So what are the differences between burst buckers and classic 57s?

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Burstbuckers are supposed to be some kind of PAF copy, but what the heck are the classic 57s modeled after? I seem to like the burstbuckers better.

 

[gvonpaul]

The way I understand it, 57 classics are what PAFs were supposed to be, with evenly wound coils. Burstbuckers have intentionally unevenly wound coils.

 

[Johnson]

I was wondering the same thing about the differences. I've tried both and for what its worth, I tend to agree with you that I prefer the burstbuckers.

 

[Robert1950]

The winds in BB are approximate. In the 57s they are the same. The BB is not wax potted, the 57s are. This makes the 57s sound a little creamier. The BBs have more of an edge, I guess.

Details are here : http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Divisions/Gibson Gear/Pickups

 

[never-enough]

i had burstbucker3s in a guitar and they did sound edgier than the 57s.
the flip side is i found the 57s to be more open sounding.

 

[Tag]

Burst buckers hard edged and brittle. 57s..creamy and beautiful. Thats my opinion at least. I LOVE the 57s!!!

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

I kind of thought the 57s were brittle on the high end.... that is why I am asking. The burst buckers have the PAF sticker on the bottom, I don't think the 57s do ..... for whatever that is worth.

I believe the early burst buckers were not potted around 02 or so .... but the later BBs are. I have a set out of the guitar, I guess I'll take a look and see.

 

[ssdeluxe]

I agree with Tag, never liked the burstbuckers, every gtr that had them had a sort of artificial "zing" to it, just too bright up top and not open on bottom. ym-will mostlikely-always vary !

57's I like, sometimes too warm/muddy in some gtrs, but a gr8 all-rounder.

 

[Tag]

I agree with Tag, never liked the burstbuckers, every gtr that had them had a sort of artificial "zing" to it, just too bright up top and not open on bottom. ym-will mostlikely-always vary !

That is exactly how I hear them. Whatever works for you as a player is all that matters though. :BEER

 

[tbone666]

i have 57's and feel that the neck is a bit too muddy and the bridge doesn't have the low end i'd like. if i could skim off some of that bassy-muddyness and slap that on the bridge pup i think i'd be happier.

 

[sanhozay]

Burstbuckers on the Historics are potted. Hardly my fave but very much a PAF style sounding humbucker with a brighter tone than the '57. They don't suck and work damn good in solid body Les Pauls.

 

[Jim S]

i kind of thought the 57s were brittle on the high end

+ 1
,
,

 

[Marty s Horne]

I've had 3 Custom Shop semi-hollow Gibsons with the 57 Classics and all 3 were warm and fat sounding with nice balance between the lows, mids, and highs.

 

[Don A]

My BB1s have a brittle top end, mushy bottom and sound fizzy through an overdriven amp. My '57 Classics sound just right. Very well balanced.

BTW, they both have PAF stickers on them.

 

[jpage]

Which BB are we talking about? there are BB 1s, 2s, 3s, & Pros...all very different pickups

 

[sanhozay]

BB 1 & 2 on the Historics are the ones I'm talking 'bout.

 

[jpage]

BB 1 & 2 on the Historics are the ones I'm talking 'bout.

I didn't like those at all myself, and I'm a huge fan of most Gibby pickups. The Classics are OK, but I would either recommend a set of BB Pros (phenomenally underrated--esp through a Marshall or Marshall-esque amp) or SD Antiquities, which I setlled on after trying almost all the rest of the Duncans (PG, 59s, APIIs, jazz/JB).

Same idea as the BB1&2 set, but with a sweeter, more complex top end and kind of an "airy" quality that really loves most setups.

 

[serviviente7]

classics is the way to go!

 

[The Captain]

57's sound pretty cool in Lola.
BB's sound pretty cool in the 2003 R9.

 

[Mattbedrock]

Listen for yourselves -

'57 Classics:
BFF Tremolux
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7023988
Plexi
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7023997

Burstbuckers:
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7023969
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7023981

I like 'em both, but they are noticeably different.