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Any value in upgrading the ABR-1 on my R8?

rockabilly69

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 29, 2001
Messages
2,872
I write things. And they don’t sound as assholish in my head as they come out on screen. I’m sure you get great sounds out of them. If your getting great tones out of custom buckers or burst buckers I will only say this. A set of throbaks ,, wizz , or OX-4s would 100% without a doubt be more clear and better to me. But it is subjective to say the least. Sorry to sound so assholish though. Not how I meant it.
Dude you're still sounding asshole-ish, especially with the statement "WITHOUT A DOUBT" as if you have the knowledge of tone heaven that many mere mortals don't possess. I don't know how old you are, but I was around for the first wave of boutique pickups in the 70's, and I can tell you I heard the same stuff you're spewing about DiMarzio pickups. And many people believed the hyperbole and pulled their PAFs and replaced them with Super Distortions. And... I probably replaced more pickups than most people here as I did full-time guitar electronics repairs for too many people to count. I am very familiar with the tone of Throbaks and I like them, and many other pickups, but I never heard a set that have bettered the stock BB pickups in my R0! And another forum member here, Professortwang who is the absolute biggest fan of throbak pickups, will for no reason pull the custom-buckers out of his R9, they are just perfect. Professortwang has one of the best collection of killer amps that I've been around and 99% of the time he plugs straight so he's hearing exactly what the stock pickups are doing in his guitars.

If you would just precede your posts with "In My Opinion" they would be easier to read. We all have opinions, and the right to them!
 
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Joshabr1

Active member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
102
Dude you're still sounding asshole-ish, espe3ically with the statement "WITHOUT A DOUBT" as if you have the knowledge of tone heaven that many mere mortals don't possess. I don't know how old you are, but I was around for the first wave of boutique pickups in the 70's, and I can tell you I heard the same stuff you're spewing about DiMArzio pickups. And many people believed the hyperbole and pulled their PAFs and replaced them with Super Distortions. And... I probably replaced more pickups than most people here as I did fulltime guitar electronics repairs for too many people to count. I am very familiar with the tone of Throbaks and I like them, and many other pickups, but I never heard a set that have bettered the stock BB pickups in my R0! And another forum member here, Professortwang who is the absolute biggest fan of throbak pickups, will for no reason pull the custombuckers out of his R9, they are just perfect. Professortwang has one of the best collection of killer amps that I've been around and 99% of the time he plugs straight so he's hearing exactly what the stock pickups are doing in his guitars.

If you would just precede your posts with "In My Opinion" they would be easier to read. We all have opinions, and the right to them!
Chill the hell out. I apologized ok. Why do you have a dog in the fight?
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
Pre 73 will be turret board. Pre 71 gets you better iron. Plexi iron. Super lead and superbass are 100 watt version just lead and bass for 50 watts.
Ok, yeah when i bought my 2018 R0 i played it through a i think it was a 1968 Plexi head, that Mark had, for sale as well.Ivwish i could have bought that too, i think it was as much as my R0 cost though
 

Joshabr1

Active member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
102
Ok, yeah when i bought my 2018 R0 i played it through a i think it was a 1968 Plexi head, that Mark had, for sale as well.Ivwish i could have bought that too, i think it was as much as my R0 cost though
Yea. They have went up a lot in the past 10 years. Worth it though. If you live in a place that will allow the noise. Have to turn them up pretty high to get the good out of em. If you know what I mean.
 

Joshabr1

Active member
Joined
Apr 25, 2021
Messages
102
Why dont you address the point ?
I already did. If you don’t take my word for it. Or the 2 burst and several other 50s Les Paul’s I handle regularly then I don’t know what to tell you. The saddles varied on the top. 100% burstserial.com will be a good spot for ya to see some proof with your own eyes.
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
Yea. They have went up a lot in the past 10 years. Worth it though. If you live in a place that will allow the noise. Have to turn them up pretty high to get the good out of em. If you know what I mean.
Yes i hear that, ...this one seemed to overdrive pretty easy? I mean i did have a les paul plugged into it, but i thought it had a Master volume?? God i wish i remembered what that amp was.It was at Marks guitar loft, i mean i doubt that a 68’ had a Master unless maby modded, but im not as fluent with vintage amps, as i am in Strats and les pauls.I have a 1997 Fender Twin amp, the 25/100 watt beast , and just got a MesaBoogie F-50, so im not knowledgeable yet with that

For some reason though i have a , strong desire , using more appropriate words for that Handwired , 1959..lol
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
I already did. If you don’t take my word for it. Or the 2 burst and several other 50s Les Paul’s I handle regularly then I don’t know what to tell you. The saddles varied on the top. 100% burstserial.com will be a good spot for ya to see some proof with your own eyes.
I wish i could hold any 50’s les paul.The closest i held was a 1968 , 1957 Conversion, all of my studying of these things is purely “Virtual”?
 

Dr. Green

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2018
Messages
683
I have a question for the group .... if the burstbuckers represent the embodiment of PAF goodness ,,,,, why ,,,, pray tell ..... did Gibson they themselves elect to shitte can them in the Historics and move onto Custombuckers ???????
 

WillyW

Active member
Joined
Apr 17, 2021
Messages
125
I have a question for the group .... if the burstbuckers represent the embodiment of PAF goodness ,,,,, why ,,,, pray tell ..... did Gibson they themselves elect to shitte can them in the Historics and move onto Custombuckers ???????
Because Gibson does what Gibson does and we gladly eat the scraps from their table…

besides, 57’s are the end all be all of tone….
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
Because Gibson does what Gibson does and we gladly eat the scraps from their table…

besides, 57’s are the end all be all of tone….
Exactly and come back for seconds..lol..but anyway.I love Burstbuckers and custombuckers, however one of the other things,or reasons that caused me to express my point earlier.Regarding the “Just leave the Custombuckers in the guitar they came in” and the guitar should be and usually is chosen, or paid for after approving over its tone.

Is that pickups are such a simple piece of kit, there technically a base, a thimble with wire wrapped around it, with magnets on bottom,

And so yes i think you hit the nail on the head, as to why, i feel Custom Buckers are good enough.

My Mexican made strat, had crap for pickups, cheap plastic base, weak magnets, thin wire, and sounded like crap, the custom shop Texas specials, AKA a good quality set of magnets and wires fixed that.
 

WillyW

Active member
Joined
Apr 17, 2021
Messages
125
Exactly and come back for seconds..lol..but anyway.I love Burstbuckers and custombuckers, however one of the other things,or reasons that caused me to express my point earlier.Regarding the “Just leave the Custombuckers in the guitar they came in” and the guitar should be and usually is chosen, or paid for after approving over its tone.

Is that pickups are such a simple piece of kit, there technically a base, a thimble with wire wrapped around it, with magnets on bottom,

And so yes i think you hit the nail on the head, as to why, i feel Custom Buckers are good enough.

My Mexican made strat, had crap for pickups, cheap plastic base, weak magnets, thin wire, and sounded like crap, the custom shop Texas specials, AKA a good quality set of magnets and wires fixed that.
I honestly don’t think I have had a set of Gibson pickups I didn’t like. Half the time I’m don’t bother to check the specs and see what’s supposed to be in it.

The one time I did check, the pickups in the spec sheet weren’t what was in it…..

My HP flying V has some kind of dirty fingers pickups and I’m only opposed to the stoopid name…. if you have dirty fingers you ain’t coming near my geetars.…
 

Mustardc Caps

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
54
+2 for the Pigtail Bridge Assembly. Everything on them fits as tight as a drum. Quality is second to none.
I had a 59 Burst repro done in 2015. Used all era correct 50s wood, and Historic Makeovers plastic. Mojoaxe Guard, and Backplates Throbak M69 Rings. 8.1lbs. Also used Fender type 6230 frets. Gibson used these frets until mid 59. All LP Customs had them. It was a deal breaker for me if I couldnt get the 6230 frets, but it was no problem. This was only my second Gibson type guitar, as Ive been a Strat person since 1971. My first Gibson was a 62 LP Jr. I got it in 1974.

Used Tom Holmes H450-H455 pickups in the 59 repro, which will never come out. If I was going to try another brand it would be the Throbak SLE 101s, or the KZ115. Im really interested in the KZ115s.
Go to Germino for all things Marshall Plexi. Use Scumback speakers. Mather Cabinets with EC Collins Pinstripe cloth. I like the TVB cabinets. Repro JTM45/100

Also if you like your pickups, Id leave them alone. If it aint broke, dont fix it. I just like the fact Throbak, and Holmes have gone all out to repro an original 50s PAF. Holmes is only trying to repro a 59.
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
+2 for the Pigtail Bridge Assembly. Everything on them fits as tight as a drum. Quality is second to none.
I had a 59 Burst repro done in 2015. Used all era correct 50s wood, and Historic Makeovers plastic. Mojoaxe Guard, and Backplates Throbak M69 Rings. 8.1lbs. Also used Fender type 6230 frets. Gibson used these frets until mid 59. All LP Customs had them. It was a deal breaker for me if I couldnt get the 6230 frets, but it was no problem. This was only my second Gibson type guitar, as Ive been a Strat person since 1971. My first Gibson was a 62 LP Jr. I got it in 1974.

Used Tom Holmes H450-H455 pickups in the 59 repro, which will never come out. If I was going to try another brand it would be the Throbak SLE 101s, or the KZ115. Im really interested in the KZ115s.
Go to Germino for all things Marshall Plexi. Use Scumback speakers. Mather Cabinets with EC Collins Pinstripe cloth. I like the TVB cabinets. Repro JTM45/100

Also if you like your pickups, Id leave them alone. If it aint broke, dont fix it. I just like the fact Throbak, and Holmes have gone all out to repro an original 50s PAF. Holmes is only trying to repro a 59.
Thats awsome, who built your 59’ les paul clone? Im having a 1958 Gibson Flying V clone built.I actually went through Mojo axe to get the flat bottom Black M69 pickup rings.They did a really good job on those, they even smell lime Vomit, lol...the rest of the stuff is coming from Crazyparts,

On my 2 Historic’s , witch are a 2019 R9 amd 2018 R0, and 2016 custom shop SG Standard historic, with maestro vibrolla, i used Cremetone nickle plated brass ABR-1 adjustment wheels for the 2 “R” model les pauls.Cremetone vintage correct poker chips,and Montreux Time machine collection, 3 way toggle switch tips.

For the SG, i used montreux Time machine collection, Poker chip, and Nickle plated brass, “Domed” ABR-1 adjustment wheels

I love doing this stuff
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
I already did. If you don’t take my word for it. Or the 2 burst and several other 50s Les Paul’s I handle regularly then I don’t know what to tell you. The saddles varied on the top. 100% burstserial.com will be a good spot for ya to see some proof with your own eyes.,

With respect you haven't. On the previous page I suggested what I believe to be the most likely reason for the hight and width variations found on vintage abr-1 saddles. Based on the evidence, I believe my conclusions are reasonable.
 

Mustardc Caps

Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2021
Messages
54
The guys at Viintage Relic built my guitar. Thy had some 50s Brazilian Rosewood, Honduran Mahogany, Holly, and Maple, and built a limited run of complete guitars. They also had unassembled guitars. Like Bodies, Necks, Necks without Boards. Boards with Royalite Binding. All stages of preassembly. Then they ran out of wood, and had some money disagreements with the finisher.

I had them build a complete guitar, and I supplied some of the parts. I had them build it as new. No Relicing. Im hard enough on guitars, and saw no need to rush it.

I supplied the Pickups, Pigtail Bridge Assembly, Gotoh SD510 Locking Gears with Tulip Buttons. Historic Makeovers Plastic. Mojoaxe Guard, and Backplates, Throbak M69 Rings.
They also did a killer paint job. My buddy has a Porsche 928S4, and a Mercedes AMG 560 SEL with nice paint jobs, and he said hed put the guitar on the wall as a display piece because the finish is so nice. Or was. It still looks good, but is almost 7 years old now. He doesnt play though. I told him I was going to play the hell out of it, and if it gets nicked ect, so be it.
Vintage Relic wouldnt do a correct headstock, which was no big deal. They said they would do one that was really close, but I told them to just use whatever headstock shape that was their design.
I had them build it with a big fat neck. .92-1.02. Weighs 8.1lbs. They esstimated it would weigh 8.2lbs, but came in .1 lighter.

It sounds great, and sustains like a mofo. I really like the Holmes pickups. I had Tom reverse the neck magnet.

My buddy has a 61 Les Paul/SG, and he calls my guitar the Harp Guitar, because its so clean, clear, and harmonically rich. It sounds better than his 61 LP. His LP is a one owner. He bought it new.
The guys at VR actually wanted to buy the guitar off of me, and offered me 1/3rd more than I had in it, but I said no.
They sent it to Joe Glaser for a Plek Job after assembly. Joe also did a killer job. I send all my guitars to Joe when I can. Not sure if hes still taking send ins or not.

My main amps are a 2013 LTD ED Metropoulos GMP45 head. All NOS glass/KT66/Mullards. Mather repro JTM45/100 TVB cabinet with EC Collins Pinstripe cloth. 4 Pulsonic G12Ms with untouched wiring harness.
Blackfaced 69 Dual Showman RVb with ODS mod. Reverb, and Tremolo unho0ked. I use a virity of speakers with it. Altec 418H, Celestion Creams, Original Fane 100w Cresendos. Rawson Sparfield Starfinders. 150w Celestion G12H Redbacks. JBL D120F. Hemp Coned JBL E120s. Ive been collecting speakers since 1973. Been using the Altecs with the Dual Showman since 1973.
I also use these speakers with the Metro head, but mainly use the 4 G12Ms.


GvC30Dx.jpg

y9zefc2.jpg


MxLVMvD.png


VIuNSds.jpg


Q6QrLYE.jpg

QyFFeeJ.jpg


ELl3q0f.jpg
 

Gino753

Active member
Joined
Jan 26, 2018
Messages
187
The guys at Viintage Relic built my guitar. Thy had some 50s Brazilian Rosewood, Honduran Mahogany, Holly, and Maple, and built a limited run of complete guitars. They also had unassembled guitars. Like Bodies, Necks, Necks without Boards. Boards with Royalite Binding. All stages of preassembly. Then they ran out of wood, and had some money disagreements with the finisher.

I had them build a complete guitar, and I supplied some of the parts. I had them build it as new. No Relicing. Im hard enough on guitars, and saw no need to rush it.

I supplied the Pickups, Pigtail Bridge Assembly, Gotoh SD510 Locking Gears with Tulip Buttons. Historic Makeovers Plastic. Mojoaxe Guard, and Backplates, Throbak M69 Rings.
They also did a killer paint job. My buddy has a Porsche 928S4, and a Mercedes AMG 560 SEL with nice paint jobs, and he said hed put the guitar on the wall as a display piece because the finish is so nice. Or was. It still looks good, but is almost 7 years old now. He doesnt play though. I told him I was going to play the hell out of it, and if it gets nicked ect, so be it.
Vintage Relic wouldnt do a correct headstock, which was no big deal. They said they would do one that was really close, but I told them to just use whatever headstock shape that was their design.
I had them build it with a big fat neck. .92-1.02. Weighs 8.1lbs. They esstimated it would weigh 8.2lbs, but came in .1 lighter.

It sounds great, and sustains like a mofo. I really like the Holmes pickups. I had Tom reverse the neck magnet.

My buddy has a 61 Les Paul/SG, and he calls my guitar the Harp Guitar, because its so clean, clear, and harmonically rich. It sounds better than his 61 LP. His LP is a one owner. He bought it new.
The guys at VR actually wanted to buy the guitar off of me, and offered me 1/3rd more than I had in it, but I said no.
They sent it to Joe Glaser for a Plek Job after assembly. Joe also did a killer job. I send all my guitars to Joe when I can. Not sure if hes still taking send ins or not.

My main amps are a 2013 LTD ED Metropoulos GMP45 head. All NOS glass/KT66/Mullards. Mather repro JTM45/100 TVB cabinet with EC Collins Pinstripe cloth. 4 Pulsonic G12Ms with untouched wiring harness.
Blackfaced 69 Dual Showman RVb with ODS mod. Reverb, and Tremolo unho0ked. I use a virity of speakers with it. Altec 418H, Celestion Creams, Original Fane 100w Cresendos. Rawson Sparfield Starfinders. 150w Celestion G12H Redbacks. JBL D120F. Hemp Coned JBL E120s. Ive been collecting speakers since 1973. Been using the Altecs with the Dual Showman since 1973.
I also use these speakers with the Metro head, but mainly use the 4 G12Ms.


GvC30Dx.jpg

y9zefc2.jpg


MxLVMvD.png


VIuNSds.jpg


Q6QrLYE.jpg

QyFFeeJ.jpg


ELl3q0f.jpg
Wow, now thats awesome, i love the guitar
 
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