ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Please bear with me, as this it a bit long, but I figured the back story to my question would help with the answer.
I've been looking at getting an ES335-style semi-hollow, and have narrowed the field down to two guitars: the Ibanez Artcore AS83 and the Epiphone Dot. Gibson is out of the question, mainly because I am not a bajillionaire.
The AS83 I tried was outstanding. The only drawback is it costs $100 CAN more than the Dot, and I would have to get it special ordered (I am a lefty). I have tried a few Epi Dots and a Sheraton II as well, but have found the quality to be inconsistent. Some of them seem to be put together very well, and others not so much. My main complaint with the Dot is that I would have to put a lot of upgrades in to get it up to decent standards. I would basically replace the pickups and almost all the hardware (tuners, switch, pots), especially those terrible Epiphone tuners. With the Ibanez, I was pretty
confident with the stock hardware, and as far as stock pups go I really liked them.
Here's the thing: yesterday I was at the shop getting a set-up on my Strat, and lo and behold there was a lefty Dot in cherry red. I look closer, and notice it has Grover tuners and a graphite nut. Then I read the tag, and see that it has after-market Gibson '57 Classic pickups installed. I ask the sales person about it, and he tells me it is pre-owned, and all the mods were done by the former owner. Price tag is $485 CAN.
I gave it a try, and to me the tone was a bit muddy, even on the bridge. It could have been the crappy amp I was plugged into, or it could have been the fact that the previous owner did some wacky wiring job in there (the tech at the store said he would rewire it back to factory spec for free). In any case, I will give it another shot when I go back tomorrow to pick up the Strat.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here had experience with the Gibson '57 Classics, and what your impression was. Comparisons to SD's '59 or other models would be appreciated. Your input will help me tremendously.
Thanks very much!
UPDATE: :banana: see below
I've been looking at getting an ES335-style semi-hollow, and have narrowed the field down to two guitars: the Ibanez Artcore AS83 and the Epiphone Dot. Gibson is out of the question, mainly because I am not a bajillionaire.
The AS83 I tried was outstanding. The only drawback is it costs $100 CAN more than the Dot, and I would have to get it special ordered (I am a lefty). I have tried a few Epi Dots and a Sheraton II as well, but have found the quality to be inconsistent. Some of them seem to be put together very well, and others not so much. My main complaint with the Dot is that I would have to put a lot of upgrades in to get it up to decent standards. I would basically replace the pickups and almost all the hardware (tuners, switch, pots), especially those terrible Epiphone tuners. With the Ibanez, I was pretty
confident with the stock hardware, and as far as stock pups go I really liked them.
Here's the thing: yesterday I was at the shop getting a set-up on my Strat, and lo and behold there was a lefty Dot in cherry red. I look closer, and notice it has Grover tuners and a graphite nut. Then I read the tag, and see that it has after-market Gibson '57 Classic pickups installed. I ask the sales person about it, and he tells me it is pre-owned, and all the mods were done by the former owner. Price tag is $485 CAN.
I gave it a try, and to me the tone was a bit muddy, even on the bridge. It could have been the crappy amp I was plugged into, or it could have been the fact that the previous owner did some wacky wiring job in there (the tech at the store said he would rewire it back to factory spec for free). In any case, I will give it another shot when I go back tomorrow to pick up the Strat.
Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here had experience with the Gibson '57 Classics, and what your impression was. Comparisons to SD's '59 or other models would be appreciated. Your input will help me tremendously.
Thanks very much!
UPDATE: :banana: see below
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I have heard someone saying that the 57 was a bit dull, but she recommended DiMarzios...... 
