Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '57

[FluffChop]

Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '57

Hi guys and gals,


I have the older Les Paul Traditional Pro (original version) which has a BB#3 in the bridge and I like that a lot.


I'm just after the thoughts of anyone who owns both a regular Gibson Les Paul Traditional (non pro) and a Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro II ?
Specifically your experience with the bridge pickups, i.e. '57 Classic Plus vs Super '57.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

I don't like '57' in LP's at all. First of all, they're a run-of-the-mill PAF, there's many better, especially considering their exorbitant aftermarket price. Secondly, they have a rounded high-end and not a lot of clarity; it's the wrong wind for an A2 magnet. I don't know what Gibson was thinking. I couldn't get the quality of tones I expected from mine, and sold them. Super '57's are wound hotter, which probably doesn't help the dull high-end that the other '57's have. '57's really need a lower wind, not a hotter one. As average as '57 Classic/Classic Plus are, I wouldn't expect much from Super '57's. I'm sure they're pricey for you too.

The best-sounding PAF's Gibson's made in decades are BB's (not BBP's). If you want Gibson PU's, a BB1/BB2 or a BB2/BB3 set would give you the best tones.

But there are even better PAF's, such as Duncan's Seth's and Fralin's. Open, airy, clear, articulate, with complex tones that have a lot of depth. They blow away '57's.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

I used to own the original Trad Pro. I didn't care for either pickup. The BB3 had a tendency to sound a little thin at times. The 57 was always muddy.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

The 57 was always muddy.

Bingo! That's a '57!

 

[Securb]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

I have a Traditional Pro I love the neck pickup and the guitar sounds killer in the middle position. The 57 Classic Plus has it's good days and bad days. It always sounds great through my stack but a bit bright with my Marshall combo or my Fender half stack. I am seriouslly thinking about replacing it with a 498T I have one in my SG and that pickup is always right on the money.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

I own a few Les Paul including the Traditional Pro II. I'm pretty sure the neck pickup is the same as my LP Trad. Std. which is the 57 Classic. My Traditional Standard has a 57 Classic Plus in the bridge. My Traditional Pro II has the Super 57. I like the Super 57 a lot. It's pretty much the same as the Classic Plus and the only difference I hear is kind of the difference you would heard between an covered and uncovered pickup except a little more pronounced. The Super 57 seems a bit more open but that's about it. Boosted is great, but it has enough output so I don't need to use the boost. However, the boost is very handy for low gain amps. It increases the feel. The Super 57 reminds me of an EVH Frankenstein for some reason.

 

[FluffChop]

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

Re: Who owns the LP Trad & a LP Trad Pro II - thought on '57 classic Plus vs Super '5

I don't like '57' in LP's at all. First of all, they're a run-of-the-mill PAF, .....
But there are even better PAF's, such as Duncan's Seth's and Fralin's. Open, airy, clear, articulate, with complex tones that have a lot of depth. They blow away '57's.

I disagree because I've put Fralin's and Seth's in Les Pauls based upon similar recommendations slamming the Gibson pickups. They're very shrill pickups which seem to be designed by guys with no top end left in their hearing. There isn't the lightest of breezes from them towards the '57 Classics, they're rock solid.