Pickups for an ES335 style guitar

[pskorz]

And just to muddy the waters a bit—I have a gut feeling that a set of Saturday night Specials in a semi-hollow would be absolutely FANTASTIC.

[ErikH]

Add the Pearly Gates set as an option. Those would be my first choice.

[Ascension]

And just to muddy the waters a bit—I have a gut feeling that a set of Saturday night Specials in a semi-hollow would be absolutely FANTASTIC.

Have a set currently in my semi hollow Carvin AE 185 and they are in that guitar!!

[Aceman]

You know....Depending on the general tone of the guitar itself, I would be default say 59's.

But I can't fault the Seth recommendations either.

PG's however, might be the solution to the boom and the super mid spike will keep it bright without the honk. Perhaps a tweak of the meds in the amp? Does it have a mid control?

[GuitarDoc]

If your guitar is already "very bassy and honky", the 59 may not be the best choice. Seths could be good, but I'd go along with Aceman's suggestion for the Pearly Gates. It's really a great neck pup, I have it in a couple guitars. The bridge has a bit more oomph and warmth to it, but it is still a bright snappy pup. It has a nice even tonal range, not too bassy like the 59 and with a bit of extra sizzle in the highs. Controls very well with the guitar's volume pot. It would work very well through your Vintage Modern.

[eclecticsynergy]

Pearly set could be epic in a bassy guitar.

For brightness and taming honk, a Jazz set might be a good match here too.
Those could be the Duncans that are closest to the T-tops on vintage ES guitars.
Entirely different character from the 57 Classics in your SG, yet comparable in output.

[SirJackdeFuzz II]

For an ES-335 style guitar, i would look into : A2P, Seth Lovers, 59's or Antiquities.

[hamerfan]

As GuitarDoc said an A5 might not be the best bet. If you want to fight the honkiness I would not rely on a higher wound A2 pickup either.
I had a good sound with low wound A2 like BKN Stormy Mondays and Antiquities. But I settled with a pair of A4 pickups (OX4 low wound set).
But my semi started to shine when I used a nylon saddles abr. This smoothes the attack and gives a rich wooden tone like Creams / Clapton's RAH concert.

[Mincer]

For an ES-335 style guitar, i would look into : A2P, Seth Lovers, 59's or Antiquities.

This is my 'short list', too.

[beaubrummels]

If the guitar already had a mid bump to it, I might suggest Brobucker bridge Seth neck, or MJ Magic (Skinnerburst) set, or Queenbucker (Magellan) set

[Mincer]

Remember, it isn't a real 335, it is a Harley Benton, so spending Custom Shop $$ might not be the best investment.

[beaubrummels]

Remember, it isn't a real 335, it is a Harley Benton, so spending Custom Shop $$ might not be the best investment.

FWIW I've put the same pickups in my $600 LP Studio. Whatever gets it done.

[elelpe]

I didn't get lucky wit '59 set in my Epi Dot (dunno if it is similar tone wise as your Harley Benton): too bright in the bridge, too boomy in the neck. I ended up with A2P bridge and Jazz neck.