Pickups for ES335 sound?

[DavidL]

I recently built a Warmoth guitar, but I haven't yet got the pickups for it and was hoping I could get some suggestions. It is a semi-hollow Strat style guitar with 24.75 scale length maple neck and ebony fretboard. The body is alder with a flame maple top, and is routed for 2 humbuckers. The bridge is a non-locking tremolo.

Basically for the bridge pickup I am seeking that smooth ES335-ish straight up rock tone, or at least as close as I can get to that. For the neck I want more of an articulate but still mellow jazz tone, more along the lines of George Benson or Norman Brown, as opposed to the darker traditional jazz tones. I was considering going with a Jazz neck and 59 Bridge, but then I got to thinking they might be too bright in this guitar. The Seth Lovers might work better but I noticed these are quite a bit more expensive andthe fact that they might get microphonic at high volumes doesn't appeal to me either. For the bridge pickup, the ones that are supposed to be a louder and fatter version of the classic PAF, like the Custom 5, seem kind of interesting also but I don't want to deviate too far away from vintage tone, that's what my other guitars are for.

PS. I forgot to mention that I'll probably be getting pickup covers for these, for cosmetic reasons. I'm not sure how much difference this will make, though.

 

[Frebnedzo]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

I've had a Seth and a jazz in the neck of 335 style guitars. I preferred
the Seth, it just had more overall vibe and personality, it was both
warmer, and had highs that were chimy and bell-like.

Trying to imagine your guitar, it seems that it might need some
warming up to really get into the 335 ballpark (i.e., bolt-on,
tremelo).

Since I'm inclined to say a Seth set, and lots of folks will recommend the
APH set, why not take a serious look at Phat Cats?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

Buy a nickel Custom Custom/Seth Lover neck!!!! I promise, you'll like it in that guitar.

Or another option is to get yourself on that list of buyers for the 10K PAF for $107 shipped. Scott F needs the money by Jan 15th, not a day later.
Then, pair that with a Seth Lover neck. I love C-5's, CC's, Seths, etc, but I'm really excited to hear this new Forum-designed PAF.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

welcome to the forum

GJ is right, per usual ... you want A2 pups in that beast ... you could even do CC in the bridge and AIIP in the neck

good luck
t4d

 

[gripweed]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

I've had a Seth and a jazz in the neck of 335 style guitars. I preferred
the Seth, it just had more overall vibe and personality, it was both
warmer, and had highs that were chimy and bell-like.

Trying to imagine your guitar, it seems that it might need some
warming up to really get into the 335 ballpark (i.e., bolt-on,
tremelo).

Since I'm inclined to say a Seth set, and lots of folks will recommend the
APH set, why not take a serious look at Phat Cats?

If I were to describe a pickup with chimey or bell like highs it would be the '59 and not the Seth. The only thing that is going to sound like a 335 is a 335. I always think of the perfect 335 pickup as an a5 (like a '59), but I agree that the Seth would be the one to get this guitar in the 335 ballpark.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

Since you haven't played it through an amp yet you won't really know what it's tonal character is until you do. But assuming it naturally has fairly full mids as semi-hollows usually do, a set of 59's might do the trick, but put an Alnico 2 in the neck 59.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

I think GJ is on the right track. An alder Strat, even a semi-hollow one, is going to sound a bit snappier than a 335. I personally would go with Seths in both positions. In any case, if you don't like whatever you pick, you have 21 days to change your mind.

Good luck! I bet it will be a sweet guitar when it's all done!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Pickups for ES335 sound?

For the tone of a 50's ES-335 go for Seths.

For the tone of a 60's ES-335 go for 59's.

However, the best tone I've ever gotten from a semi hollow body guitar was with a Seth Lover neck and Custom Custom bridge.

Lew