Which Duncan HB would be closest to the 57 classics?

[LtKojak]

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

I thought about the Seths but personally most guitars that I have heard Seths in I thought they sounded too dark.

If you consider Seths as dark, then '57 Classics will be plain unusable, as they're way darker, with a lot less articulation.

I get you like your '57 Classics in your 359, but in a full-size 335, the game changes considerably.

HTH,

 

[blueman335]

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

If you consider Seths as dark, then '57 Classics will be plain unusable, as they're way darker, with a lot less articulation.

+1. That's what my ears hear with '57's. Just not one of the better PAF's; the wind doesn't suit the magnet as well as it should. I can't believe Gibson stuffs them into so many guitar models. I think if you like '57's, you'll probably like one of the better PAF's a lot more.

 

[Rockstar216]

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

+1. That's what my ears hear with '57's. Just not one of the better PAF's; the wind doesn't suit the magnet as well as it should. I can't believe Gibson stuffs them into so many guitar models. I think if you like '57's, you'll probably like one of the better PAF's a lot more.

Guys over on the Gibson and LP forum Love em for what ever reason. The reason I keep reading they say "it has a low mid growl that duncan PAFs don't have". I guess their talking about the muddy bottom end and gotten so used to it that they like.

 

[blueman335]

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

Guys over on the Gibson and LP forum Love em for what ever reason. The reason I keep reading they say "it has a low mid growl that duncan PAFs don't have". I guess their talking about the muddy bottom end and gotten so used to it that they like.

Exactly. Muddy low-end and dull high-end. Maybe they're okay in SG's (although there's certainly better PU's), but I can't see them as a best choice in an LP or 335.

 

[Aceman]

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

Guys over on the Gibson and LP forum Love em for what ever reason. The reason I keep reading they say "it has a low mid growl that duncan PAFs don't have". I guess their talking about the muddy bottom end and gotten so used to it that they like.

Exactly. Muddy low-end and dull high-end. Maybe they're okay in SG's (although there's certainly better PU's), but I can't see them as a best choice in an LP or 335.

Yep.

I think they were basically Gibson's attempt at an old worn hum bucker tone or to imitate the A2P.

What they basically made was just an old hum bucker. The 57c's I have played sound like a failed attempt to copy an A2P. And A2P - if the pup for you/your guitar would sound so right compared to the 57c. I think I could deal with 57c in a pretty bright 335 for jazzing.

But yeah. They are meh in all kinds of ways. BB1/2's, however…WIN! That would be kind of like a Seth neck (I guess) and a PG bridge.

 

[Bludave]

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

Well my old 335 has Tom shaw PAF ri in it and that guitars tone is to die for. I listen to warren Haynes play his 335 and his neck pickup is beautiful so that's kind of what I am going for. That nice full warm tone.

 

[blueman335]

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

BB1/2's, however…WIN!

That's what should be in Gibson guitars instead of '57's.

 

[JeffB]

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

The real problem is people putting them in subpar sounding guitars. Especially guys stuffing them in fake mahogany, and 3rd rate maple semi hollows.I know, cos I been there done that exact same thing. 57s sound wqrm, but have good note separation in myGibby 335 and my Les Paul. Are duncans clearer? PGs arent, in fact they mud up 10 times worse in the same guitars when it comes to low mids/wound strings. Slasher A2 Ps arecertainly clearer,but the unwounds are so thin they are unuable for me. Pushing alot more gain than I use, through a modeller, or super clean, they sound better, but for my amps and amount of gain, no workie.

 

[blueman335]

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

Regardless of where you put a '57, there's no shortage of better-sounding PAF's available, especially in their retail price range, which is up in the boutiqe level. You want note separation, try a Fralin. There's a number of good PAF's that '57's can't compete with tonewise.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

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

Well my old 335 has Tom shaw PAF ri in it and that guitars tone is to die for. I listen to warren Haynes play his 335 and his neck pickup is beautiful so that's kind of what I am going for. That nice full warm tone.

You must have an 80's dot reissue!

I have a set of Shaw "PAFs" in my Moderne. The Shaw buckers are not PAF correct but seem to get the job done. If you want something close to them try the Slash Set, maybe regular Alnico II Pros but the Slash pickups will be closer IMO.

You can still find Shaw pickups but they are up in the $400 a set range now...just go for the Slash set is my vote.

The Blues Queen still won't sound like your Dot reissue due to the construction differences and that might be a great thing...similar pickups in different but different guitars!

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

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

Ironic thing is that the Lovers actually come closer to the humbuckers invented in 1957 it almost every single regard. Hell even on their 57 VOS reissue les pauls they use burst buckers. I honestly don't even know why they called them the 57 classics. I think they were just created to fill a niche between the burst buckers and the 490s.

 

[Lewguitar]

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

Ironic thing is that the Lovers actually come closer to the humbuckers invented in 1957 it almost every single regard. Hell even on their 57 VOS reissue les pauls they use burst buckers. I honestly don't even know why they called them the 57 classics. I think they were just created to fill a niche between the burst buckers and the 490s.

I'm pretty sure the 57's came before the Burstbuckers. I think Tom Holmes had a big hand in their development. I could be wrong.

But I do remember when they came out and I thought the 57's were the best humbucker Gibson had made in a long, long time.

They're not junk. Not by a long shot.

A lot of great players love them.

And there's a lot of players on the internet, who may not be so great, who don't.

 

[LtKojak]

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

Well my old 335 has Tom shaw PAF

Shaws are NOT PAFs. Never have, never will.

I listen to warren Haynes play his 335 and his neck pickup is beautiful so that's kind of what I am going for. That nice full warm tone.

And are you SURE your guitar, which is nowhere near WH 335, construction-wise, will put out that tone with '57 Classics?

You see, you actually didn't post to ask for help to nail some ground tone-footprint... you posted to TELL that you're going to put '57 Classics in it, and hoped to have some positive feedback so you'll feel better about it.

It's ok... but you should've posted in the My Les Paul Forum. There you would've had LOTS of company!

 

[Ayrton]

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

Muddy low-end and dull high-end.

Nailed it...

 

[Bludave]

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

I've had many if these discussions with my guitar tech. And he and I agree that the 57 classics would be great place to start. If they don't do it and the purpose if this thread was to get opinions as to what Duncan's would be close. I think seths and the A II pros or the Slash would be the ones but I will start with the 57 classics. And I am not trying to get anyone's tone all I was attempting to do was point out that I like a nice warm sounding neck pickup "like" warrens tone

 

[the guy who invented fire]

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

Shaws are NOT PAFs. Never have, never will.

I have to ask, have you ever used a set of Shaws, with the "correct" 500k pots??

I know they don use the correct wire and such but considering that Gibson tied Tims hands in every aspect, in the end he came up with a pickup that while maybe not a correct PAF certainly conveys PAF feel and tone in more ways than just one.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

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

Ironic thing is that the Lovers actually come closer to the humbuckers invented in 1957 it almost every single regard. Hell even on their 57 VOS reissue les pauls they use burst buckers. I honestly don't even know why they called them the 57 classics. I think they were just created to fill a niche between the burst buckers and the 490s.

Lew is right...57 Classics were before Burstbuckers.

Gibson has been trying to get a killer PAF style pickup since the 80's, in fact Shaw pickups being discussed here were Gibsons first attempt at a PAF reissue. The 57 Classics were the next big attempt. Then the Burstbuckers.

 

[Lewguitar]

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

Nailed it...

And then there's the guys who insist on the opposite - that the 57 Classics are harsh, bright and brittle. :laughing: http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58728

Google Gibson 57 Classics and you'll get such a confusing array of opposing opinions that you'll come away still having no idea what they actually sound like.

IMO, the best way to know is to find out for yourself what you think.

In fact, that's the only way, because these opinions are coming from guys who may or may not even know how to play.

 

[Rockstar216]

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

Exactly. Muddy low-end and dull high-end.

Thats how I would describe "woman" tone or the typical blues or jazz tone in general but I think thats what most guys were going for on purpose. Sure that tone works great for fat leads but try and hit anything other than a power chord and hear it all mush out.

If lo-fi, vintage type, full and round tone is your thing the 57s would work.

 

[blueman335]

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

these opinions are coming from guys who may or may not even know how to play.

Lew, what would be nice is that when people have different opinions than you, if you didn't automatically attribute it to them not being good players. Comes across as petty, and I don't think you're that kind of guy. Why take a cheap shot at them? Why not stick to the gear talk, and leave the personal jabs out of it? That can provoke things. There's been many less-than-favorable comments about '57's over the years here, and they certainly haven't all come from guys who 'don't know how to play.' That's a cop out. Can you just accept that people like different tones, and use different ways to get those tones? I like a lot of things about you, but that is one thing that rubs some of us the wrong way.