57 Classics vs SD pickups

[Joejitsu]

Just wanted to get a general consensus as I have no experience with Gibson Classic 57 (and pro) pickups. How do they rate in comparison overall to say the SD 59s (which I assume would be closest in sound). Are the gibson's typically though of as higher end than the SD pickups? (or vice versa)

[Coma]

The main thing I noticed when switching from stock Gibbys to SDs was the latter beinga whole lot less noisy. They still generate their share of hum, as any passive pickup will, just less of it.

[lemonman]

57s tend to be a little fatter and grainier than 59s, with more mids and low mids. They are a fine pup, if a little woofy in the neck. Can't say I've ever found them noisier than anybody else's humbuckers.

I wouldn't consider either pup to be "higher end' than the other, just quality variations on the endless PAF type.

[blueman335]

57s tend to be a little fatter and grainier than 59s, with more mids and low mids. They are a fine pup, if a little woofy in the neck.

"Woofy" as in dark and not as clear. Neck '57's are more prone to being muddy in the neck, and bridge '57's have a weird, thin, ribbony sound to my ears. Duncan's A2 PAF's are wound differently and have more clarity and definition, especially in the neck. I'd definitely go with Duncans: PG's, A2P's, or Seths.

If you want to swap magnets, you can improve the sound of '57's. Put an A5 in the neck, and an UOA5 in the bridge. '57's are high-quality PU's, it's just that A2's are necessarily the best magnet for them. A2's are a challenge in a neck PU, as they have a lot of mids and little treble. With the right wind, you can get a huge, dynamic sound; but with the wrong wind, they're muffled and muddy. Seymour's figured this out.

[Coma]

Can't say I've ever found them noisier than anybody else's humbuckers.

I didn't use 57s though, I had the 490/498 set. I just assumed the it would be a recurring feature in all, or most, Gibson pickups.

[Fly_with_v]

The 57 Classics are my favorite pickups. I also have a set of A2 Pros and they are somewhat comparable. I do not hear any extra noise with them compared to the A2 Pros. I do think the A2 Pros are a little cleaner/clearer but the 57's just give such a classic sound in a Les Paul. I believe they are probably the most popular version of the Gibson pickup family. They both are great pickups.

[GuitarDoc]

I actually love the '57 in the neck of one of my LPs with the stock A2 magnet. I use it for creamy smooth o.d. leads. It's a little looser than a Pearly Gates with more mids. Probably closer to an A2P Slash. The lows are not as crisp and articulate as in a PG.
as blueman says, the "clarity and definition" is much better in Duncans A2 PAFs.

The '59 is way more mid scooped than a '57, much brighter in the highs, and tighter in the lows. I personally don't like the '59 in the neck (love it in the bridge, however).

My favorite neck pup is either the PG or the Screamin Demon.

[blueman335]

I do think the A2 Pros are a little cleaner/clearer but the 57's just give such a classic sound in a Les Paul. I believe they are probably the most popular version of the Gibson pickup family. They both are great pickups.

Actually, from reading several years of posts here, I think BB's seem to be the most loved Gibson PU.

All of Gibson's PU's are well-made and high quality. To get the tones I want, I always end up swapping the mags in mine. If you want a large assortment of PU's to choose from, Duncan & DiMarzio have put far more effort into developing new products than Gibson. They give you valid reasons for replacing the stock PU's in your Gibson.