Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

[Gearjunkie52]

Demoed a 339 and dot 335 and really enjoyed the overall tones from the 57' classics yet mt block inlay model came with Burstbuckers Pro 1 and 2 and Although they're nice they aren't what I felt the 57's are. Everything I'm reading leads me to believe the vintage PAF and either the Seth lovers or ants are the ones that'll satisfy me. I play blues/ country and old upbeat punchy rock. I love tones mostly with clean with a hint of gain for mostly the stuff I play but need smooth creamy mids with clear note seperation and honkin bass with no shrilly highs.

All opinions will be appreciated. Thank you

 

[Sprinter]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

I have a Heritage H-535 with Seth Lover pickups and I think they sound great! I go for the same clean with a hint of gain tone you described.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

I'd go to A2's or A3's. Cheap as dirt, and just as effective as spending over $100 on pickups.

 

[bluesbend]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Seth Lovers.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

I've got a 335 copy with a Distortion bridge and a 59 neck pup. Those are pretty sweet in there, especially with the maple tone block.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

There are some guitars that Classic '57s just rock in: (1) is SGs and (1) is ES-335s. I've tried a lot of different pickups and I just plain like the '57s. I like them enough that this time when I bought my Gibson ES-335 and it came with them stock, I kept the guitar stock rather than deciding to mess with a good thing like I used to do.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Predictable as ever, I suggest Pearly Gates N and Brobucker.

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Thanks guys for the replies, but I have to say that we got out last night to our Saturday night get together and running my 335 through my "Reitzel tweaked" deluxe reverb RI with C-Rex, I was some impressed with the BB pros, more so than I had expected, but was thrilled with the 57's I had tried and knowing i'm the type that can never leave well enough alone, I still want to try something else...

Even those I don't think these links below are highlighted, these two videos are the tone I seek, nice bold Honkin' bottom end, articulate note separation, pronounce mids with pleasing non ice pick highs....BUT is it possible to get a Bridge pup wit these qualities with a slight gain, not sure of the term used, but I dont like clean clean, but prefer some grind and slight dirt for a lead off the bridge....surely someone makes a set of Pups to closely match these tones through Fender amps...someone mentioned the blackface or silverface super reverbs are the amp of choice for the 335, and maybe there's a reason my 73' SFSR hasn't sold yet.. had a buddy also mention the lollar Imperials low wind might be a fine match, but thought I should take a few minutes and reply here to see if there are any new suggestions... Thanks again..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su0iYhfOQWQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz6K54TDJLw

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

you like 57's?
Pretty much any A2 pickup from SD will make it sound amazing if you think 57's are good.
My fave is pearly gates in a 335, but i know everyone has personal favourites.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

you like 57's?
Pretty much any A2 pickup from SD will make it sound amazing if you think 57's are good.

+.1 Any Duncan PAF will be an improvement over '57's. There's a lot of very good PAF's out these days by various manufacturers, and '57's are nowhere near the top in terms of tone quality. They're an average-sounding PU that's Gibson puts in way too many models, and some players assume that because of that, it's better than it really is. Or because they're grossly overpriced in retail aftermarket that 'they must be good.' Burstbuckers are the best PU Gibson's making these days, and for unknown reasons, are used sparingly.

I think that anyone who's owned a variety of today's better PAF's (Seth's, Lollars, Fralins, etc) isn't impressed by '57's. They can't compete with them.

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Great info guys, thank you..so many to choose from, so little time.. growing up in the 70's listening to my parents one lead guitar player, when he would open up on a lead with his old country gentleman and the sounds from tunes like Memphis Tennessee, Johnnie b goode, and many other good old upbeat country/rock tunes. I'll never forget the big punchy bass notes with that sweet honk, articulate smooth and creamy mids yet the highs were nice and balanced without any ear piercing, and I find this new 335 really fits me well and is a dream to play since having it setup, but after reading the above replies, maybe the Seth Lovers will be my purchase of choice..

Normally never use a neck pup in any tele that I've got used to playing other than for rhythm, until recently I bought of set of D Allens for my MIJ Strat and finally came to appreciate how a neck pup can have enough attitude and character to the point of playin lead on it and I'm in love...With that in mind, is the Seth Lover Neck pup one to satisfy or is there maybe a better choice ??

Also, when I go to order these buckers, are the 335's just a 2 wire configuration as I see they come with 4 also, as I only have limited experience with swapping out single coils...thank you

 

[Old Ghost]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

+.1 Any Duncan PAF will be an improvement over '57's. There's a lot of very good PAF's out these days by various manufacturers, and '57's are nowhere near the top in terms of tone quality. They're an average-sounding PU that's Gibson puts in way too many models, and some players assume that because of that, it's better than it really is. Or because they're grossly overpriced in retail aftermarket that 'they must be good.' Burstbuckers are the best PU Gibson's making these days, and for unknown reasons, are used sparingly.

I think that anyone who's owned a variety of today's better PAF's (Seth's, Lollars, Fralins, etc) isn't impressed by '57's. They can't compete with them.

+1 on this. I gave the '57's a chance twice on different guitars and the results are the same. Nothing really special to them. In my opinion, they are lacking any kind of tonal character. Any SD style PAF will be a way better choice than the over priced-over hyped-over used '57's. I tried a set of '57's on my Epiphone Dot 335 and didn't like it a bit. The stock Epiphone '57 Classics that came with the guitar sounded way BETTER believe it or not. So the '57's went to ebay. The same thing happened with another '57 set I had 10 years ago, ended up on ebay.

 

[Old Ghost]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Also, when I go to order these buckers, are the 335's just a 2 wire configuration as I see they come with 4 also, as I only have limited experience with swapping out single coils...thank you

Most vintage style humbuckers only have a single conductor with a braided ground. Usually, standard two-humbucker guitars with a 3-way switch like the LP and 335 have single conductor pickups. Swapping pickups on a 335 is not exactly a walk in the park though. It's a big PITA! Just a heads up.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

I think that anyone who's owned a variety of today's better PAF's (Seth's, Lollars, Fralins, etc) isn't impressed by '57's. They can't compete with them.

Eh, don't be so quick to make blanket statements there. I've owned Lollars (low wind Imperials as well as his P90 and firebird designs), Duncan Antiquities, WCR boutique pickups, Wolfetone boutique pickups and guess what? Yep, Classic '57s just plain sound good.

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Thanks OG, for the pickup wiring info and just to look at the 335, I can just imagine how much of a true joy it'll be to swap pups..does everything need to be pulled to do the pups only, jack and all??

its comical to read about the 57's being disliked by some, yet very respected by others, because I thought they sounded pretty sweet, but I guess because I love fender amps others wont...we are all different..

A buddy of mine seems to think, when I mentioned I had ordered the Seths, that I would've like the lollar imperial low wind better as he feels they are sweeter sounding..then another buddy sends me a link to swapping magnets...so many options, so little time.. Hopefully either the Seths or the Imperials will give me that honk for country/ blues and also dirt for old rock..

 

[simply rod]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

I've got a 335 copy with a Distortion bridge and a 59 neck pup. Those are pretty sweet in there, especially with the maple tone block.

With a block in there, there's nothing a 335 (or copy) can't do. Nobody should every worry whether a given pickup will work. I've got Alt 8s in the bridges of both of my 335 copies and they rawk. One's got a Bartolini 3C in the neck, and I haven't settled on one for the other yet, but I've really fallen in love with the feel and versatility of these guitars.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Eh, don't be so quick to make blanket statements there. I've owned Lollars (low wind Imperials as well as his P90 and firebird designs), Duncan Antiquities, WCR boutique pickups, Wolfetone boutique pickups and guess what? Yep, Classic '57s just plain sound good.

You're one of a small group then, who has owned the upper echelon of PAF's, and still likes '57's.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

With a block in there, there's nothing a 335 (or copy) can't do. Nobody should every worry whether a given pickup will work. I've got Alt 8s in the bridges of both of my 335 copies and they rawk. One's got a Bartolini 3C in the neck, and I haven't settled on one for the other yet, but I've really fallen in love with the feel and versatility of these guitars.

It's my main guitar, and I play some pretty heavy stuff. It's got a really good attack, and sounds awesome dropped to C#.

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

reading about the lack of quality with the Bee Caps in these guitars, anyone have any knowledge with changing them to something different.. I just hope the $250 for these SL pups deliver the mail over the BB Pros, but I'm looking forward to it.. figured I would have the tech change tone cap to something of different quality if need be..

 

[Gearjunkie52]

Re: Help me choose my new pups for 335 block

Went to a buddies today and sat down with his pheonix semi hollow body with antiquities in it and didn't matter either he 5E3 or deluxe reverb ri those ants made my Burstbuckers sound like S**T !!! I was really amazed how defined note definition and controlled and balanced lows with the ants and muddy bottom end and shrill top end with flabby mids with the BB

Then he plugs in a EPI SG with a P90 Klein neck and a Gibson 489 ? 498 ? (I think)in the bridge he just finished installing and wow what a sweet blend of tones. That Klein had a close quackin resemblance to a strat !! Very sweet indeed

My gibby needs some help and I sure hope these Seth's coming will do the blues as well as whT I experienced today in the other two guitars but they both made the BB shameful !!