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Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup
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The Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup mimics those late-1950s humbuckers that received a few extra turns of wire. This treatment gave the pickup slightl...Click To Read More About This Product
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99
6-Month* financing available.
The perfect bridge-position companion to the '57 Classic.
The Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup mimics those late-1950s humbuckers that received a few extra turns of wire. This treatment gave the pickup slightly higher output without sacrificing its rich vintage tone, which helped overdrive tube preamps to a smooth level of saturation without becoming overpowering. Made with the same features as the Gibson '57 Classic.
Special Alnico II magnet
Vintage enamel-coated wire
Nickel-plated pole pieces
Nickel slugs
Maple spacers
Vintage-style, 2-conductor, braided wiring
Hop up your guitar without doing away with its essence. Order the Plus today.
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviewsPros
- Improves sound (9)
- Good quality (8)
- Functional (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Concerts (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (5), Professional musician (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
as good as it gets
I installed the 57 Classic Plus in the bridge position on my SG Standard to go with a new 57 Classic at the neck. I was skeptical despite all the good reviews that these...Read complete review
I installed the 57 Classic Plus in the bridge position on my SG Standard to go with a new 57 Classic at the neck. I was skeptical despite all the good reviews that these old-school humbuckers were really that good. Believe it. The 57 Classic Plus is surprisingly hot, yet still has a smooth, full sound. It is the perfect bridge pickup to go with the 57 Classic at the neck for a blues and classic rock guitar player. I should have done this upgrade a long time ago.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Hot output but shrill with High gain Amp
I Bought and tried 2 different Gibson pickups for my 04 Les Paul Standard, the 498T, Burstbucker Pro, and 57 Classic Plus. Rating them from Least favorite to favorite, My least was...Read complete review
I Bought and tried 2 different Gibson pickups for my 04 Les Paul Standard, the 498T, Burstbucker Pro, and 57 Classic Plus. Rating them from Least favorite to favorite, My least was the Burstbucker. The pickup lacked output, low end and mid. The 57 Classic plus Had the output and the low end but lacked mid and had Wayyy to much high end. The 498T ended up being perfect. The exact EQ i was looking for with no scoop
Reviewed by 51 customers
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I installed the 57 Classic Plus in the bridge position on my SG Standard to go with a new 57 Classic at the neck. I was skeptical despite all the good reviews that these old-school humbuckers were really that good. Believe it. The 57 Classic Plus is surprisingly hot, yet still has a smooth, full sound. It is the perfect bridge pickup to go with the 57 Classic at the neck for a blues and classic rock guitar player. I should have done this upgrade a long time ago.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
This replaced the stock alnico V burstbucker pro bridge pickup in my gibson les paul standard plus. The stock pickup was tinny and thin sounding. This pickup definitely added some meat that i was missing. Great improvement.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I own this beauty of a "PRS" look a-like and it fingers great, looks great but it just didn't have any "Umph!". I say didn't because I just had the Gibson '57 Humbucker bridge position pickup installed and it has "UMPH!!!" Not a lot to say other than it pushed my gain way up there without screwin' with my clean sound for slower or softer stuff. I've been playing for about 35 years and own about...15 guitars. I can't say this is the most amazing pickup I've heard. A lot of that is based on opinion, but It clearly did exeactly what Musician'sFriend said it would. If I go dirty, I've got plenty of gain, drive....umph! However as with some hot pickups, with gain comes a muddy or fuzzy "clean" sound. Not true with the "57. My clean channel has plenty of volume and briteness along with lows but it's not distorted in anyway.. The "57 is not an "Active" pickup., so don't be worried about constant distortion. It's just a great Pickup. I only have 2 draw backs, both a little silly. I wish the pickup came with out the gold cover so I could put it in my some of my other guitars and lastly...I guess I only have one draw back. Lol. Great pickup, great service, GREAT!
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I own a Gibson Les Paul Custom and the stock pickups that came with it is a 498t I believe. The stock pickup was too harsh for my taste so I swapped it out for this baby and I have to say I've notice a dramatic tonal change. The sound is much warmer and the overtones came out nice and subtle. Chords sound much warmer and less brittle than before. I can now turn up the gain on my tube amp and really hear that tube saturation that I wanted to hear without sounding too muddy like before. Overall this is a great pickup for anyone who plays blues to hard rock and anything in between.
Pros
- Functional
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
- Overall Awesome Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- For Les Paul Style Guitar
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I don't write many reviews but this pickup is awesome and worth a review. I'm using it in the bridge position of an Epiphone Les Paul. It's always important to realize what pickups are good with what guitars. It's a perfect match for a Les Paul. First off, the sound is just awesome. It's clear, articulate, smooth and just natural. I wouldn't really recommend it for metal players because it's just not focused that way. It does nail the AC/DC, Guns n' Roses, Aerosmith type of stuff. It nails that vintage tone. It sounds great clean too. It's clear but not sterile like some other humbuckers. Overall it's just a musical pickup. It's true to the player, it's not going to make a bad guitar player sound better. It's going to make a good guitar player who knows how to use it sound even better.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
Just very positive about this pickup for upgrading my Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus. Any humbucker space is improved with this one. Cleans are sweet and when pushed it has a strong bite as well.
Needed to upgrade my Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus. Put a Gibson P94 single coil in the neck (very nice) but had to get the 57 Classic Plus for the true humbucker experience. Chose the Plus over the 57 Classic for the hotter windings. I had a great installer who adjusted them both and I have to tell you, this is no longer a guitar that is just playing being a Les Paul. Both pickups are great but the 57 Classic Plus is so clean and powerful. Sounds like a Gibson. Couldn't be happier with the sound of my Epiphone now. If I had a Gibson Less Paul, I would still want this pick up in the bridge.
Sound of this pickup suggests the highest quality.
It's expensive but I don't think there is a better bridge pickup for county, jazz, rock, etc. Sounds great through my Lil Night Train and my Flextone III. Used for recording it is sweet.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
A very natural sounding, warm, higher output pickup. I believe that about sums it up. I switched from a set of Burstbucker pros to these and it made all the difference in the world in the high end with my Les Paul. I have 2 Les Pauls, one has a 498T and the other had the Burstbuckers. I really didn't like the burstbuckers that much. They're awesome for cleaner tones but not for hard rock. It depends I guess. String tension is a big player in deciding on pickups too.I still prefer the tone of the 498T but the Classic Plus is right there with it. The 498T has that lower midrange in it that I really desire in my tone It gives it beef so to speak. Once again, it depends on what your using. I would say try this pickup before any other Gibson pickups. If it's to harsh with your rig, then try a 498T.
Pros
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I recently found an old Epiphone red dot guitar on a consignment rack. The action felt great so I purchased it and had the electronics gutted and replaced with Gibson 57 Classic pickups and new pots/controls. I played my first gig with this reincarnated beast this week. Oh yeah! This is the sweetest classic jazz sound I have ever heard. If you play jazz guitar and you feel like you are missing something, consider upgrading your electronics with Gibson 57 Classics. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I put this in the neck position of an Ibanez AFJ 85 jazz guitar. I originally put a 57 classic in and it was too bright and almost harsh in this guitar. This is a fairly bright guitar to begin with being only 15" lower bout and 2 and 3/4 thick. I took out the 57 classic to put in another guitar and decided to try the 57 plus in. Very pleased. It made it warmer yet clear. I was afraid it would be muddy but it made this smaller guitar sound like a much bigger guitar. The only down fall is when used in the two pickups together it is weird and unbalnced but when using only the neck it plays real nice. Being a jazz guitar I only use the neck position. I used to roll the tone down to 7 or 8 now just to 9.5. Just putting this out there as I found almost nothing about using a 57 classic plus in the neck position. It's suprisingly cool. So this isn't just a bridge pickup.
good warm sound when used in neck position.
Great pickup. We all know 57's are killer.
comparable to other leading pickups out there.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
Great tone coming out of these pups! I put one in the bridge of my blacktop tele and the difference is night and day. Not for metal heads, but everything else. Really has some good jazz tones as well.
Pros
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Concerts
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
This is the second one that I've installed in a Les Paul. It just adds a bit of girth and a little more harmonic content. I love the sound of this pickup because it retains the guitars voice and stays nice and articulate. Even with full blown gain you can hear every string ring out. Back off your volume control and it cleans up nicely. Back down the tone and it gets really "soft", with beautiful sustain. I don't like really hot pups as I feel they take away tone, and make it too easy to play. I like having to dig in a bit. This pickup is just a great pickup..
I play in a couple bands, a full on rock band and a "wedding band" that goes from old country to new rock, and this pickup does it all for me. Just adjust your volume and tone controls and youre good to go.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I have a epiphone Dot Deluxe and was dissapointed in the tone and power of the epi pickups. I put the 57 Classic + in both the neck and bridge and defy anyone to hear the difference between the Dot and a 335. Sweet blues ton that sounds great when cranked to play rock. I feel like I have a Gibson for 1/4 the price (including the cost of the pickups).
Pros
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
KILLER vintage Gibson guitar tones from this pickup. Buy this product & run like hell !
Pros
- Functional
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I bought a Les Paul Classic a few years back, and tried to get used to the stock ceramic pickups in it, but it wasn't happening. To me, they are perfect for heavy distorted tones, but that's about it. Eventually I swapped them for the Classic 57's and the guitar sounded like it's great grandfather of the late 50's.
It just oozed tone...from crystal cleans to warm blues, to full throttle metal.
They really are that versatile, but keep in mind that they may not necessarily apply with every amp out there.
With a good tube amp, good bet they'll be more compatible than with a modeling amp, etc.
With that said, I'm sold on the overall results of these bad boys, and I highly recommend!
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I have a '75 Gibson Les Paul and I just installed the 57 Classic Plus in the bridge position and the 57 Classic in the neck position. This is truly a terrific pickup combo on this guitar. It has real vintage tones. Everthing from that sweet singing tone to bite when I need it. I can now duplicate the early Allman Bros sound, Santana, Eagles, etc. I don't think the guitar has ever sounded so good. It has all the tones, from sweet singing to bite and growl. I've been playing for over 30 years and I'm very impressed. If you are looking for that classic rock, blues, etc sound these do the trick.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
Dropped this baby in the bridge of my epi goth explorer and OMG!!! It sounds better than my faded flying V. The tone is definitely well balanced and full bodied (and I do not use either of those descriptors loosely). The clean tone lives up to the classic '57 title, and the overdrive on this guy!?!?! Man, i play this through a 6505+ and a marshall 1960 vintage cab, and its just tone baby!!! Have you ever played a guitar and there was just SOMETHING missing in your sound? I DO NOT HAVE THAT WITH THIS PICKUP! It definitely suits the sound i want.... side note: gave it a 4.5 on value just cause its expensive....... but worth it.
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
The sound of this Alnico II pickup is simply phenomenal. Perfect for classic rock & blues. Put this in the bridge of your guitar, make the correct height adjustments, and you?ll have a keeper. This easily has to be among the top classic rock & blues PAF pickups in production today. Combine this with a regular 57 classic, and you?ll be set for life.The only negative thing about this pickup is the poor Nickel finish Gibson uses. It will fade away/age very quickly. If you do any type of palm muting where you rest your palm near the bridge, the grease/natural oils from you skin will take away the nickel finish very quickly. So don?t expect for the pretty shine, on the cover, to last forever on this pickup. Buy this pickup for the sound, and not for the lasting beauty. The day you decide you really want to get serious about your music, is the day you will save up your money and invest in quality Gibson musical products. High end audio equipment carries with it, unfortunately, a high end price. It?s just the way it is. Like most things, if you want the best, you better be prepared to pay for the best.
Pros
- Clear Tone
Cons
- Highs Are Piercing
- Lacking Mid Range
Best Uses
- Classic Rock
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I Bought and tried 2 different Gibson pickups for my 04 Les Paul Standard, the 498T, Burstbucker Pro, and 57 Classic Plus. Rating them from Least favorite to favorite, My least was the Burstbucker. The pickup lacked output, low end and mid. The 57 Classic plus Had the output and the low end but lacked mid and had Wayyy to much high end. The 498T ended up being perfect. The exact EQ i was looking for with no scoop
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I bought this a year ago. I put it in an epiphone sg special. it sound ok.. ,but today when i put it in an epiphone 1966 sg g-400 it sounded like a gibson sg!!!!!!!
Comments about Gibson '57 Classic Plus Pickup:
I bought two of these puppies to replace my Seymour Duncans on my Epiphone, now I feel like I own a real Gibson. I now have a richer, smoother tone, perfect for many genres of music. When I first got them in and finally plugged into my Crate amp, I played one chord just on my clean channel, and my jaw simply dropped, I couldn't believe I could achieve such a tone. I almost passed out when I ran it through with some distortion, also from my amp. Truly, a guitarist's bliss.
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