Gibson '57 Classic Plus

PAF style Humbucker with 8.65 output and nickel cover.

2001 Gibson Les Paul 58 Reissue
Bridge
57 Classic
57 Classic
Not Sure
To give the guitar a little more balance.

8.65 the pickup has more winding the the 57 Classic.
Fender Blues Junior and Marshall 50 Watt Stack
Very Well Balanced
Rock & Blues
It could be used in any position depending on what the other pickup being used happens to be. You always want the higher ohm rating to be in the bridge.

Let me start by saying that I don't usually post reviews. But reading a few good reviews on these pickups are what made me purchase them. So I felt I should post my opinion. If stolen I would buy them again. I've been playing over 15 years and have been through many different pickups and liked a few of them as well, but it just wasn't the sound I was after. I love the sound of the 57 Classic & 57 Classic Plus combo mine are 7.65 neck and 8.65 bridge this will vary as all pickups are not the same. I also changed the pots on this guitar to 500K as these pickups were very muddy sounding at first. Once the pots were changed they came to life in a major way. The difference was night and day. The original pots from Gibson were only 300K. I wonder if the people who have bashed or disliked these pickups ever upgraded their pots prior to posting a bad review. Pickups will always sound different in each guitar so all I can base my opinion on is the way they sound in mine. I happen to think these sound very close to a real PAF but then again how many of us have actually ever really heard a real PAF. These pickups are not for heavy metal, but they are perfect for the blues and good ole vintage rock & roll sound. They have great monster tone and are very clear when played clean but they will also crunch when you need them to. This is only my opinion. I hope this review will help someone out.

Humbucking Passive, nickel.

They come along with my new 2008 Gibson LP Standard "Traditional Plus" (super Guitar!), but i write here for people who want to change some PUs, for these (for me) 57 amazing sound ! It is 57 ClassicPlus for the bridge & 57 Classic for the neck. I looked for a pure Classic Rock & Blues Gibson style, that i have heard in 70's LP ! (Page, Green, also ACDC Young, etc..)

What a fantastic sound, like some people said before, they are medium-hot, you can hear all your notes & harmonics in the chord, BUT with an very organic and warm sound ! (far better personality and less "fuzzy" than some Gibson LPStd 1988 "flat" BurstbuckerPU sound). Its a real pleasure to play some Blues, Rock and even Jazz. They are polyvalents for rythmics & solo.
I have also a 1975 US Strat (other sound, that i love too !) , which i have replaced the bridge's single coil FenderPU by a Late 70's Humbucker DiMarzio SuperDistorsion: these last SD PU are "hot" (level+sound), but very "high-medium-900Hz" solist oriented, and less harmonics: so they are more "restricted use" !

Ahh.. my "Gibson Dream" sound is now a true reality !
They match very good with my Marshall JCM900 5881 tube.
(I have also a MesaBoogie MarkIV, but i prefer to drive it with my Strat to have a ZZTop Texas sound !)
If they were destroyed, i will buy them again immediately.
If you like the Gibson 70's good "old" rock sound: stop here !

Just a simple humbucker, don???t know the impedance.

This is my third set of PU on my USA Costume Guitar axe. A few word about the guitar- Mahogany with maple top, mahogany neck with ebony, 1/4 hollow body ??? like a fender thinline; my main axe, and one HELL of a guitar, made by the amazing Tommy Rosmand and the crew @ USACG. It sound like 80% Gibson, with 20% PRS, and has a clearer bass since it has a Fender scale.

My first set was a Seth Lover by Seymour. Those are good PU, but, and this is a big but, those PU were made for alder/swamp ash bodies- to warm a "cold" guitar. So I ended up with a very weird sound.
I've replaced the set to a 59 by Seymour, and the guitar came alive. The overall frequencies and character of the PU were a perfect marriage for the wood.
But- I wanted more. The high frequencies were too harsh and not so musical, and the mid range was a little bit "non Gibson" in its response; and a little bit "scooped".
Now, I was ready to replace my PU to Gibson. Its' funny, we have a saying here in Israel- "you have to pass a few zeros, in order to reach the one million". And I'm happy to say, it was true. 57 PLUS on the bridge, 57 on the neck, and my guitar sounds now like a dream, a DREAM. Clear punchy bass, growling singing mid range, and the most beautiful high frequencies: not too "bell-like", not harsh, full of harmonics.
All of above is VERY well balanced; this is the most balanced PU I've ever played with. It has character, and this is the most important thing. It cleans up nicely when I roll the volume down, it has more gain compared to the SD59, actually, not exactly gain- but more like a singing rich harmonics which add more "fat ass" sound. My pedal board LOVE those PU. My Keeley fuzzhead sound alive, also my TS9.

Humbucker PAF
I'm not a tech, and I don't read the boxes much so I have no idea about the specs.

2002 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Bridge Position
I replaced the stock 498T
I also replaced the neck pickup with a '57 Classic
I don't know of anybody else using this really, I just wanted a vintage sound.

I noticed a dramatic difference in the output immediately. Definitely louder.
I'm using it through a Crate Palomino V16 112 15 watt amp, and a Peavey Delta Blues 210 30 watt amp at the same time using a Whirlwind A/B Box.
Amazing tone and clarity, I can hear every note in my chords now.
I play classic/hard rock and blues. I can't think of a better pickup for a Les Paul, though I've never tried another pickup other than the stock one.
It sounds great in the bridge position, but I wouldn't try it in the neck. At least I've read it 's not suitable for that spot.
Probably wouldn't be suitable for metal or country.

This is truly a great pickup. Before I put it in I was very unhappy with my tone. I wanted a Les Paul for so long and when I finally got one it just sounded so muddy. If it was destroyed I would definitely buy another, and I've had it in for about a year now so I've grown accustomed to having great tone. I just could not go back to the stock pickups. I'm totally satisfied with my tone. This is how a Les Paul is supposed to sound. The only drawback is the price, but great tone is worth it.

Passive humbucker, don't know exactly about impedance and tech stuff. It's made as a faithful 57 PAF replica, but kind of an overwound slightly hotter output.

PRS SE singlecut
bridge
Stock humbucker
Gibson 57 classick
Too many to mention
The stock pick ups were not bad sounding, but my ears wanted something more...

Output level quite the same as the stock HB, but the difference is TONE, all the way!
I use the guitar into a T-Rex Dr.Swamp > Tech21 Boost DLA > Marshall 1974X. The sound is clear, crisp and well balanced, rich in harmonics and sustain when overdriven and this is the most dynamic bridge Humbucker I ever played.
I mostly play Blues and Southern Rock, but sometimes have a ride in harder territories (EVH, EJ, AC/DC) and this baby seems to like everything!

Been playing for 35+ yrs, I never heard a bridge HB better sounding.
It's not on the cheap side, but worth the money! I'd replace it in a heartbeat, if something should happen.

Humbucker.
Alnico II.

There aren't two with the same identical impedance.
I don't know what is the reason for a specific impedance.
I see pickups with low output and other with high, ones with higher impedance, other with lower.
The sound?
Depends more about guitar, wood, cables, amps, cabinets, and your hands.

Ibanez Jem.
Yes, Ibanez Jem mirror with classics '57 nickel.

For neck I put a classic.
The brigde pickup sounded a bit muddy and without sparkle and I thought that I would need a bit more of output and harmonics.
The Plus is the perfect pickup if you have a classic in the neck.
Now they are balanced. The bridge pickup (Plus) sounds amazing. Dirty or clean. The best definition in one PAF. I love Seymour Duncan Pickups. The JB sopunds great, but these classics and Plus have more definition, more clear sound, and velvet.
I must give a 10 because there is not dude that with this pickup have benn recorded really beautifull songs. This is a warranty of quality, isn't it?

I use other Seuymour duncan pickups.
Phat Cat are great for single coil or P-90 sound.
JB sound heavies and fat for rock stuff.
59 is sweet.
But with Classic 57 plus you will have a great sound, always (well, I said before, your fingers and guitar is important too).
Sorry I must give other 10 here.
The pickups is very well made and sounds wonderfull.

57 Classic Plus humbucker (nickel cover).

Play a Les Paul Standard...been going through pickups like MAD!! until I found this (THANK YOU GIBSON!!!!...I should have known better than to look elsewhere for a quality kick-ass pickup). This is in the bridge position and it's replacing about 10 others before it including: Burstbucker Pro, 500T, Seymour Duncan Custom, Custom 5, 59, Pearly Gates, Seth Lover (if this was wax potted it would be cool), Dimarzio PAF Classic, Virtual PAF etc.....NOTHING EVEN COMES CLOSE TO THE 57 CLASSIC PLUS!!!! I also have a Burstbucker pro in the neck postion (Alnico V...came stock with guitar...sounds good enough for me).

I'd say this pickup is Medium/Hot. I'm using a Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, Rectifier 4x12 Cab, NO EFFECTS AND I DON'T USE THIS RIG AS A HIGH GAIN METAL MACHINE like most do...I go for more of the BIG OPEN AC/DC type sound but a little heavier. For me the quest is over for the perfect pickup..the tone is exactly what I've always heard in my head...This thing does ACDC to a tee but will also handle many other types of rock with ease and probably even metal, especially old school stuff. This pickup is so FULL..every frequency is so damn CLEAR, you hear every note no matter how much gain you use (no NU-Metal please..as clarity isn't even an issue there)..oh, and the cleans are fantastic. This pickup has made my rig finally sound what It's worth!!
I play classic rock, hard rock, and a bit of metal and I do it all professionally (I'm not just a bedroom player here). In my opinion THE BEST ROCK PICKUP EVER MADE!!!!!!

Would definitely buy this baby again..in fact it's going in all my guitars. Been playing for 25 years and have been doing it professionally for at least 15. I love everything about this pickup the only thing I don't like is the price (but you get what you pay for). I personally prefer covered pickups...I like what cover do to the mid range, but that's my personal taste. Like I mentioned above no other pickup that I've tried have compared to this..I've got the AC/DC but heavier sound I was looking for...Totally happy...Kudos Gibson, you out-did yourselves on this one.

humbucking, passive, dc res @ 8.65k alnico II

Gibson LP Classic P Plus, bridge, replacing stock 500T ceramic p/up measured dc res @ 15k.
Other p/up Classic '57 replacing the neck stock p/up.
Stock p/u's too aggressive and hot for my taste/music and unable to capture the classic vintage vibe.

Output level moderate to hot without being harsh, chimey clean and great when overdriven. Nice PAF nasal, fat, great use of tone controls now. Neck Classic '57 sounded too powerful til adjusted p/u heights. I like both p/u's in their resp positions.
Style of music: ethnic, psychedelic, experimental. Influences Hendrix, Page, Beck, & other. At the mom playing on Fender Champ 30 as Marshall DSL100 is for repair. Hopefully getting Fender Bassman soon.
Suggestions: take into consideration the whole signal path not just p/u's. I went all the way and replaced:
Kluson tuners with the new Tonepros Klusons (better quality, smooth);
P/u's (as above).
Tailpiece to Gotoh aluminium one (original too expensive);
Tailpiece studs to Tonepros steel locking (went for steel not brass);
ABR1 saddles to KTS titanium (original saddles worn out. Got a guitar repairman to notch the KTS's for 10's gauge strings);
Pots to 500k CTS audio taper (original 300k vols & 500k tones, and harsh);
Caps to Hovland's 0.022uF (replacing the ceramic disc types).

Difference from night to day, i really enjoy playing the guitar now. I tune one semitone flat and glad i switched from 9's to 10's gauge strings. Incredible sustain and rich harmonic overtones. Rings out unplugged. Can't wait to try out on Fender Bassman LTD. I think the mods really helped take the guitar to another level! And playing with the fingers makes a whole difference in tone, feel and dynamics.
Been playing 20+ yrs. Other gear Fender HWY1 strat i'm modding out, Yamaha acoustic, Boss ME50, J Dunlop Wah, Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808, Boss OC3, Boss Line Selector, and a sitar. Overall satisfied with this product, slightly expensive.
If i had another LP, would put Lindy Fralin/J Lollar/Bare Knuckle p/ups for sonic variety (alnico IV's).

Humbucker '57 Classic Plus.

2006 Gibson Explorer '76 Reissue, bridge and neck, replacing the 498R and 500T. Reason for the change: the 500T is only suited for Metal, and I play almost anything EXCEPT Metal and Country.

The output seems just about right, maybe erring on the hot side of town. I use various Marshall and Peavey amps - nopthing expensive, mostly combo amps. This pickup seems to suit just about anything except Metal. It may even do old school metal, which, if you think about it, this pickup might be similar to what was coming stock on guitars of the late 70's/early 80's. My store only had two Classic Pluses, so I bought them both and stuck them in my Explorer. I would say that in the neck it's certainly hot, but nothing that can't be solved by lowering the height to match the bridge. Actually, both the bridge and neck are set to 1/16" from the bottom of the strings, and they seem pretty balanced to me. I don't understand the thought behind a lower output neck PU anyway. Shouldn't it's output match the bridge PU?

Anyway, the tone for the bridge is simply astounding; clear, singing highs and clear but deep lows. Produces nice feedback. There's a definate bit of that PAF midrange "vowel" happening, but I don't hear anything close to a midrange peak in this. There's no mud, and it's not overly bright. The brighness is more like "clarity". No sharp edges anywhere. No Metal edge to speak of. The pick attack is more in the midrange to upper-midrange, and nowhere in the highs. Produces nice swelling feedback when using an amp with higher gain settings.

Overall these pickups produce a really well rounded rich balanced tone. The neck does decent jazz too, if one can do that on an Explorer.

I would definately buy these again, and may stick asnother set in a cheaper guitar I have. They're a bit pricey, but if you're happy in the end, well then I guess it's moeny well spent. The 500T just never suited my style. I had that PUP in a Les paul Classic and to me they just sound thin, brittle, and shreddy. The Classic Plus leaves me wanting nothing, and I can't imagine a better replacement for Classic Rock. Cleaner players would probably be better to consider the regular '57 Classic, but my guess is that you can just lower the Pluses height to get a similar output.

Like the 57...only hotter!!

I put this pickup in the bridge position of a brand new Fender HWY 1 Strat HSS alon with two Fender Vintage Noiseless single coils in the middle and neck.
I am replacint the crappy humbucker and single coils Fender gives you with the guitar.
Sorry Fender.....I love you....but your humbuckers bite ass!!

This thing is unbelieveable sounding!!! Perfect for what style I play...Blues-Rock/Classic Rock.
It's sounds UNGODLY through my amp...a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 60 watt combo.
The tone is all classic rock!!! Everything you heard and loved as a kid is all HERE!!!

I'm dime-ing this baby all the way!! 10!!!!!!!!!!

I would absolutely buy this pickup again!!