Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

[Alan Paul]

I have a new epi Dot 335 and I like it a lot no matter what anyone says. Even the pickups are not bad, but.. you know.

So i want to replace them, bu thtere are just so many choices.

I am thinking perhaps:

SD Vintage Blues '59 Humbucker Set
or one
SD SM1-N Vintage Mini Humbucker
and one
SD SH-PG1 Pearly Gates
or perhaps
SDAlnico II Pro Pickup with Gold Cover
or perhaps a Jazz in the neck...

I play a lot of blues as well as Allmans/Dead/Dylan.Young material.

I am doing a lot of sitting in lately where I don't control my amp but it often ends up being a Roland or something else clean and loud and tube-y...

any thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Tightpants]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

LOVE my Dot, one of my favorite fiddles. I've had a few different p'ups in her, right now she's got a gibby 490 bridge an a 57 classic neck. So far the Alnico 2 pickups seem to be the best choice for me, but I think I want to try something a tad hotter in the Bridge. '59's are damn fine pickups tho, don't think you could go wrong there!

 

[Martian]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

One of my all time favorites, the Epi Dot!

I have a DiMarzio Virtual PAF in the neck and a DiMarzio Virtual Hot PAF in the bridge. They do all your requirements with ease.

 

[Lu_B]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I have a Tokai knockoff of a 335 and it has a set of Seths in it.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

a set of seths would be ideal

a set of alnico II pros would also sound great for what you are describing

the 59s would be cool too

upgrade the switch, jack, pots, and cap while you are in there

good luck
t4d

 

[Alan Paul]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

Thanks. You guys are impressive.

A few friends have sugested a Jazz in th eneck.. not sure I want something that clean and bright. any thoughts?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I liked Seths in my Sheraton, but I finally settled on a Phat Cat set.

 

[Fusion1]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

Got a zebra CC Trembucker in the bridge and a zebra Alnico Pro II in the neck of my natural Epi Dot. Love it!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I have a 335 and it has the stock Gibson PAF RI (1985). They are great pickups for this guitar and the style yopu mention. I would highly recommend you consider a set of the AII pros. IMHO they are the warmest pickup set I have heard and they sound the closest to the real PAF I have come across. For this type of playing it is a great pickup. Some will say Seths would be a good choice, but I find the Seths a little dark, espicially in the neck. Another good combination I have used is a Jazz (N) and a 59 (B). I have this in a thinline Tele and ity sounds great!

 

[Kamanda~SD]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

For the record guys... (sorry if you didn't want this known Alan) :

-I recommended posting over here
-He's an editor for Guitar World Magazine

 

[theodie]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

Phat cat set all the way! The remind me of the Alnico II pro set but, with more personality, soul, and more versatility.

 

[Axl H]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

Phat Cats kill in a semi-hollow.

I use the Pearly Gates to play rock to metal, and it rocks doing it.

Its a bit raw so to say, its a rude pickup, might be a bit too rude for blues?

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

if phat cats are in the realm of possibility, yes ... very yes

they'll be more like young than allmans, but still will sound great

i think AIIPs would be better than Jazz in the neck in order to preserve warmth and that sweet 'oooooh' sound for neck pup soloing

 

[greco]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I have a 335 MIJ copy and I just took out the neck pup which is a '79 Gibson and put in a Seth Lover...much nicer IMHO

I'm awaiting a Phat Cat for the neck...should be here anyday now.


Maybe I should try some AII pros also ? Sound nice. Bludave really likes them.

59's are certainly nice (my friend has them in a Tokai 335 copy)

Let us know what you finally decide.

Good Luck

Dave

 

[LesPaulRules]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I've got a late 90's red Epi Dot that's had a pair of 59's in it since almost new.
Great sound for rock, blues, and even jazz.

... and I love my Epi Dot.

 

[Alan Paul]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

Thanks. Ultimately, I don't think you can go wrong.. personal preferences and will never know until they're in.

curly maple is pushing me to do a JB-59 combo... that caught me off guard as I was only contemplating vintage

 

[frpax]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

I recently pulled the JB out of my OLD Epi Sheraton. Too hot for what I use the guitar for. Now a brace of '59s are in. Better combination. I was really considering a Pearly Gates as well.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Pickup replacement in an Epi Dot 335

curly maple is pushing me to do a JB-59 combo... that caught me off guard as I was only contemplating vintage

Personally, I'd stay away from the JB in a semi or hollow body. As is, most ES style guitars have loose lows and tons of mids. When I tried the JB in my Epi (for a day ), the guitar's frequencies seemed to overlap with the pickups too much. There were almost no lows and there was no sparkle in the highs. It sounded great for punk, but not good for much else.