Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

[Jeffrec]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Definitely Seths

[joshaholloway]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

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...

In all fairness I've not had that much of a play with it on the amp, tonight I'm going to spend a few hours with my setup and see what I get, but yeah, the VOX I have seems to lack in some ways, it has the Greenback speakers in and I've been looking at swapping them to the British made Alnico Blues, as well as changing some of the tubes.

I'm aiming for the 335 to be my main guitar, as our main sound is thicker, fast rock 'n' roll, with lead riffs etc, I want that to be the main one and thats the sound I'm aiming for. I'm actually getting rid of the Telecaster and my second guitar is my Ric 330, which is used for the slower songs or when I need a more treble sound etc.

I agree with the fact that the pedals will do a lot of the work and the Pearly Gates seem to be mentioned a lot for the neck position, so that looks like a frontrunner at the moment, not sure on the bridge yet.

I'll see how it goes tonight and I'll know if I need to change the pickups or not, it did feel that way at first. Although, with the amp as it is now, that Tele bridge pickup did sound good, and that has been used with the same pedals and I noticed a BIG improvement with that pickup compared to the stocks.

Yeah, the other guitarist has a full hollowbody Casino and that gives some serious feedback. Yeah I know what you mean, I loved it when I used to play as just a guitarist but I've recently moved to lead vocals too, so sometimes I'm not playing etc and get feedback, maybe just cause I'm a newbie to playing less, hahaa! I was just wondering if there was any pedals or ways to help against the feedback, that was all!

[chadd]

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.

I like the idea of an A2P for the OP's needs and a Slash set wouldn't be out of line either. Just a little more heat with those. I have to be honest though, I really love the BB3 in the bridge of my newer Les Pauls, those sound great.

[Chrisp]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I have a Boss CS-3 compression sustainer which says it can be used as an ordinary limiter by turning down the sustain volume. That could work to reduce feedback.

[joshaholloway]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I have a Boss CS-3 compression sustainer which says it can be used as an ordinary limiter by turning down the sustain volume. That could work to reduce feedback.

As luck would have it, I actually have a CS-3 Compression Sustainer lying around, I'll try it later! Thanks!

[Plotonis]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

What about 59n/PGb combination ? Couple of my friends of mine put them on a SG and a Les Paul and both guitars sounds like a dream ...

[Chickenwings]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I play lead and have such pedals as a Fulltone OCD, Way Huge Pork Loin, Pro Co Rat, and use a VOX AC30C2. I like a thick tone for rhythm (I seemed to get this on the Tele) but that keeps that sound where you can clearly hear all the notes ring well.

WLH set works nicely in my 335. Ive tried a bunch of pickups but they pretty well exactly match what you are looking for. 500k pots all round.

[Stratman]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Save yourself some money and change all the pots to 500KA, instead of changing the pickups.

Next instead of soldering the wire coming from each tone pot to the input leg of each volume pot, try soldering it to the (Middle) output leg of the volume pot. (e.g., 50’s style)

If you still want to change pickups, Antiquity for a classic tone and Joe Bonamassa for a nicer, sweet, and clean hotrod (e.g., hot 59 lester) tone

http://www.seymourduncan.com/joeb/

http://www.seymourduncan.com/joeb/bonamassa-signature-pickup-set

No matter what you do, you can still have feedback because of the guitar’s construction…

[MichYank]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I have A2P's in my '76. They are a very versatile set for just about anything you'd play on a 335. They're not going anywhere soon.
Love 'em!

[Oinkus]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Have Fralin Pure PAFs overwound 5% in my 335 build and it sounds as good or better then any 335 I have ever played or heard.

[blueman335]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

Have Fralin Pure PAFs overwound 5% in my 335 build and it sounds as good or better then any 335 I have ever played or heard.

Fralins have great clarity. Do yours have A4's?

[Oinkus]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

They have A2's

[Gibson 1964]

Re: Pickups for a Gibson ES-335

I'd suggest Wolfetone Marshallheads.