Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

[Aceman]

I am REALLY jonesing for one of these for professional reasons. I am not a fan of the larger 335 for various reasons, but have really dug every 339 I have picked up. But lets talk about what to do pickup-wise with this guitar.

Consider that I have Les Paul's / Cadillacs for Hard Rock or Metal.

So I'm looking for that "all around super-flexible 335 in a smaller package" deal….Rock, Blues, Jazz, whatever guitar.

Hear is my question:

Should I get the ES 339 Pro with tapped Humbuckers, or the Ultra with an under the neck Transducer?

If 339 Pro, what buckers for max versatility, considering they will be tapped also.


or, If the 339 Ultra, what buckers considering that they will go with a transducer that can get blended in, through a single or separate amp setup.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

A4 PAF-alike for the neck/Rhythm position. (No need to coil split this baby.)

A5 humbucker of approximately 10-12k for the bridge/Treble position.

Tonerider already make 'em. Happy days!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

I'd like to stay Duncan if at all possible. But…an A4 59 in the neck might not be a bad choice. And a standard 59 in the bridge. Hmm…..


Has anyone listened to the Ultra tones? I have heard a couple of killer Les Pauls using the pups w/ the transducer for just awesome sound.

And yes - I know that the standard pups may be just fine.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Two questions:
1) Does the Epi employ a PCB and block connector wiring harness?
2) Does the Epi have a control cover plate on the back?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Two questions:
1) Does the Epi employ a PCB and block connector wiring harness?
2) Does the Epi have a control cover plate on the back?

Don't know don't care. I understand your questions though.

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

I am REALLY jonesing for one of these for professional reasons. I am not a fan of the larger 335 for various reasons, but have really dug every 339 I have picked up. I'm looking for that "all around super-flexible 335 in a smaller package" deal….Rock, Blues, Jazz, whatever guitar.

Good choice. Just don't expect to get heavenly-good tone out of the box. It took me about a year to "break-in" mine playing it almost every day.

If you're willing to mag swap, the Alnico Classic Pro set it comes with, likes the A4/A8 mag combo a lot.

Read my series about these p'ups; you may learn a thing or two... I know *I* did!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Where is your series on this????

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Where is your series on this????

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...rs-A-close-view-pt-1&highlight=Epi+Probuckers

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...rs-A-close-view-pt-2&highlight=Epi+Probuckers

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/sho...ng-the-job-done-pt-1&highlight=Epi+Probuckers

https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?265684-Epi-Probuckers-DONE!&highlight=Epi+Probuckers

There you go.

You're welcome!

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Gratzi!

 

[dystrust]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

A4 PAF-alike for the neck/Rhythm position. (No need to coil split this baby.)

A5 humbucker of approximately 10-12k for the bridge/Treble position.

Tonerider already make 'em. Happy days!

I'd like to stay Duncan if at all possible. But…an A4 59 in the neck might not be a bad choice. And a standard 59 in the bridge.

Brobucker maybe? 10ish K, made by Duncan, and A5.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

Hmmmm - Brobucker you say….

Man - I can't decisde on the Pro or the Ultra though. Adding that transducer and blending makes some righteous noise!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

These are great guitars. You gotta show me if you get one.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

I heard a guy dial in an UNBELIEVABLE tone on a Les Paul Ultra using a Crate amp….

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Pickups for a super flexible Epiphone ES 339 Pro or Ultra

If you're playing out with it, I would get the Ultra because you never know when you'll get caught at a gig and it's your only guitar that night and need to do something 'acoustic'.

My thinking is you can always add your own coil splits later if you really need them. But I am going out on a limb guessing that it would be easier to add splits than trying to retro transducers into a hollowbody. (I could be wrong on that.)