S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Shane28462

Shane28462

New member
I have been thinking of switching one of my alnico II pro loaded Gibson LP's over to the Gibson '57 classic and classic plus. However im not a huge fan of the S.D. '59 bridge believe it or not and was wondering if that was going to be a good indication to how i would feel about the Gibson '57's. Once upon a time i had the Burstbucker Pro's in one of my LP's and absolutely loved them accept for this crazy thing that was happening in the mids & highs that i just grew annoyed with and stoped using them all together in all of my guitars. Also not sure if that would be an issue with the '57 classics as well...

Also just wanted to throw in their, My dislike of the S.D. '59 is limited to the bridge p.up. I absolutely love the '59 neck paired with a JB bridge.
 
Last edited:
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

The 57's are warm and full sounding. They have AII mags and even wind opposed to the BB Pro which has an A5 mag and mismatched coils. I've also had issues with the BB Pro
where it can be harsh sounding. I do like the 59's though. I have a 59' neck in an LP that's fantastic!
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Go with Unpotted 59's and you will be shocked in the difference. My Gibson 57 LPC sounds killer with Unpoted 59's with that vintage open 3-D like tones. You just have to hear the difference.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Guess I'll have to give the '57's a go. Glad to know im not the only one with an issue with the BB Pro's. Never thought about an un-potted '59. Might use a hair dryer and "Un-Pot" the one i have and see if it seems to go into a direction i like.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

I have the BB pro´s in my Les Paul Standard :)
I swapped the neck BB for a Gibson 490T.
The Gibson 490T are suppoused to be very close to the 57classics and i´ve tried them to.
They do superclean beatifull sound to extreme high gain, all very well:)
In my opinion you can´t go wrong with either one...
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Shane28462 said:
Guess I'll have to give the '57's a go. Glad to know im not the only one with an issue with the BB Pro's.
Click to expand...

The '57's are a good PU. However I don't get along with A2 magnets, so I prefer '57's with an A5 in the neck (more clarity) & an A4 in the bridge (more output & better cut).
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Luke Duke said:
BIG +1 here, the 57 with an A5 really pulls out some mud. Though it's still not one of my favs it is definitely better.
Click to expand...

Yes, big improvement. You'd think Gibson would have figured this out a while ago. Luke, have you tried a bridge '57 & if so, have you kept the stock magnet in it?
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

I love A2 pickups in the neck and bridge. Then again, I play Strats and they just sound clearer there to me. Another way to get a little more bite from the Classic in the neck is to flip it around so the screw poles are towards the bridge.

I've got the Classic Plus in the bridge with it and it sounds great. Those are two of my favorite humbuckers right there.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

blueman335 said:
Yes, big improvement. You'd think Gibson would have figured this out a while ago. Luke, have you tried a bridge '57 & if so, have you kept the stock magnet in it?
Click to expand...

I haven't BOUGHT one, but I've played quite a few. In my opinion the 57s sound best in hollow/sem-hollows. The LPs I've messed that had (stock) 57s were all very messy sounding.

My old LP Custom's 490/498T set was kinda blah sounding, so I started by putting in a 57 in the neck. It was really mellow and warm for cleans, but with dirt it came to pieces. Meanwhile the bridge pup was ultra agressive and kinda ice picky in the ole ear. It took me a year and a half to come up with the idea of swapping the magnets. Just that simple little process REALLY woke up the 57 and mellowed out the 498. I still sold the guitar because I was never really really happy with it.

I don't know a lot about A4, but anything less powerful than an A5 would sound better in a 57 in the bridge slot.

Luke
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Luke Duke said:
IThe LPs I've messed that had (stock) 57s were all very messy sounding...My old LP Custom's 490/498T set was kinda blah sounding, so I started by putting in a 57 in the neck. It was really mellow and warm for cleans, but with dirt it came to pieces. Meanwhile the bridge pup was ultra agressive and kinda ice picky in the ole ear. It took me a year and a half to come up with the idea of swapping the magnets. Just that simple little process REALLY woke up the 57 and mellowed out the 498...I don't know a lot about A4, but anything less powerful than an A5 would sound better in a 57 in the bridge slot.
Click to expand...

Boy, the 498T/490R set is another one that begs for a magnet swap! With an A5, the 490R becomes a very good PU; the 498T warms nicely with an A8 or A4 (an A2 was too rounded for me). Same magnets work wonders for the otherwise unimpressive 490T/490R combo too. I've eventually swapped the magnets in all my Gibson PU's, and they've gone from so-so and "blah" to excellent.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

blueman335 said:
Boy, the 498T/490R set is another one that begs for a magnet swap! With an A5, the 490R becomes a very good PU; the 498T warms nicely with an A8 or A4 (an A2 was too rounded for me). Same magnets work wonders for the otherwise unimpressive 490T/490R combo too. I've eventually swapped the magnets in all my Gibson PU's, and they've gone from so-so and "blah" to excellent.
Click to expand...

I've never used A8, but if it's more powerful and strident than an A5 I don't think I'd care for it.

What did you put in the 490 combo?

Luke
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

i took out my gibsons and put in Seymours! But my guitar is a 1996 and perhaps the gibson classics sucked back then?
but for your les paul a 59/JB combo would be rocking.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Luke Duke said:
I've never used A8, but if it's more powerful and strident than an A5 I don't think I'd care for it.

What did you put in the 490 combo?

Luke
Click to expand...

i'unno what blueman's got but i've got a5s in my 490s in a dot studio. it's kinda bright but still full sounding, kind of(but not quite) like 59s with more mids and a bump in output.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Luke Duke said:
I've never used A8, but if it's more powerful and strident than an A5 I don't think I'd care for it.

What did you put in the 490 combo?
Click to expand...

I put an A5 in my 490R's (neck) which opens them up & adds some sparkle (they're a little dark & muddy with the stock A2's). In the 490T I like an A4, which has more output & treble than an A2, but not as much of either as an A5. A4's have a balanced EQ, which makes them a nice inbetween magnet when you're not wanting the extremes of an A2 or A5.

I like A8's in a 498T & 500T, as they're both high output PU's to begin with, and A8's add mids & warmth to those otherwise bright PU's. I don't think A8's deserve a reputation as an extreme magnet, as they're being used more in PAF PU's lately (I have one in a PGB). I'm looking forward to trying a C8, as I've heard good things about them.
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

gibson175 said:
i took out my gibsons and put in Seymours! But my guitar is a 1996 and perhaps the gibson classics sucked back then?
but for your les paul a 59/JB combo would be rocking.
Click to expand...

The 496R/500T just aren't that great a set of pickups. A ceramic magnet pup in the neck is just not a sound most guys go for.

Luke
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

Does Seymour Duncan make a pickup close to the Classic 57's?? The reason I ask is I have an Epiphone G-400 SG that I'm not super happy with the sound. One of my fav guitar players has the exact same one with 57's in it, but I'd prefer to stay with Duncans if I can. Here's a good video of him playing, right around 2:38 he does a little lead so you can really hear his tone. http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8b26c06e6764f412d222
 
Re: S.D '59's Versus Gibson '57 Classics & Classic Plus

When the 57 Classics came out I thought they were the best humbucker Gibson had produced since the glory days of the 50's through the mid 60's.

They're very good.

I find Duncan 59's to be a just as good or better. The 59 is a little brighter, a little bouncier and to has a little less midrange.

I have come to prefer alnico 2 when it comes to humbuckers but my favorite would not be the 57 Classic. My favorites would be the Duncan PG's, Seth Lovers and Antiquitys and the Tom Holmes A2 humbuckers.

I'd pick the Duncans over the 57 Classics.

The Tom Holmes HB's are the best humbuckers I've ever owned but they're now priced beyond the reach of most players. I love mine.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top