• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Gibson's Bumblees question

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Are the bumblebee caps Gibson's using these days in their Historics still the ceramics all dressed up or are they actual PIO.
 

Xpensive Wino

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
6,079
Are the bumblebee caps Gibson's using these days in their Historics still the ceramics all dressed up or are they actual PIO.

My understanding is that any resemblance between today's Bumblebees and the originals is coincidental (cosmetic) at this point.

How's your Italian?

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XeVk_OLqLOg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
I don't speak Italian but it looked like a PIO cap they pulled out of that Bee.
 

duaneflowers

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2013
Messages
2,522
Inside the "Bees" are Wesco 32PL Caps... which are Polypropylene Film Capacitors... not PIO. original Bees were PIO.
 

gmann

Well-known member
Joined
May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Inside the "Bees" are Wesco 32PL Caps... which are Polypropylene Film Capacitors... not PIO. original Bees were PIO.

I wrote that down and was gonna Google them. So, not PIO but not ceramic. Good to know. Thanks,
 

DoctorMO

New member
Joined
Mar 4, 2009
Messages
597
Original Bees are mylar A dupont name for a substance they produced . 160 P Black Beaties are the same as the original bees except no bee markings and the little opening in the cap where an oil was injected is sealed in the Black Beaties. To my ears the new bees (westco) roll of treble efficiently without changing other frequences. With the originals as you roll off the treble the other frequences (besides treble) are changed and it produces sort of a vague hollow sounding effect.Many will tell you that this is just in the Doctors head and he is confused from playing too many loud Marshall Amps but you better listen, the doctor knows best.
 

Joe Boy

New member
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
515
Very good question. I've always wondered this as well as so many for sale adds state bumble bees or they will show the little tag included in the case candy. Lentz pointed out the size difference as the originals are much larger.

So what's the deal are they fake or not? I had mine replaced.
 
Top