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Author Topic: Gibson T-Top  (Read 12128 times)

jjcharvel

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Gibson T-Top
« on: March 07, 2013, 05:56:38 PM »
Is there a Bareknuckle Pu that sounds close to the 70s Gibson T-Top model ?
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HTH AMPS

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2013, 06:48:02 PM »
Riff Raff
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BigMacFullerton

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2013, 06:48:44 PM »
 I am kind of lookiing for the same thing.I have a '78 gibson les paul custom with T-Tops that feedback horribly at high volume.From what I'm hearing from people on this site and you tube clips I'm thinking either emeralds or riff raffs or maybe even rebel yells if you wanna go a little more modern.
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Philly Q

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2013, 06:56:43 PM »
For a while BKP were actually making a T-Top model which I believe was under consideration to enter the general product line, but as far as I know it's not available any more.  I think gwEm and/or Phil King have them.

But yeah, I agree with HTH - Riff Raff is definitely the nearest equivalent.
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richard

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2013, 07:19:43 PM »
I had a T-Top in the bridge of an SG many years ago and it sounded awful - thin and screechy. Gave it to a friend who stuck it in a cheap Squier Strat and it sounded amazing. Just thought I'd mention that. 
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Marco78

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2013, 07:28:50 PM »
Quote from: Philly Q on March 07, 2013, 06:56:43 PM
For a while BKP were actually making a T-Top model which I believe was under consideration to enter the general product line, but as far as I know it's not available any more.  I think gwEm and/or Phil King have them.

But yeah, I agree with HTH - Riff Raff is definitely the nearest equivalent.

What was the name of this pickups?
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ericsabbath

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2013, 09:51:43 PM »
yeah, Tim made a t-top replica for a while, but honestly, I don't see the point
the riff raff is a much superior pup than the gibson t-top or the original 70's dimarzio PAF, which was also a t-top replica
the riff raff is more full sounding and bright without getting fizzy
and it also handles any amount of gain beautifully, unlike any gibson pickup is able to do

the early 80's gibson tim shaw is a little warmer than the riff raff, but doesn't handle gain well, in my experience
I'd pick the mule for that warmer character, although it still keeps lots of clarity, but the stormy monday might be a little closer tone and outputwise (compared to the tim shaws, not the t-top)
« Last Edit: March 08, 2013, 02:43:18 AM by Eric Hellstyle »
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Philly Q

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #7 on: March 07, 2013, 10:43:09 PM »
Quote from: Marco78 on March 07, 2013, 07:28:50 PM
Quote from: Philly Q on March 07, 2013, 06:56:43 PM
For a while BKP were actually making a T-Top model which I believe was under consideration to enter the general product line, but as far as I know it's not available any more.  I think gwEm and/or Phil King have them.

But yeah, I agree with HTH - Riff Raff is definitely the nearest equivalent.

What was the name of this pickups?

T-Top!  Nothing clever this time.
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gwEm

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2013, 08:35:15 AM »
Riff Raff is the answer here.

I'm not sure that tim's t-top was ever in actual contention to join the product line, I thought it was just something he did for a few people. I got a set after trying a guitar belonging to philking with them in. I like my set, it's rather mellow in terms of output which seems to bring out some lovely subtleties in terms of tone, I like it for jazz for example.

Now that the honeymoon period is over though, I would say the Riff Raff has all the qualities one normally associates with a 70s Gibson t-top guitar when used for hard rock, and would definitely be better in that application as it has just enough extra push and bite. As Eric points out, the Riff Raff can handle a load of gain too, though this is more than the crunch or gain I usually use myself which t-tops are fine with.

I also have a 79 V with a real set of t-tops and another V with an old dimarzio PAF. The BKP t-tops sound almost identical to the Gibson originals, I would say the BKP ones might have a but more richness to them, but its very hard to be sure. The Dimarzio PAF doesn't sound as good as either pickup I think, it's nasally in the mids and not as well made - brass baseplate etc.
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you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

gwEm

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2013, 08:36:24 AM »
Quote from: BigMacFullerton on March 07, 2013, 06:48:44 PM
I am kind of lookiing for the same thing.I have a '78 gibson les paul custom with T-Tops that feedback horribly at high volume.

T-tops weren't wax potted from the factory. Doing this will fix the feedback.
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

FELINEGUITARS

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2013, 11:01:24 AM »
+1 to fixing feedback issues with a careful wax dipping
I offer this service ....as do BKP

We tend to also wax pot any secondhand pickups that we sell on ...just for giving the new owner assurance that it'll be as good as that pickup can be.
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jjcharvel

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2013, 04:58:45 PM »
THANX for all the answers, guys  :D
I decided to take the Riff Raff
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gwEm

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2013, 05:32:04 PM »
Hope they do the biz!
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

Marco78

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2013, 10:25:06 AM »
Aren't T-Top made with poly wire? Riff raff have PE wire... so should be different for real T-top...
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ericsabbath

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Re: Gibson T-Top
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2013, 10:53:16 PM »
Quote from: Marco78 on November 01, 2013, 10:25:06 AM
Aren't T-Top made with poly wire? Riff raff have PE wire... so should be different for real T-top...

yes they were
the riff raff is based on the early 60's PAF, not on the t-top
I don't think there's a 42 awg poly wire model on the bkp line (except the custom order t-top clone)
the neck HD, neck CS and the BD set are 42.5 poly
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