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

Brad737

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Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
Hello all,
I've read that Tom Holmes designed Gibson's 57 Classic humbuckers. I've also read that the early examples of the 57 Classics sounded awesome, but at some point Gibson altered the way they produced them, and the later versions don't sound as good. Does anyone know when the change occurred?
Thanks,
Brad
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hello all,
I've read that Tom Holmes designed Gibson's 57 Classic humbuckers. I've also read that the early examples of the 57 Classics sounded awesome, but at some point Gibson altered the way they produced them, and the later versions don't sound as good. Does anyone know when the change occurred?
Thanks,
Brad

I've noticed no change. Still likem best.
 

pepejara

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Sep 6, 2003
Messages
2,242
Acording to the Les Paul Legacy, the Classic 57 pickups were Tim Shaw pickups renamed as Classic 57....I am intrigued about Tom Holmes designing them, where can I read about it?
 

Brad737

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Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
99
I read that online. I have guitars equipped with both Tim Shaw humbuckers and 57 Classics. There's no way the 57s are renamed Shaws. They sound a LOT different to me.
 

efk

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Jan 8, 2009
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519
I always thought Tom Holmes designed the Burstbuckers? Now I'm really confused...
 

lonesomesheik

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Nov 18, 2009
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You'll find info in some year's ago Tonequest Report issue, Tom Holmes definitevly worked on the 57, never for the BB.
 
A

AndrewSimon

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I always thought Tom Holmes designed the Burstbuckers? Now I'm really confused...

Tom Holmes designed the 57
Bursbuckers originated from a Japanese pickup builder

:wah
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Shaws were a brief delight gone by mid 80's replaced with the "Reissue 1959 Pickup"

Tom Holmes soley designed the 57 Classic, a GREAT pickup for me.
 

efk

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Jan 8, 2009
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519
I guess that goes a long way toward explaining why I am not a fan of Burstbuckers but think the 57s sound pretty darn good!
 

PHILBERT

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Nov 25, 2006
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I guess that goes a long way toward explaining why I am not a fan of Burstbuckers but think the 57s sound pretty darn good!

Wow, I didn't know this, and I feel the same way. I always liked the YT vids of Holmes pickups but never owned a set. And I always like Classic 57's in all the guitars I have them in. Darn good pickups that I never feel the need to change out. They actually sound good split, as well. And this Super 57 I have on my LP Trad Pro II is fantastic! I wonder what makes a Super 57, well... super? :hmm
 

sickboy79

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Apr 2, 2002
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Interesting stuff. I had no idea that Tom Holmes was involved with designing pickups for Gibosn.
 

cryptozoo

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Jun 25, 2008
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BurstBuckers are what they are... to the delight of every boutique pickup company on earth.
 

bluesforstevie

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Jun 20, 2002
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Holmes pickups were exact replicas of S. Lovers design that had equal number of winds (5500) on both bobbins of one pickup (the early Gold Top humbuckers that had no PAF stickers)...I think the neck were 5500 winds and bridge pups were slightly more than that for both bobbins.

One of The big difference between Holmes and the Classic 57's is the nickel silver content, and the flatness of the covers. Gibson was using old 50's dyes for the covers that had been used so much that the corners had become rounded and the tops were slightly rounded or arched as well which created too much room between the covers and the bobbins which acted like a capacitor??? and would reduce high frequencies and or at least make them howl microphonic.

Holmes covers are nice and flat and close to the tops of the bobbins and other tolerances are tighter as well.

That's how I describe Holmes pups...Like 57 Classics done correctly or like early non stickered PAF's...with equal winds between bobbins and it was number of winds as opposed to K resistance. I think. I'm sure one of the pickup gurus will correct the hell out of me...but I think I'm fairly correct in my major points? :wah

As far as your original question as to why Gibson stopped using Holmes design.....I didn't know this had happened.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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14,537
what year did the '57 classic some out ?

I believe it was 93. They were the kickstart of the new Historic Division at Gibson.

What Bluesforstevie posted was spot on. I had many discussions with Seymour back in the 70's and he always stressed balanced coil winds in humbuckers. It makes for a quieter, smoother sounding pickup. Myself, I agree and I certainly am not enamored with the whole mismatched coil sales hype. My ears like balanced coils. My ears have always liked 57 Classics since day one.
 

Big Al

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Apr 24, 2002
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Wow, I didn't know this, and I feel the same way. I always liked the YT vids of Holmes pickups but never owned a set. And I always like Classic 57's in all the guitars I have them in. Darn good pickups that I never feel the need to change out. They actually sound good split, as well. And this Super 57 I have on my LP Trad Pro II is fantastic! I wonder what makes a Super 57, well... super? :hmm

Kryptonite magnets.
 

dmagalhaes

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Oct 29, 2006
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57's are my favorite pickups for SG's and 335's but for my two Les Pauls, BurstBuckers rule. Both of my sets were aged and came out of Historics. I believe the retail BB's are different than the ones they put in the Historic's.
 

garywright

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Aug 17, 2002
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15,583
thanks Al ..I really like the '57 classics that are in my '99 63RI 335
 
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