So I tried a set of 500k pots with my 57 Classic and 57 Classic plus pickups.

[PINKBITS]

Soooooo much better.

Unless you were particularly looking for Jazzy cleans I have no idea why you would use 300k's with these pickups.

Still got the same bottom end thump and plenty of mids just really opened them up. Mine are pretty low output too. I think it was around 7.5 neck and 8on the bridge.

These are a fantastic classic rock to hard rock (if pushed) pickups. Excellent vintage tone and reacts so well with picking dinamics etc.

The neck pickup with standard Gibson pots and caps was dark and really squashed. It sings now when playing lead. The bridge just rocks out

Being low output I found I really had to work them if that makes any sense. It was great fun squeezing the tones out of them, making them work for me.

The 57 Classics came out of my 08 Traditional. I had the pickups taken out of my 01 Standard that had 500k pots and PIO caps and thought I really should try the Classics out in the Standard whilst I can. Sure glad I did.

The only thing I would say is that I would love to try another 57classic plus that was wound just a fraction hotter, say around 8.5 to 9 just to hit the amp a fraction harder. I was boosting my Lionheart for the harder stuff with an Xotic BB preamp. I did found that this did compress the tone a bit too much. Would love to try and Xotic RC booster to see how that worked.

I should get a new set of pots and caps from Mr Jonesy in the next couple of weeks so am going to put the Classics back in my Gold Top. I might even remove the covers and pickguard as well for a new look.

And no I'm not a slash fanboy, I just like the look of GT's with open coils and no guard.

Anyways, I'm pretty happy and really looking forward to working with these a bit more.

[johnny q]

Yeah, I wouldnt use anything lower than 500k's with my 57 Classics (1999 R9).

However....with a bright guitar like my Les Paul Custom, and especially with the Gibby 498T in the bridge, nothing but 300K 's will do.

JQ

[Splattle101]

Originally Posted by PINKBITS

...And no I'm not a slash fanboy, I just like the look of GT's with open coils and no guard...

I confess I've never much liked the look of gold tops, but lately I've liked the look of some humbucker equiped GTs with black pickup rings. Open coils with black bobbins, too.

Good idea with the 500 k pots. I don't really understand why Gibson changed to 300 k. I mean, you can always take treble out. That's what the OTHER control is for. But you can't add it if it's not there to start with.

...well, not with a passive pickup and EQ, anyway.

But anyway, I favour 500 k pots for my Les Pauls, including the one with P-90s.

[schmidty123]

how would a 500k work with a bb

[overdriver]

Just fine , thats that they should be any how.

[b-squared]

When I first slapped my RS kit (520k or so) Superpots in my R9, it was like a blanket was taken off the amp. HUGE improvement.

Glad to hear you got good results. Rock on!

BB

[Neodustin]

Hm, that's strange to hear that your 57 Classic+ is underwound. Mine right out of the box was 9.2k and my regular 57 is 8.4.

[captain tightpants]

Originally Posted by Neodustin

Hm, that's strange to hear that your 57 Classic+ is underwound. Mine right out of the box was 9.2k and my regular 57 is 8.4.

I've got a Classic that comes in at around 7.9. Methinks Gibson isn't too careful with the ohm readings, I've got several 490's that are all over the place.

[Neodustin]

That doesn't surprise me at all. I have two sets of 57 Classic/Classic+ combos. I haven't measured the other set, but both sound very close in output. Theyre also not particular about the color of the bobbin either. My set of zebra Classics have two different shades of cream. Aggrivated me at first, but I got over it.