Lollar Imperial vs Gibson Classic 57 Pickups - Theguitarlab.net

The Lollar Imperial set comes from a Collings semi hollow : we have a low wind in the neck position and, from what I know, the bridge pickup is a kind of hybrid/in between low wind/regular.
Classic 57 are the stock pickups of this Gibson 1998 ES-335.
Amps used : Brunetti Singleman 50 and Friedman mini dirty shirley

[bobstrickland]

Finally! Somebody on YouTube comparison demo who can actually play, play in tune, and pull a tone out of their instrument. The Lollars definitely sounded cleaner and more articulate without being thin or brittle. I would like to here these compared to the Duncan Antiquities. Great job!

[robertalford]

The 57's had more of the "honky" nasal quality, and the Lollars had more detail and a bit brighter. Great comparison, and I agree with most everyone here that is sure is a breath of fresh air hearing a player that actually knows how to let the tone of the pickup come through. This is a perfect example of how pickup choice is really personal preference in most cases. Great job!

[davidcook]

57’s on the Neck, for me, sounded much warmer and would be my preference. I would give the the Lollars on the Bridge the edge in that position. I have an ES 339 with 57’s and was considering Lollars - now will just keep my 57’s. Great video, thank you!!

[dlgnlwls]

Every comparison video guys should take a lesson from this man. Fantastic review!

[JoshuaC]

I like the Gibson neck but definitely the lollar bridge

[dananthony]

This guitar and and classic 57’s are the best tone on the planet imo. I need a 335 .

[IgaGearDemos]

Both are voiced for different purpose really. Can’t go wrong either way. 57 for it’s warmth and lollar for cleaner almost single coil-esque feel. Excellent demo!

[nosferatu]

Well this settles it. I need two 335s. I like both sounds for different reasons

[shawnglass]

Got a 57 Classic in the Bridge of my Les Paul and it sounds incredible! Best sounding guitar I’ve ever heard and I’ve had it for 28 years (1997)..but the 57 Classic in the neck is muddy and I’m finally going to change the neck pickup after all these years. Gonna try a Lollar Imperial low-wind. Hopefully that will brighten it up and give me the neck pickup tones I’ve been missing.

[SDisonYT]

Both nice. I prefer the 57 Classic in the bridge for sure, but in the neck I slightly prefer the Lollar.

[rommelrivera]

I dig the Lollars. It's what I have in my ES-335. I agree that they're clearer and more defined across the whole range. The Classics are more gainy, which is a plus if played distorted, but my ES-335 is for blues. I play it through my King of Tone if I want to add dirt and gain. Excellent video! Your playing is awesome!

[nobuakisato]

Thank you for posting. I have 335 1999, the sound on 57Classic is so familiar to me, I love it. Lollar is also great, especially dirty sound of bridge pickup is more emotional than 57.

[vince]

I like both, it's a matter of preference and playing. I love the clarity and articulation of the lollars for complex chords and soloing (i can push the low mids or bass on my amp or preamp). You cannot get that clarity on the 57, even if these sounds more "classic". And love the fact that my guitar sounds not like everyone else, so Lollars for me.

[aintnotomgrossi]

lollar neck classic bridge best of both smooth clear and crunchy goodness

[felipealonso]

57’s when playing through an edge breakup tube amp, and Lollars for more sophisticated music.

[jadamzink]

Love it. I have a classic 57 in my Les Paul and you convinced me I would prefer something else.

[ignatz]

Great demo. FYI: I believe the very last bridge dirty demo you played are the Lollars and you have the Classic 57 listed in the footer.
I agree with your comment about the Lollars being great but maybe not for this guitar. I like them more in a solid body. I have them in an Eastman Les Paul and they sound amazing.

[JAL-bn]

I recently got an Eastman SB59/v with Lollar Imperials and a Gibson Les Paul Studio Session with '57 Classics. I think they both sound fantastic. I have never been a huge fan of Gibson pickups, but the 57's sound great, IMO. They don't coil tap/split very well, but in full humbucker mode they are some of the best pickups I've heard. In this video, I preferred the 57's, actually.

[AlanScottBand]

You can hear the winds of the strings on the Lollar better. Could be just new strings, but noticeable. Either could work depending on what you’re looking for, but the Lollars have more upper harmonics to my ear. If you want the Lollars to sound more like the Gibsons, maybe set tone knob to 7- Conversely the Gibson can’t match the Lollars detail no matter where you set the controls. Just my opinion.

[GPLP]

Really great comparison video. Both pickup sets sound great. It just comes down to personal preference. In a band mix I wonder if you could hear any difference at all.