Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

[NJLK]

I have a Gibson LP with the 57 Classic/57 Plus combo. It's not a bad sound, but they (especially the 57 Plus can sometimes sound a bit harsh, and almost fizzy. I also have a guitar equipped with Gibson's 490R/T combo - I seem to prefer the sound of those pickups as it's quite a bit smoother. I've also have the Custom 5 in a guitar, and while it sounded great with gain, I do not like the clean tones. I play mostly classic and 90s-type rock and need something that works equally well clean and distorted.

Any suggestions of a warmer, smoother Duncan pickup set would be very appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Securb]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

I am also a fan of the 490T combo in a Les Paul or almost any other guitar. If you like that combo that might be the way to go. 490Ts can be found on the secondary market at very inexpensive prices seeing a lot of people do not like them, and they get a bad rap.

I replaced the 57 set in my Traditional with the Whole Lotta Humbucker set. I play everything from classic rock to post-hardcore metal, and the pickups always deliver. I have never seen a post from anyone that installed that set in a Les Paul that was disappointed.

 

[Blille]

Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

How about Alnico II Pros?

https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/alnico-ii-pro-hb-set


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[Mincer]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

I like the Whole Lotta Humbucker set, too. Another set to look at is the 59 in the neck, and a 59/Custom Hybrid in the bridge. Either of these will sound great across a wide gain range.

 

[NJLK]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

"How about Alnico II Pros?"

In reading all the product descriptions on the SD site, that's the set I honed in on right away. But, I spoke to the local guitar tech, who said that his memory was that the Alnico Pro was even brighter than the 57 Classic/Plus. Doesn't seem to make sense based on the description, but I have no experience with the APII. What would you say your experience is with this set?

Whole Lotta Humbucker is the other one I was very interested in trying out. Has anyone played both the 57 and this set and can describe the difference? thanks!

 

[Securb]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

Has anyone played both the 57 and this set and can describe the difference? thanks!

I also found the 57s to bit a bit bright, that was my reasoning for the swap. The first thing I noticed was more pronouched mids with the WLHs, especially the low/mids. This gives the pickup a throaty bark.

Here is a review I wrote about the pickups.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2014/63700/review-seymour-duncan-whole-lotta-humbucker-im-gonna-give-love

 

[Blille]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

"How about Alnico II Pros?"

In reading all the product descriptions on the SD site, that's the set I honed in on right away. But, I spoke to the local guitar tech, who said that his memory was that the Alnico Pro was even brighter than the 57 Classic/Plus. Doesn't seem to make sense based on the description, but I have no experience with the APII. What would you say your experience is with this set?

Whole Lotta Humbucker is the other one I was very interested in trying out. Has anyone played both the 57 and this set and can describe the difference? thanks!

I agree with the marketing blurb

They are “clear” but I wouldn’t say harsh or fizzy like you did in your OP.


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[JimmyO]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

"How about Alnico II Pros?"

In reading all the product descriptions on the SD site, that's the set I honed in on right away. But, I spoke to the local guitar tech, who said that his memory was that the Alnico Pro was even brighter than the 57 Classic/Plus. Doesn't seem to make sense based on the description, but I have no experience with the APII. What would you say your experience is with this set?

Whole Lotta Humbucker is the other one I was very interested in trying out. Has anyone played both the 57 and this set and can describe the difference? thanks!

I have Les Paul's with the WLH and 57/57+ set and also one with a Pearly Gates set. I generally like all three sets. I find the 57 classic set has soft rich neck tone and more biting bridge tone, of the sets it has the largest contrast between neck and bridge. The WLH is the most evenly balanced and is my favorite set. I can use it for most types of music but it nails blues rock and 70s classic rock, very versatile set. The Pearly gates is a nice set and has the most sizzle, I really like the PG neck. The bridge can also be a little bright with the PG set. One thing to try is dial in your amp tone with the neck pickup, this will leave the bridge pickup bright and then wind down the tone of the bridge until the top end warms up and it should give you balanced tone from both positions.

If the 57s aren't doing it for you the WLHs are a great set.

 

[NJLK]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

I also found the 57s to bit a bit bright, that was my reasoning for the swap. The first thing I noticed was more pronouched mids with the WLHs, especially the low/mids. This gives the pickup a throaty bark.

Here is a review I wrote about the pickups.

http://www.tmrzoo.com/2014/63700/review-seymour-duncan-whole-lotta-humbucker-im-gonna-give-love

Great review, thanks!

 

[Perry go round]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

I have also replaced the 57+/57n in a Gibson LP with a WLH set for the same reasons. I am happy with the results.
Also, in a different guitar I tried a 59/custom hybrid in the bridge with a WLH neck and it was also a killer set.
Both guitars sounded very close with those sets. The guitar with the Hybrid was naturally darker sounding and the one with the WLHb was brighter sounding and with those pickups they sounded very close. So I would recommend the WLH for brighter guitars and the Hybrid for darker guitars, if compensating for that is one of the intentions.

Enviado desde mi HUAWEI SCL-L01 mediante Tapatalk

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Replacement for Gibson 57/57 Plus in a Les Paul

"How about Alnico II Pros?"

In reading all the product descriptions on the SD site, that's the set I honed in on right away. But, I spoke to the local guitar tech, who said that his memory was that the Alnico Pro was even brighter than the 57 Classic/Plus. Doesn't seem to make sense based on the description, but I have no experience with the APII. What would you say your experience is with this set?

Whole Lotta Humbucker is the other one I was very interested in trying out. Has anyone played both the 57 and this set and can describe the difference? thanks!

The APH neck pickup is anything but bright. Its warm and creamy and smooth. I never have really cared for the bridge version. I like the 59' bridge, Seth Lover Bridge and Antiquity bridge. Haven't tried the WLH, but it gets rave reviews. The Saturday Night Special set may be something to look at too. Alnico IV magnets are generally smooth sounding.... giving an even bass/mid/treble tone across the spectrum.