'57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
I had one of those guitars, and I do regret selling it. 490 pickups, right? If we're talking about the same thing, then switching to a '57+ (or even a regular '57) is pointless, as they are nearly identical in tone to a 490T. When I had that guitar, I also had a MIJ Epi (Fujigen) with a '57 and '57+ set, and a '68 Standard with the stock pickups. All three guitars sounded identical for all real-world intents and purposes.
I had one of those guitars, and I do regret selling it. 490 pickups, right? If we're talking about the same thing, then switching to a '57+ (or even a regular '57) is pointless, as they are nearly identical in tone to a 490T. When I had that guitar, I also had a MIJ Epi (Fujigen) with a '57 and '57+ set, and a '68 Standard with the stock pickups. All three guitars sounded identical for all real-world intents and purposes.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
In the guitars I've had 57s in (a 335, a 175 and sg standard - also a strat and a recording king resonator), I've been keen to replace them ASAP. In each of those axes i found them to be lacking low end and simultaneously lacking in treble detail. I'm not a fan. Some people like that honking midrange sound, but even for that sound i reckon there are better pickups.
The real question is: what kind of sounds are you hoping to get with your sg? What amp are you using? What reference tones are you wanting to approximate (eg duane allman, angus young, derek trucks, earl hooker, john mclaughlin, frank zappa etc)
If you can give us this info, then I' sure the forum will be able to point you in the right direction for pickups.
fwiw...the pickup i have in my sg bridge is a custom custom, and while the custom is very popular for SG's around here, a lot of people say to steer clear of alnico 2 based pickups. However, the more i use it, the more i like it. It wails for slide playing.
In the guitars I've had 57s in (a 335, a 175 and sg standard - also a strat and a recording king resonator), I've been keen to replace them ASAP. In each of those axes i found them to be lacking low end and simultaneously lacking in treble detail. I'm not a fan. Some people like that honking midrange sound, but even for that sound i reckon there are better pickups.
The real question is: what kind of sounds are you hoping to get with your sg? What amp are you using? What reference tones are you wanting to approximate (eg duane allman, angus young, derek trucks, earl hooker, john mclaughlin, frank zappa etc)
If you can give us this info, then I' sure the forum will be able to point you in the right direction for pickups.
fwiw...the pickup i have in my sg bridge is a custom custom, and while the custom is very popular for SG's around here, a lot of people say to steer clear of alnico 2 based pickups. However, the more i use it, the more i like it. It wails for slide playing.
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Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
oop....my bad i just reread your thread and saw "classic plus". I have to apologize....ive never tried the " classic plus" model of the 57.
oop....my bad i just reread your thread and saw "classic plus". I have to apologize....ive never tried the " classic plus" model of the 57.
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
I play hard rock/blues rock, and I'm looking for a warm tone... I don't want it to be too bright or to open! I asked in several forums before, and I was suggested to consider the '57 classic in the bridge... What are my reference tones? That's an hard question to answer... I'll go with Eric Clapton (Cream era), but I also like hard rock tunes (mostly '70 hard rock tunes).
I play hard rock/blues rock, and I'm looking for a warm tone... I don't want it to be too bright or to open! I asked in several forums before, and I was suggested to consider the '57 classic in the bridge... What are my reference tones? That's an hard question to answer... I'll go with Eric Clapton (Cream era), but I also like hard rock tunes (mostly '70 hard rock tunes).
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
then im gonna say custom custom will deliver those tones. Fat, mean, warm and not too bright. Great for harder rock and will also deliver the clapton "woman tone" heard on those cream records easily because the chunky wind means it holds together and stays strong even when you roll the tone back. It also sounds great all the way through the taper of the volume control so you get a lot of versatility from vintage warm tones to face melting 70s rock.
then im gonna say custom custom will deliver those tones. Fat, mean, warm and not too bright. Great for harder rock and will also deliver the clapton "woman tone" heard on those cream records easily because the chunky wind means it holds together and stays strong even when you roll the tone back. It also sounds great all the way through the taper of the volume control so you get a lot of versatility from vintage warm tones to face melting 70s rock.
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
I'd almost say the 57+ would be a step backward. Warm, but with an annoying treble bite on top. Impossible to dial out either without causing problems with the other.
Above advice is good, but if you want something inbetween then the c/59 hybrid would also be worth considering.
I'd almost say the 57+ would be a step backward. Warm, but with an annoying treble bite on top. Impossible to dial out either without causing problems with the other.
Above advice is good, but if you want something inbetween then the c/59 hybrid would also be worth considering.
allbutromeo
Well-known member
Re: '57 classic plus (bridge) in a Gibson Sg SPecial Faded: opinions?
I tried one in mine and it was meh, not really much different than the 490, a little brighter/thinner sounding. I now use a Demon, but that's not really what you're looking for, maybe a WLH set, or A2pros, 59b also work pretty well in SGs they don't have the boominess that they get in most Les Pauls.
I tried one in mine and it was meh, not really much different than the 490, a little brighter/thinner sounding. I now use a Demon, but that's not really what you're looking for, maybe a WLH set, or A2pros, 59b also work pretty well in SGs they don't have the boominess that they get in most Les Pauls.
