Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

SFW

SFW

New member
Ok... for the record, I did try to search this topic, but didn't come up with anything...

So what are the tonal differences between these two pickups? I have a 59 now, but I'm interested in trying the Framptonn combo to see what I can get from it.

He plays with a 500T/ 57Classic combo. Any thoughts? Is it worth trying to find one, or 59 cover the same ground?
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

The 500T is a firebreather of a bridge pickup. Way, way hotter and thicker than the 59.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

sosomething said:
The 500T is a firebreather of a bridge pickup. Way, way hotter and thicker than the 59.
Click to expand...

I know that part. I have a 500T now. Althought the **** thing is broken...

Mainly looking for the 57/59 shootout...
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

Look at it this way, you see a lot of new '59's being bought, and a lot of Gibson neck HB's ('57 Classic's included) being sold on the used market. The big mistake that Gibson makes is using A2 magnets on most of their neck HB's. A2's have lots of mids with little treble, and a loose, flabby low end. The neck position is dark & bassy by nature. So an A2 in a neck HB can be muffled & lifeless (although I'm told the PGN works well in some guitars).

The '59N has an A5 magnet, which overall is a MUCH better fit for the neck position, as it has lots of treble & scooped mids. I've pulled the A2's out of all my 490R's and '57 Classics and put in A5's, which made a big improvement.

The 500T has a ceramic magnet, which is a love it/hate it magnet. Ceramics lack the warmth of alnicos, which make them better for metal, but are often too bright & harsh for classic rock & blues.

Frampton's LP has a chambered body, so it's going to sound different than a solid body LP (which will darker-sounding with more low end & sustain). Whatever PU's you end up with, you may need to tweak your tone with different magnets, pots,a nd caps to fit your guitar's tone wood.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

I'll go on record as saying the 500T is the only ceramic pickup that I like. It sounds especially good in big hunks of mahogany like Exporers and Vs.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

I have guitars with 59N and 57 Classic neck.

The 59 is tighter and clearer, with big bass, neutral mids, and glassy highs.

The 57 Classic is soft and warm, a little looser, nice complexity in the mids, and the highs are a bit more buttery. Even though that description isn't that appealing, the pickup sounds fantastic, and I love the 57 neck. It's a lot like a Seth Lover N. I like the 57 in the neck moreso than the bridge.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

in comparison with same pot and cap?
don't know why...but i think that gibson pick ups are a little brighter than duncan with same pot value...

for example some days ago i've done some work on my friend sg supreme with p90...well...they sound good with 300k volume pot...while duncan uses 500k pot for p90...right?
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

I have a 498T/57 combo in my Les Paul, close to the 500/57 PF setup. I wanted hot but didn't want the sterility of the ceramic for this particular guitar. Back on subject the 57 is a beautiful sounding pick with the stock magnet in it. It is very round and clear with stunning sustain. Keep in mind when looking at pickup reviews everyone's style of playing is different. Different player's fretting and picking attack will produce different dynamics from a pickup. For me the 57 works more than fine.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

I love the warmth of my 57 Classic neck pup. Never felt the desire for more treble or less mids so the A2 works great for me.

The Gibson 57 is definitely warmer, more mids, and softer in the highs than the SD 59.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

The '57 Classic is a creamier pickup with a stronger, juicier midrange.

'59's, being naturally drier, are better if you use lots of gain and/or effects. '57's are better if you play clean, and/or rely more on natural overdrive, and not outboard effects to get your tones.

My two cents, anyhow.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

i reckon there are a lot of people on this forum specifically because they were not happy with the 57 and wanted something better
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

gibson175 said:
i reckon there are a lot of people on this forum specifically because they were not happy with the 57 and wanted something better
Click to expand...

+1. For what '57's cost, there are a lot better PU's available, for that price or less. If they were $50 new, that would be one thing, but Gibson prices them up in the boutique-price range, and they can't compete tonewise in that arena. Whatever you find a '57 selling for, new or used, you can find a better PAF for less.
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

i already have a sh1
i would like a classic 57 but which can accept big gain and disto
john sykes used c 57 so it's not a bad neck pickup
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

gibson175 said:
i reckon there are a lot of people on this forum specifically because they were not happy with the 57 and wanted something better
Click to expand...

"Better", being a very subjective term, needs some qualification to make sense.

Better..."highs", meaning brighter;
Better...with distortion effects, meaning a cleaner (less muddy) type distorted tone;
Better...for a specific purpose, like heavy metal, or funk;
Etc.

When I got my 57 Classic I was specifically looking for a pup with smooth and warm highs (not bright or piercing), with rich and full mids, and with lots of sensitivity to technique.
After 7 or 8 years I still haven't found a "better" pup (that meets my qualifications).
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

can you easily play "still got the blues " live (blues alive cd) or would it be better with a sh1 or burst bucker"?
 
Re: Gibson 57 Classic vs Duncan 59?

The 57 Classic pickup is anemic, dull and waaay too honky of a pickup. Probably one of the worst pickups I have ever played.

The '59 is balanced, warm, detailed, glassy and full compared to the 57 Classic.
 
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