Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

[Z0S0]

Hey everybody,

This is my first post on the SD forums. I've learned lots by reading up on various discussions.

I have a stock Gibson Les Paul Classic from 1992. I want to change the pickups to something much warmer than the stock ceramic 496R and 500T pickups.

I like sounds from Eric Clapton during the Bluesbreakers and early Cream days, Gary Moore, Jimmy Page and Slash. My band plays Classic Rock and blues type songs.

From the sounds I like, you can see that I am looking for a pickup that is warm and versatile. I am down to three choices:

Gibson '57 Classics
SD '59s
Alnico 2 Pro

Keep in mind that I want to change both neck and bridge pickups and would like to match them as much as possible. My amp is a Marshall TSL 100 head (retubed with JJ ECC83s and JJ E34Ls) and a Marshall 1960AX cab with Greenback speakers.

Just looking for opinions, even if I know this kind of thread has been posted before. So, opinions from people with experience with Les Paul Classics would be awesome!

Thanks!

Z0S0

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

Here's a nice source for a review of all those models:

http://www.legendarytones.com

Just click Reviews: guitars and then read: part 2 the humbucker reviews.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

BTW, if you want "warm and versatile" you're probably looking for some AIIPros or Seth Lovers.

The 57 Classics and 59's are fairly bright compared to the AIIPros or Seth Lovers.

If you want a "warm and versatile" humbucker with a nickel cover, I'd go for the Seth Lovers.

If you want it uncovered go for the AIIPros.

If you want a nice A2 humbucker with a little crisper edge to the top end you might like the Pearly Gates too. The PG is one of the very best pickups in a Les Paul that there is!

Lew

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

Hi Z0S0 and welcome.

I have a '91 Classic and my tonal tastes are pretty much in line with those you quote. This has all the makings of a very interesting thread.

My Classic came with (and still has) '57 Classics that were installed by a previous owner. I also have a '96 Standard that I've put SD Seth Lovers in.

The '57 Classics are certainly good pickups for classic rock and blues, but I am not yet certain about whether I am going to leave them in (I've had the guitar three months). Compared with the Seths in my Standard they are hotter but less articulate. The Seths are smoother, warmer and have a complexity that seems to be lacking in the '57s.

I know you haven't put Seths on your list, but I'm comparing what I know. What we are talking about here are PAF type pickups, and as you know there are many brands and flavours out there.

I have played '59s in my Standard, before I put the Seths in. They are brighter than the Seths with a tighter bottom end, and more aggressive sounding - the Seths are again smoother and warmer, looser bottom end, softer highs, more midrange.

What I haven't done is a direct comparison between '59s and '57 Classics - it's been a while since I played the '59s, but I still have them here and have been considering giving them a spin in the Classic. My feeling based on memory of the '59s is that they will be brighter than the '57s and slightly lower in output. The other options I have been pondering for that guitar are Alnico 2 Pros and Antiquities. I could even go with another set of Seths, but I feel I should try something different.

Is there any particular reason you are not considering the other Duncan PAF-type models - Seths, Antiquities and Pearly Gates?

Page's classic tone I believe is alnico 5 ('59s would be good), Slash we know uses the Alnico II Pros, the other two are debatable - Clapton's Cream tone I think is alnico 5, not sure about the Bluesbreaker Les Paul. Someone will have information on this!

Well I'm rambling a bit here, but hopefully it will kick off the discussion!

If you haven't seen it (it gets posted a lot), here is an interesting review of a bunch of PAF-type pickups, including '57s, '59s and Seths:

http://www.legendarytones.com/humbpus1.htm

Good Luck!

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

Curses! Lew beat me to it with the Legendary Tones review! :cussing:

 

[gypsy]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

The 57's are about my favorite humbucker. full sounding and still warm.
Don't like the really weak Seths. If you're guitar has a strong acoustic output they're okay. But listen to the guitar's voice. The pickup will only amplify that.

 

[Z0S0]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

Thanks everybody!

Lew and Simon...Yes, I read the whole Legendarytones.com website from start to finish. I just wanted to hear more opinions.

Simon, the only reason I did not consider Seth Lovers is that they are not wax potted so I am a little concerned that when I do crank up the volume or gain on my TSL, that it's gonna start feedbacking like a mofo! However, it seems that the Seths are one of the best PAF replicas, if not the best.

I think it's the same thing for the Antiquities: I don't think they're wax potted. I don't play metal but I do crank up the gain and volume on my Marhall on occasion and I am concerned about the feedback.

For the Pearly Gates, I heard/read that they were a bit more agressive so I shied away from those.

As for the 59's, they seem awesome. However, the Classic is one of the birghtest sounding Les Pauls out there so maybe the 59s would make it too bright?

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.... so many questions! And it sucks that you can't try out a bunch of them in your guitar and pick the one you really like BEFORE forking out 200$ on a set of pickups!
:yell:

Thanks again!

Hi Z0S0 and welcome.

I have a '91 Classic and my tonal tastes are pretty much in line with those you quote. This has all the makings of a very interesting thread.

My Classic came with (and still has) '57 Classics that were installed by a previous owner. I also have a '96 Standard that I've put SD Seth Lovers in.

The '57 Classics are certainly good pickups for classic rock and blues, but I am not yet certain about whether I am going to leave them in (I've had the guitar three months). Compared with the Seths in my Standard they are hotter but less articulate. The Seths are smoother, warmer and have a complexity that seems to be lacking in the '57s.

I know you haven't put Seths on your list, but I'm comparing what I know. What we are talking about here are PAF type pickups, and as you know there are many brands and flavours out there.

I have played '59s in my Standard, before I put the Seths in. They are brighter than the Seths with a tighter bottom end, and more aggressive sounding - the Seths are again smoother and warmer, looser bottom end, softer highs, more midrange.

What I haven't done is a direct comparison between '59s and '57 Classics - it's been a while since I played the '59s, but I still have them here and have been considering giving them a spin in the Classic. My feeling based on memory of the '59s is that they will be brighter than the '57s and slightly lower in output. The other options I have been pondering for that guitar are Alnico 2 Pros and Antiquities. I could even go with another set of Seths, but I feel I should try something different.

Is there any particular reason you are not considering the other Duncan PAF-type models - Seths, Antiquities and Pearly Gates?

Page's classic tone I believe is alnico 5 ('59s would be good), Slash we know uses the Alnico II Pros, the other two are debatable - Clapton's Cream tone I think is alnico 5, not sure about the Bluesbreaker Les Paul. Someone will have information on this!

Well I'm rambling a bit here, but hopefully it will kick off the discussion!

If you haven't seen it (it gets posted a lot), here is an interesting review of a bunch of PAF-type pickups, including '57s, '59s and Seths:

http://www.legendarytones.com/humbpus1.htm

Good Luck!

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

As for the 59's, they seem awesome. However, the Classic is one of the birghtest sounding Les Pauls out there so maybe the 59s would make it too bright?

Possibly. If you want warm and versatile and wax-potted, the A2Ps might be your best choice. I haven't tried them myself but they get a lot of great reviews here and I am seriously considering a set for my Classic.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

.

If you want a nice A2 humbucker with a little crisper edge to the top end you might like the Pearly Gates too. The PG is one of the very best pickups in a Les Paul that there is!

Lew

AMEN!! :burnout:

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

if your lp is really bright, i would go with the A2P. I love the smooth sound of those but for everyone except slash, i would ave chosen either seths, 59's or pearly gates. I do not like the classic 57's to bright in the bridge and muddy in the neck. but that is my opinion. I think someting like a pearly gates in the bridge and a A2P in the neck would be a really good setup

 

[NT02]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

I replaced my ceramic Gibsons buckers with an Antiquity neck and Seth Lover bridge in my 02 LP Classic. Feedback was a concern of mine, as well. I have zero problem with unwanted feedback. In fact, I prefer the feedback of the Seth Lover to the 500t. On the 500t, once you hit a certain level it's either play or turn the volume on your guitar all the way down, as it would feed back in one frequency. On or off. The Seth Lover can be coaxed to feedback into some musical sounds, if you try. Keep in mind that this is all very high gain, high volume stuff, like a fully cranked Randall or my Peavey Classic 30 (tubed with JJs like your Marshall) with a pedal driving it. 99% of the time there's no feedback to be had.

No matter what you decide to get, I'm sure you will LOVE the sound of your guitar after the pickup swap. I really didn't know what to expect, and I couldn't be happier with my axe now. The Antiquity is very sweet, mellow, but very balanced. The Seth has a little more bite, in a good way, still balanced. I cannot comment on the other pickups. I imagine the APIIs to be more of a rounder, mellower tone and the PGs to have a little more sizzle/bite. I say the Seths would do it for you.

 

[Z0S0]

Re: Gibson 57 Classics VS SD '59s VS Alnico 2 Pros

Thanks Simon and thanks NT02!

OK then, the Seth Lovers are now in the race!

I guess my final dilemma is: a set Alnico 2 Pro or a set of Seth Lovers (I want a matching set).

Ahhhhh! Decisions Decisions! :yell:

I replaced my ceramic Gibsons buckers with an Antiquity neck and Seth Lover bridge in my 02 LP Classic. Feedback was a concern of mine, as well. I have zero problem with unwanted feedback. In fact, I prefer the feedback of the Seth Lover to the 500t. On the 500t, once you hit a certain level it's either play or turn the volume on your guitar all the way down, as it would feed back in one frequency. On or off. The Seth Lover can be coaxed to feedback into some musical sounds, if you try. Keep in mind that this is all very high gain, high volume stuff, like a fully cranked Randall or my Peavey Classic 30 (tubed with JJs like your Marshall) with a pedal driving it. 99% of the time there's no feedback to be had.

No matter what you decide to get, I'm sure you will LOVE the sound of your guitar after the pickup swap. I really didn't know what to expect, and I couldn't be happier with my axe now. The Antiquity is very sweet, mellow, but very balanced. The Seth has a little more bite, in a good way, still balanced. I cannot comment on the other pickups. I imagine the APIIs to be more of a rounder, mellower tone and the PGs to have a little more sizzle/bite. I say the Seths would do it for you.