Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

[hydro]

Hi,

Haven't posted in a good while, but need some advice.

Guitar is a Gibson Midtown Standard with Bigsby, stock pickups are 57 Classic (neck) and 57 Classic Plus (bridge). It has a simplified control layout, just 3 pickup switch, single volume and single tone control.

I am getting ready to do some surgery on it, replacing the stock electronics with 50s wiring and am considering swapping the bridge only or possibly both pickups. The classic 57 plus seems both muddy and maybe a little more compressed than I would like. Looking for something a little more open sounding, more chime, more clarity.

I want to stay in vintage output ranges and I need a potted pickup since this is a semi-hollow.

Any recommendations appreciated, thanks --

 

[Blille]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

Have you tried pushing it down? Too compressed and muddy may mean too close to the strings.


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[hydro]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

Have you tried pushing it down? Too compressed and muddy may mean too close to the strings.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I should try moving it around some and see if it helps, though in general I have had this kind of experience from Gibson Classic 57s. There are other things I can try before a pickup swap, but I want to get some suggestions on a possible swap ahead of time.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

Off the top of my head, a 59 or a Shop Floor potted Seth Lover might be good ideas as well.

 

[Hyperborea]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

I've got a Japanese 335 clone (ESP/Edwards) that I've got Antiquities in and it's great. I wouldn't be too concerned with unpotted pickups unless you are running some seriously loud stage volume. The Seth Lover, as mentioned, is also good. I've got those in another non-hollow guitar.

 

[hydro]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

I've got a Japanese 335 clone (ESP/Edwards) that I've got Antiquities in and it's great. I wouldn't be too concerned with unpotted pickups unless you are running some seriously loud stage volume. The Seth Lover, as mentioned, is also good. I've got those in another non-hollow guitar.

I do some high gain stuff with this guitar occasionally, and I play pretty loud. What is the concept behind the Antiquities? I am not very familiar with those pickups, just that they are vintage voiced.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Gibson Midtown (Bigsby version) - bridge pup replacement

The Antiquity pickups are meant to sound like a 50 year old PAF that's been played all these years. The magnet is aged and a little degaused as would happen over time. The Seth Lovers are like going back in time to 1957 and buying a brand new PAF set.

I have to say that I very rarely have and issues with either the Seth or Antiquity using gain. If there was any, I think taking the cover off would solve most of it.

I prefer the sound of the Seth's myself. They are nice and bright and chimey without being too bright. They have a nice sweetness to them that's very musical.