Replacing Gibson Classic 57's

[The Toes]

Hello All,

I recently bought a Gold Top Les Paul Classic Custom and it is outstanding. The weight, playability, and comfort are all there for me but I'm still questioning the Classic 57's. It could be I'm spoiled because I have been using a MCP Angel Dust for some time now but I want to improve the clarity and overall sound of the bridge hb. Ideally, I would like to replace both the bridge and neck hb's but it looks like I'll have to settle for one at a time. I know there are plenty of people that love Gibson's Classic 57's but they are just not for me, they seem kind of run of the mill to my ears.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Reckless Abandon]

I found '59s to have good clarity in an LP. I assume you still want PAF vibe?

I also liked the note detail of A2 pros.

[LtKojak]

Hello All,

I recently bought a Gold Top Les Paul Classic Custom and it is outstanding. The weight, playability, and comfort are all there for me but I'm still questioning the Classic 57's. It could be I'm spoiled because I have been using a MCP Angel Dust for some time now but I want to improve the clarity and overall sound of the bridge hb. Ideally, I would like to replace both the bridge and neck hb's but it looks like I'll have to settle for one at a time. I know there are plenty of people that love Gibson's Classic 57's but they are just not for me, they seem kind of run of the mill to my ears.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I'm NOT really a fan of the '57 Classics (is a '57 Classic/'57 Classic Plus by any chance? If yes, then you can read further), but I've had good results with an A3 in the neck and an UOA5 in the bridge to fight "run-of-the-mill" syndrom for vintage or an A4/A4 mag set for a "rockier" vibe or an UOA5/UOA5 mag set for a slightly fuller sound.

HTH,

[Edgecrusher]

I'm NOT really a fan of the '57 Classics (is a '57 Classic/'57 Classic Plus by any chance? If yes, then you can read further), but I've had good results with an A3 in the neck and an UOA5 in the bridge to fight "run-of-the-mill" syndrom for vintage or an A4/A4 mag set for a "rockier" vibe or an UOA5/UOA5 mag set for a slightly fuller sound.

HTH,

I actually dig the A4's in my set of 57 classics. The original A2's not so much but the A4's gel with them very well.

[blueman335]

I'm NOT really a fan of the '57 Classics (is a '57 Classic/'57 Classic Plus by any chance? If yes, then you can read further), but I've had good results with an A3 in the neck and an UOA5 in the bridge to fight "run-of-the-mill" syndrom for vintage or an A4/A4 mag set for a "rockier" vibe or an UOA5/UOA5 mag set for a slightly fuller sound.

+1. '57's are high quality PU's, but Gibson doesn't have the best magnets in them. For several dollars you can get the tones you want.

[Aceman]

+1. '57's are high quality PU's, but Gibson doesn't have the best magnets in them. For several dollars you can get the tones you want.

I'd generally agree with you on this, but I like 57 classics (not love). And let's be honest - do you think Seymour, Larry, or any major pickup maker has EVER got the magnets right?

[LtKojak]

I'd generally agree with you on this, but I like 57 classics (not love). And let's be honest - do you think Seymour, Larry, or any major pickup maker has EVER got the magnets right?

Stock p'ups are fine for most people. Even newer Gibsons.

We, at the SDUGF, are NOT most people.

HTH,

[The Toes]

Thanks for all the responses/suggestions, I really appreciate them. I neglected to state what rig I'm using and some other info so here goes:

Here's my rig:
5150 half stack
My pedal board consists of the following-
Polytune
Dunlop Hendrix Wah
Catalinbread Naga Viper
TC Electronics Flashback Delay
MXR EVH Flanger

My band covers everything from Alice In Chains to the Black Keys

As for the wiring/pots in the guitar, everything is still stock so it features a pair of Alnico II Classic 57's and 300k linear volume and 500k non linear tone pots.

Despite a ton of different influences, I'm not really trying to nail a certain player's tone/sound (well, I am but that's my own sound).

Like I said, I find the 57 Classics a little too 'pedestrian' for me so these recommendations are a big help.

I have never done a magnet swap so I imagine that is something I would have a tech do for me. I have tried a variety of different pickups in other guitars so I am willing to experiment.

Thanks

[GilmourD]

As for the wiring/pots in the guitar, everything is still stock so it features a pair of Alnico II Classic 57's and 300k linear volume and 500k non linear tone pots.

Let's start with the least expensive option. Replace those 300K volumes with 500K audio-taper pots from whoever (CTS, Bourns, etc.). You'll gain some clarity and a little bit of brightness just from that. Even if it turns out that isn't what you want... Well, you wouldn't be out that much money.

I was going to suggest maybe a set of Seth Lovers, but they're not potted and I see you play some gainier stuff... So, you want clarity in the vintage realm...

If money's no object put a '78 in the bridge and a Jazz or a Pearly Gates in the neck. If you wanna keep it a bit less expensive I'd probably go with a '59 in the bridge or (if you want it hotter than vintage) put in a Custom or a C5.

[BluesDisciple]

Let's start with the least expensive option. Replace those 300K volumes with 500K audio-taper pots from whoever (CTS, Bourns, etc.). You'll gain some clarity and a little bit of brightness just from that. Even if it turns out that isn't what you want... Well, you wouldn't be out that much money.

I was going to suggest maybe a set of Seth Lovers, but they're not potted and I see you play some gainier stuff... So, you want clarity in the vintage realm...

If money's no object put a '78 in the bridge and a Jazz or a Pearly Gates in the neck. If you wanna keep it a bit less expensive I'd probably go with a '59 in the bridge or (if you want it hotter than vintage) put in a Custom or a C5.

I just went through this with my LP Traditional +. After buying into the hype, I tried the vintage wiring with lousy results. I ended up keeping the metal plate, installing 4 Bourns 95 pots and .047 PIO caps from Allparts.

This delivered every bloom and nuance of every note and the dynamics of said note. It isn't the pickups that are the problem. It's what the guitar is being held back by - cheap ceramic (tantalum?) capacitors and choke-point pots. Watch out for unintentional ground loops.

[Christopher Caruana]

If u wanna stay in the lower output end of the spectrum, a set of '59s, alnico II pros, or PGs will do. Or u can mix and match them

[gibson175]

Ive happily removed 57s from my two gibsons. NOt my bag at all....even tho i love low output A2 paf style pickups...57s tho just aren't among the good ones.
Clarity is easy to fix - SD59s are on a whole other level, but they may not fit waht your are after exactly.
To get the best answer for you about "overall sound" is...what styles of music do you like, what amp(s) will you be using, and the tones of what players best approximate the sound you are after...then the forum can steer you in the right direction, because whats great to one player is not great for all players. Give us some more info and we will help you out.

[Aceman]

Try: 59's, Pearly Gates, or...PG neck, 59 Bridge.

[Gypsyblue]

Do you know the value of your volume pots and tone pots? If they're 300K instead of 500K you're losing some treble and clarity. I liked the 57 Classics a lot more after changing to 500K pots.

[Funkfingers]

Going by Joe Gore's thread last week, even the way in which the pickups are connected to the pots will have some influence on the overall character of the amplified sound.

[the guy who invented fire]

The first thing to do with a new, NON Historic/VOS Les Paul in my opinion is to replace the 300k pots with 500k pots...this will open up the sound and make them more lively as well as add clarity which is a good thing with almost any humbucking pickup!

As for the magnet swap I will say this...I have magnet swapped 57 Classics twice and both times I liked the results better but both times it made them warmer and added a bit of midrange to them so for more clarity you might be better off with the stock magnets.

Try the pots first, if that leaves you cold on the 57 Classics still then report back and let's look at pickups!

[Gypsyblue]

Do you know the value of your volume pots and tone pots? If they're 300K instead of 500K you're losing some treble and clarity. I liked the 57 Classics a lot more after changing to 500K pots.

The first thing to do with a new, NON Historic/VOS Les Paul in my opinion is to replace the 300k pots with 500k pots...this will open up the sound and make them more lively as well as add clarity which is a good thing with almost any humbucking pickup!

As for the magnet swap I will say this...I have magnet swapped 57 Classics twice and both times I liked the results better but both times it made them warmer and added a bit of midrange to them so for more clarity you might be better off with the stock magnets.

Try the pots first, if that leaves you cold on the 57 Classics still then report back and let's look at pickups!

Do this before swapping out pickups. If it's only the bridge humbucker you're unhappy with then just change the bridge humbucker pots to 500K. I'd want all four pots to be 500K first before I started changing pickups. In the past, I haven't been happy with the quality of Gibson pots. I use CTS.

[BluesDisciple]

I'm not so much into the capacitor voodoo as some. I've played some guitars that sounded AMAZING that had Radio Shack capacitors in it. Just like anything else there are good ceramic capacitors and bad ceramic capacitors.

A large percentage of rockers tend to not even use their tone controls so the caps play a very minimal part in the equation.

However... Pots are always there in the circuit. Good pots are a must, even for the tone controls that may never even get used because they do affect the load on the circuit.

I've gravitated towards the CTS vintage-style pots that AllParts sells. I've been quite happy with them.

And you missed half the point. Gibson pots are made by CTS. 300K CTS pots, along with the capacitor de jour, kill the tone. Every CTS pot I tried was either insufficient or as rough as a cob to turn. Bourns, in a unique configuration, along with going to a unexpected value/level of cap delivered the results. The point - which you blithely missed - is that sometimes the answer lies in the unconventional response.

[GilmourD]

And you missed half the point. Gibson pots are made by CTS. 300K CTS pots, along with the capacitor de jour, kill the tone. Every CTS pot I tried was either insufficient or as rough as a cob to turn. Bourns, in a unique configuration, along with going to a unexpected value/level of cap delivered the results. The point - which you blithely missed - is that sometimes the answer lies in the unconventional response.

Well, like I said above, he should swap the 300Ks for 500Ks... But I guess you missed me posting that.

I've got CTS pots in 11 of my 13 guitars. No problems here. I've also done builds and mods to other people's guitars with CTS pots and no problems there, either.

Like I said above caps don't come into play until you roll the know down, so sticking a boutique cap in a guitar which will never see any tone knob action is silly. I do tend to use quality caps with tight tolerance specs, but you don't need to go insane if the tone is going to stay at 10 all the time... Heck, I don't think you need boutique caps even if you do use the tone a lot. A Sprague Orange Drop will do you just fine with the right value.

I've been a computer tech for 15 years, so my philosophy borne out of that is to start with the simple solutions and work your way up. Sure, you can replace the expensive part, but it might not actually be the initial problem.

[UberMetalDood]

Look, the 57 Classics are awesome pickups. I really like them and think they are as good as any boutique pickup made. However, they're not really for everyone. You're going to hear a lot about the 59 here, but I'm not a big fan of those pickups. If anything, the 59/Custom hybrid sounds way better to my ears. If you're looking for a great, clear, Les Paul sound then try some Seth Lovers or Burstbucker Pros.

If you have the money to burn, WCR and Bareknuckles are highly regarded, but I would be surprised if Seth Lovers or BB Pros don't do it for you. Fralin has a nice classic PAF humbucker and Suhr has the Aldrich. I have tried both of those and they're great.