Humbucker Feedback

[passfan]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that the older PAF's from Gibson fed back because they didn't have the wax potting. Does anyone know anything about the history of that. I picked up a Les Paul with some heavily tarnished nickle humbuckers and they feed back like mad when I crank my Komet 60. My other Les Paul with burstbuckers doesn't feed back and has a hotter output than these nickle ones. Tonewise they're close , with the nickle ones having a slightly grittier edge with just a colder output ....and feedback at higher volumes.

[Reeltarded]

Some squeal, some don't. I have a couple pretty hot ones that don't, and some not as hot ones that do, but it takes more gain than any straight vintage amp.

They weren't potted.

What are the pickups you have there? Even my newer sets of Duncans (JBs, Pearlys, Ants, and '59s) do bad things. Funny how the older sets with JBs do not squeal a bit with fantastic amounts of gain. I think it's time I look for a new pickup to love.

[passfan]

Well I don't exactly know. I was told they were burstbuckers. They measure 8.3 and 8.5 K respectively. I can't remember if they have a PAF sticker or not. They came in a 98 LP and I don't believe they are stock for the year. I am at least the third owner.

[alvarezh]

Burstbuckers are not potted. I have Burstbuckers Pros on my LP, they are potted and in my case, they do not squeal.

My PRS has Seth Lovers, they are not potted, they do squeal.

Just my 2 cents.

All the best.

[ampgeek]

Although not PAFs, my 72 Les Paul Deluxe started squealing, little by little about 5 years ago. I had been playing it for all those years in high gain amp applications with no problems. So...I assumed that it had something to do with the aging process. I replaced them with Seymour Duncans and it sounds great to my ears.

I just recently acquired a 74 LP Custom with original pickups and they squealed in a big way in high gain territory. I replaced them with SD Pearly Gates and really like them too.

Still makes me wonder if the magnets loosen up with time somehow.

Cheers,
Dave O.

[Reeltarded]

The windings move.. they loosen up from things like one wrap being oriented more diagonal, then vibration over the years allow that bit to move, allowing that coil to lose it's mind as it passes sweet mojo into banshee mating season.

Modern pickups that squeal are usually the manufacturer trying to wind the pickup without as much tension to get mojo early on, maybe even out of the box. I prefer them to function properly. A great PAF is about as rare as a great anything electronic anyhow. Tons of folklore, and piles of mediocre sounding pickups.

[passfan]

Owner # 2 installed the nickles from a guy on TGP . They are burstbuckers. I'm starting to see the light thanks to all the good replies. Good info here , thanks. The banshee comment had me spitting coffee. Has anyone tried Parsons Streets from Stew Mac ?

[Reeltarded]

heh! do not waste coffee..

Haven't tried those, but I have been told by people whom I love and trust that Motor City pickups are fantastic. I dunno anything about them though. Maybe I should. They sound great on recordings.