Looking for comparative feedback on the two. I plan to a set of either in an Epiphone LP and I'm having trouble deciding which set to go with, though I am pretty certain its one of the two. I've redone all the wiring, pots and caps so far with the stock Epi p'ups and am now ready to finalize with new p'ups.
Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
- Thread starter TeLesPaul
- Start date
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
I have guitars with both; and I like both pickups. The Seths might have a little better string-to-string separation, the '57 Classics might be a little warmer and muddier (in a good way), but both are great pickups. The '57 Classics should come potted, though the Seths are not. A '57 Classic Plus in the bridge is a good option, too. It has a little more mids and a little less top-end than the '57 Classic for strong, focused leads. In fact, Antiquitys, Pearly Gates, '59s, and the Gibson Burstbucker 1 & 2 combo are also good PAF sets. (Just be aware that the Burstbuckers sold aftermarket are not potted, ASFAIK.) They're just different flavors of the same recipe; and I personally don't think one of them is better than any of the others. All good!
Any of these pickups would be considered a major upgrade to your Epi. I'd hang on to the old ones in case you ever wanted to sell the guitar--keep the good pickups and return the guitar to stock form.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
Bill
I have guitars with both; and I like both pickups. The Seths might have a little better string-to-string separation, the '57 Classics might be a little warmer and muddier (in a good way), but both are great pickups. The '57 Classics should come potted, though the Seths are not. A '57 Classic Plus in the bridge is a good option, too. It has a little more mids and a little less top-end than the '57 Classic for strong, focused leads. In fact, Antiquitys, Pearly Gates, '59s, and the Gibson Burstbucker 1 & 2 combo are also good PAF sets. (Just be aware that the Burstbuckers sold aftermarket are not potted, ASFAIK.) They're just different flavors of the same recipe; and I personally don't think one of them is better than any of the others. All good!
Any of these pickups would be considered a major upgrade to your Epi. I'd hang on to the old ones in case you ever wanted to sell the guitar--keep the good pickups and return the guitar to stock form.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
Bill
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Bill,
Thanks for the info. I was hoping to hear from someone who might have played with both at one time or another. The non-potted thing does not worry me much really, and in fact the Seth's were initially and still are where I am leaning but I listened to a few demos of the 57 C's and they too sound like they're right in the same park so to speak. I thought as well about a 57c and the 57c+ in the bridge as it seems Gibsons recommendation but is it too hot? I want to be able to use these clean as well, so roll of is important to me allot more than being able to drive the amp from the pickup.
This may be shooting in the wind, but of the two, which would you say is the better neck pickup? For reference I play through Vox style amps with a wah, overdrive/boost and a delay....thats it.
Bill,
Thanks for the info. I was hoping to hear from someone who might have played with both at one time or another. The non-potted thing does not worry me much really, and in fact the Seth's were initially and still are where I am leaning but I listened to a few demos of the 57 C's and they too sound like they're right in the same park so to speak. I thought as well about a 57c and the 57c+ in the bridge as it seems Gibsons recommendation but is it too hot? I want to be able to use these clean as well, so roll of is important to me allot more than being able to drive the amp from the pickup.
This may be shooting in the wind, but of the two, which would you say is the better neck pickup? For reference I play through Vox style amps with a wah, overdrive/boost and a delay....thats it.
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
I plan to keep the Epi pickups but I have no intent to sell the guitar. Its kind of my project guitar in a way, something to spend some upgrades on to see what works and what I like or dont like. I'll be keeping it, its actually a great playing guitar, I just want to make it as good as it can be...for an Epiphone that is.
I plan to keep the Epi pickups but I have no intent to sell the guitar. Its kind of my project guitar in a way, something to spend some upgrades on to see what works and what I like or dont like. I'll be keeping it, its actually a great playing guitar, I just want to make it as good as it can be...for an Epiphone that is.
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
i think the seths are great, my favorite guitar has a seth neck. warm and round but still detailed. the bridge pup is a classic biting middy gibson tone that works for almost any style of music, good top end but great complex mids. it can cluck enough for clean country, crunch enough overdriven for rock or be dynamic enough for a variety of blues styles.
the 57 classics are nice too as are all the pups that boogie bill mentioned. hard to go wrong with any of them. all based on some version of a paf, which were fairly inconsistant but there were plenty of good ones. in all honesty ive always had great luck putting a pair of 59's in every epi les paul that ive owned. in gibsons i tend to prefer alnico 2 paf style pups but in the epis every one has taken well to the 59's.
i think the seths are great, my favorite guitar has a seth neck. warm and round but still detailed. the bridge pup is a classic biting middy gibson tone that works for almost any style of music, good top end but great complex mids. it can cluck enough for clean country, crunch enough overdriven for rock or be dynamic enough for a variety of blues styles.
the 57 classics are nice too as are all the pups that boogie bill mentioned. hard to go wrong with any of them. all based on some version of a paf, which were fairly inconsistant but there were plenty of good ones. in all honesty ive always had great luck putting a pair of 59's in every epi les paul that ive owned. in gibsons i tend to prefer alnico 2 paf style pups but in the epis every one has taken well to the 59's.
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Thanks Jeremy,
On the 59's...are they as mid scooped as they sound on the SD samples, and aren't they a bit hotter than the Seths or 57c's? Would they clean up as well? I really like the openess of the Seths and 57's, the 59's didnt sound like they had as much of that....but they are a little cheaper.
Thanks Jeremy,
On the 59's...are they as mid scooped as they sound on the SD samples, and aren't they a bit hotter than the Seths or 57c's? Would they clean up as well? I really like the openess of the Seths and 57's, the 59's didnt sound like they had as much of that....but they are a little cheaper.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
The best combo (for the money) is a stock SD '59n with a '59b with an A8 magnet in it.
Best cleans you've ever had, specially the "both on" position.
And the '59b with the A8 gives a singing quality to every solo, both clean and overdriven.
HTH,
The best combo (for the money) is a stock SD '59n with a '59b with an A8 magnet in it.
Best cleans you've ever had, specially the "both on" position.
And the '59b with the A8 gives a singing quality to every solo, both clean and overdriven.
HTH,
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
This is getting a away from my initial thoughts a bit but I wondered this:
Would a PG in the bridge and a Seth in the neck be as good a combo as I am imagining or is the PG set more friendly? Or would the APII be a better match for the PG? Is the PG good by itself or is it too bright and harsh as some reviews claim(yet others say the opposite)? I would plan to get both with covers.
I got this thought late last night and it sounded like a good idea in my head. This pickup stuff is starting to aggrivate me now though with the **** decisions that one can make.
This is getting a away from my initial thoughts a bit but I wondered this:
Would a PG in the bridge and a Seth in the neck be as good a combo as I am imagining or is the PG set more friendly? Or would the APII be a better match for the PG? Is the PG good by itself or is it too bright and harsh as some reviews claim(yet others say the opposite)? I would plan to get both with covers.
I got this thought late last night and it sounded like a good idea in my head. This pickup stuff is starting to aggrivate me now though with the **** decisions that one can make.
Perry go round
New member
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Hi to everybody. Sorry for bringing new life to an old post. I think this one is appropiate for my question, and better than opening a new one.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Signature T with a classic 57 in the neck and a 57+ in the bridge (all stock) and an Epiphone Les Paul upgraded with a set of Seth Lovers and also new pots, caps and wiring -Jimmy Page Style, I like a lot the out of phase sound here-.
I have found the sound of the Epi is darker whereas the sound of the Gibson is brighter. I am wondering if this is a matter of the pickups -if maybe the 57s are brighter than the SLs-, a matter of the guitars woods (maybe the thicker maple top?) or if other things are playing a role as well (pots, wiring, etc...).
I am asking just because I am trying to understand all the factors in my guitar´s sound, not that I want to change anything else.
Hi to everybody. Sorry for bringing new life to an old post. I think this one is appropiate for my question, and better than opening a new one.
I have a Gibson Les Paul Signature T with a classic 57 in the neck and a 57+ in the bridge (all stock) and an Epiphone Les Paul upgraded with a set of Seth Lovers and also new pots, caps and wiring -Jimmy Page Style, I like a lot the out of phase sound here-.
I have found the sound of the Epi is darker whereas the sound of the Gibson is brighter. I am wondering if this is a matter of the pickups -if maybe the 57s are brighter than the SLs-, a matter of the guitars woods (maybe the thicker maple top?) or if other things are playing a role as well (pots, wiring, etc...).
I am asking just because I am trying to understand all the factors in my guitar´s sound, not that I want to change anything else.
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Hi
I tried every Gibson pickup Gibson +version 1,2,3, IIRC. Then the Gibson Burstbucker 1, 2, 3. BTW,I am not sure if they were much better that my T-tops.
Then I found Duncan. Settled on the Seth's compared to my real PAF's. Needed just a push, I am fairly alone in this, most like them as they come, no modification. I needed or wanted a little Moore oomph. So I tried a A5(scooped) then an A4, and a big voila: My favorite pickup for the bridge. An SH-2 Jazz in the neck. The first Gibson pups I mentioned, I actually don't remember if that is what they were called, but it was a series of 3 before they went "Burstbucker" I got them in American music in Seattle and they came and went in about 2 months, then they were no longer available as the BB's took their place.
So I say Seth's. I like them more than any of the Gibsons. Boutique style, I have very much liked a pickup from Electric City Pickups (bridge"Freedom set"). Recommended by Lt. Kojak. BTW, Pepe, would an A8 give Seth a little more punch or would it be undesirable. OT: just curious of your take on this. I posted a tread about mags a long time ago, my taste has very slightly.
Good luck,
SJ
Hi
I tried every Gibson pickup Gibson +version 1,2,3, IIRC. Then the Gibson Burstbucker 1, 2, 3. BTW,I am not sure if they were much better that my T-tops.
Then I found Duncan. Settled on the Seth's compared to my real PAF's. Needed just a push, I am fairly alone in this, most like them as they come, no modification. I needed or wanted a little Moore oomph. So I tried a A5(scooped) then an A4, and a big voila: My favorite pickup for the bridge. An SH-2 Jazz in the neck. The first Gibson pups I mentioned, I actually don't remember if that is what they were called, but it was a series of 3 before they went "Burstbucker" I got them in American music in Seattle and they came and went in about 2 months, then they were no longer available as the BB's took their place.
So I say Seth's. I like them more than any of the Gibsons. Boutique style, I have very much liked a pickup from Electric City Pickups (bridge"Freedom set"). Recommended by Lt. Kojak. BTW, Pepe, would an A8 give Seth a little more punch or would it be undesirable. OT: just curious of your take on this. I posted a tread about mags a long time ago, my taste has very slightly.
Good luck,
SJ
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
No, the Seths are quite a bit brighter and thinner sounding than 57 Classics, so the difference you're hearing is in:
1. the pots & wiring- 500k pots?
2. the hardware
3. the wood
4. all the above
No, the Seths are quite a bit brighter and thinner sounding than 57 Classics, so the difference you're hearing is in:
1. the pots & wiring- 500k pots?
2. the hardware
3. the wood
4. all the above
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
My favorite Duncan PAF's are Seth's and A2P's. They sound great individually and as a balanced set. Those have become my 'go to' sets. '59's are indeed bright, midscooped and bassy, and I've swapped magnets in mine to moderate those qualities. PG's are what to me seems like a mismatched set: bright, thin bridge with a warm, fat neck. That doesn't work for me, but some guys here like them.
How bright or warm do you want the bridge and neck? Do you want a big difference in EQ between each PU or not?
My favorite Duncan PAF's are Seth's and A2P's. They sound great individually and as a balanced set. Those have become my 'go to' sets. '59's are indeed bright, midscooped and bassy, and I've swapped magnets in mine to moderate those qualities. PG's are what to me seems like a mismatched set: bright, thin bridge with a warm, fat neck. That doesn't work for me, but some guys here like them.
How bright or warm do you want the bridge and neck? Do you want a big difference in EQ between each PU or not?
Perry go round
New member
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Hi Lemonman, yes the pots on the Epi are 500k. I though 500k will make it sound the opposite way, brighter. Am I missing something? or we can conclude is just the wood and hardware?
Hi Lemonman, yes the pots on the Epi are 500k. I though 500k will make it sound the opposite way, brighter. Am I missing something? or we can conclude is just the wood and hardware?
LtKojak
New member
Re: Gibson 57 Classics vs. SD SH-55 Seth Lovers
Having said that, an A8 in a Seth bridge will not only give an "oomph", it'll also change the voicing of the p'up, so to make an analogy, if an A4 Seth sings like James Taylor, the A8 Seth will sing like Pavarotti on a good performance.
I hope this makes sense to you.
HTH,
Steve, you know I'm partial to A8s. I think every guitar player should have at least one A8-modded PAF-ish bridge p'up.
Having said that, an A8 in a Seth bridge will not only give an "oomph", it'll also change the voicing of the p'up, so to make an analogy, if an A4 Seth sings like James Taylor, the A8 Seth will sing like Pavarotti on a good performance.
I hope this makes sense to you.
HTH,
