Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Nah, just something more "PAF-ey" as the strat in question currently has an EVH Wolfgang neck humbucker in the bridge. Great sounding pickup, I'm just looking for something cleaner sounding.

I wouldn't call '57's 'cleaner sounding'. For that, I'd go with a Jazz or '59.

 

[appar111]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Well, it sounds like an overwhelming response on the fact that the '57 Classics really aren't worth it for the price, especially new.

Right now I may make it easy on myself and go with a Duncan 59 bridge pickup, maybe swap the magnet to an A4 if I feel it needs it, or try out one of the other newer PAF-inspired Dimarzios or Duncans that have come out in the last 5 years or so that I've never used (PAF Master, PAF 59, Saturday Night Special, Whole Lotta Humbucker).

thanks as always guys!

J.

 

[BluesDisciple]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Yeah. They are worth it.

 

[JohnnyBsurfin]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Worth it ?
That's relative.
That being said I have a epi L.P. tribute with 57+ bridge 57 neck and would never switch them out. I love that sound.

 

[BluesIsBlood12]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Well, it sounds like an overwhelming response on the fact that the '57 Classics really aren't worth it for the price, especially new.

Right now I may make it easy on myself and go with a Duncan 59 bridge pickup, maybe swap the magnet to an A4 if I feel it needs it, or try out one of the other newer PAF-inspired Dimarzios or Duncans that have come out in the last 5 years or so that I've never used (PAF Master, PAF 59, Saturday Night Special, Whole Lotta Humbucker).

thanks as always guys!

J.

I really like 59s and WLH with A4s, though you should definitely try them stock for a while first. They may suit your rig as-is. I'd really like to try a set of SNS, but I don't need to get yet another guitar to put them in.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Well, it sounds like an overwhelming response on the fact that the '57 Classics really aren't worth it for the price, especially new.

I don't think they're worth the price used either. There's so many better choices for PAF's.

 

[gnappi]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

57's are IMO, THE Gibson sound I associate with 335's, and 175's. When Gibson started to install BB's and MHS pups they diluted these models to a body only project. Ouch Gibson!

Slightly off topic...

I have or have had five gits with MHS (returned an ES-275) and three with BB's and they're just "meh" Fortunately I can EQ most of the annoying sterile sound with my amps (except the 275) but anything I have with 57's or even SD 59's sound better to my ears than MHS or BB's. Unfortunately even Gibson has no clue what a 57 is. The "original, without a separate bridge / neck designation? The "classic plus" for the bridge? or maybe the 4 wire version? While they struggle with identity and marketing issues, like a broken clock that's right two times a day once in a while they blindly hit the mark.

Back on topic...

Are 57's worth the buckazoids? If like me you hear / play a 335 with 57's and pigeonhole THAT sound as what you want, then yes, they're worth the new "street" prices of $125 to $150 in a heartbeat. Then there are the cast offs from tone seekers and 57's can be had for as little as $50 if you strike immediately if they pop up for sale on Craig's list or the auction sites.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

for $160 you can have the custom shop wind you any bucker you want, i cant see paying close to that for a 57 classic. ive never heard the mhs but i like the bb1/bb2 combo. i dont hate the 57 classic but for the price i think there are much better options

 

[gnappi]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

for $160 you can have the custom shop wind you any bucker you want, i cant see paying close to that for a 57 classic. ive never heard the mhs but i like the bb1/bb2 combo. i dont hate the 57 classic but for the price i think there are much better options

Are you suggesting that a custom winder will 100% of the time give you your EXACT theoretical sound? How can they do that?

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Are you suggesting that a custom winder will 100% of the time give you your EXACT theoretical sound? How can they do that?

No one claims 100% of the time you get something exact in just one wind, but they can get the sound you want every order, because they warrant their work and they can do it because they have 30 years of experience winding pickups.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

I like the '57 Classics and even the '57 Classic Plus. All the guitars I have put/heard them in sounded fantastic with them. One was a friend's Gibson Flying V when the '57's first came out, or a year later. That V went from sounding OK to outstanding. A buddy of mine has a LP Classic with a set in them that sounds great. Probably his best sounding LP. I've slapped a set in my Frankenstrat in the past with the Classic Plus in the bridge. Excellent combo in a HH Strat. Another friend slapped a set in a SG Standard. Frank Hannon licks all day long on that thing.

They may not be everyone's cup o' tea, but they are good pickups. Are they worth it new? To some, yes they are, and there is nothing wrong with that. I would prefer to go after them used but that is my choice.

 

[tyrion]

Re: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker - worth the price when purchasing new?

Not a fan of the 57 classics either. I just recently ripped a set out of my SG and replaced them with 59 in the neck and a Saturday Night Special in the bridge and They sound great.

I have no plans to reuse the 57 classics in my other guitars so if your heart is set on 57’s PM me and we can work something out. They’ve got nickel/chrome covers.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk