Re: Gibson 57 Classic Set for classic/hard rock?
I have Les Pauls with Classic 57s, Seths, Ants, Custom Shop Seths, and Historics with the A2 BB 1&2. I use Boogie amps (no Rectos) in a G/B/K/D band. We do a wide range material, from classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc. I also have 335s with the 57s.
I like using the guitars with the '57s, especially when the gig calls for a mellower tone. I'm not doing metal, and I do a lot of clean parts. The Mark Series Mesas have a lot of gain available, but I tend to go for medium gain solos that sing. I always tell people that if I'm playing for a hearing-aid crowd, the 57s work because they have a smoother top end.
But, the BB 1&2s have a bit more string-to-string separation. The BB2 in the bridge has twang that reminds me of the ballsiest Tele bridge pickup ever. It's great for more hard-rocking stuff; blues and country, too.
The Seths and Ants I have...I could say they combine the best of both. Some players find the Gibsons muddy, and sometimes edgy at the same time. These Duncans have that clarity, but retain that sweetness. The Ants have this complexity to the midrange...like the way a fine red wine sits on your tongue, enticing you with the flavors of earth, fruit and spice.
I think the 57s' tone and suitability depend heavily on the amount of distortion a player uses, and perhaps more than many other pickup...they seem to be very amp sensitive. Everything I've ever plugged into my Mesas always sounds great, but to my ear the 57s don't like certain amps.
So my advice is to play the guitar for a while and see if you're happy with the results. Make sure the rest of your signal change is up to snuff, keeping in mind that little things like picks, strings and cords (and finally your amp) can all substantially affect your tone.
Good luck!
Bill