Advice needed: Gibson 57s install in Tele Blacktop

[DHart]

I bought a pair of Classic 57/Classic Plus 57 pickups (without pickup covers) with the intent of replacing the BHK humbuckers in my new Tele Blacktop HH:



The Gibson Classic '57s have the vintage braided leads. Will I need to replace the leads on these pickups with shielded 2-conductor wiring to install in the new Tele, or can I use the vintage braided leads as-is for installation?

Someone told me I would need to replace the wiring on the pickups and, if that's the case, I think I'll return them and just buy a pair of PAF clones that already come with the appropriate wiring.

And advice would be much appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Chadd]

If the switch is 3 position, you're good to go. If it's 5 position, you will need to replace the switch or change the pickup wiring.

 

[GitFiddle]

The braided wire is two conductor wire.

 

[DHart]

Chadd... ok, sounds good. It will work with a 3-way switch as is. The advice I was given earlier applied to use with a 4-way Tele switch (which is designed to give both pups in series.) I had been considering using a 4-way switch.

GitFiddle. Yes, I know that. I was contrasting the single conductor with braid (ground) to a shielded two conductor lead.

I was going to use the 4-way switch with the '57s until I learned that I'd have to replace the leads and I didn't really want to tear the '57s apart to do that. Then I got the impression that the humbuckers in series in the Tele may not sound all that great anyway, so I decided to ditch the idea of the 4-way and go with a 3-way Les Paul-type Switchcraft switch. And now that I know I wouldn't have to re-wire the pickups for a 3-way, I'm going to go ahead and install the '57s in my Tele. I'm hoping I will love the tone. We shall see (or hear!) soon.

 

[Dano]

Chadd... ok, sounds good. It will work with a 3-way switch as is. The advice I was given earlier applied to use with a 4-way Tele switch (which is designed to give both pups in series.) I had been considering using a 4-way switch.

GitFiddle. Yes, I know that. I was contrasting the single conductor with braid (ground) to a shielded two conductor lead.

I was going to use the 4-way switch with the '57s until I learned that I'd have to replace the leads and I didn't really want to tear the '57s apart to do that. Then I got the impression that the humbuckers in series in the Tele may not sound all that great anyway, so I decided to ditch the idea of the 4-way and go with a 3-way Les Paul-type Switchcraft switch. And now that I know I wouldn't have to re-wire the pickups for a 3-way, I'm going to go ahead and install the '57s in my Tele. I'm hoping I will love the tone. We shall see (or hear!) soon.

I have been thinking about getting a Blacktop Tele myself.

Let us know what you think after you get the new pickups in.

 

[DHart]

Dano... WOW... I'm so glad I went ahead and installed the Gibson Classic '57 Set in this Tele. The tones are magnificent, clean, clear, rich - just wonderful. Not the least bit muddy. Neck is warm, clear and sparkly, bridge is bright, spanky and potent, neck and bridge together have lots of quack, especially if I play in such a way as to enhance the quack tones. I'm absolutely elated with the sound of these Classic '57s. Major tonal upgrade to the guitar.







For now, I'm using the pots, cap, and switch that Fender supplied with the Blacktop. I'm awaiting a new control plate with round hole cut to use a Les Paul 3-way toggle switch. When that plate gets here I'll complete the change over to CTS pots, Orange Drop cap, Switchcraft Les Paul style toggle switch and Switchcraft output jack.

Funny thing, the guitar sounds so great now I almost doubt the other changes could make it even better, but I'm going to do them anyway as I find the Tele switch awkward to operate and will much prefer the Les Paul 3-way switch - and I already have the parts.

The Tele now has a similar tonal quality to the Les Paul Traditional (all-mahogany) that I recently sold (regret lingers). It too had a Classic '57 pickup set in it and I missed the sound after selling it. The tones I'm getting from the Tele now are exactly what tones I was hearing in my head and hoping to achieve with this pickup upgrade.

The Les Paul Standard in the photo above has a set of Burstbucker Pros in it which sound very good, but I'm leaning toward preferring the tones from the Classic '57 set.

 

[DHart]

A little piece I've been working up. I laid a couple of lead tracks on it with the Gibson Classic '59s. Some neck, some neck & bridge, ending with bridge.

https://soundcloud.com/dhart-2/victory-carry-the-party-1

https://soundcloud.com/dhart-2/victory-carry-the-party-2

(A little homage to Phil Spector's Wall of Sound)

 

[DHart]

Another simple sound sample. Four tracks with the Tele HH Gibson Classic '57s, with a drum and bass track.

https://soundcloud.com/dhart-2/tele-hh-classic-fifty-sevens

 

[ScottMarlowe]

LOVE the chimy bright sounds of those pickups. Congrats! I have a pair of GFS Vintage 59s (quite similar) in a Squier Strat HH and just love the sound of that guitar.

 

[DHart]

Scott... thanks for chiming in!

I have a D Allen loaded HH Strat pickguard coming that will have his Alleycat humbuckers... really looking forward to hearing one of my Strats chiming through a pair of humbuckers. I do have a couple of HSS Strats, but its the neck position humbucker tone I'm really looking forward to hearing in the Strat.

 

[rapaul76]

Awesome!

 

[DHart]

Thanks, everybody! I'm in tonal nirvana!

Gibson Classic '57s in the Tele. D Allen Alleycat PAFs in the Strat: