What does 'underwound' mean for this Gibson pickup?

It means the pickup has fewer wire turns on its coils than the standard 57 Classic. This results in a lower output signal and a brighter, more articulate frequency response.

Is the 57 Classic Underwound wax potted?

Yes, it is fully wax potted. This process involves dipping the pickup in wax to seal the components, which effectively eliminates microphonic feedback at higher volumes.

What type of wiring does this pickup use?

It features authentic shielded single-conductor braided wire. This is consistent with vintage Gibson specifications and provides a clean, shielded signal path.

What are the sonic benefits of balanced coils?

Balanced coils in the 57 Classic Underwound help provide a smooth, even response across all frequencies. This ensures that the added clarity does not result in a loss of warmth in the mids and lows.

Where is the Gibson 57 Classic Underwound manufactured?

This pickup is made in the United States. Gibson produces these at their dedicated facilities to ensure high quality and adherence to vintage designs.

What aesthetic options does this specific model offer?

This specific model features a 'Zebra' look, which consists of one black bobbin and one cream bobbin. It is often paired with a nickel-style construction.

How does this pickup handle clean playing styles?

It is specifically designed for clean and rhythm playing. The lower output creates a bright, open sound with plenty of sparkle, allowing individual notes in a chord to remain distinct.

Does it include the 'Patent Applied For' sticker?

Yes, it includes the original-style 'Patent Applied For' sticker on the baseplate. This is a nod to the historical humbuckers designed by Seth Lover in the late 1950s.

Is this pickup suitable for high-gain metal?

While it can handle distortion, it is not optimized for high-gain metal. Its lower output and emphasis on clarity are better suited for blues, jazz, and classic rock.

What is the typical price range for this Gibson pickup?

The typical price is approximately GBP 119. This places it in the premium bracket for individual replacement humbucker pickups.

How does the Underwound version differ from the standard 57 Classic?

The Underwound version has lower output and more treble definition. The standard version is slightly hotter and produces a thicker, more compressed sound profile.

Can I use this in both the neck and bridge positions?

Yes, it can be used in either position. It is especially popular in the neck position for players who want to avoid muddiness, or in the bridge for a vintage-correct, lower-gain tone.

Gear article

Gibson 57 Classic Underwound Humbucker

The Gibson 57 Classic Underwound is a lower-output variation of the standard 57 Classic humbucker, designed to provide enhanced clarity and articulation. Built in the USA with authentic Patent Applied For construction details, it offers a bright, open sound that emphasizes defined overtones and harmonics.

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Background and Design

The 57 Classic Underwound represents Gibson's effort to provide a vintage-voiced pickup with a specific focus on high-end detail. It is a modification of the traditional 57 Classic, which itself was designed to recreate the characteristics of the original late-1950s humbuckers. By reducing the number of wire turns on the coils, Gibson has created a pickup that delivers a less compressed signal compared to standard-output humbuckers.

To maintain historical accuracy while ensuring modern reliability, the pickup features an original-style 'Patent Applied For' sticker. It is manufactured in the USA using traditional materials but includes modern wax potting to prevent the microphonic feedback often associated with vintage electronics.

Technical Specifications

This humbucker is built with balanced coils that contribute to a smooth frequency response across the spectrum. Key technical features include:

Underwound Coils: Lower output than the standard 57 Classic for increased treble response.
Shielded Wiring: Single-conductor braided wire for traditional installation and noise reduction.
Wax Potting: The unit is fully vacuum wax potted to eliminate air pockets and microphonics.
Finish: Available in a Zebra (black and cream) aesthetic.

Sound Character

The primary sonic characteristic of the 57 Classic Underwound is 'sparkle.' While many humbuckers are known for their thick, dark mid-range, this model provides a bright and open sound. The lower output allows for more defined overtones and a greater degree of transparency, which is particularly useful for rhythm playing where note separation is critical.

Despite the emphasis on clarity and high-end harmonics, the balanced coil design ensures that the mid-range and low-end retain enough warmth to avoid sounding thin. This makes it a versatile tool for clean tones and low-gain overdrive applications.

Applications and Comparisons

The 57 Classic Underwound is particularly suited for players who find traditional humbuckers too 'muddy' or dark. It is an excellent choice for the neck position to balance out a hotter bridge pickup, or as a set for players who specialise in jazz, blues, or indie-rock rhythm parts.

Compared to a standard 57 Classic, the Underwound version offers less drive but more 'air' and touch sensitivity. While it may not provide the same level of sustain for high-gain lead playing, its articulation makes it superior for complex chord work and expressive clean passages.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'underwound' mean for this Gibson pickup?: It means the pickup has fewer wire turns on its coils than the standard 57 Classic. This results in a lower output signal and a brighter, more articulate frequency response.
Is the 57 Classic Underwound wax potted?: Yes, it is fully wax potted. This process involves dipping the pickup in wax to seal the components, which effectively eliminates microphonic feedback at higher volumes.
What type of wiring does this pickup use?: It features authentic shielded single-conductor braided wire. This is consistent with vintage Gibson specifications and provides a clean, shielded signal path.
What are the sonic benefits of balanced coils?: Balanced coils in the 57 Classic Underwound help provide a smooth, even response across all frequencies. This ensures that the added clarity does not result in a loss of warmth in the mids and lows.
Where is the Gibson 57 Classic Underwound manufactured?: This pickup is made in the United States. Gibson produces these at their dedicated facilities to ensure high quality and adherence to vintage designs.
What aesthetic options does this specific model offer?: This specific model features a 'Zebra' look, which consists of one black bobbin and one cream bobbin. It is often paired with a nickel-style construction.
How does this pickup handle clean playing styles?: It is specifically designed for clean and rhythm playing. The lower output creates a bright, open sound with plenty of sparkle, allowing individual notes in a chord to remain distinct.
Does it include the 'Patent Applied For' sticker?: Yes, it includes the original-style 'Patent Applied For' sticker on the baseplate. This is a nod to the historical humbuckers designed by Seth Lover in the late 1950s.
Is this pickup suitable for high-gain metal?: While it can handle distortion, it is not optimized for high-gain metal. Its lower output and emphasis on clarity are better suited for blues, jazz, and classic rock.
What is the typical price range for this Gibson pickup?: The typical price is approximately GBP 119. This places it in the premium bracket for individual replacement humbucker pickups.
How does the Underwound version differ from the standard 57 Classic?: The Underwound version has lower output and more treble definition. The standard version is slightly hotter and produces a thicker, more compressed sound profile.
Can I use this in both the neck and bridge positions?: Yes, it can be used in either position. It is especially popular in the neck position for players who want to avoid muddiness, or in the bridge for a vintage-correct, lower-gain tone.