Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

jones

jones

New member
So, I post here only slightly more often than Haley's comet comes around, but I would appreciate any input. I just picked up an ES339, really cool guitar, but... I can't shake the feeling the 57 pups can be improved upon. I'm stuck between the Seth's, 59's, Ant's... I've had nothing but luck with SD in the past so... But if anyone has any other suggestions let me know. I've also heard some say the 57's are perfect for the guitar already, should I just hit the brake? I play bluesy rock and psychedelic inspired stuff. Modern additude with a vintage vibe is kinda where I'm coming from. Johnny Marr, The Edge, Gilmour, Page...
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

Yes 57s can be improved on for sure. You will find most ppl on this forum are not fans...maybe thats why they got seymours in the first place!
I have removed 57s from two gibson axes and have been really glad.
Its hard to say what would be best for you because Johnny Marr, thne edge and David Gilmour are not the kind of players you would normally associate with a great paf sound.
So lets leave players out of the equation for a second, and just talk about what you are hearing from for axe/amp setup right now.
Knowing 57s, im guessing you are hearing not enough bass, not enough treble and a kind of mid spike that is not fat, but more like honky. Is that getting close?

Im thinking because you mentioned some strat players that you lean towards a clearer, chimier, more defined sound...if so, then 59s would be a good choice. They are beautiful in semis.
However, if it turns out after some playing time that youd like something a little less hifi and a little more vintage, you can always steal the a2 mags from your 57 set and put them into the 59s. The A5 magnets from your 59s can go into the 57s which actually improve those pickups dramatically. Even tho youd think a 59 with an a2 mag would be similar to a 57, its not true at all...they a fatter, bigger and warmer in every respect.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

Quencho092 said:
Simple answer, put seth lovers in there.
Click to expand...

+1. '57's are good, better in some guitars than others, but Seth's are great.

I'd either sell the '57's, which I've done with a pair, or swap mags which I've also done (A5 in the neck, UOA5 in the bridge). For the wind, I don't think A2's are the best magnet for '57's.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

Thanks for the responses. Gibson175, you are correct, most of the players mentioned are famous for playing strats or fenders mostly, Page aside but he played teles a lot, I mention them mostly just to give an idea of the styles I'm into and the amount of gain and effects I tend to use. I have been playing pretty much only a strat myself for the better part of the last decade, so I think I am just ready to break out of the box a bit, the 339 was a bit of an impulse buy. I am now heavily favoring the Lovers now. I'm a bit surprised at myself I thought for sure I would talk myself into the Ants, that's what I have in my strat, love them. The problem with the 57's is that they are a bit honky, not always a bad thing, they do get a bit of chime in this guitar, but I think that's the guitar. The neck can get muddy and boomy in this axe, but I'm also going into a JTM45, lots of bass there. Basically I like the basic kind of character of them, but they are kind of stiff sounding and boomy at times, compared to my other SD pups I've used, I feel I could be getting more clarity and definition. The 57's sound good under just the right circumstances with gain and volume, but outside of that I feel the need to endlessly tweak the knobs... The 59's are still a bit tempting, but I think this guitar gets enough chime out of the design itself that it might be overkill with the 59's. I really don't have time to mess around with magnet swaps right now. I think the Seths might be the ticket too.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

I'd go Pearly Gates N and Brobucker.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

jones said:
I am now heavily favoring the Lovers now.

The problem with the 57's is that they are a bit honky, not always a bad thing, they do get a bit of chime in this guitar, but I think that's the guitar. The neck can get muddy and boomy in this axe...they are kind of stiff sounding and boomy at times, compared to my other SD pups I've used, I feel I could be getting more clarity and definition. The 57's sound good under just the right circumstances with gain and volume, but outside of that I feel the need to endlessly tweak the knobs..
Click to expand...

Your instincts are right, go for the Seth's! The ultimate PAF.

And yes, that's exactly why '57's are not a great PU. The variables all have to line up perfectly to get them sounding like they should. Too much farting around.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

If you're feeling that there is some muddiness/boominess in the neck but you still have the chime, then I wouldn't recommend the '59 (it's a boomy bassy pup).

a set of Screamin Demons would be fabulous. Nice even EQ, clear and articulate, not boomy at all, nice clean chimey highs that are smooth and not ice picky.
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

I vote Antiquity neck (I prefer it to the Seth) with a Seth in the bridge. OR for your "modern attitude" via more beef in the bridge: Antiquity neck with a Gibson BB3 or Duncan '78 in the bridge. Can't go wrong with any of those. I'm replacing my BB3 with a Duncan '78 (which should be fantastic) but I haven't played it yet so I can't comment on it specifically. However, on paper and according to others, it's a great, more-aggressive PAF tone...
 
Re: Es 339, and taking your foot off the GAS pedal...

Wow, again thanks for the input, all the options are interesting. I'm thinking I like the guitar, I like the idea behind it. The Seth's do seem to be just a better version of what should be in a guitar like this, but the ant neck idea is tempting. Screamin demon doesn't sound like my style at all, ha! But thanks. The input on the '59 has completely steerd me away from them for this axe/amp combo. The more I think about it, the more I think I'm just going to go with the Seths.
 
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