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**DreX** · 03-09-2014, 04:01 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Seths pair well

**Lewguitar** · 03-09-2014, 04:21 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Yes, Seth Lovers come to mind. A lot of ES-335 players love them. Pearly Gates pickups with nickel covers sound great too.

I use alnico 2 Tom Holmes pickups in my 2001 ES-335. The nickel covered Pearly Gates pickups sometimes get compared to them.

**TimmyPage** · 03-09-2014, 05:16 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I think that the Seths are something magical, especially in a 355, but they generally have a tone on the brighter, more biting/honky side of things. In your other guitar you have a Hot Rails and you say that's perfect for you so you may be aiming for something with slightly hotter output.

When you say you want something big and warm sounding, but still keeping note clarity, I'm going to suggest you try out the Whole Lotta Humbuckers. That's what they do best. I have a pretty extensive review of them in a strat, and there are a bunch of dudes in this forum with a pair in Les Pauls who love them. I believe that Gibson175 has a set in his 335 so he can probably tell you more about how they'd fare in your guitar.

**Lewguitar** · 03-09-2014, 05:20 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Originally posted by TimmyPage View Post

When you say you want something big and warm sounding, but still keeping note clarity, I'm going to suggest you try out the Whole Lotta Humbuckers. That's what they do best. I have a pretty extensive review of them in a strat, and there are a bunch of dudes in this forum with a pair in Les Pauls who love them. I believe that Gibson175 has a set in his 335 so he can probably tell you more about how they'd fare in your guitar.

Boy - I wish I had a spare two humbucker guitar to try those WLH's in! I don't tho.

**TimmyPage** · 03-09-2014, 05:41 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Originally posted by Lewguitar View Post

Boy - I wish I had a spare two humbucker guitar to try those WLH's in! I don't tho.

Hey look, Sweetwater has just lowered their prices on some of the Epiphone ES-339 models.. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ET33CHNH/ and the new line of Honeyburst Les Pauls look pretty good for under 500 too.. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ENLPHBNH/

**Boogie Bill** · 03-09-2014, 05:54 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Congrats on the 335, they are wonderful guitars. I have a 2006 blonde, a 2006 Antique SB, and a new 2013 Vintage SB. All have the stock pickups, the Classic '57s, which I like. I think if I were going to change them, I would do either Seths, or Gibson Burstbucker 1&2s. I recently played a Historic 335 with the BBs, and just LOVED it. Totally different than the '57s. I'd take the sweet and mellow '57s for my jazz gigs and the BBs for the harder rockin' stuff. And I'd bet a set of the new Custom Burstbuckers, or the Duncan Bonamassa set would sound awesome too.

Bill

**Rockstar216** · 03-09-2014, 06:01 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I suggest either the Pearlies or the Whole Lotta set.

**joshaholloway** · 03-09-2014, 06:23 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

WOW! Thanks for the replies guys!

I feel that like some have said, they're a duller sound than I'm after, just lacking the rockier bite I'm after I guess! I mean it's still a gorgeous sound but not what I'm after, I'd agree that with the current pick ups, it'd be great for a jazz sound.

So many choices haha! I do love the pick up I have in my Tele (I only replaced it as one of the stock ones was faulty) - it gives a great tone to the Tele and makes the other pickups sound so flat and 'lifeless'. The Whole Lotta pickups sound great, I'm currently swaying towards them... I tend to have an Overdrive pedal on (probably will be my Pork Loin) as my basic sound, for rhythm etc, then the OCD, Pro Co are more for solos or certain intros, riffs etc. I've not really played around with it yet but I can tell that these pick ups are lacking for what I'm after.

It seems to be too thin sounding with the pedals and my VOX, like I say, not the thick warm tone I'm after. I don't think the Seth's will be right for what I'm after, with the brighter, honky style.

Pearlies seem to be suggested quite a bit also, so I'd say so far it's between those and the Whole Lotta.

ON ANOTHER NOTE... (if I need to post this in another thread feel free to have a go at me, hahaa)
Also, with this being a semi-hollowbody and me using mutiple effects (I currently have a MXR Noise Clamp on my board, to cut out feedback/hum from the pedals) - Whats the best way to go about the feedback from these, with a cranked up VOX and pedals I'm guessing I'm going to get some. Is there certain things you can do/pedals that will stop this etc?

Thanks so much for the info and replies btw, it's great and very helpful, loving this forum already!

**joshaholloway** · 03-09-2014, 06:26 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

It seems there is also too much Treble when played through my set up. I'm guessing something with a hotter output, like I had in my Tele wouldn't be as trebly and thin.

**Luke Duke** · 03-09-2014, 06:43 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Originally posted by joshaholloway View Post

It seems there is also too much Treble when played through my set up. I'm guessing something with a hotter output, like I had in my Tele wouldn't be as trebly and thin.

A hot rails is a flame thrower of a pickup truth be told. In the end it depends how "classic" you want your 335 to sound? If you want classic hot go with the WLH set. If you want fat and hot I think a Custom Custom would fit the bill for the bridge and a Pearly Gates for the neck. Now, if you want to ride the line the 59/Custom might be the ticket for you. Hotter than the WLH and not as hot as the Custom series. You can get any of them covered, or uncovered, depending if you like that look.

All that said if you don't mind throwing down some more money you might consider a Custom Shop Brobucker for the bridge.

**the guy who invented fire** · 03-09-2014, 06:48 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Lots of PAF suggestions here but judging by the Hot Rails in your Tele I assume you're not really into vintage tones...

Maybe a Distortion set of the always classic Jazz/JB...maybe a Custom Custom in the bridge and a Pearly Gates in the neck...

**Aceman** · 03-09-2014, 06:59 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I don't think you need a mega-bucker in there. Those pedals will all do the job.

I'm going to suggest an A2P bridge, and a Pearly Gates neck. Also - consider moving to the 500k pots as mentioned.

**Rockstar216** · 03-09-2014, 07:03 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Personally I wouldn't go hotter than the custom series in the semi/hollow and would recommend the Custom Custom if you want a smooth, bluesy, but moderately hot lead pup.

**Boogie Bill** · 03-09-2014, 10:44 PM

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

There's something to be said for letting each guitar do its own thing, as opposed to modifying ALL of your guitars to get one particular sound. The 335s are a really versatile guitar, but no one guitar can be all things to all players for all styles of music.

I would never describe the '57 Classics as trebly and thin. Makes me curious; wondering if you may have something going on in your AC-30, like a microphonic preamp tube...

The 335 will feedback, but it is much better than say, an fully hollow jazz box, ES330, or Epi Casino. The best thing you can do is to position yourself in relation to your amp to minimize the feedback. I love it when I'm able to play mine when it is right on the edge--it feels alive in my hands, but won't feedback...unless I want it too.

Good luck!

Bill

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