Gibson '57 Classic Plus

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Who cares?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epiphone
Other pickups on guitar: 57 Classic (not plus) in neck position.
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Fusion.
Reason for pickup change: Didn't like to Epiphone stock pickups. They were too crispy. The Gibson-designed models they use on Epiphone LP Customs are much better.

Perceived output level: Without doubt, this pickup is hotter than the Stock Epiphone, but not as hot as some other pickups that are available.
Tone: Balanced. Absolutely classic Les Paul sound. Nice lows, great mids, non-sqeaky highs. I love this pickup. If you don't think this pickup has dead-on classic LP tone then you either installed it wrong or your tech is a dope.
Sonic evaluation: I run this pickup through several different setups:
* Line 6 Spider II with no external effects.
* Marshal JCM-800 Combo with no external effects.
* Z00M GFX-5 modelling effects processor straight into a mixing console.
* Z00M Fire-15 practice amp.
The Classic Plus sounds a little less calssic when running through the Z00M GFX-5 or the Line 6 Spider II. I don't mind that so much because I use the Z00M or the spider intending to create some artificiality in my sound. Through the Marshall, this thing just oozes with classic Les Paul goodness.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock, blues, ambient, and some fusion. This pickup suits all of my needs for these styles. I have it in the neck position and I like it there. Never tried it in the neck position but I think it might be a little too hot.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I would replace it. I have been playing for 36 years and own 3 strats, 2 Epi Les Pauls, and a Gibson Iommi signature SG. I love everything abouth this pickup. If you have an Epiphone Les Paul and don't believe it can produce awesome, classic Les Paul tone, then have one of these installed and see for yourself.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 9.3K??

Model of guitar or bass: 2001 Gibson Les Paul Classic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500 T
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Gibson
Artists using this pickup: Don't know or care
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues and some Metal
Reason for pickup change: the 500T was too hot and did not sound good clean, the true sound of the instrument could not be heard...

Perceived output level: 1/3 to 1/4 less than stock
Tone: Very well balanced, one of the best sounding pickups I have heard
Sonic evaluation: Mesa Boogie DC-10 100 watt combo(These amps are awesome and a hidden treasure if you find one) running through a Mesa Boogie Rectifier 4X12, Celestion Vintage 30's. One word can describe the rectifier cabinet - Thunder!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Blues and some Metal. This pickup sounds excellent in all styles, some people have said that this is not a good pickup for Metal, but it sounds great to me.

Comments: I have been playing for 20+ years and I have heard 100's of different pickups/guitars/amps and I think the 57 Classic plus is a perfect match for the Les Paul.
This is a follow up comment on the Ceramic 500T pickup installed at the Gibson factory; The ceramic 500T pickup is designed for Metal and pretty much nothing else...the sound is just too harsh and 'tinny' especially if you are playing clean or semi-clean. If you don't believe me and own a Les Paul Classic, try a 57 Classic plus and you will be simply amazed!!

Pickup features: open coil black passive humbucker, 4-conductor wire
Impedence or other specs: don't know

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone fat-210 strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: sh-6 duncan distortion
Other pickups on guitar: 2 epiphone single coils
Artists using this pickup: your mother
You musical style(s): pop/punk, hard rock
Reason for pickup change: sh-6 is too trebly

Perceived output level: super hot output, you'll need to roll down your volume to not go deaf.
Tone: balanced, enhanced bass depth, bright highs, mids ok.
Sonic evaluation: orange ad30tc twin channel 30 watt head, custom mesa 2x12 vertical cab with an eminence swamp thang/cannabis rex inside (hemp cone! alright!)........sg-style guitars made by esp-ltd from korean woods.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: super hot output is disturbing. almost too deep on the bass.

Comments: i'm ripping this out so i don't go deaf. and yeah i got my volume running lower than usual too. compared to other guitars this is almost ridiculous. i want to hear what's going on, and i want to live. the best pickup you can buy is the sh-5 duncan custom, loud PAF feel, like a regular classic, clean and breaks up nice. buy one today and get rid of your other humbuckers. if you want head exploding tone buy a classic plus, but all your friends will be dead. i want to live.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: RJ - PRS Santana II model
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson '57 Classic
Artists using this pickup: Don't know....me I guess...
You musical style(s): latin, blues, rock and some jazz and metal
Reason for pickup change: I wasn't in the TONE WARS like most accomplished musicians, I bought them because I wanted a better looking pickup and I read most of the reviews here and I just made a decision

Perceived output level: BRAVO HOT!!!! and along with the '57 Classic, it's a match made in heaven!!!
Tone: gives you a ver balanced and warm tone but treble is boosted becuase it's in the bridge (I guess)
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Dean Markley K20X and a Zoom 707II and I have gotta say that it is something out of this world! Total response and tonal quality is what you get from this pickup ad quite frankly I feel like it juiced my set-up more than a car fitted with NOS!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play the typical styles and genres of music and I'd have to say, this baby gives you all you need. The only draw back is that it isn't quite as heavy enough if you want to go for the metal or death metal characteristics...you might want to add a gadget or two there to juice the sound up, but I guess it's up to you.

Comments: Definitely would buy it again even if were stolen or lost. I haven't had so much fun playing a guitar with these kinds of power-packed pickups:) As an extremely passionate guitarist (like many others, I'm sure) I definitely would recommend the '57 Classic on the neck and '57 Classic + on the bridge. It didn't matter to me at first but once I tried them out, I realized that it's the perfect pickup for any guitarist IMHO. This pickup is stronger (in terms of output) than the '57 Classic that's why it's the perfect pickup for those who are looking to spin everyones mind and make everyone's jaw fall to the ground when they play. again it is an awesome pickup and an even more powerful force when paired with the '57 Classic but the one thing most of us would hate is the price tag. It's a bit too pricy for an amatuer like me but I guess when you get quality this great and satisfaction of epic proportions, it's a cost worth spending for.

Pickup features: Humbucking, passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Sheraton II
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock pickups
Other pickups on guitar: 57' Classic
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Modern rock
Reason for pickup change: Based on recommendations. Also, an overwhelming desire to spend $$.

Perceived output level: Lower output than stock pickups
Tone: Balanced, but slightly midrangey
Sonic evaluation: I am using this with a Behringer V-Amp Pro modeler with a pair of closed-back cans. Had a Fender Champ but sold it due to noise complaints (damn you, you know who you are). There seems to be some added noise to this pickups over the stock pickups. I think it's because of the lower output, so when I turn the volume higher to match levels, the noise floor is higher. Nonetheless, the tone is improved. Particularly, it is smoother when using distortion/overdrive. The stock pickups tended to sputter out a bit when holding notes, but the Classic '57 fades out cleanly. That was the major improvement. I think Epiphone has improved their stock pickups over the years so there was less improvement than I expected in terms of pure tone. I'd like to think the Gibsons crushed the Epiphones but I can't compare them side by side, and I'd be writing another "justify my $200 purchase" review.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock

Comments: I would probably try another 'bucker for my next purchase (Burstbucker or SD '59). Not that there's anything wrong with these, just for variety. These Gibsons are keepers in my Sheraton. The gold covers look great, darker and richer in color than the rest of the hardware. My musical tastes are constantly changing but at the moment I'm satisfied with the sound I have.

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 9.75

Model of guitar or bass: custom guitar
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: stock
Artists using this pickup: me!!!!
You musical style(s): Hard rock, blues, bit of metal
Reason for pickup change: just for the heck of it

Perceived output level: Not too hot not too soft I'd say medium to high
Tone: balanced with good bass and mellow highs, very warm but not muddy (I think it needs a lil bit of treble to be perfect for me)
Sonic evaluation: custom guitar with mahogany body maple top, set neck with rosewood fretboard. run through a Fender Bassman 10 amp. Like the ad says, paf sound with a slightly hotter output. this pickup has enough output to drive my amp but it still retains its singing quality. not a distortion class pickup

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play zep, deep purple, black crowes, lenny kravitz... classic rock!! this pickup is great for it. has a lot of character. and it sings and can still growl if you want it to

Comments: I love the covers on this thing it does'nt color the tone at all but I think I'll purchase another one without covers for the bridge and switch this thing to the neck. I believe that covers take away some of the output and treble from the pickup. maybe if I do that I'll get perfect balance

Pickup features: /
Impedence or other specs: /

Model of guitar or bass: 93 Les Paul Studio
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: /
Other pickups on guitar: /
Artists using this pickup: /
You musical style(s): /
Reason for pickup change: /

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: Hi, I recently had a 57 Classic and a 57 Classic Plus put into my 93 LP Studio. I asked the tech to install the 57 Plus into the bridge position because it is supposed to give a hotter output. But I am noticing that I have to raise the bridge pickup almost up to the strings and lower the neck pickup as far as it goes so I can get an equal volume. This doesn't make sense to me because the 57 Plus is supposed to give a hotter output. I am assuming that the tech messed up and switched the pickups by accedent.

Pickup features: Humbucker, Passive
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Flying V 58 Korina
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epiphone (designed by Gibson
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Hard rock, 80?s Metal, AoR
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickup didn?t sound right comparing it to my original Les Paul (with the same pickups)

Perceived output level: Classic, vintage PAF-sound with a little more bite without messing up the vintage tone
Tone: Very balanced, as to my ears
Sonic evaluation: Modified Marshall 2203. More gain, more bass. I want the amp to do the work, so the guitar should have a true tone, just a blend of "overwinding" so to speak

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Think Kiss, Black Sabbath, Pride and Glory and so forth.

Comments: I?ve been playing for 25 years. I own several guitars and i?ve tried most of the pickups out there, within the PAF range. DiMarzio PAF Pro, Seymour Duncan Custom 5, Rio Grande BBQ, DiMarzio Air Classic, Gibson 57? Classic and more. I keep coming back to this one. Great sound. Vintage HOT. Everey pickup i?ve tried that is said to have a PAF tone with balls just have disgusting mids. These don?t. They maintain the wonderful balanced sound of the 57?Classic but with more sweet, meaty gain. I was never i fan for high output pickups (except for the DiMarzio Steve?s Special, which sounds pretty nice. Since i own a couple of guitars with different wood in the body, i?ve always tried to get the same/simular sound from each and every own. As you can read, i?ve tried a lot of pickups, but i have finally surrendered. These are by far the best sounding pickups i?ve laid my hands on. Haven?t tried the Lindy Fralin?s. They sound quite interesting. But when you get your hands on something that works. Why bother looking further? Great vintage sound with bite! Love this puppys. Was thinking about getting a 57?Classic in the neck, but i?ve got one in the neck on my Les Paul, and i?ve always wanted more bite. So i stuck a 57?Classic Plus in the neck too, and the tone is awsome. You just have to lower it a bit to balance it to the bridge PU. If you want a great sounding , hot PAF pickup. Stop looking. Or maybe... try the Gibson Bluesbucker #3. Never tried it, but i?ve heard it sound great. Mind you. The Gibson Custom shop uses the 57 Classic in there 58 Les Paul?s, Explorer?s and V?s so there you go!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Unkown

Model of guitar or bass: Carvin SC90S
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: M22N
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson Tony Iommi
Artists using this pickup: Unknown
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a better clean sound.

Perceived output level: Fairly Hot, louder than the Iommi
Tone: Quite bassy unless the guitar's volume is turned all the way up. Even then, the emphasis is definately on the lower mids and bass. Treble is quite pleasant, however, being somewhat rounded.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a VHT Pitbull 50/st through a celestion T-30 loaded 4x12. I bought this pickup for a good clean sound. Clean, this guitar has a warm, woody sound. Not bad, but it is far from outstanding or life altering. Overall, the clean is a very good, jazzy type clean. It can be very bassy, though (but never muddy). The distorted sound is also good. Again, nothing really out there, just a very nice distorted sound. At really high gain settings it does lose some definition, but nothing major. No feedback.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a great choice for a jazz pickup. For rock, there are better pickups out there (see my review of the Iommi), but this is a good match for one of these. I can't say how it would do in the bridge.

Comments: I got this pickup to compliment what is, in my opinion, a great bridge pickup. The 57+ does this admirably. It is warm and spongy, and quite transperant. I think it could have a little more life of its own, but if it weren't so standard sounding (albeit, it is a high mark of the standar PAF sound), it probably wouldn't be a prime choice for an unusual bridge pickup.

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: 1 of many
Other pickups on guitar: classic 57 at the bridge
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Middle of the road , most rock styles , and fusion
Reason for pickup change: Searching for my tone, plus I already had the pickup laying around.

Perceived output level: Slightly hot
Tone: Strong upper mid emphasis , but in the neck position on this guitar that seems to be okay.It sounds good here , lots of sustain.It gives me a late 60s early 70s rock sound for chords for slightltly overdriven rhythm . Its okay clean , but I prefer a little more brilliance.It sounds great really overdriven , its a little dark , but thats an okay sound for an overdriven tone.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Line 6 AX2 212 mostly with the Dumble preset for clean and Marshall presetfor the more driving distorted souds

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: Reading the Gibson info youd think that this pickup should go in the bridge,but I found with the 57+ in the neck and the 57 in the bridge it is a much better balanced sound.The 57 is deeper in the bass and more brilliant in the highs,that extra range compensates for the naturally weak sounding bridge position, the 57+ does not sound muddy in the neck like the 57 can in that position.So for all you Gibson purists if youve got a 57+ in the bridge and a 57 in the neck, switch them around I think youll be surprised.As for me Ive got a SD Pearly Gates on order for the neck position,I like more treble in that position (my favorite is a mini hum in the neck).Id give this pickup an 8.Did I mention the great sustain?Im still looking , Maybe the Pearly Gates will do it.