Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

Bludave

Bludave

New member
Title says it all. I have the 57 classics in my 359 & I really like them. I just got a Custom made "335" style guitar but feel the pickups are a touch too bright(A5 magnets) and am leaning towards replacing them with 57 classics, but if they don't work out I would like to have a headsup on what Duncans might do the trick. I have a set of Alnico II Slash pickups in a Les Paul but feel in this particular guitar I am trying to curb some of the brightness so any ideas?
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

A2P's would be the closest, although I think they're a much better PU's than '57's. They're a bit brighter and clearer. Since you're wanting less treble, and they already have A2's, I'd look at a warmer resistor or pot.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

That's what I was thinking but my Tech suggested an AII pickup so I think I am going to go with the 57 classics, if that doesn't do it maybe a 250K pot??
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

Bludave said:
I just got a Custom made "335" style guitar but feel the pickups are a touch too bright(A5 magnets)
Click to expand...

What p'ups do you have in that guitar?

Whatever you have there, sell'em and get a Seth Lover set with a harness made with 500K pots.

No other p'up set is more adequate for a semi-hollow than the Seth.

The APH1s are good too, but no comparison.

HTH,
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

LtKojak said:
Whatever you have there, sell'em and get a Seth Lover set with a harness made with 500K pots.

No other p'up set is more adequate for a semi-hollow than the Seth.
Click to expand...

+1. I can't imagine a '57 ever sounding better than a Seth. When you want a PAF, you can be disappointed by '57's (and a number of people are), but I don't know that that happens with Seths.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

if the a5 is too bright, why not just try an a4 or a2 magnet swap?
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

I thought about just swapping the magnets also Jeremy but these are James Moore pickups(a custom winder in Canada). I want to leave them intact so I think its going to be easier to just drop in a new set of pickups. I'm going to try the 57's I just wanted to be prepared that if this doesn't work to my liking where should I go? I have the 57's in my 359 & they sound great so in a carved semi-hollow that is full sized I anticipate them to "correct" the brightness well. Will let all know when we are done. If the 57's don't tame some of the brightness then I will probably look at a 250K pot. Personally the guitar sounds fine but I think its just a touch too bright. In order for me to get it where I want I have to roll the tone back to about 3 or 4. I can normally get this with my 335 at 10. So I think the Alnico II should solve this. Thanks again everyone!!
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

LtKojak said:
What p'ups do you have in that guitar?

Whatever you have there, sell'em and get a Seth Lover set with a harness made with 500K pots.

No other p'up set is more adequate for a semi-hollow than the Seth.


The APH1s are good too, but no comparison.

HTH,
Click to expand...

I thought about the Seths but personally most guitars that I have heard Seths in I thought they sounded too dark. I think the 57 classics would be a good place to start. If they don't work the way I expect them too then I will consider the Seths.

The guitar was made by Brian Monty http://www.montyguitars.com/

It is his version of a 335. Its called a Blues Queen it is essentially a solid carved 335 with a Mahogany center block. The guitar plays incredibly well but I feel it is just a touch too bright. The picks that are in it now were hand wound by James Moore. They are A5 magnets and in this particular guitar and design I just feel they are a touch too bright. The 57 classics should warm it up just right if not then I will try the Seths. I appreciate the input. Thanks..
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

A2Ps are gonna be the closest to '57 Classics. If you like '57's, then there is really no arguing with just getting a pair. But you will get better better consistency from pickup to pickup with the S.D.s IME. With Gibsons, there is a lot of variation in specs that you'll run into, even in pickups from the same model year guitar.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

Bludave said:
I thought about the Seths but personally most guitars that I have heard Seths in I thought they sounded too dark. I think the 57 classics would be a good place to start. If they don't work the way I expect them too then I will consider the Seths.
Click to expand...

Seth Lovers to Dark? As in not enough treble? Hmmm...they didn't strike me that way when I've used them in my own guitars..but my guitars at the time had 50's Mod wiring which adds some sizzle and treble, IMO.

Well then: how about some Pearly Gates?
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

Lewguitar said:
Seth Lovers to Dark? As in not enough treble? Hmmm...they didn't strike me that way when I've used them in my own guitars..but my guitars at the time had 50's Mod wiring which adds some sizzle and treble, IMO.

Well then: how about some Pearly Gates?[/QUOTE

I have a friend who has a set in a Les Paul & personally his tone is dark and depressing. I have another buddy who has them in an Archtop and in this guitar they are magical, but I think it really comes down to our individual ears and wood combinations. This is what we do when we buy a custom made guitar. The guitar is awesome but I am comparing it to my 335 and my 335 just sounds better. My 335 has the Tom Shaw pickups in it & I would never ever consider replacoing them. Thus new guitar sounds really good just not as good as my olde 335. So Im just trying to get it closer to that tone.
Click to expand...
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

What about having the Custom shop make you something or are you not trying to spend that type of cash?
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

Every guitar except one that I own that came with '57 classics got Antiquities. I think I have some Seths in the pup box, but I am always so happy with the Ants, I never bother to change them.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

I've never heard of pearly gates being dark or muddy. I vote for a2 pro.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

If you like 57s, use them. I have had Pgs and A2 slashers, and a Jazz and C5 (rcuo and polished) in my last 2 Gibsons, and both have 57s now. They are not perfect, but sound much better for my needs than the Duncans did.
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

I never cared for 57 Classics myself but if you want to be in the ballpark with a Duncan a Seth is likely your best bet. I see lots of Alnico II Pro suggestions but A2P's are just not PAF style pickups and don't sound like it to me.

That said if you dig the 57 Classics just grab a set...they can be had used for next to nothing.

Now, for the real topic...how do you like the Blues Queen? After owning a guitar Brian repaired I can only imagine what one of his full builds is like!
 
Re: Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

the guy who invented fire said:
I
I see lots of Alnico II Pro suggestions but A2P's are just not PAF style pickups and don't sound like it to me.e!
Click to expand...


Both have Polished a2s. Similar high 7 to 8k outputs, poly insulated wire, is likely the reason for the suggestions. Neither are PAFish though, I agree, and that Is why I use the 57s. Not looking for PAF. But you know that already ;)

57s (and many other gibsons) have a certain low midrange growly thing going on none of the Duncan a2 pickups have..
 
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