That's not all about but that's the key word for that baby. Articulate solos and rythms, clean or overdrive. Not much crunch, it's a very traditionnal humbucker. But ... I replaced the EMG-designed bridge pickup on my Johnson for a Classic Plus, and now I've had the lightness and darkness on a single guitar ! If you search a metal beast, go away. Else, buy this bright gem now !!!

This pickup came stock in my Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom (a limited run of lp's in 2007) and since I got the guitar, I have always thought it sounded amazing! I don't know if it is actually the best, but I like it a lot! go buy it!

The sound of this Alnico II pickup is simply phenomenal. Perfect for classic rock & blues. Put this in the bridge of your guitar, make the correct height adjustments, and you’ll have a keeper. This easily has to be among the top classic rock & blues PAF pickups in production today. Combine this with a regular 57 classic, and you’ll be set for life.

The only negative thing about this pickup is the poor Nickel finish Gibson uses. It will fade away/age very quickly. If you do any type of palm muting where you rest your palm near the bridge, the grease/natural oils from you skin will take away the nickel finish very quickly. So don’t expect for the pretty shine, on the cover, to last forever on this pickup. Buy this pickup for the sound, and not for the lasting beauty.

The day you decide you really want to get serious about your music, is the day you will save up your money and invest in quality Gibson musical products. High end audio equipment carries with it, unfortunately, a high end price. It’s just the way it is. Like most things, if you want the best, you better be prepared to pay for the best.

All those reviews saying that this pickup paired with the '57 Classic is Gibson's best humbucking set? Believe them! I put this in the bridge of my '61 RI SG. It gave it that little extra oomph that the stock '57 couldn't quite get without compromising in the least that vintage, raunchy SG tone I love. Turn down the volume a bit and the cleans rival those of a quality Strat single-coil. Burstbuckers might sound better in Les Pauls but that does not concern me as I don't play Lesters. Gibson should use this set in every guitar currently blighted by the perfectly dreadful 490s and 497s and the Classic Plus should always be used in the bridge. This is how an Alnico II PAF should sound, period. If you have one SG with these and another with P-90s, you have every Gibson sound you'll ever need. They are a little pricey but if you're putting them into a Gibson, you won't lower its value like a non-Gibson unit would. Thus, they even get the full 5 stars for value from me.

Dropped this baby in the bridge of my epi goth explorer and OMG!!! It sounds better than my faded flying V. The tone is definitely well balanced and full bodied (and I do not use either of those descriptors loosely). The clean tone lives up to the classic '57 title, and the overdrive on this guy!?!?! Man, i play this through a 6505+ and a marshall 1960 vintage cab, and its just tone baby!!! Have you ever played a guitar and there was just SOMETHING missing in your sound? I DO NOT HAVE THAT WITH THIS PICKUP! It definitely suits the sound i want.... side note: gave it a 4.5 on value just cause its expensive....... but worth it.