70's Ibanez Byrdland copy replacement pickup question.

[holdgaj]

I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and
is comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does
anyone have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like
single coil - in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge
pickup. I'm considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a
collectable guitar like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.

Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

[Pat Smith]

Byrdlands are quacky because of the scale length. I doubt replacing the
pickups will do much. That, I think, is the reason that even Hank
Garland didn't play jazz on one. But they sure are easy to play. The
only famous Byrdland picker I can think of is Ted Nugent.

PS I used to have quite a nice one back in the 70's, but I, like Nugent
played rock on it.
Best of luck

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and
is comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does
anyone have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like
single coil - in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge
pickup. I'm considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a
collectable guitar like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

[o***@hotmail.com]

Anthony Wilson with Diana Krall Live in Paris plays a Byrdland, sounds
Very Nice.
Bg

[g***@hotmail.com]

ibanez byrdlands are not byrdland scale length....they are bigger at
24.75. the pickup will certainly help.

[Pat Smith]

ah, then it shouldn't be a problem. Funny to make a copy that isn't
quite a copy. My favorite humbuckers are made by Tom Holmes in TN, they
are expensive. Other nice pups include Duncan Antiquity, DiMarzio Air
Classic, Fralin, and the Bartolini Tuck Andruss model.

Post by g***@hotmail.com
ibanez byrdlands are not byrdland scale length....they are bigger at
24.75. the pickup will certainly help.

[sri883]

Great guitar. I've got a 1976 Ibanez Byrdland and mine was very bright also.
I installed Gibson Classic 57's and she sounds so much better. Still a
little bright as mentioned because of scale. Anthony Wilson plays a Byrdland
(Gibson) and gets a great tone (tub amp?).

Dan

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and is
comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does anyone
have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like single coil -
in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge pickup. I'm
considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a collectable guitar
like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

[thom_j.]

Post by holdgaj
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

Did you experiment with different type strings yet? curious tee'..

[Mark Guest]

I'd try lowering the PU's before replacing them.

Mark Guest
Jazz at MarkGuest dot net
www.soundclick.com/bands/3/markguestjazztriomusic.htm

[JAS]

I would advise having your setup checked out by a qualified technician
first. Any guitar will quack if the strings are too low, pickups too high,
or other trlated problem.
Check string height and neck tension etc. Change the pickups only after
everything else checks out ok.
I've "overadjusted" a guitar or two myself in the past and produced a nice
quack on fine archtops and strats alike.
Once I replaced the pickups on a guitar and wound up with a loud quack. I
lowered the pickups a little, and raised the string height back to the
original setting.
That fixed the quack. Just some input for you.
JAS

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and is
comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does anyone
have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like single coil -
in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge pickup. I'm
considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a collectable guitar
like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

[dunlop212]

Jackie King is a Byrdland player.

[holdgaj]

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and
is comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does
anyone have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like
single coil - in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge
pickup. I'm considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a
collectable guitar like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

Thanks all, for helpful info. Some responses to the various questions
raised. The Ibanez byrdland came in two scales lenghts 23.5" & 24.75. I
have the latter. I'm using Thomastic swing strings - which have the most
mellow non bright tone I know of. I have lowered the pickups in the body
as far as is feasible - still sounds bright.

Where do I get the Gibson 57's from - do Gibson sell them or do I have
to look for a used pair ? Any views on the Duncan antiquity pickups ?
Anyone used them ?

[sri883]

My luthier installed the Classic 57's on my Byrdland and I believe you can
pick them up from any Gibson dealer, that's if you can find a dealer now
that Gibson is pulling out of the accessories department. I see many on Ebay
for a cheaper price than retail. I think you'll like the 57's.

Dan

Post by holdgaj

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well, and
is comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean really
bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar. Does
anyone have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound like
single coil - in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge pickup.
I'm considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a collectable
guitar like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for a
warm full dark Jazz tone.

Thanks all, for helpful info. Some responses to the various questions
raised. The Ibanez byrdland came in two scales lenghts 23.5" & 24.75. I
have the latter. I'm using Thomastic swing strings - which have the most
mellow non bright tone I know of. I have lowered the pickups in the body
as far as is feasible - still sounds bright.
Where do I get the Gibson 57's from - do Gibson sell them or do I have to
look for a used pair ? Any views on the Duncan antiquity pickups ? Anyone
used them ?

[Pataud]

Post by holdgaj

Post by holdgaj
I recently bought an early 70's Ibanez Byrdland copy, which is a
beautifully made copy of the Gibson Byrdland. It plays really well,
and is comfortable to hold. Only problem is it sounds really & I mean
really bright, even with the tone rolled off on the amp & the guitar.
Does anyone have any idea what pickups this guitar has - they sound
like single coil - in fact the thing quacks like a strat on the bridge
pickup. I'm considering replacing the pickups - a shame I know for a
collectable guitar like this, but I bought it to play it, not look at it.
Any suggestions for a suitable replacement pickup set. I'm looking for
a warm full dark Jazz tone.

Thanks all, for helpful info. Some responses to the various questions
raised. The Ibanez byrdland came in two scales lenghts 23.5" & 24.75. I
have the latter. I'm using Thomastic swing strings - which have the most
mellow non bright tone I know of. I have lowered the pickups in the body
as far as is feasible - still sounds bright.
Where do I get the Gibson 57's from - do Gibson sell them or do I have
to look for a used pair ? Any views on the Duncan antiquity pickups ?
Anyone used them ?

Perhaps have the capacitor in the tone circuit changed to a different
value to darken the sound a bit?

If I recall correctly a larger value capacitor will do this...if I'm
wrong on this I'm sure one of the resident experts will correct me.

Or you could use a really long patch cord for a similar effect ;)