Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

E

edbub

New member
OK guys - opinions welcome on this one. I have a really good sounding, great playing 335 copy that I've been struggling with - neck pickup wise. I've got a set of RH Factor Zebras in this guitar - 7.5K neck / 8.5K bridge. Stock, they both came with A2's. The bridge pickup is totally fine to my ears - both clean and dirty. The neck was fine clean, but mud city with even moderate gain. No string definition playing chords. I swapped in an A4 yesterday, and while it's a bit clearer, the overall character of the sound falls a bit short.

I'm looking for something a bit hollow sounding, but with clarity. I'd almost be tempted to buy Seth's for this guitar, but the cost of the pickups would be more than I paid for the damn thing!

This is my first semi-hollow guitar, so it might just be the nature of the beast - I dunno.

Open to recommendations!

-ed
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

Look for used PU's online, that's how I get most of mine. If you want clarity in the neck slot, try a JazzN, with the stock A5 or an A4.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

If not a 59 then a jazz. Both pickups also sound great with a2 magnets if thats your thing.


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Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

edbub said:
The neck was fine clean, but mud city with even moderate gain. No string definition playing chords. I swapped in an A4 yesterday, and while it's a bit clearer, the overall character of the sound falls a bit short.
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For the record, I moonlight as a guitar tech, specializing in "modding for tone" semi- and full-hollows, making and installing harnesses and modding humbucking p'ups.

As I've never heard of those RH Factor p'ups of yours, I've done some research and they most probably are Asian-made OEM, made for the RH Factor guitars e-bay shop.

Anyway, you should try an A3 mag first, then set both p'ups up a little bit further away from the strings.

HTH,
 
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Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

LtKojak said:
For the record, I moonlight as a guitar tech, specializing in "modding for tone" semi- and full-hollows, making and installing harnesses and modding humbucking p'ups.

As I've never heard of those RH Factor p'ups of yours, I've done some research and they most probably are Asian-made OEM, made for the RH Factor guitars e-bay shop.

Anyway, you should try an A3 mag first, then set both p'ups up a little bit further away from the strings.

HTH,
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. I have an A3 kicking around here somewhere and I'll give that a try. I currently backed the A4 loaded neck pickup down just below the ring, and it did clean up a bit more, but the nice harmonic feedback is gone. These pickups look to be pretty well produced. Wooden spacer, just lightly potted - not like most of the Asian soap bars I've tried to improve. I've got some hope that I can get this one sounding better, as the A2 bridge is actually decent. If all else fails, I'll keep an eye out for a used zebra Jazz. I appreciate all the feedback!
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

Couldn't find my A3 - but found a set of Classic 57's and I couldn't help myself but to see how they worked in this guitar. I had bought them for a Les Paul and really didn't like them all that much. They sound pretty darn good in the 335 copy! They are significantly more rounder sounding than the RH Factor pickups - in a good way. Lowered the neck pickup to the ring and the clarity is better than the RH pickup. I'm gonna play these for now and see how they do in the band mix...
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

Not too many forumites like the 57's, but I really like the warmth and rounded high end of them. Give yourself plenty of time to get used to them and see how they work for what you want. Get back to us with a report in a few weeks.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

I'm a fan of the '57's. Never had a problem with them being muddy at all. Then again, I ran them mostly in a Strat but have heard them in Semi's and a V that I installed them in and they sounded great there too.

The pickups in my Hamer EchoTone are Duncan Designed HB-103's. The magnet is ceramic. They sound really good so I'm not looking to change them out right away.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

ErikH said:
I'm a fan of the '57's. Never had a problem with them being muddy at all. Then again, I ran them mostly in a Strat but have heard them in Semi's and a V that I installed them in and they sounded great there too.
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I've only used '57's in LP's, and it's a whole different story there.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

blueman335 said:
I've only used '57's in LP's, and it's a whole different story there.
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A buddy of mine has 2 LP's with a '57 in the neck. I've played / heard as he was a bandmate. No mud. Smoother, yes, but not muddy.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

ErikH said:
A buddy of mine has 2 LP's with a '57 in the neck. I've played / heard as he was a bandmate. No mud. Smoother, yes, but not muddy.
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I concur. My '57 is in the neck of one of my LP's...smooth and warm, but not muddy. I just happen to love a warm sounding neck.
 
Re: Pick-A-Mag: ES335 copy content

Got a '57 in the neck of my SG Standard and love it. No mud, warm without being boomy. I really like it.

As for the bridge, I had a '57 Classic Plus and swapped it for the Angus Young Signature pickup. Not sure what it is, but I like it better...so far (only been in about two weeks). It sounds very similar to the '57 Classic Plus, with a little more "bite" without being to shrill and glassy.

I can't speak for '57 in a semi but a lot of people seem to love them in ES335 style guitars. I had an Epiphone Dot Studio and went a very different route. I put a Jazz in the neck. If you ever decide to try something other than the '57 in the neck, the Jazz should be high in your list IMO. I loved that pickup in that guitar. As for the bridge, I put a Gibson Dirty Fingers in and never looked back. I seriously doubt that is the sound you are going for but that guitar was a monster.
 
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