ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

[Woodeks]

Ive got an ‘07 ES-339 that currently has 57 classics in it.
And Ive got a new set of Pearly gates and a new set of Seth Lovers and Id like to play around a bit with the sound in the ES. Its got 500k pots and .047 Russian PIO caps.

Looking for suggestions/experience on PU choice in a ES before I begin. My question, (A) Seth – Full set, (B) Pearly Gates – Full set, (C) Pearly Gates-neck/Seth Lover-Bridge (D) Seth lover-neck/Pearly Gates bridge?

I have 2 Les Pauls with a full set of Pearly Gates and 1 LP with Seth Lovers. I absolutely love the sound of the Pearly Gates in the LP. But the ES is not a LP, by any means!

Im also thinking of adding quick release connectors on the pickup wiring to make changing PUs easier, in the hell that is changing electronics in a ES.

I can always go back and put the 57s back in if Im not happy with the SDs – but just want to mess around with the 2 new sets of PUs I have.

Thanks!

 

[AlexR]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Mine is for the Seths. They just seem to really shine in semi's.

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

I briefly had a 339 (never swapped pickups), but do own a 336 & 356. I loved antiquities in the 336. I would definitely go with the full Seth set. Do a search on Seths and you'll see that they're one of the most recommended (by the forum) pickups for a semi hollow.


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[beaubrummels]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

If it were mine, any of those setups except C would work for me.

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Another vote for the Seth Lover set. Not that the other options wouldn't work, but I'd start from there and see how you like the Seth Lover set.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

They would all sound really good.

I'll recommend Seths. I have them in three guitars now. They're a lot of fun to play.

However, alnico 2 Seths don't have the exact sound I associate with 335 style guitars.

Alnico 5 Gibson pickups would have been used in the semi hollowbody "335" guitars Larry Carlton and BB King used for their most classic recordings as well what Eric Clapton used for the live Crossroads recording.

But Seths are a gas. As are PG's. I have both models in my guitars as well as a set of Antiquity and 59's.

 

[Mincer]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Seths are my go-to in any semi or full hollow. They sound so good. You might try others, but I think you'll come back to the Seths.

 

[Woodeks]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Thanks all! Seths it is! The Pearlies work SOoo well in my Les Pauls (probably due to solid body - plus that's where they were designed), just didn't want to leave the PGs out as a possibility. Thanks Again!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

I would go PGs BUT I'm very biased...PGs are my favorite SD humbuckers. Seth's is probably the safest option, but I think the PG would just put it over the top

 

[marcboomer]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Many of our artists love the Antiquity's in their ES's. And they are pretty much like having aged Seth Lovers in there. I think they like the added "tempering" & warmth from the aging process.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Make hybrids. Then you get both and they're awesome.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Many of our artists love the Antiquity's in their ES's. And they are pretty much like having aged Seth Lovers in there. I think they like the added "tempering" & warmth from the aging process.

I just removed a set of Seth Lovers in a PRS CU22 and replaced them with Antiquitys.

I still have Seths in another PRS to compare the new Antiquitys too.

Twenty years ago I compared the Seths and the Ants in the same guitar (That time in a Hamer Studio Archtop) and came to the same conclusion I came to today.

I love them both but the Antiquitys are a bit more polite and not as hot feeling and Seths are a bit more raw and driving.

They're both excellent but for rocking out with a Gary Moore type tone, I prefer the Seths. They just have a bit more of a rock sound.

I can't wait to get these new Antiquitys down to the local blues jam though. They have an elegance to the sound and I know the guys are going to ask me about them. And they look great in this guitar:

 

[zionstrat]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Just dropped a set of Seths into an Epi Cassino- What a change!
Agreed that Seths are my top for most semis, but PG is a great pup, so try them all and report back!

 

[Woodeks]

Re: ES 339 - Seth Lover, Pearly Gates or a combo of both?

Just bought a set of antiquities, so between those and the Seth Lovers, both being unwaxed, I'll be needing those "quick" connectors for pickup changeouts! (Not that it's really quick)

I sent the Seths back to Seymour Duncan and had them make the set (4 wire) so I could split them, so I may or may not add Push pull pots (vol) depending how froggy I feel dicking with pot changeouts in this 339. Gotta yank em' all to even change 2 - or 1 for that matter!

Thanks again all!