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2004 Standard to Historic 59 lookalike and Custombuckers, are they worth it?

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
Hopefully not cork sniffing, but have a 2004 LP Standard with the 50s neck, nicely cracking paint, looks nice and aged, feels so nice to play. Since the Historics and newer R9s here in Australia are really pricey (can buy 3 other LPs for one 59) so thought I would spend a couple of bucks by replacing pickup rings, truss rod cover, knobs, switch plate and tip to look more 59ish, I put the adr1 style in place of the Nashville, and got rid of the BB Pros and crappy wiring it had and replaced with complete wiring from new standard 50s with Burstbuckers, made huge improvement. Would I benefit from Custombuckers or just get better wiring for Burstbuckers and maybe A3 magnet swap? I moslty like to play harder rocking blues, newer sounding ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa, etc. Thanks
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Making a newer Lester more like a vintage or Historic model can be a lot of fun. The only reason I have ever changed pups was to fix a pup specific defection in tone. Choosing replacements that corrected the problem. Cannot recommend any as I don't know your problem. Lots of R9s came with Burstbuckers and I always found them to be excellent pickups.
 

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
Making a newer Lester more like a vintage or Historic model can be a lot of fun. The only reason I have ever changed pups was to fix a pup specific defection in tone. Choosing replacements that corrected the problem. Cannot recommend any as I don't know your problem. Lots of R9s came with Burstbuckers and I always found them to be excellent pickups.
No real issue, good pickup, just wondering if the custombuckers and the 50s wiring from R9s was worth the big dollars. I know the earlier 59 reissues had Burstbuckers, I like them but just a tad dark, newer R9 sound a bit brighter, I wonder if the R9 style wiring might change that.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Try sonic fixxes one at a time. Start with wiring harness first. Good high quality 500k pots and maybe .015 cap for neck pup and .022 for bridge. Personally, I prefer modern wiring, as I don't care for the tone shifts of interactive controls. Go with what works for you.

Then evaluate what your pickups do and correct if needed. When I need more brightness, I adjust my amp. BB pups never struck me as dark, but that's just me. I have CBs in two of my Historics and like them very much, but not all of my pals feel the same and a few dislike them strongly. Everyone tries to push their own favorites like it's some kinda religion. Your guitar, your rig, your sound. Be honest and true to your NEEDS, make sure it's pups that need changing and especially know your amp.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,950
Is religion a bad thing?

BetchaIcanbeatchaindominooooos...
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Coachmoe

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2002
Messages
1,139
I have a 21 50’s Goldtop and here’s what I did to it. Installed Gibson Historic pickup rings and aged the switch washer. Pulled all of the wiring and plate and replaced with TAOT CTS 500k pots, Luxe .022 Bumblebees, Switchcraft jack. Wired it exactly like my 04 R9. Also replaced the 57 Classics with ThroBak SLE 101’s. Added pointers under the knobs and a Creamtone Pickguard and jackplate. Also used the Faber nserts to replace the Nashville style ABR1 mounting inserts. Did a light relic to all the nickel parts. Put it next to my friend’s R7 Goldtop, they look like twins. I like the Throbaks, have them in my R9. Great pickups in my opinion. It works for me.
 
Last edited:

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
I have a 21 50’s Goldtop and here’s what I did to it. Installed Gibson Historic pickup rings and aged the switch washer. Pulled all of the wiring and plate and replaced with TAOT CTS 500k pots, Luxe .022 Bumblebees, Switchcraft jack. Wired it exactly like my 04 R9. Also replaced the 57 Classics with ThroBak SLE 101’s. Added pointers under the knobs and a Creamtone Pickguard and jackplate. Also used the Faber nserts to replace the Nashville style ABR1 mounting inserts. Did a light relic to all the nickel parts. Put it next to my friend’s R7 Goldtop, they look like twins. I like the Throbaks, have them in my R9. Great pickups in my opinion. It works for me.
Very nice, good job.
 

Old School

Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2017
Messages
48
Try sonic fixxes one at a time. Start with wiring harness first. Good high quality 500k pots and maybe .015 cap for neck pup and .022 for bridge. Personally, I prefer modern wiring, as I don't care for the tone shifts of interactive controls. Go with what works for you.

Then evaluate what your pickups do and correct if needed. When I need more brightness, I adjust my amp. BB pups never struck me as dark, but that's just me. I have CBs in two of my Historics and like them very much, but not all of my pals feel the same and a few dislike them strongly. Everyone tries to push their own favorites like it's some kinda religion. Your guitar, your rig, your sound. Be honest and true to your NEEDS, make sure it's pups that need changing and especially know your amp.
I reckon something with wiring, possibly pots if anything.
 
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