| Author |
Message |
Oakland
Username: Oakland
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, October 26, 2006 - 10:28 pm: | |
My AF85 is getting an upgrade. How would you characterize the difference between Ibanez 58's and Gibson 57's -- I've never heard them both in the same guitar. Maybe the 58's are a bit darker? I'm looking for a very sweet, mellow sound, especially at the neck. |
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 4:50 am: | |
I would characterize the Korean Super '58 as good and less expensive.
Use the 57's only if you have them laying around anyway. The spacing of these two pickups is different and the Gibsons cost about €300.- new.
This is what Ibanezfreak1960 wrote a few days ago about 58's list prices:
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 03-2004
Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 01:04 pm:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I emailed one of my contacts at Hoshino USA and here are the list prices on the Super 58's currently available..
Japan 3PU1J158G1 Neck $95
Japan3PU1J158G2Bridge $95
Korea 3PU1C158G1 Neck $66
Korea 3PU1C158G2 Bridge $66
China 3PU1H58NG Neck $44
China 3PU1H58BG Bridge $44
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
In this same thread Agr writes that he paid $49.99 a piece for the Korean pickups.
So keep $200.- in your pocket.
Ginger |
Guitartim
Username: Guitartim
Registered: 04-2001
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 10:04 am: | |
Oakland~ Japan made Super 58's sound very close to Gibson 57 Classics in some guitars, especially semi-hollows. However in your AF you might hear more differences between the two due to the slightly deeper sound box.
I cannot speak to the Korean made 58's as I've no experience with them.
Keep in mind the pro players that use either the Gibby 57's (Ritenour, Montgomery, Paul Jackson Jr., etc.) or Ibanez 58's (Metheney, Benson, Scofield). What sound are you looking for?
Also, MIJ 58's have a reputation for consistency in quality and tone...not so the Gibsons. I've had 57's that were dark, muddy and others that rang with sweet overtones. All of the MIJ 58's I've used were very high quality PAF sounding.
Much of this is my judgement on that very nebulous 'tone' thing. I like both 57's and 58's...depending on the guitar. Since you have an Ibanez, I'd recommend starting with their MIJ Super 58 and see if you like them. If you do, then at least you've kept the guitar in the Ibanez parts family. If not, you have a number of other cool PAF style p'ups you could drop in there, including the 57's.
Let us know what you decide.
Tim |
Oakland
Username: Oakland
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 12:28 pm: | |
Many thanks guys. The metric spacing issue never occurred to me. You saved me some frustration on that one. Sounds like 58s are the place to start.
Are there tone differences between the Japanese and Korean ones? Quality control differences? (I realize that the highest end Ibanez all have the Japanese.) Thanks in advance this time. |
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, October 27, 2006 - 9:48 pm: | |
Keep in mind that he Japan and Chinese 58's are gold and the Korean chrome if you are buying new. |
Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 8:00 pm: | |
Freak,
Are you talking about just availability now? Because in the part numbers for the Korean Super 58's as you gave them:
Korea 3PU1C158G1 Neck $66
Korea 3PU1C158G2 Bridge $66
the code for gold was included, they are stock pickups in the AF120 and AS120. The first C is for Cort/Korea not for chrome.
The code for chrome would be:
Korea 3PU1C158C1 Neck $??
Korea 3PU1C158C2 Bridge $??
like the stock pickups on the AS80.}
The Chinese Super 58's pickups should be available in chrome too, because they're stock in for instance JTK models.
Just change the last G of the serial # into a C and look what you'll find/get.
Ginger}}} |
Ibanezfreak1960
Username: Ibanezfreak1960
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, October 30, 2006 - 11:50 pm: | |
I believe the JetKing is a Indonesian made guitar. Also when I bought my 2003 JTK1IV the catalog specs listed the pups as ACH 1 and 2. It wasn't until 2004 that was changed to super58. I'm not sure where those are made. |
Craigjc
Username: Craigjc
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 - 3:18 pm: | |
Gibson 57s have Alnico 5 magnets and Super 58s have Alnico 3. That difference alone, with everything else equaly, would make the 57s brighter and more aggressive sounding. Alnico 3 is described as smooth with nice clarity and tight bass. Alnico 2 is described as very smooth and vocal sounding with a rounder, fatter bass. |
Craigjc
Username: Craigjc
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 8:41 am: | |
Holy macro, I was just browsing Gibson's site and a lot of what I'd read was wrong, as far as Gibson pickup specs.
Gibson '57 Classic pickups have Alnico 2 magnets.
I would predict that these wound be smoother sounding than a Super 58. |
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