SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

[UTGrad]

My new Epiphone Trad Pro III Plus has Gibson zebra coil 57 Classic in neck and Super 57 bridge. I’m wondering if there would be any benefit swapping out the Gibson pups with SD pups and what SD pups would be similarly voiced. Any helped would be appreciated.


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[DonP]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I you like the current pickups (you want to get the same pickups, only Duncans?) then this sounds like a waste of time and money.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

The Duncan’s would be clearer and more detailed. Ones that are in the same territory/family would be:

Alnico 2 Pros or Slash set
Antiquities
Seth Lovers
59s
Angus set (custom shop)
Whole Lotta Humbuckers
Pearly Gates

The first 3 are close neighbors. The last 4 venture into more modern rock mid-output land.

 

[chadd]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I really liked the split tone in the neck from the 57, probably as much as anything from Duncan. Closest thing I could guess would be the APH1

 

[Mincer]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I think if anything, you might make a sideways step. If there was a tonal issue you needed to correct, it would be worth investigating. If you like what you have, enjoy them and get on to playing.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Are you crazy or is this post just a scam?

You've got two pretty decent expensive pups and you want to swap them for a different brand with the same voice, and you're asking if there "would be any benefit". The simple answer is, of course not!

But if there was some quality of those pups that you would like to change (brighter, more clarity, higher/lower output, warmer, less bass, etc.), then you should just ask it that way.

If you are just curious what Duncan pup is most similar to the Gibson '57, then that's valid...and my answer would be the A2P.

 

[blueman335]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I'm a big A2P fan, but don't care for '57's. They're on the muddy side and I don't like their high end. I've had several sets over them years that came in guitars I owned, and ended up pulling and selling all three of them.

I think Duncan's Seth's, A2P's, and WLH are all better sounding pickups. '59's are nice too, with an UOA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck.

One of the members here (Kojak?) said that the specs on '57's have been changed a number of times since their introduction, so the way they sound may be a moving target.

 

[smitty302]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

If 57 classics are good enough for Derek Trucks then they should be good enough for anyone. Especially if you like the tone, then there's no need in changing.

 

[dystrust]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

If 57 classics are good enough for Derek Trucks then they should be good enough for anyone. Especially if you like the tone, then there's no need in changing.

Does anyone know if Derek Trucks even uses them?

I've owned a few sets, and '57s are one thing I agree with blueman on.

 

[smitty302]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Does anyone know if Derek Trucks even uses them?

I've owned a few sets, and '57s are one thing I agree with blueman on.

Not really sure but his signature model has 57 classics in it.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I didn't think Trucks used 57 Classics but I could be wrong. But whether he did or not, or even if his sig model has them, or whether he endorses them or not, that doesn't mean a thing. That doesn't mean that "...they should be good enough for anyone".

Do you even realize how ridiculous that sounds?!

If that were true (or even CLOSE to being true), then why are there any other pups even made? Why doesn't everyone use 57s? In fact, why do you almost NEVER hear of any famous guitarist using them?

The fact of the matter is that tone and taste are subjective and there are as many opinions of what is "good enough" as there are people.

Just an off-the-wall question for you, Smitty....
How many guitars do you own, and how many of them have 57s in them? (I'm just curious).

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I'm a big A2P fan, but don't care for '57's. They're on the muddy side and I don't like their high end. I've had several sets over them years that came in guitars I owned, and ended up pulling and selling all three of them.

I think Duncan's Seth's, A2P's, and WLH are all better sounding pickups. '59's are nice too, with an UOA5 in the bridge and an A4 in the neck.

One of the members here (Kojak?) said that the specs on '57's have been changed a number of times since their introduction, so the way they sound may be a moving target.

Pepe seems to have the inside track on a lot of this info so I tend to believe what he says...as long as it's not just random speculation or just personal opinion.

 

[smitty302]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Just an off-the-wall question for you, Smitty....
How many guitars do you own, and how many of them have 57s in them? (I'm just curious).[/QUOTE]

I have around 10 guitars and only one now with 57 classics. My main 3 guitars are SGs. They all came with different pickups so I could easily compare the 3 main Gibson's pickups, 490s, 57s and Burstbuckers. The 57s are by far my favorite Gibson pickup and the 490s my least favorite. I replaced the 490s with Whole Lotta Humbuckers and now that guitar is my favorite. Everyone is different though. I wasn't a fan of 57s to start with but I was persuaded to give them a try from this forum. I'm glad I did now. And while I'll agree that they're so many Duncan's that are better, the 57s are still a good pickup. I just couldn't see spending the money on another pickup if the OP likes the tone of them.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Pepe seems to have the inside track on a lot of this info so I tend to believe what he says...as long as it's not just random speculation or just personal opinion.

FWIW I haven’t seen his comments on 57s specifically, but I do recall him discussing the construction of common pickups he’s unwound and dissected.

 

[chadd]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

I've seen several discussions regarding 57s with at least two major changes over the years. As always, the oldest seems to be considered the best. With a litle tweaking, I was able to get usable tones out of my 2011 traditional pros with 57s in the neck

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Just an off-the-wall question for you, Smitty....
How many guitars do you own, and how many of them have 57s in them? (I'm just curious).

I have around 10 guitars and only one now with 57 classics. My main 3 guitars are SGs. They all came with different pickups so I could easily compare the 3 main Gibson's pickups, 490s, 57s and Burstbuckers. The 57s are by far my favorite Gibson pickup and the 490s my least favorite. I replaced the 490s with Whole Lotta Humbuckers and now that guitar is my favorite. Everyone is different though. I wasn't a fan of 57s to start with but I was persuaded to give them a try from this forum. I'm glad I did now. And while I'll agree that they're so many Duncan's that are better, the 57s are still a good pickup. I just couldn't see spending the money on another pickup if the OP likes the tone of them.View attachment 97052

Well, now I guess you can see the point of my last post. You said that 57s "should to be good enough for anyone", but even you only have them in 1/10 of your guitars. You imply that you had more, but got rid of them. And in fact, the only one you have left is not even your favorite.

"Good enough for anyone"? (Except maybe the person who proclaims them to be good enough for anyone). Good advice.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Does anyone know if Derek Trucks even uses them?

I've owned a few sets, and '57s are one thing I agree with blueman on.

I saw a short rig rundown/interview about Trucks' guitars and amps and when someone asked what pickups are in his personal guitar, he seems to think they are Duncans. I think he tried a number of pickups and just picked the ones he liked best, but doesn't really know much about which ones his tech put in the guitar that he finally picked.
Al

 

[UTGrad]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Spent several hours putting my new Epi LP Trad Pro III Plus with the 57's through it's paces and I'm going to stay put for now. The 57s definitely have that PAF tone that I love. I have WLH's in a G-400 that gives me that 70s hard rock tone. Thanks for the input.

 

[UTGrad]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Ooops well I just ordered a WLH bridge in zebra to match. I figured the 57 classic neck matched with the WLH in bridge would be a sweet combo. I have WLH in my SG and it is a super pick up.

 

[OLDERBUDWISER]

Re: SD Pups Similar to Gibson 57 Classic/Super 57

Ooops well I just ordered a WLH bridge in zebra to match. I figured the 57 classic neck matched with the WLH in bridge would be a sweet combo. I have WLH in my SG and it is a super pick up.

I had the same set in an EPi and stayed in there for 2 years, swapped for another set only because its my hobby, why not? I think that guitar will sound great, the 57 neck is sweet, but I always felt the 57+ was slightly lacking. Enjoy man!!