Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

[Lewguitar]

I've had this year 2000 ES-335 about one week now. It's not a Historic model but it's quickly become my favorite electric guitar. It's the nicest ES-335 I've played in at least thirty years.

It's rekindled my interest in the electric guitar. I've tried many, but haven't fallen in love with or owned an ES-335 style Gibson since the late 70's when my '60 or '61 ES-355 was stolen. Prior to that, the ES-355 was my main ax and my main tone. After that my '63 Stratocaster became my main ax because it was the only electric I had.

This 2000 ES-335 is easily the equal of my long lost vintage ES-355. It's like meeting an old lover from thirty years ago and finding that you're more in love today than you were when you were first together. We're made for each other.

I've become a humbucker guy again - I just needed to hear them in the right guitar.

I love the neck, the resonance, the sustain, the warmth and the way notes bloom when I hold them and add a little finger vibrato to coax them into sustaining longer.

Only thing I don't love is the crackle and static from the wiring harness. There's something loose in there.

So when I pull out the wiring harness through the bridge pickup rout what am I going to find? 300K pots?

I know how to do it: I'll attach string to the jack, the switch and to all of the controls so I can pull the new harness back into position again.

Everything I've read on the Les Paul Forum and other forums seems to indicate that Gibson has used 300K pots for many years. I've always preferred 500K pots with humbuckers.

So I'm thinking I'm going to build a whole new harness using 500K CTS pots, Hovland .02 caps and do the 50's mod: tone cap attached to the middle terminal (output) of the volume control instead to the input terminal of the volume pot. This seems to retain highs better when the volume is turned down. If it loses warmth, I'll just pull 'em out and rewire them the other way.

I don't really hear an improvement using the Hovlands when I've compared them to Orange drops, but what the heck - I've already got 'em.

So here's the questions: I always been satisfied with the CTS 500K pots I buy from Mojo or Allparts but is there something "better"?

Question 2: What do I do with my Stratocaster and Tele now that I have the ES-335 and I know that's all I'm going to play? LOL!

 

[Hoss]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I'm not sure about the pots...but I do know you can send me any Strats or Teles that you don't want...i know that for a fact!!! haha!

BTW...that guitar is GORGEOUS!!!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Thanks Hoss. Here's a thread from the Les Paul Forum about upgrading pots in a ES=335. Anyone have any experience with the RS Super Pots and upgrades described in this thread? http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140570

 

[ES350]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Depending on the model, it may indeed have a 300K harness...the crackle you're getting may be a loose/intermittant ground on a pot or the switch body. I tried the 50's wiring scheme and have gone back to the later wiring; it seems a little too bright to me when I roll down the volume. Nice looking guitar !!!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

nice guitar. ive never gotten along with shorter scale lengths as well as 25.5 but my favorite guitar, the one in the pic in the 'go to guitar' thread has alot of the properties you like about the 335. i think the semi-hollow/hollow body response has alot to do with it.

i use cts 500k pots, not sure if there is anything better

as far as your strats and teles, you might as well keep em. i go thru phases of buckers vs single coils. its nice to be able to pull something out with a drastically different tone, it really influences how and what you play.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Lew, I have an 84 with Shaws that I really liked but it seemed wooly. I had a bit of scratchiness and, like I said, it was little wooly. After researching it I figured I too had 300Ks and bought some CTS 500ks to replace them. Besides that I went on and bought the Vitamin K caps (I know how you feel about the caps ) to be as close to old specs as possible.

After the surgery I was stunned. The guitar sounded amazing. I put the pots on a meter and they were actually 100K!! I talked to Roy at RS Guitarworks and he said the old pre-historics from the 80s generally had 100ks.

All that said, I JUST put a pair RS pots (superpot and regular pot) in my CU24 and I LOVE the effect. The volume pot actually WORKS! So I would recommend buying the superpots from RS.

Luke

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Lew, I have an 84 with Shaws that I really liked but it seemed wooly. I had a bit of scratchiness and, like I said, it was little wooly. After researching it I figured I too had 300Ks and bought some CTS 500ks to replace them. Besides that I went on and bought the Vitamin K caps (I know how you feel about the caps ) to be as close to old specs as possible.

After the surgery I was stunned. The guitar sounded amazing. I put the pots on a meter and they were actually 100K!! I talked to Roy at RS Guitarworks and he said the old pre-historics from the 80s generally had 100ks.

All that said, I JUST put a pair RS pots (superpot and regular pot) in my CU24 and I LOVE the effect. The volume pot actually WORKS! So I would recommend buying the superpots from RS.

Luke

I'm loving this guitar but plugged it sounds just a little wooly to me too. I'm sure it's the crappy Gibson pots. I think I might try those RS pots. Couldn't hurt.

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I'm loving this guitar but plugged it sounds just a little wooly to me too. I'm sure it's the crappy Gibson pots. I think I might try those RS pots. Couldn't hurt.

Lew, I'm guessing you're still running the tweeds? As a guy who can understand what's meant about "working the volume" the extra 8 dollars spent is WELL worth having working volume pots with a constant taper instead of volume changes at 10, 7, 4, and 0.

Luke

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I have a few vintage amps left Luke, including a couple of tweed Deluxes and my '51 Super. But I've been playing this guitar through my blackface Deluxe Reverb since I got it. I also have a nice blackface Vibrolux Reverb in case I need something louder and cleaner. And you're right - I'm definitely a player who likes to use his guitar's volume control to go from clean to overdriven.

Your guitar has the Shaw humbuckers? Cool! I've heard nothing but good about them. My guitar came with a set of Tom Holmes humbuckers already installed. I also have a set of Holmes humbuckers in one of my Strats. I've never heard a better set of humbuckers, although I'm sure Seymour or MJ could wind a set just as nice.

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I have a few vintage amps left Luke, including a couple of tweed Deluxes and my '51 Super. But I've been playing this guitar through my blackface Deluxe Reverb since I got it. I also have a nice blackface Vibrolux Reverb in case I need something louder and cleaner. And you're right - I'm definitely a player who likes to use his guitar's volume control to go from clean to overdriven.

Your guitar has the Shaw humbuckers? Cool! I've heard nothing but good about them. My guitar came with a set of Tom Holmes humbuckers already installed. I also have a set of Holmes humbuckers in one of my Strats. I've never heard a better set of humbuckers, although I'm sure Seymour or MJ could wind a set just as nice.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I really like the Shaws....with the proper pots of course! The DC on them is actually pretty low but they sound strong and thick when you want. Really interesting pickups in my opinion.

I've never heard a set of Holmes, but have heard they are AMAZING pups. How would you describe them.

Luke

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Mine came with 57 Classics and whatever pots they used in 2007. I'm normally good at wiring, but when I tried to pull it all out and saw that everything was caked in solder, I didn't want to start pulling that tightly soldered harness apart, just to get my Seth Lovers in there.

The 57 Classics are the sound that Gibson decided on, and they sound fine to me, although at some point I really want to make sure everything is top notch....my 50th Ann Seths, 500K pots if they aren't already, and good capacitors....I can't remember what was in there......probably ceramic discs.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Mine came with 57 Classics and whatever pots they used in 2007. I'm normally good at wiring, but when I tried to pull it all out and saw that everything was caked in solder, I didn't want to start pulling that tightly soldered harness apart, just to get my Seth Lovers in there.

The 57 Classics are the sound that Gibson decided on, and they sound fine to me, although at some point I really want to make sure everything is top notch....my 50th Ann Seths, 500K pots if they aren't already, and good capacitors....I can't remember what was in there......probably ceramic discs.

Hi Joe, From what I've read, yours has a solid block running down the center of guitar with a hole drilled in it for the bridge and neck pickup wires to exit. The controls have to be removed through the F hole. That's the way they do the Custom Shop 335.

My guitar is easier to work on as there is a piece cut out of that solid center block where the bridge pickup rout is. I can take my controls out through the bridge pickup hole.

Your guitar is much prettier than mine though - what a beauty!

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I've never heard a set of Holmes, but have heard they are AMAZING pups. How would you describe them.

Luke

They're a vintage output humbucker set too. They have things in common with the sound of Antiquities, Seth Lovers and especially Pearly Gates pickups.

The Holmes are thick and full sounding with very complex and sassy sounding mids. They are very harmonically rich and alive sounding. They also clean up well when I lower the volume of the guitar and have a treble that is smooth but bright enough to cut through.

I can get classic Clapton with Cream tones, Billy Gibbons harmonics and overdrive as well as more refined Eric Johnson, Larry Carlton and Robben Ford tones.

They've got it all.

My friend AJ says that my 335 gets that Eric Johnson violin tone better than any other guitar he's heard. It's true too.

But they go for $700 a set these days! I paid $2000 for this ES-335 with the Tom Holmes pickups already installed. That's a good deal.

The set I have in one of my Strats I bought years ago from Tom himself. They might have been $400 or so then which is more than I'd ever paid for a pair pickups. But I'm glad I got 'em.

You know, in some ways, the bridge Holmes also reminds me of my Duncan Custom Shop '78. The '78 is hotter though. They both have kind of a rubbery feel to them - like I can really squeeze out the notes and shape the tone with my hands and pick.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

Hey Lew, as Luke has said already, the R.S pots seem very good. I put a vintage harness into a Les Paul and the guitar came to life! It sounded sweeter and was more controlable, the roll off was much better... well worth the money IMO.

Lovely guitar by the way!!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

I love my 335. It's also my favorite HB guitar. Late last year I bought a 359. You know the new one that is smaller then the 335 or 355. Its a really nice guitar, but my 335 still has something that this doesn't. I haven't been playing electric for a while. Having a lot of work done on my house so all my gear is packed away. Been playing my acoustics only.

Glad to see you back in the saddle Lew. I hope your feeling better.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Questions about my 2000 ES-335 - and about my Strats and Tele!

My late 80s Samick 335 is fast becoming guitar numero uno, going on 3 gigs in a row with it, which has not happened in years with me... . The depth, singing character, vibration before feedback, simply make it feel more alive in my hands. I am gigging outdoors with a Hiwatt DR504 on Sunday, the combo of the guitar and amp are just beautiful....