fwiw, here an email exchange i had with gibson last week regarding type of pickups:
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 6:34 PM
To: Customer Service
Subject: Talk 2 Us : Country USA
hi, just a friendly inquiry. bought a LP R8 yesterday and am delighted. just curious, why does this model have burstbucker pickups? seems like 57 classics would be more "in period." not gonna swap, jusk asking! many thanks, larry
Hello Larry,
The Gibson Historic models used ’57 Classics until the early 2000’s when the more accurate PAF reissue Burstbucker 1,2 and 3 pick-up came out. Thanks.
Bob Burns
Gibson Customer Service
1-800-4GIBSON
service@gibson.com