'57 Classic/Plus vs BB1 and 2

the 57classic pickup set where made by gibson to supposedly replicate the original PAF's that came in the vintage bursts. i havnt played a BB1-BB2 set before, but i have played a BB2-BB3 set. i found the BB2 and 3 to be a bit hotter than the original set of 57classic pickups that i had in my les paul.

i found that i like the 57classics myself, they sound more bluesy for me, the neck pickup is just creamy and clear, but i used to find that my bridge pup was a little weak compared to the neck position, But that is because i had 57classic in both positions, a 57classic plus in the bridge would be great. what i have done in my bridge 57classic was swap out the alnico 2 magnet to a alnico 4 mag. it gave the pickup a bit more bass and mids, and kept the highs the same, and it sounded much better than the plain A2 mag.

here's a clip of my 57 classic pups

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH5c9nkixRk

Hey Alex,

I know where you are coming from.  The reason for the idea of the switch is to me the '57's sound bluesier and creamier than the BB's.  I am not saying that I dislike the BB's.  Far from it....  I am just thinking about a way I can take my '58 to the top of the class sort to speak when it comes to tone.  I know it also has to deal with my amp set-up as well.  Right now I am playing through a Vox ac15cc.  She has broken in nicely but it also isn't my ideal amp either.  I will eventually own a Marshall....or a vintage blackface Fender....leaning more towards the Marshall...but for what I am doing now, the Vox is more than adequate.

So this is all I am really getting at, is getting a sense what others think of the swap....

and I really do appreciate everyone's ideas and thoughts!!!!

Barry

I have both. I really like the 57's in my ES-335; however, BB in the Les Paul sound great. To me they have a deeper tone.

Honestly, you would probably be happy either way.

I've never heard people say bad things about BB's but the '57's some people don't prefer

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping.

It might be a case of the grass is greener on the other side of the fence but I have the Classics and my dad has a LP Traditional Pro which has a Classic and a burstbucker 3.  Its my humble opinion that the Wax potting takes away from the Classics which is why the burstbucker just seems Raw and unpredictable which I mean in a good way.  The Classics just seem to be a no thrills pickup to me as they sound very predictable and consistant.  I know you wanted to know about the BB1 & BB2 but I don't know how they sound.  Joe likes a 2 and a 3.  I think both are a winner and get that creamy LP sound but Burstbuckers seem wild to me and full of expression that a wax potted pickup wouldn't get an airy quality.

Well here is an update....

I gave both guitars over to a friend of mine who is a guitar tech....had him paly around with them for a week while I was way on business.  After putting a new set of strings (gibson Ace Frehley strings) on the 58 and lowering the neck pick up as far as it can go and other tweaks that he hasn't explained to me yet...I have decided to leave the BB's in the R8.  fortunately enough I trust the tech and his ears so as I anticipate getting the girls back tomorrow at band practice....I am drooling to get the R8 in my hands again...its been too long!!!  LOL

I feel confident enough that the tech has achieved my tonal goals on both guitars without switching pups.....

I will let all of you know on Thursday how it turned out!!!

Thanks everyone for your input....very helpful indeed...great advice