Alnico 5 BurstBucker specifically for new Les Paul Standards. The outstanding performance of this new pickup (originally called the BurstBucker V) led to an overwhelming demand for an after-market version. With the BurstBucker Pro, all "Pure Tone Lovers" can now have stunning humbucking tone.

BurstBucker Pro humbuckers are offered in a calibrated pair; the neck position (IM59A), and the bridge position (IM59B). Output of these pickups is similar to the standard BurstBuckerT #1 and #2 model. And BurstBucker Pro pickups are wax potted so that they can withstand loud volume pressures without annoying feedback.

About BurstBucker Pickups
BurstBucker pickups from Gibson Original Equipment now give guitarists a choice of replica sounds from Gibson's original -- Patent Applied For pickups -- the pickups that give the '59 Les Paul Standard its legendary sound. The 3 BurstBuckers -- all with unpolished magnets and non-potted coils, like the originals - represent the variations found among vintage Gibson humbuckers.

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. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Gibson products.
Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Nickel, Neck
Shipping Weight: 1 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 2 in
Nickel, Bridge
Shipping Weight: 1 lbs
Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 2 in
Gibson Warranty If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 800-4GIBSON
This item must be exchanged directly through the manufacturer if it is found to be defective, and can only be returned to us if it is unopened. details
What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "The delivery was on time, the packaging protected my purchase, and my product was great -- what more could you ask for?" - customer on May 5, 2013
New, Nickel, Neck
$139.99
Play as You Pay
on orders $249.00+ details
List: $230.75
Savings: $90.76 (39%)
Only 2 Left! Will Ship May 28   Seen it for less?
Free Ground Shipping
Faster Shipping
New, Nickel, Bridge
$149.99
Play as You Pay
on orders $249.00+ details
List: $207.84
Savings: $57.85 (28%)
In Stock Will Ship May 28   Seen it for less?
Free Ground Shipping
Faster Shipping
Customer Reviews
5 out of 5 (68 ratings) Rate and Review This Product
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. "An Excellent Upgrade!"
Sound: I had these pickups installed in the Bridge and Neck on a LP copy, and Wow! What an inprovement! They really gave the guitar the Gibson "growl",I have owned these for about a month now,and have played and played and played....you get the picture. The sound of the bridge is great overdriven and heavily distorted,not great for cleans (but they were not designed for that).The neck pup really compliments the bridge in tone,but again these pups are "edgy" great for blues to heavy rock,I cannot review them for any Metal sounds,as I do not play that style. Feature: Best feature is the sound these pups produce of course! But my guitar tech loved the easy one wire installation as well as the sound of the pups. Ease of Use: Very easy to get alot of great sounds out of these even when heavily distorted,just dial back on the guitar volume and they still put out very well defined notes and chords and they seem to be "touch sensitive" as well,when I play with distortion and I strum lightly,they still produce the distortion sound but clean up for note clarity very well. Quality: Seem to be very well made...solid and heavy for pups! Value: We all think everything could be cheaper no matter the product, but for the price I got them for from Zounds...well worth it! Think of it as an investment in your guitar,if it can make my $300 Korean made LP copy sound this good,I can only imagine what they would sound like in a more expensive guitar. Great Job Gibson!! Manufacturer Support: Have not needed Gibson support,but I did order from Zounds and not only saved alot of money buying from them,me being a first time buyer from them,I recieved excelllent support on my questions,very fast with replies and fast shipping and well packed products! I will buy from Zounds again without hesitation! Thanks guys! The Wow Factor: I do not believe it had any "sex appeal" at least for me. But After many hours of research and listening to other pups I could not wait for them to arrive and install them! Overall: I plan on keeping this guitar with these pups for a long time to come,I feel they compliment my guitar very well and can do the same for any guitar they are installed in and when I do purchase my first "real" Gibson LP, if they are not in it when I buy it, they will be shortly after. Go buy a set...you will be suprised!
Style of Music: blues,rock,heavy rock
21 of 21 people (100%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

"best thing ever"
Sound: from heavy rock riffs to just plain blues, this pickup delivers. ive got 2 on my 59 lp reissue and nothing compares Feature: what more do you need. pickups and nickel covers Quality: G-I-B-S-O-N Value: just over 100 bucks!! its legendary sound Manufacturer Support: custom shop is helpful The Wow Factor: you wanna sound like a pro? Overall: have it forever
22 of 25 people (88%) found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!
close [x]

Thank you. Your vote has been counted. Could you briefly tell us why the review was or was not helpful?

BizRate Customer Certified (GOLD) Site
Questions? Our gear experts can help!
800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
When you call, mention priority code QT5-GYX6. Llame Gratis en Español: 800-460-7976
Lunes-Viernes de 9AM a 5PM EST
Customize Search Results for Your Location
Shop with those who respect your privacy — we do. Copyright © 1996-2013, zZounds Music, LLC. Terms of use apply.
[x] close

ALL ACCESS PASS

5 reasons YOU should sign up for the zZounds newsletter

  • 1. Weekly deals
  • 2. News about zZounds giveaways
  • 3. Interviews with cutting edge artists and producers
  • 4. Limited-time payment plan offers
  • 5. Features on your favorite gear
To get your cool stuff, we'll need your address:
close [x]What is this?
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
 
close [x]Limited InventoryWe only have 2 left. Though our system does indicate availability for this item, there is a chance that the item will not be available. Multiple orders may be placed within a short period before our system can update the availability on our website. If there are any problems shipping this item, you will be notified.
close [x]Faster Shipping Options
2 Day Air$6.99
Overnight$15.99
close [x]Faster Shipping Options
2 Day Air$6.99
Overnight$15.99
close [x]
1 item added to your cart
View Cart Continue Shopping
close [x]
Please select a product:
Add to Cart
close [x]
Available on
orders $249+
learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.
We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.
It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.
No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

close [x]
Available on
orders $249+
learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.
We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.
It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.
No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

close [x]

You don't have to trade service for savings when you shop at zZounds!

We'll beat any price
Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy
Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link
Next to the item you want, or give us a call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).
close [x]

With zZounds you'll never have to worry that you paid too much.

We'll beat any price
Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy
Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
Simply click the Seen it for less? link
Next to the item you want, or give us a call at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637).
close [x]
on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!
No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery
We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!
Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.
close [x]What is this?
A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.
close [x]

1. We offer the most flexible payment plans in the biz

zZounds offers a number of different installment payment plans that make it affordable and convenient for you to get the gear you really want today, without racking up risky credit card debt.

Other stores offer house credit cards that require you to fill out an application and pass a credit check--and, if you qualify, leave you vulnerable to exorbitant interest charges once the initial promotional period ends. zZounds payment plans are easy to get and simple to use; plus we'll never charge you interest!

zZounds payment plans details »

2. We guarantee the lowest price

If we don't already have the lowest price, just send us a link to any legitimate competitor's offer, and we'll beat their price as long as we're not losing money on the deal.

To submit a request for a lower price, click "Seen it for less?" on any product page. We answer most lowest price requests within two hours. For extra peace of mind, you also have 30 days after your purchase to find a lower price; if you do, we'll refund the difference.

zZounds.com price match details »

3. You'll get your gear fast

Because we have two well-situated warehouses--one on each coast--nearly three- quarters of the US population is located within our two-day shipping zones. Plus, we keep both warehouses well stocked with all the most popular products, so you'll usually get your gear fast without having to pay more for expedited shipping.

In fact, zZounds offers free two-day delivery on many of our best-selling products!

zZounds.com shipping details »

4. We make returns super easy

You have 30 days to try your gear at home, in your practice space or studio. If you're not absolutely in love with the sound you're getting, just let us know. We'll promptly arrange for an exchange or a refund without the hassles or hidden charges you face with some of our competitors. If there's something wrong with the gear you bought from us, we'll email you an electronic return label so you can return it easily and free of charge.

zZounds.com return details »

5. Our customer service is consistently rated the best

zZounds customer service is consistently rated at or near the top on every major comparison shopping website--probably because we only hire experienced musicians with outstanding customer service skills to work in our call center, and they don't work on commission. To us, this is our most meaningful measure of success. zZounds has served over a million customers since 1996, and they're the only critics whose reviews really matter to us.

zZounds.com customer service »
close [x]
Available on
orders $249+
learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.
We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.
It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.
No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

close [x]
on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!
No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery
We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!
Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.
close [x]

A guarantee so solid, you never have to worry about price when shopping at zZounds

We'll beat any price
Simply click the Seen it for less? link next to the gear you want or call us at 800-zZounds (800-996-8637)
Got a coupon from another site?
Use it with us - we'll beat those prices, too!
Find a better price after buying from us?
No problem. We'll refund you the difference for 30 days, so you'll never regret buying from zZounds.

You'll still get the trustworthy service you've come to expect from zZounds, without paying more for your gear!