LesPaulRules
New member
My Gibson Les Paul Elegant has had a set of 59's in it for the last 6 months. Guitar sounds really good with this combo, probably due to the Elegant having some nice midrange qualities (not always common in a chambered guitar).
Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone, :smokin:
Already had a set of Gibson Classic 57's (not the plus model) sitting around, and thought I would throw them in the Elegant, seeing what would change.
To my surprise, both these pickups sounded very similar when used in the bridge position, but different in the neck.
The Classic '57 has to be the brightest alnico 2 pickup I've ever heard. As bright as my 59b. The 59b does have a tighter bottom, but the mids of the Classic are a little more prominent (makes sense, A2 versus A5). Still, I was expecting a pretty big difference. It wasn't there.
The difference between the neck models was pretty big. The Classic 57's midrange was perfect. It cut through without being boomy. Low end wasn't as big as the 59n, but it had clarity that the 59n could only dream of.
If I had to choose, the bigger bottom, with the slight mid scoop of the 59b was better in the bridge (though not by much). The extra mids of the Classic '57 really came alive in the neck.
The 59b will stay in the bridge, Classic '57 has a new home in the neck.
Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone, :smokin:
Already had a set of Gibson Classic 57's (not the plus model) sitting around, and thought I would throw them in the Elegant, seeing what would change.
To my surprise, both these pickups sounded very similar when used in the bridge position, but different in the neck.
The Classic '57 has to be the brightest alnico 2 pickup I've ever heard. As bright as my 59b. The 59b does have a tighter bottom, but the mids of the Classic are a little more prominent (makes sense, A2 versus A5). Still, I was expecting a pretty big difference. It wasn't there.
The difference between the neck models was pretty big. The Classic 57's midrange was perfect. It cut through without being boomy. Low end wasn't as big as the 59n, but it had clarity that the 59n could only dream of.
If I had to choose, the bigger bottom, with the slight mid scoop of the 59b was better in the bridge (though not by much). The extra mids of the Classic '57 really came alive in the neck.
The 59b will stay in the bridge, Classic '57 has a new home in the neck.