Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
- Thread starter K.E.B.
- Start date
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
'equivalent' is a difficult word to describe this pickup to that pickup ...
can you tell us more about what you don't like about the current pickups that you hope replacements will provide? can you tell us more about what you like about the current pickups that you hope to retain and improve upon?
can you tell us the kind of music you play and the type of tone you want to get? ... maybe an example of an artist who's tone you think is close to what you are going for?
all that said, in a semi hollow like that, it is hard to beat a set of seth lovers or a set of antiquities
good luck
t4d
'equivalent' is a difficult word to describe this pickup to that pickup ...
can you tell us more about what you don't like about the current pickups that you hope replacements will provide? can you tell us more about what you like about the current pickups that you hope to retain and improve upon?
can you tell us the kind of music you play and the type of tone you want to get? ... maybe an example of an artist who's tone you think is close to what you are going for?
all that said, in a semi hollow like that, it is hard to beat a set of seth lovers or a set of antiquities
good luck
t4d
Last edited:
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Exactly. There's really not anything out there that sounds like it. They're not bad pickups really. Their biggest issue is they are so heavily wax potted that they have the blanket over the speaker effect going on.
I took the ones from my LP, removed the covers and then removed all the wax. The only parts of the pickup that are wax potted are the coils. It made a difference. The blanket is removed, they're clearer and there's a little bit more presence. I'm not using them right now but every so often I'll toss them back in the guitar just for the heck of it. I need to reattach the covers tightly though and put some tape between them and the slug coils. They're a little microphonic with them on otherwise.
Exactly. There's really not anything out there that sounds like it. They're not bad pickups really. Their biggest issue is they are so heavily wax potted that they have the blanket over the speaker effect going on.
I took the ones from my LP, removed the covers and then removed all the wax. The only parts of the pickup that are wax potted are the coils. It made a difference. The blanket is removed, they're clearer and there's a little bit more presence. I'm not using them right now but every so often I'll toss them back in the guitar just for the heck of it. I need to reattach the covers tightly though and put some tape between them and the slug coils. They're a little microphonic with them on otherwise.
K.E.B.
New member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Lacking clarity, wet blanket overall sounding seems to describe these pickups. I can see how removing the covers and wax would produce a clearer tone.
I play folk, blues and classic rock. I will steer clear of the JB/59 or 59/C5 combo because I'm really not interested in achieving the same type of sound these 57s are trying to achieve. After first considering Seths, then Jazz, then Pearly Gates, I've come way around and think I now want Phat Cats. I've always loved SRVs sound as well as Clapton with Blackie. I like most of Bob Dylan's stuff too, especially his most recent. I'm just not a Strat guy. Jimmy Hendrix is an influence. Bruce ****burn is one of my favorite musicians. The Beatles of course have some tones I like. My goal is not to emulate these artists; it's more to give it my own flavor without straying too far from the tones. I like the acoustic properties of the 335 style as well as the bridge/tailpiece setup. The shape is also more comfortable for me than a Strat.
I’ve started a Phat Cat thread requesting some sound clips from a 335 style guitar. I did check out Bill Frisell’s website. I found his name under the Phat Cat description about who uses this pickup. He has samples that really got me excited. That woody clarity with edgy tone is what I'm looking for.
I’ve been reading this site quite a bit before posting and really appreciate the replies here. This is an excellent community with valuable knowledge. Thanks!
Right. Equivalent is really not the right word. It's more along the lines of - What was Epiphone going for with the 57s and what did Seymour produce along that line.
Lacking clarity, wet blanket overall sounding seems to describe these pickups. I can see how removing the covers and wax would produce a clearer tone.
I play folk, blues and classic rock. I will steer clear of the JB/59 or 59/C5 combo because I'm really not interested in achieving the same type of sound these 57s are trying to achieve. After first considering Seths, then Jazz, then Pearly Gates, I've come way around and think I now want Phat Cats. I've always loved SRVs sound as well as Clapton with Blackie. I like most of Bob Dylan's stuff too, especially his most recent. I'm just not a Strat guy. Jimmy Hendrix is an influence. Bruce ****burn is one of my favorite musicians. The Beatles of course have some tones I like. My goal is not to emulate these artists; it's more to give it my own flavor without straying too far from the tones. I like the acoustic properties of the 335 style as well as the bridge/tailpiece setup. The shape is also more comfortable for me than a Strat.
I’ve started a Phat Cat thread requesting some sound clips from a 335 style guitar. I did check out Bill Frisell’s website. I found his name under the Phat Cat description about who uses this pickup. He has samples that really got me excited. That woody clarity with edgy tone is what I'm looking for.
I’ve been reading this site quite a bit before posting and really appreciate the replies here. This is an excellent community with valuable knowledge. Thanks!
Push to Shuv
New member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
The JB and C5 guesses are way off as the Dots come with the Epi 57s in BOTH bridge AND neck as he rightfully stated in the first post.
Not to be the party pooper, I just love Epis
I havent tried the seths but i think you would be happy with the Pearly Gates, Phat Cats, or the Jazz. That is also in the order that i most like them.
The JB and C5 guesses are way off as the Dots come with the Epi 57s in BOTH bridge AND neck as he rightfully stated in the first post.
Not to be the party pooper, I just love Epis
I havent tried the seths but i think you would be happy with the Pearly Gates, Phat Cats, or the Jazz. That is also in the order that i most like them.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
glad you clarified your objective - helps us dial you in ... i think for the music you mentioned (folk, blues, classic rock), that guitar would absolutely come alive with a set of seths, 59s, or phat cats ... no need to look at the higher output pups (jb, c5, etc)
good luck
have fun
t4d
glad you clarified your objective - helps us dial you in ... i think for the music you mentioned (folk, blues, classic rock), that guitar would absolutely come alive with a set of seths, 59s, or phat cats ... no need to look at the higher output pups (jb, c5, etc)
good luck
have fun
t4d
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Just for the record, real 1957 Gibson paf pickups from 1957 would be alnico 2 pickups very similar to the Duncan Seth Lovers and Antiquities. Hard not to recommend a set of either of those.
I'm not familiar with the Epis but since the guys are recommending alnico 5 pickups as an equivalent it sounds like the Epis are alnico 5 pickups?
Anyways, since you mention wanting good Strat sounds you're going to have to get a set that splits into single coil beautifully.
That set would be, IMO, the Pearly Gates neck and aDuncan Custom.
You'll get killer humbucking tones and killer single coil tones.
Lew
Just for the record, real 1957 Gibson paf pickups from 1957 would be alnico 2 pickups very similar to the Duncan Seth Lovers and Antiquities. Hard not to recommend a set of either of those.
I'm not familiar with the Epis but since the guys are recommending alnico 5 pickups as an equivalent it sounds like the Epis are alnico 5 pickups?
Anyways, since you mention wanting good Strat sounds you're going to have to get a set that splits into single coil beautifully.
That set would be, IMO, the Pearly Gates neck and aDuncan Custom.
You'll get killer humbucking tones and killer single coil tones.
Lew
K.E.B.
New member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Good recommendation Lew. If I don't go with the Phat Cats, that's probably what I'll do. Definitely on the Pearly Gates. I just wonder if splitting will be as raw and edgy as I want the tone. It's closer to a SRV sound than a Clapton (Blackie) sound I'm going for.
Good recommendation Lew. If I don't go with the Phat Cats, that's probably what I'll do. Definitely on the Pearly Gates. I just wonder if splitting will be as raw and edgy as I want the tone. It's closer to a SRV sound than a Clapton (Blackie) sound I'm going for.
marvar
New member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
I put Phat's in my Epi Dot, it was ok, but seemed like too much high end (tinny). I think because it has a maple vs mahogany neck as on a Gibson 335.
I replaced the bridge Phat with a Mo'joe, kept the Phat in the neck,and it now sounds like what I've been looking for..
I also had a Gibson 333 (faded 335 Memphis) that came with 498T in the bridge, and, it really sounded good in that guitar. I've never liked the 498 with any other guitar I've had, but, for some reason it worked in that guitar.
I put Phat's in my Epi Dot, it was ok, but seemed like too much high end (tinny). I think because it has a maple vs mahogany neck as on a Gibson 335.
I replaced the bridge Phat with a Mo'joe, kept the Phat in the neck,and it now sounds like what I've been looking for..
I also had a Gibson 333 (faded 335 Memphis) that came with 498T in the bridge, and, it really sounded good in that guitar. I've never liked the 498 with any other guitar I've had, but, for some reason it worked in that guitar.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
+1. C5/'59N. Very popular set here for mahogany and semi-hollows. If the C5 is a little bright or scooped for you, put in an A8 magnet (making it a 'C8') which many of us have done. Epi PU's don't have the clarity, definition, and depth of American-made PU's. Taking out the wax helps, but you can do just so much. If cost is an issue, look on online for used PU's, which often go for around half price. The most important upgrade you can make to an Asian import is upgrading the PU's; makes more difference than everything else put together.
+1. C5/'59N. Very popular set here for mahogany and semi-hollows. If the C5 is a little bright or scooped for you, put in an A8 magnet (making it a 'C8') which many of us have done. Epi PU's don't have the clarity, definition, and depth of American-made PU's. Taking out the wax helps, but you can do just so much. If cost is an issue, look on online for used PU's, which often go for around half price. The most important upgrade you can make to an Asian import is upgrading the PU's; makes more difference than everything else put together.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Now, class. Open your copies of Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years by A. R. Duchossoir to page 66, paragraph four. The author quotes Seth Lover, no less, about the magnets employed in both the P90 and the early PAF humbucker. The final sentence of this paragraph reads, "Gibson originally used the slightly weaker III and IV grades on humbucking pickups before changing for grade V in the 60s and grade VIII in the 70s."
Alnico II magnets are something that Seymour Duncan began using about thirty years ago because no reliable supplies of Alnico III were available at that time. (See the old fold-like-a-map SD catalogues of the early Eighties to the full story.)
Now, class. Open your copies of Gibson Electrics - The Classic Years by A. R. Duchossoir to page 66, paragraph four. The author quotes Seth Lover, no less, about the magnets employed in both the P90 and the early PAF humbucker. The final sentence of this paragraph reads, "Gibson originally used the slightly weaker III and IV grades on humbucking pickups before changing for grade V in the 60s and grade VIII in the 70s."
Alnico II magnets are something that Seymour Duncan began using about thirty years ago because no reliable supplies of Alnico III were available at that time. (See the old fold-like-a-map SD catalogues of the early Eighties to the full story.)
whatshisname
New member
Re: Ephiphone 57 Classic Humbuckers Equivalent
Similar threads
