New 335 User needs advice!

pcarrilho

pcarrilho

New member
Hi!
I am a new 335 Style user. I have an EPIPHONE SHERATON II. I love sheraton's playability. But i think i need a upgrade (NECK position Pickup). I think the neck pickup is too dark...

My options are SD 59 Model, but someone told me that pickup could be dark and "boomy" on the neck of my Sheraton. I don't have much experience with that kind of guitar, so can you advice me choosing a new neck pickup? SD 59? SD Seth? SD A2? Classic 57?

I need a good a defined CLEAN sound, to play Jazz, Blues, and some OD sound (but not to much). I use a POD XT PRO and direct recording...

thanks!
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

pcarrilho said:
Hi!
I am a new 335 Style user. I have an EPIPHONE SHERATON II. I love sheraton's playability. But i think i need a upgrade (NECK position Pickup). I think the neck pickup is too dark...

My options are SD 59 Model, but someone told me that pickup could be dark and "boomy" on the neck of my Sheraton. I don't have much experience with that kind of guitar, so can you advice me choosing a new neck pickup? SD 59? SD Seth? SD A2? Classic 57?

I need a good a defined CLEAN sound, to play Jazz, Blues, and some OD sound (but not to much). I use a POD XT PRO and direct recording...

thanks!
Click to expand...

This is my #1:

Empeador003.jpg


The I've tried with excellent results the following combos:

* JazzB in neck/ Custom 5
* '59B in neck/ Custom 5
* '59n/Custom 5
* Alnico 4 '59n / Custom 8
* Gibson '57 Classic / '57 Classic plus
* Gibson Alnico 4 '57 Classic / Alnico 8 '57 Classic plus
* Alnico 4 JazzN / Alnico 8 JazzB
* Alnico 4 '59n / Alnico 8 '59b

My personal favorite combo is the following:

* Alnico 4 '59n / Custom 8

HTH,
 
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Re: New 335 User needs advice!

The bass boominess of the 59N depends on the guitar. Per se a ES 335 will not tend to be bass boomy, more so if it has maple neck like the sheraton. A 59N is a great choice for a ES 335 type guitar
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

hamerfan said:
The bass boominess of the 59N depends on the guitar. Per se a ES 335 will not tend to be bass boomy, more so if it has maple neck like the sheraton. A 59N is a great choice for a ES 335 type guitar
Click to expand...

+1. I have a '59N in my Sheraton that sounds great. Very clear & defined. The '59N's boominess usually happens in LP's.

You need to replace both PU's in your Sheraton. You won't realize how blurred & poor the tones are until you upgrade. I have a C8 in the bridge of mine (Duncan C5 with an A8 magnet, for more mids and warmth). High quality PU's give clarity, depth, and definition; don't settle for less. If cost is an issue, get them used on eBay for about half price.

If you need advice on swapping PU's, let me know. I've rewired several dozen F hole guitars.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

Howdy,

The '59s in my ES-335 deliver plenty of clarity. The neck is boomy at times, but there's plenty of treble on tap. FWIW, I'm in the process of replacing them with a DiMarzio Air Classic (neck) and DiMarzio 36th Anniversary (bridge) for a slightly less trebly/ more middy tone. Won't know 'til I try. Good luck in your tone search.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

eggman said:
The '59s in my ES-335 deliver plenty of clarity. The neck is boomy at times, but there's plenty of treble on tap. FWIW, I'm in the process of replacing them with a DiMarzio Air Classic (neck) and DiMarzio 36th Anniversary (bridge) for a slightly less trebly/ more middy tone. Won't know 'til I try. Good luck in your tone search.
Click to expand...

Why didn't you try swapping magnets, for a fraction of the cost (like around $5)? An A3 or A4 would have taken off any excess low end in the neck, and a roughcast A5 will warm the bridge.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

Howdy,

Blueman335: Why didn't i swap magnets? Simple, for same reason i can't even fix a salad or change the oil in my car, LOL. Seriously, I didn't want the hassle.
If the DiMarzios are unsatisfactory, I might further investigate your idea, which would also involve getting nickel covers put on-another hassle. Thanks for the advice, Blueman.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

Go with a Seth. It is one of my favorite pickups in the neck position of 335's. I've never had a problem with boominess and they are clear and present with either a clean or a cranked amp setting.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

GuitarG said:
Go with a Seth. It is one of my favorite pickups in the neck position of 335's. I've never had a problem with boominess and they are clear and present with either a clean or a cranked amp setting.
Click to expand...

Good choice. Very clean and clear.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

GuitarG said:
Go with a Seth. It is one of my favorite pickups in the neck position of 335's. I've never had a problem with boominess and they are clear and present with either a clean or a cranked amp setting.
Click to expand...

It sounds good!
I think i will try it.

And what about the "low grade" stuff? Like GFS, GIOVANNI... There are some decent options?
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

pcarrilho said:
It sounds good!
I think i will try it.

And what about the "low grade" stuff? Like GFS, GIOVANNI... There are some decent options?
Click to expand...

If you want the best clarity, definition, and depth, don't scrimp and get budget PU's. There's a reason why high-quality PU's cost more, and it's worth it. For the cost of a new GFS you can get a used Duncan, which is a much better PU.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

The best clarity, defitnition, and tonal range I've ever gotten from the neck of my Sheraton has come from a TV Jones Magnatron.

I highly recommend it over any Duncan PAF if clean is your thing.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

blueman335 said:
If you want the best clarity, definition, and depth, don't scrimp and get budget PU's. There's a reason why high-quality PU's cost more, and it's worth it. For the cost of a new GFS you can get a used Duncan, which is a much better PU.
Click to expand...

Yes... i think you are right. My option will be a quality brand...
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

bagouser said:
Dude, a Phat Cat neck in a 335 style guitar is awesome.......try it!
Click to expand...

Phat Cat is true single coil... right? It "hummmms", right?
I think a P90 type sound could be a good option to me (i think...), bat i can't live with "hummm"...
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

pcarrilho said:
Phat Cat is true single coil... right? It "hummmms", right?
I think a P90 type sound could be a good option to me (i think...), bat i can't live with "hummm"...
Click to expand...

Phat Cats are shielded very well, and have very little humcompared to other P-90's. My issue is their A2 magents which do not work for me in the neck (too dark) or bridge (too thin) of any of my Gibson-design guitars. Once I figured out I could swap magnets, and pair up different ones, I got a bunch of Phat Cats (and took every A2 out of them). Now they sound great. I have a Gibson '57/Phat CatN (A5/A4) in a Epi Dot that is a great combination.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

I still think the Seth will be too soft for what you're looking for.

Look no further than the Pearly Gates neck. You'll love it in the Sheraton's neck position. It's great for both lead and rhythm.
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

TV Jones sound so good in those guitars, do most things awesome-ly, especially clean.

Another choice would be PG set FTW!!!!
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

Gearjoneser said:
I still think the Seth will be too soft for what you're looking for.

Look no further than the Pearly Gates neck. You'll love it in the Sheraton's neck position. It's great for both lead and rhythm.
Click to expand...

Pearly Gates neck? Hummm... i don't know... Isn't to bright to use in my Sheraton? I need definition on my clean sound, buy i want to retain sweet and warm sound ...
 
Re: New 335 User needs advice!

I have classic 57's in my sheraton and find they are quite awesome but I wouldn't say they produce stunning cleans. The cleans have character, but some people would interpret that character as very slight distortion.

From the Jazz in my Epi LP I would say that may be a nice choice, but I haven't tried it in the Sheraton, I'm a bit lazy in this regard.
 
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