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When did Gibson stop using Tom Holmes' design on 57 Classics?

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
thanks Al ..I really like the '57 classics that are in my '99 63RI 335

Yup Gary, some of us do, some don't it always comes down to preference, and that is how it should be. If you find out you prefer something and can find out why, you are ahead of the game, IMO. KNOWLEDGE IS EVERYTHING!!!:peace2
 
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Kim R

Guest
I'm currently waaaaay off on a P-90 tangent and might not look back, but:

The '57 Classic was at or near the top of the list of my preferences in most of the Historic LP's that I owned or played. They are/were not even close to the vintage PAF's in tone or response IMO, so I'm not holding up that yardstick or even attempting to compare them. The pickups have there own dynamic - I always found them to be very hi-fi and smooth (no squish).

I did have Tom Holmes build a set of his own for me in about 2005 or so. These units were headed for an Oxblood project at the time and they just didn't work out. I moved them to an SG and then moved them on. They were hot-hot- HOT! The man was a pleasure to deal with in all respects.

'57 Classics fit the SG guitars really well and enhance the bright "punch" in the middle position for my tastes. I definitely like them in SG's, best of all.
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,583
yeah Kim ...I'm not sayin that the '57 classic is a true paf replica ...but these do serve their purpose well enough in my 335 reissue that it wouldn't be worth the hassle to swap 'em out
 

TM1

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Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
It's too bad that Gibson didn't stick with U.S. made magnets and real enamel wire instead of the dark colored poly wire they use.. Those first generation '57 Classics were nice!
 
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Kim R

Guest
yeah Kim ...I'm not sayin that the '57 classic is a true paf replica ...but these do serve their purpose well enough in my 335 reissue that it wouldn't be worth the hassle to swap 'em out

I'm sure they sound great. Warm and smooth is a great thing in the right instrument.

The '57 Classic didn't get enough cred for being a fine pickup because of Gibson's marketing attempt to represent them as a PAF reincarnation.
 

GotTheSilver

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Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,433
It's too bad that Gibson didn't stick with U.S. made magnets and real enamel wire instead of the dark colored poly wire they use.. Those first generation '57 Classics were nice!

Could you elaborate on this? I don't know the story of the first gen versus later ones.

Have the 57s changed recently? I thought I read that in another thread recently, but not sure about it.
 

PHILBERT

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
1,659
Kryptonite magnets.

:rofl

Maybe...just maybe! :dude:

I have a phase reversal switch on my Super 57, as well as a coil split switch. The inner slug coil is hotter than the outer pole coil. Maybe that is saying something about the winds...or maybe it is just the location. If I ever unsolder the leads again, I will take some coil readings. :hmm
 
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PHILBERT

Active member
Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
1,659
UPDATE:

I did a little cleanup on my LP Trad Pro II 4th push/push pot phase switch, and took readings on the (isolated) Super 57 coil leads. Green and white leads are the bridge between coils, so red and black are the end leads.

BLACK = 4.498K Ohms
RED = 4.510K Ohms
Humbucking = 9.008K Ohms

Pretty balanced, but a hot humbucker. Not at all muddy, though. And not like a ceramic at all. Great sounding pickup!

I have a spare set of 57 Classic / 57 Classic Plus pickups. They are two conductor, so I can't measure the each coil, but only the total humbucking reading. Those are:

57 Classic Plus = 9.13K Ohms

57 Classic = 8.26K Ohms

So I still don't know what makes a Super 57, super. Lower reading than the Plus. Sounds good, though.
 

Brad737

Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
Hi guys,
Just a quick update for you. Some folks on the other LP forum told me Gibson made the 57s using Plain Enamel but since 2006 changed the wire to poly painted to look like PE. So it appears that 2005 and earlier should be good to go.

Hope this helps,
bs
 

Armitage

New member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
174
I remember reading Tom Holmes was designing the '57 Classic, and wasn't finished but Gibson was happy and let them be.
Don't know, just say'n.

I like the BurstBuckers I've tried except the Burstbucker Pro, I can't stand them.
 
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