Gibson Burstbucker #3

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$134.00 to $149.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (2)

1 Review

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Page last updated Jul 01, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 1, 2026.

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5.0 (6)

$149.00 2 available New

$110.00 3 available Used

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4.6 (38)

$135.00 $134.00 $1.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $131

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, Gibson Burstbucker #3 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson Burstbucker #3". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 23, 2026.

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Description

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Enter the realm of classic rock and blues with the Gibson Burstbucker #3. This humbucker pickup holds within it the spirit of the original PAF by Seth Lover, bringing an authentic vintage touch to your music. With its roots in iconic Gibson guitars, this pickup lends itself to versatility and rich, nuanced tones.

The Burstbucker #3 is not just another humbucker. It's a tribute to the golden age of music, an homage to the wide range of tones and outputs of the early PAFs; the heart of legendary guitars like the Les Paul, SG, and ES series. It's not a screamer, it's a singer, offering you the ability to express your musical voice like never before.

The Burstbucker #3 carries a significantly higher output than its predecessors, the #1 and #2 models, while still preserving the distinctive vintage PAF sound that musicians crave. It's an excellent choice for lead pickup, and can be effectively paired with a #1 or #2 at the neck for a harmonious blend of tones.

Key Features:

BurstBucker - the successor to the 57 Classic humbucker
Comes with a higher output
Nickel Cover

Product specs

Available since	March 2003
Active	No
Wiring	2-Conductor
Output	High
Cap	Yes
Colour	Nickel
Position	Bridge

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Gibson Burstbucker #3 pickup?: The Gibson Burstbucker #3 is known for its high output and is overwound, making it ideal for achieving a hot, aggressive tone, particularly suited for the bridge position. It captures the classic humbucker sound with a modern edge, perfect for rock and blues.
Is the Gibson Burstbucker #3 suitable for the bridge position?: Yes, the Gibson Burstbucker #3 is specifically designed for the bridge position due to its high output and overwound design, which delivers a powerful and dynamic sound.
Does the Gibson Burstbucker #3 pickup come wax-potted?: Yes, the Gibson Burstbucker #3 is wax-potted, which helps reduce microphonic feedback and enhances performance at higher volumes.
What type of magnet is used in the Gibson Burstbucker #3?: The Gibson Burstbucker #3 uses Alnico II magnets, known for their warm and vintage tonal characteristics, contributing to the pickup's classic humbucker sound.
Is the Gibson Burstbucker #3 a humbucker pickup?: Yes, the Gibson Burstbucker #3 is a humbucker pickup, designed to replicate the classic humbucker tones with modern features like being overwound for higher output.

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Gibson Pickups: Burstbucker 3, Burstbucker Pro, '57 Classic

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Reviews

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PROS

Versatile sound profile, from vintage rock to modern tones
Airy, open tone with clear mids and precise highs
Easily produces harmonics and powerful palm mutes
Great feedback control with gain at low volume
Ideal for both high-gain settings and clean, crystal-clear tones
Asymmetrical coil winding provides signature "single coil" bite
Overwound for increased output and fuller sound
Excellent for coil-splitting for additional tonal variety
Highly recommended for upgrading Epiphone guitars
Suitable for multiple genres, from blues to heavy metal

CONS

Not wax potted, which may cause microphonic feedback at high volumes
Can be challenging to control at high volumes
May lack the warmth and brightness of true vintage PAFs
Slightly one-dimensional, better suited for specific tones
Less versatile compared to some other high-end pickups like Seymour Duncan

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Burstbucker #3.

Features and functionality

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The Gibson Burstbucker #3 is known for its slightly hotter output compared to other Burstbuckers, making it suitable for achieving punchier rock tones.
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ES-335s have a center block under the bridge, which minimizes the semi-hollow body’s impact on tone compared to fully hollow guitars.
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Comparisons

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Users suggest the Burstbucker #3's tone is closer to a late '60s Gibson T-Top, preferred by players seeking a sharper, more aggressive sound reminiscent of that era.
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Some owners suggest considering Seymour Duncan JBs for versatility in rock and heavy metal, indicating their wide popularity and usage in these genres.
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Burstbuckers are described as hotter and spikier than 57 Classics, with the latter being favored by some for a smoother sound.
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Use cases and applications

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It's noted that Burstbucker #3 pickups excel in delivering tones ideal for classic rock and blues, closely aligning with Led Zeppelin's sound.
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Dave Grohl’s signature model ES-335 uses regular Burstbuckers, tying its sound closely to his rock style, suitable for players seeking similar tones.
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Some players prefer the overdrive tone of the Epiphone's neck pickup, indicating a unique tonal character even compared to the Gibson.
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User experience

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Some owners mention that while Burstbuckers can sound twangy on Epiphone guitars, they deliver a fuller, more authentic tone on proper Gibson models.
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Owners report that the neck on Epiphone Bonamassa Signature models is significantly larger than the Gibson Les Paul Traditional, affecting playability preferences.
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Mods and upgrades

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Switching to Seymour Duncan Phat Cats can provide a P-90ish sound, adding tonal variety to guitars like the ES-335.
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Potential for further upgrading Epiphones with improved electronics and wiring for less than $100, enhancing sound quality closer to Gibson standards.
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Build quality

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Epiphone Bonamassa Signature models use solid mahogany bodies, distinct from cheaper Epiphone models that may use plywood.
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Value and pricing

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The Epiphone Bonamassa Signature with factory-installed Burstbuckers offers a cost-effective alternative to Gibson, being significantly cheaper with a price around $650.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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aceflibble

271

over 7 years ago

Top all-rounder

The Gibson Burstbucker PAF-style humbucker with asymmetrical coils and an AlNiCo II magnet. The #3 variation is the 'overwound' model. When installed as the 'stock' pickup in a guitar it comes wax potted; when sold separately it is not wax potted. Gibson mostly use these in a few Artist signature models as well as some Custom Shop models, though they have been used in a couple of production guitars and even two Epiphones. I've had them in four guitars now—two Les Pauls, one Telecaster Delxue and one Telecaster Thinline—and they have become my 'default' pickup. If I either need a versatile tone or I simply don't know what tone I want, I reach for one of the guitars with a BurstBucker #3 in. Three of these guitars have the BurstBucker #3 at the bridge, where it is mostly intended for, and one uses it at the neck. In the bridge it is simply an extremely flexible humbucker. It produces more output than its specification suggests, especially clearer bass and more treble (due to the coils being mismatched). Side-by-side it roughly matches a Seymour Duncan JB in terms of plain volume, though of course the EQ balance is very different. Because it has more treble and bass than most PAF-style humbuckers, but less than very modern pickups, it can do high-gain and low tunings better than vintage-style pickups while also doing blues and country better than modern humbuckers.
Though a totally clean amp with the EQ set completely flat, the BurstBucker #3 has the tonal balance of a warm and thick P90, with slightly softer attack and less compression. With low gain it sounds similar to a minibucker as found in some Les Paul Deluxe guitars. Under medium gain you can't tell the difference between it and a standard rock humbucker like a SD Custom or DM PAF Pro. With high gain the EQ balance sounds like a halfway point between a DiMarzio Super Distortion and Tone Zone, but still with more restrained output. In the neck position with a fairly cranked mid-gain amp it does a fantastic Carlos Santana impression.

If you want the most bass, this is not the pickup for you. If you want the most treble, it's not for you. If you want the most mids or the least mids, it's not for you. If you want the highest or lowest output, it's not for you. If you want an all-rounder which sounds at home in any guitar and can be used for blues one night and heavy metal the next, get a BurstBucker #3.