A true original, the 57-8 is an eight string bridge humbucker pickup designed for today’s guitar player regardless of style or genre. Like the original 57, this unique combination of Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces evoke an unmistakably PAF quality in its tone, yet the active attributes provide the headroom and punch necessary to deliver unparalleled definition and presence. Designed and voiced specifically for the bridge position of your 8 string electric guitar (extended series cap 4 x 1.5 inch). The solderless installation makes this pickup easy to install at home.
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From $129.00
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  1. Seriously awesome pickup
    Quality
    100%
    Price
    80%
    Value
    100%
    Ease of Install
    100%
    I put this pickup in a Schecter Damien Elite-8, along with a matching 66-8 in the neck, to replace a pair of 808s that came stock in the guitar. The 808 has a *very* clean, transparent sound, kind of like what you'd find in a bass pickup. While clean tones sounded beautiful, crunch and high-gain distortion sounded and felt a little too sterile for me, so it was tough to bond with the guitar. As such, I dropped a 57/66 set in to see what would happen. Installation took me all of five minutes, thanks to the solderless system.

    I don't have much (any) experience with PAF-style pickups, so I can't speak in that regard. Taking the 57 on its own, though, it's simply fantastic. The buzzword I would use to describe it is "organic". Clean sounds are full-bodied and balanced. It's bright without being harsh. Lows are reigned in just enough to maintain clarity on the low strings without sounding thin. It's got a bit of a push in the mids, like a hotter passive pickup might, which keeps it from feeling too clinical. It's on the louder side, being active, and can drive a clean amp on its own, but it's still tame enough that you can control dynamics a bit and clean it up by picking softer or playing with your volume knob.

    Under distortion, all of those qualities carry over, and the 57 really starts to live up to the "active pickup that feels like a passive" hype. It's a very modern sound, being tight and articulate with lots of string clarity, but it's got this warmth and saturation to it that you usually only find in passives. Single notes, especially on the B and F# strings, are clear and punchy, and power chords have this sort of compressed "chewy" quality to them that just feels great. Lead tones are defined and smooth, which is a huge boon for lead work on a bolt-on 26.5" scale guitar. Far from sounding brittle or shrill.

    The only trouble I've had with the 57 was getting the pickup height and string volume to balance with the 66 across all 8 strings. Aside from that, though, I have nothing but good things to say about this pickup. It completely transformed my Schecter from an okay-sounding beater to practically the only guitar I pick up anymore. Definitely check this one out.

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