Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

[Young Angus]

When i get my es137 custom its going to come stock with a pair of 57 classics. Now i dont know what the bridge pickup is like, chances are its not what im going to be after cos i like a bit of cut from my bridge, although like i just said im not sure what it will be like.

But the neck pickup im not sure about. I heard this exact guitar played through an amp which i am buying and obtaining about a week from now (a mesa 50cal + combo) and this thing on its stock 57classic neck pickup gave the sweetest jazz tone! But i dont know if i was just so impressed because i hadnt actually heard a great gibsony jazz tone in the flesh (ive heard plenty of funky strats, but no gibsons live). It sounded just like wes!

My question is if the opportunity comes up to buy a replacement pickup, and i was thinking along the lines of a 59 or a seth, should i buy it or do you guys think that the 57 classics are actually really good pickups?

Whats your opinions? Also do you have any other suggestions about what would sound good in the neck other than what ive mentioned? Also what about the bridge, i was thinking perhaps a CC?

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

Antiq or Seth bridge & Jazz neck would worth a try.

 

[mongrollo]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

I wouldn't replace the pickup unless you want a different caracter. The classic 57 are very good pickups and they should deliver the jazzy tone you are after.

But if you want a high output pickup in the bridge may be you should look someware else. But before changing try cranking your amp a see if the sound from the brigde it is what you are after. May be that will be enought forn you...

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

I am a huge advocate of playing a guitar before you decide to change the pickups. The longer you play it, the better off you will be in making a pickup change decision. I played the 57 classics in my 59 RI for 2 1/2 years before I changed them out and no one in the audience ever made hissing noises or told me that my tone was horrid so try a little patients.

Play that guitar for a month and see what it does for you. Any SD HB will work in that guitar but it will be hard to pick the right one until you have played that guitar a bit.

Seths or Antiquities would be awesome, 59s would sound great, a PG set or APH-IIs will kill, a JB/Jazz combo will be the bomb.........

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

Read up on the 57 Classics. http://www.legendarytones.com Just click on thier guitars reviews and then click on the humbucking pickup reviews. Very informative and good reading! The 57 Classics are fine pickups, but I replaced the 57's in my Les Paul within a few months. There are better pickups...and Robert mentioned alot of them! Lew

 

[Young Angus]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

I think ill save the JB/Jazz combo, or rather CC/Jazz combo for my les paul when i get that.

I think thats a good idea, to play it for a bit. But i think if i do opt to replace them both i was thinking about a pearly gates bridge with either a 59 or seth neck??? What do you think of that? Although im sure a CC would be nice in this guitars bridge...

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Should i hurry to replace a 57 classic neck with a duncan? (and bridge)

Read up on the 57 Classics. http://www.legendarytones.com Just click on thier guitars reviews and then click on the humbucking pickup reviews. Very informative and good reading! The 57 Classics are fine pickups, but I replaced the 57's in my Les Paul within a few months. There are better pickups...and Robert mentioned alot of them! Lew

I agree with the others that you should play the guitar as is for awhile so you have a good baseline of what you like or dislike about the 57s...I had the 57 Classics in my Les Paul and didn't like them...The bridge pickup was too thin and toppy sounding(Almost harsh)and the neck pickup was too boomy and overpowering.Even bringing the neck pickup a bit below the plastic ring didn't help..The neck pickup 57 gave me the most problem..I now have a 59 A5 in the neck and a Custom Hybrid A2 in the bridge...Lately I'm leaning towards the A5 magnets in my Hybrids for more cut with my band..Either that,or I'm going more deaf and need more highs? :wink:

John