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R7s. 57 Classics to Burstbuckers transition

Tim Plains

Active member
Joined
Aug 1, 2013
Messages
795
A local gear head and I were just having a discussion on this.

As far as historic specs go, Burstbuckers replaced 57 Classics in 2003. Correct? Did R7s retain the 57 Classics longer because of their association with 1957? My friend's 2007 R7 Custom has factory 57 Classics. I know it's possible that his just made it out of Nashville with the "wrong" pickups but Customs do seem to lag behind Standards for some reason when it comes to spec changes. So...

Did all R7s, Standards and Customs, keep with 57 Classics when the bursts switched to Burstbuckers?
Did only the Customs keep 57 Classics, and if so, what year did they switch to Burstbuckers?

I'm guessing it's a case of the wrong pickups but thought I'd ask, thanks.
 

Maplehead872

Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2003
Messages
187
When I got my ''03'' R7BB new it had burstbuckers 1&2 in it,but I've also seen 57 classics in ''04'' R7's and a R7BB with 57 classics in it also.

Hope this helps!
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
Wouldn't The correct pickup be the factory installed 57 or BB , and the wrong pickup would be the pickup used to replace the factory installed pickup !
 

clearmudd

Active member
Joined
May 26, 2016
Messages
499
Tim, my 2004 R7 has BBs installed with the serial # 7 469X, where about in the year of '04 that is I don't know.
 
Last edited:

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Like anything else in a production environment, there is always a transition period while one part is being used up. My 2002 GC Presentation R-0(made in late August/early Sept.) came with BB's. A stock production USA LP I bought around the same time came with `57 Classics, but I've seen other Custom Shop guitars from late 2002/early 03 with BB's and `57's. So it was whatever the guy putting together at the end of production in Custom grabbed out of the bin and felt like putting in.
 
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