Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema

LesterButler · 10-17-2009, 07:19 AM

I recently bought a 1997 LP Classic with 496/500. Not crazy about these PUs (I play blues-rock) these seem more suited for metal. So I ordered 57 Classics from Musician's Friend online - after hearing such good things about them. But my mistake, I ordered 57 Classics Plus pickups. They arrived yesterday and I was planning on installing them today. Should I bother dropping the 57 Classic Plus in neck position or order a 57 Classic instead for neck. Is there a huge difference between the 57 Classic and 57 Classic Plus?

slowhand0461 · 10-17-2009, 07:22 AM

The Classic plus is hotter... I personally play the same style as you mention and I'd go with the regular Classic in the neck.

LesterButler · 10-17-2009, 07:33 AM

Thanks slowhand0461, I know the Plus is hotter.

I've read that the 57 Classic (neck)/57 Classic Plus (bridge) is an ideal combination. Problem is I'm going to have to return the Plus and wait for Classic 57 to arrive, this could take a while.

Would love to get a review from anyone using a 57 Classis Plus in neck position

slowhand0461 · 10-17-2009, 07:35 AM

yeah wait times suck... Hopefully someone here has that combination and will chime in

BTW Welcome to the forum

LesterButler · 10-17-2009, 07:45 AM

Thanks slowhand0461. Wow! Is that Deluxe Pro in your profile images. Used to have a 1981. Weighed a ton but those P90s rock!!!

slowhand0461 · 10-17-2009, 08:02 AM

No ...it's the Epi '56 Reissue in Limited Edition Ebony with Lollar P90's....

It is a Very Sweet Guitar...Thanx

Neal · 10-17-2009, 08:21 AM

I replaced the pu's in my '92 Classic (since sold) with the '57 Classic and the
'57 Classic Plus, but it sounded dark and muddy until I replaced the 300K volume pots with 500K's. After the pot change, it was like a new guitar. The 300K pots work well with the hot ceramic 500T/496R set, but not the '57 Classics, although some may prefer the darker sound.

LesterButler · 10-17-2009, 08:30 AM

Thanks Neal. I'm really interested in hearing about the 57 Classic Plus in the neck position.

Liam · 10-17-2009, 07:55 PM

Don't do it. Send back one Classic+ and get a Classic for the neck. Everything that works in its favour in the bridge (more oomph in the mid range, more output overall) works against it in the neck position.

Liam

10-17-2009, 07:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
LesterButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema I recently bought a 1997 LP Classic with 496/500. Not crazy about these PUs (I play blues-rock) these seem more suited for metal. So I ordered 57 Classics from Musician's Friend online - after hearing such good things about them. But my mistake, I ordered 57 Classics Plus pickups. They arrived yesterday and I was planning on installing them today. Should I bother dropping the 57 Classic Plus in neck position or order a 57 Classic instead for neck. Is there a huge difference between the 57 Classic and 57 Classic Plus?

10-17-2009, 07:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
slowhand0461 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wendell,NC USA Posts: 1,114 Thanks: 45 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema The Classic plus is hotter... I personally play the same style as you mention and I'd go with the regular Classic in the neck. __________________ "Crank up the Drums...Crank up the Bass....Crank up My Les Paul in your Face" MOJO'd

10-17-2009, 07:33 AM	#3 (permalink)
LesterButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema Thanks slowhand0461, I know the Plus is hotter. I've read that the 57 Classic (neck)/57 Classic Plus (bridge) is an ideal combination. Problem is I'm going to have to return the Plus and wait for Classic 57 to arrive, this could take a while. Would love to get a review from anyone using a 57 Classis Plus in neck position

10-17-2009, 07:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
slowhand0461 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wendell,NC USA Posts: 1,114 Thanks: 45 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema yeah wait times suck... Hopefully someone here has that combination and will chime in BTW Welcome to the forum __________________ "Crank up the Drums...Crank up the Bass....Crank up My Les Paul in your Face" MOJO'd

10-17-2009, 07:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
LesterButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema Thanks slowhand0461. Wow! Is that Deluxe Pro in your profile images. Used to have a 1981. Weighed a ton but those P90s rock!!!

Today
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10-17-2009, 08:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
slowhand0461 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wendell,NC USA Posts: 1,114 Thanks: 45 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema No ...it's the Epi '56 Reissue in Limited Edition Ebony with Lollar P90's.... It is a Very Sweet Guitar...Thanx __________________ "Crank up the Drums...Crank up the Bass....Crank up My Les Paul in your Face" MOJO'd

10-17-2009, 08:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
Neal Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema I replaced the pu's in my '92 Classic (since sold) with the '57 Classic and the '57 Classic Plus, but it sounded dark and muddy until I replaced the 300K volume pots with 500K's. After the pot change, it was like a new guitar. The 300K pots work well with the hot ceramic 500T/496R set, but not the '57 Classics, although some may prefer the darker sound.

10-17-2009, 08:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
LesterButler Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema Thanks Neal. I'm really interested in hearing about the 57 Classic Plus in the neck position.

10-17-2009, 07:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Liam V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom Posts: 2,862 Thanks: 34 Thanked 24 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Les Paul Classic Pickup Dilema Don't do it. Send back one Classic+ and get a Classic for the neck. Everything that works in its favour in the bridge (more oomph in the mid range, more output overall) works against it in the neck position. Liam

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