Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

[Sage]

I'm looking to see how close I can get a Strat to sound like an ES-335 played through the bridge pickup. I have some ideas that range from tinkering with the tone knob, to changing the electronics, or even putting a JB Jr. at the bridge...

Yes, I realize a Strat won't ever sound exactly like an ES-335. I just want to see how close it can get.

Any suggestions?

 

[jimijames]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

I'm thinking either a seth lover or an aph-1, those two will mellow out the bridge some, probably bring it a bit closer to a es-335, but that's little more than an educated guess. Also, putting the cover on whichever pickup you put will mellow it out further. I don't know about you, but when I think of ES-335, I think of smooth, 3d, etc, just a great jazz tone. So, keeping that in mind, I would go with the seth, but I don't know how well it would mate with a strat.

Edit: if you don't dig changing the pickups, slap some heavy string on, roll down the tone a bit, and play through a fender blackface at moderate-low volumes. A set of .12's with a wound G will do wonders for mellowing out your strat.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

You can try an eq,but you'll still never cop the hollow body tone of a 335...

 

[Sage]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

Ah, I'm not thinking about jazz tones, but about classic rock distorted tones, like Alex Lifeson on early Rush albums like 2112 and A Farewell to Kings. So I'm not looking to make it more "mellow" per se, more like "thicker" with pronounced mids and that semi-hollow ring.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

Ah, I'm not thinking about jazz tones, but about classic rock distorted tones, like Alex Lifeson on early Rush albums like 2112 and A Farewell to Kings. So I'm not looking to make it more "mellow" per se, more like "thicker" with pronounced mids and that semi-hollow ring.

Would it be easier to save up for a 335 maybe?:biglaugh:

I hear what your saying though brother....A 335 isn't cheap!

 

[Sage]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

It's not a matter of cheap, it's a matter of versatility. I could get an Epiphone Dot for about $400, and that'd do the trick, but it wouldn't have the versatility of a Strat. I love the clean tones I can get from a strat; I love the dirty tones I can get from an ES-335.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

Actually, I think you would get closest with a JB, Jr.--especially on a Strat with a vibrato. I'd think you'd need to wire up the bridge pickup to a tone control with a high-quality cap--and you'd be right there.

That is, ....close, but no cigar. It's a ridiculous premise and question. You're trying to compare apples to ....kiwi! Heck, sometimes apples and oranges is even do-able.

But you can't take a 25.5" scale solid-body guitar with a bolt-neck and slap a pickup on it and expect it to, "sound just like a 335."

Ridiculous!

You think Lifeson recorded those albums with only one guitar?

Ridiculous!

If you want versatility, get a Tele, get a Strat, get a Gretsch, get a Paul, get a 335.

Use the right tool for the job. Stop trying to pound a nail with a circular saw! Stop trying to remove a screw by pounding it with a hammer!

Bill

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

If you want versatility, get a Tele, get a Strat, get a Gretsch, get a Paul, get a 335.

Edited: "If you want versatility, get a Tele with a Strat neck pup, get a Gretsch, get a Paul, get a 335."

Should cover all the bases any guitarist needs to cover. Leave the strats for the goofy metal heads. :biglaugh:

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Making a Strat sound like an ES-335

It's not a matter of cheap, it's a matter of versatility. I could get an Epiphone Dot for about $400, and that'd do the trick, but it wouldn't have the versatility of a Strat. I love the clean tones I can get from a strat; I love the dirty tones I can get from an ES-335.

Then you will continue to be annoyed when you try and pound nails with a screwdriver.

In the long run it's going to be less painful and likely less expensive to do it right the first time and get an Epi Dot and put some new electronics in it and be done with it.