57 Classics vs Super 58 Pickups

**kylehnewman** · 03-04-2013, 06:41 PM

Hello, could someone help me with comparing these two pups? I know a lot of people prefer the 57 classics for jazz, but I haven't heard much about the Ibanez Super 58s. These pickups would be put into an Ibanez AFJ95. What I'm really wondering is whether or not it would be worth switching pickups. Any info would be greatly appreciated, cheers

**mambosun** · 03-04-2013, 07:59 PM

My 2 cents:
I had a pair of Super 58 in my semi-hollow Ibanez and swapped them for a pair of Damico PU's.
I prefered the new ones for rock, blues and pop styles I use to play with my band; better bites, impact and precision especially playing with overdrive or distortion effects; however for classic clean jazz tones, while being there, differences are a bit more subtle.
Hope this could help

**2bornot2bop** · 03-05-2013, 01:11 PM

I owned Super 70's in an Ibanez L5. One of the best humbuckers I've owned. Pref'd the 70's to the '57's.

**SamBooka** · 03-05-2013, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

I owned Super 70's in an Ibanez L5. One of the best humbuckers I've owned. Pref'd the 70's to the '57's.

In your opinion.. what is the difference?

**2bornot2bop** · 03-05-2013, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

In your opinion.. what is the difference?

the 70's in that specific guitar produced classic old school jazz tone. Was it the archtop, the pups, or the combo? All I can say is it's the only archtop I wished I'd not sold...but I was new and still experimenting.

**Jazzchief1** · 03-05-2013, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Ibanez nomenclature is somewhat confusing. There is a Super 58 and there is a Super 58 Custom. One has Alnico magnets; the other Ceramic.

I could never figure out which is which.

The Ibanez forum currently has detailed information on the new and old pickups.

**xuoham** · 03-05-2013, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

Ibanez nomenclature is somewhat confusing. There is a Super 58 and there is a Super 58 Custom. One has Alnico magnets; the other Ceramic.

I could never figure out which is which.

Ibanez has been confusing in using very close names (not rare at all in Japanese language) and in changing the S58customs magnets in between. Basically, from what i understand, old S58c were ceramic and newer ones are alnicoV, the traditional S58 are alnicoIII.

This thread is informative but everybody got a bit confused.

To my ears the S58c i have in my AF105 are really as good, just a bit brighter than my 1966 ES335 or the SD Seth Lover on my other Ibanez. With just a light EQing i managed to get really close to the old gibson.
I thought i would swap them, and they stay ! Nothing you can't do with a moderate EQ, and i'm sure that just changing the pots and caps would yield even better results.

**GNAPPI** · 03-07-2013, 06:43 AM

I'll weigh in here.

I generally don't go for a guitar because it has a 58 this, 59 that, or other such sales gobbledygoop I buy for sound and practicality. Practicality generally means inexpensive for a grab guitar on a wall or in a stand.

Personally I think most of the lower tier Ibanez guitars need pups, and many of the owners on the Ibanez forum agree. I have an AS73 that DEFINITELY fits this category and an AF100 that I could live with its super 58's.

The AF100 sounds IMMENSELY better than the AS73 and I'll probably leave it as is since I really don't want to invest any more into it than I already have.

Regarding the OP's question, my AF100 has super 58's and my ES-137 custom has 57 classics. Granted they're not in the same body style but I wouldn't consider removing the pups from the ES while the AF certainly (IMO) could benefit from a Schaller, or Gibson pup in either or both locations.

For your AJF95 I think you would be pleased with other pups but I think if it were me I'd pick something different, maybe two brands. If you're not happy with the sound it pays to do whatever you need to do to get the guitar sounding better.

**krueger** · 04-03-2013, 04:53 AM

I asked the Swedish distributor of Ibanez about the Super 58 Customs on the new AFJ95, AF155 etc. He confirmed that they use Alnico magnets, he wasn't sure which type, but guessed V

**helios** · 04-04-2013, 02:18 PM

The Ibanez "Lawsuit" L5 was a laminated L5 copy? I've heard they have great tone (see video).

**BEACHBUM** · 04-05-2013, 02:19 PM

I've got an 83 AM205 with the Alnico III Super 58's that's the same guitar as the guy in these videos. Given all the variables judging tone from You Tube videos is always problematic but I would say that the sound he's getting is pretty close to my experience. Except, of course, he makes it sound a lot better than I do. I've got 57 Classics in my ES137 and love those as well but I guess I have to say that if I had to give one up I'd be keeping the 58's.

**helios** · 04-05-2013, 02:28 PM

Hey Beach,
Nice tone in the videos, but I mostly like the view from your place!

**BEACHBUM** · 04-05-2013, 03:23 PM

Thanks. I've got a loft on the 3rd floor. It's pretty tiny but it's got it's benefits.

**jkstigma** · 05-30-2015, 12:39 PM

**paulmartini** · 01-29-2017, 05:30 AM

Which of the two sounds you like the most, the "A" or the "B"? And do you think that Classic 57 is the "A" or the "B"?
Paul

**Duotone** · 01-29-2017, 06:31 AM

I prefer sample A over B:

Richer harmonics, more dynamic. My guess would be that A is the Classic 57.

**jkstigma** · 01-30-2017, 02:01 AM

You are right!
Pickup A is Gibson 57
Finally I kept the super 58 for my ibanez

**paulmartini** · 01-30-2017, 03:08 AM

Did you swept the pickups? What model of Ibanez is yours?

**Avery Roberts** · 04-24-2022, 05:28 PM

Before switching pickups on any guitar, I would recommend playing around with the tone controls on both the guitar and the amplifier. For example if you find your present pickups are a bit too muddy sounding, a little bit of bass cut on the amplifier could do wonders.

The difference between various pickups is mostly in the frequency response which is easily adjusted with tone controls.

Some Ibanez pickups do not have the same dimensions as a Gibson. The Super 80 for example. Measure carefully!

**vintagelove** · 04-25-2022, 05:31 PM

The 58 are bright in a good way. If you're looking for dark and fat, they're not it. However, if you want all your voices to speak clearly playing finger style, they're great.

**jads57** · 04-25-2022, 07:22 PM

Just from experience most of these pickups are good. so are Seymour Duncan’s, and especially many Boutique offerings such as Bare Knuckles, Manluis, Sheptone,etc.

Lower windings in the 7k range for neck and 8k range for bridge seem to work best for me. Also look for mismatched coil windings. Classic 57 are the same on both coils. Can be a plus for some guitars like an ES -339.

My personal choice for my humbucker equipped guitars Gibson ES-339, Benedetto Bambino, Partscaster Tele Gib, etc are Manluis Landmark PAF’s regular wind neck, and Hot Rod 59 Bridge
Also get them potted and 4 way wire for more possibilities and no squeal!

**citizenk74** · 05-06-2022, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Avery Roberts

Before switching pickups on any guitar, I would recommend playing around with the tone controls on both the guitar and the amplifier. For example if you find your present pickups are a bit too muddy sounding, a little bit of bass cut on the amplifier could do wonders.

The difference between various pickups is mostly in the frequency response which is easily adjusted with tone controls.

Some Ibanez pickups do not have the same dimensions as a Gibson. The Super 80 for example. Measure carefully!

**Avery Roberts** · 05-22-2022, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

Thank you for the welcome! I hope to be an intelligent, informative, useful and even an entertaining contributor to the knowledge base here at JazzGuitar.be