What Burstbuckers Does Dave grohl Use?

kyle.tricarico

I have surfed the Internet hundreds of times over and can't decide whether Dave grohl uses type 1&2 Gibson USA humbuckers or type 2&3 Gibson USA humbuckers, does anyone know for sure? If so what are some good places to purchase these pickups and what exact specs should I be looking for with these pickups?

olafgarten

I think he uses Burstbucker 2 and 3's, these are in his signature guitar. 

Nerine

I'm genuinely unsure why this is a question. Don't get me wrong. Good songwriter. But I can't ever remember listening to any Foo Fighters track and thinking "Killer guitar tone!!!" 

It's the parts that work. Not the sounds in this case. 

Apologies. That comes across as a bit narky, but he has probably used so many different guitars on FF albums that it's largely irrelevant. 

Plus. Flame jacket on, no FF album sounds GREAT. The songs are good. Which gives the illusion of it sounding great. 

Its a classic scenario. 

Would you rather listen to an average mix of the best song ever, or a masterfully mixed and produced, perfect production of the biggest pile of dog shit song in the world? 

Genuinely, (and I'm a bit pissed, granted) I can't ever recall DG having a killer guitar sound on record. 

Possibly because it's mainly about what works for the song. And he knows that. So whatever works.  

Deijavoo

I enjoyed the first record and parts of the second one. I enjoyed the sounds of the guitars on the songs I enjoyed. 

Goes to show you are right I guess. Less so with Sunny Day Real Estate though obviously. Terrible recorded sounds, mint records. 

Maybe good basslines/tones is the key.

kyle.tricarico

You are right @Nerine, he doesn't have a 'killer' guitar tone but it's the songs he writes that make the foo fighters large, learning some of their songs you realise how music smart he is, but, I'm getting a chibson DG 335 so I want to know what pickups he uses so I can get the same sound, becaus personally, the DG335 does sound pretty damn good. I guess it's just a matter of opinion

impmann

Whatever pickups were fitted to a mid 60s Trini Lopez.

Seriously, I wouldn't get hung up about it - a pair of lowish wind "paf" type pickups will get you there.

Nunogilberto

Ones that have a deep, throaty Grohl at low volumes

lustycourtier

Is his guitar even plugged in live?

capo4th

Love how someone can diss one of the most successful guitarists / bands of the last 30 years on an Internet forum.

May I suggest Nerine that you upgrade your hifi equipment /speakers /headphones.....

Or visit your GP and have your ears cleaned.

To the OP a 335 with Lollartrons sounds pretty Grohl like to my ears. Easy tones to replicate.

MtB

There's some info in a thread in the "Parts" classifieds, page 2 titled "Burstbuckers wanted" that might help you.

stickyfiddle

On record it's usually a Trini Lopez, which means late 60's "Patent No" hum buckers, so any PAF-alike will get you close. Live it's Burstbuckers which are basically a hot PAF, so that's what you want to look for. 

I wouldn't get too hung up on the specific pickups as long as they're roughly the right flavour.

MattFGBI

Personally I really like the FF guitar tones. Its generally a nice, thick crunchy sound with clarity. I also think their stuff is recorded and engineered very well. 

lustycourtier

capo4th said:

Love how someone can diss one of the most successful guitarists / bands of the last 30 years on an Internet forum.

Surely the same as someone hating on millions of dogs into one bad experience?

kyle.tricarico

Ik that I need some burstbucker pickups for the guitar, I just wasn't sure whether to go for really hot pickups (being type 2&3) or warmer pickups (being type 1&2). Which one would be the safer more versatile one is more what I'm looking for, 2&3 might be too grungy and too much output. And whatever ones I do buy, does it have to have the Gibson USA symbol on the back or are any PAF pickups that are advertised as USA Gibson alright to purchase?

danban

Personally I'd go for Gibson 57 Classic's, which I favour more than the burstbuckers

kyle.tricarico

Same foo fighters sound though? @danban ;

danban

It all depends what amp and pedal setup your using too

danban

I currently play in a foo fighters tribute band

Bridgehouse

I reckon he uses a pair of Vic Firth 6b's..

danban

I reckon 2b's

kyle.tricarico

Ik for a fact Dave grohl uses Burstbucker pickups, I just want ant to know if I should be looking at the high output set up being type 2&3 or the warmer setup being type 1&2. I'm using a fender mustang III V2 and pedal wise I only have a Boss DS-1, I'm wondering if the 2&3 setup is too high? or is it?