Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

C

CarmenJuandeago

New member
When comparing my 335 to my LP faded mahogany with BB pro's, the 57 classic bridge just sound a bit too warm for my liking with moderate gain,
especially with power chords
would switching to an A5 bridge PU help? I know

I see an edwards e-sa125 that has an Sh-14 Custom 5 bridge pu,
which sounds a lot more aggressive and " in your face" than my 335 does, a bit more les-paul ish


...(gain starts at around 4:35)

perhaps that is the way to go?

Or would a normal 59 bridge or 59/Custom hybrid be better?
I hear the SH-14 Custom 5 has a bit of a mid scoop
 
Last edited:
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

Have you tried making your ES-335 upset? I imagine it would throw harder punches if you did.

In all seriousness though, I would look into a Duncan Jazz neck with a hotter bridge like the SH-14 to go with it. Something like an SH-14 would probably sound close to that in your guitar so if you like the tone you hear in the video it might be right for you.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

You are comparing apples and Les Pauls. Those guitars should NOT sound the same.

But yes - think spout different pickups. For the punch you seek? Hmmm.

Describe this "punch" more.

Maybe an A2P, but that will have a fat sweet top end. A JB will punch like a donkey to the throat, but is perhaps a bit much.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

If you have the patience to mod your 57's, find an A5, unoriented roughcast A5, or A8.

If not, get a Whole Lotta Humbucker set or a C5/PGn, or a C/59hybrid/PGn, or some variation of any of those.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

I suggest an A4 magnet for the neck/Rhythm position pickup. A Brobucker would enliven the bridge/Treble position.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

Id suggest either the C5/59 pickup combo (or even just the regular custom, which I like a lot more) OR the WLH set. They're extremely punchy and present without losing that 'vintage vibe'.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

You are on the right track!

The C5 is indeed what you are looking for. Compared to the 57 it will have a tighter, more solid low end, more scooped midrange, and brighter/more in-your-face highs, but not at all like the annoying/brittle/piercing highs in the Custom (SH-5) with the ceramic magnet.

I'm not much of a 59 fan myself. The C/59 hybrid is a much better sounding and more versatile pup. But for using it in the bridge, I happen to like the C/59 with an A8 magnet (stronger mids and warmer highs).

I think, for what you are after, you should first try the Custom 5 (SH-14). Then later, if you think that it is too aggressive for you (I don't see that happening though), You can hybrid it with a coil from your 57 and use an A5 mag.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

FWIW, I have two historic Les Pauls, a 2004 G0 and a 2009 CR8.

Both have BB1&2 (stock).

The solid G0 has punch, and the hollow CR8 has chime and airy-ness. While the pickups may be an issue (Gibson could have changed things over the course of 5 years), I think the real issue is that hollow guitars don't have punch like solid guitars.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

DonP said:
FWIW, I have two historic Les Pauls, a 2004 G0 and a 2009 CR8.

Both have BB1&2 (stock).

The solid G0 has punch, and the hollow CR8 has chime and airy-ness. While the pickups may be an issue (Gibson could have changed things over the course of 5 years), I think the real issue is that hollow guitars don't have punch like solid guitars.
Click to expand...

First of all, your 2009 CR8 is chambered and not hollow. There is a big difference between being chambered and hollow.
Secondly, your statement that "hollow" guitars do not have punch is just wrong. I have two chambered Les Pauls and they both have plenty of punch. One has Seymour Duncan Jazz humbuckers in it and the other has Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups in it.
Finally, even real hollow guitars can have punch. For example: Tim Armstrong.

Pickups do have a bit to do with it, but so does wood. Maybe your 2009 CR8 has bad pickups or bad wood. Just because it is chambered does not mean it can't have punch.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

Could some of the lack of punch in your ES-335 be your amp/speaker?

I have 335s; I wouldn't say they are totally punch-less with their '57 Classics. Playing them on my big 200-watt Mesa Mark III Coliseum head through the Mesa C90/EVM 412 Half-Back cab will not only deliver a punch, but kick you in the nads and rip your ears off in the process.

That said, I could see where the WLH set might give you more of what you're looking for.

Bill
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

SnakeAces said:
First of all, your 2009 CR8 is chambered and not hollow. There is a big difference between being chambered and hollow.
Secondly, your statement that "hollow" guitars do not have punch is just wrong. I have two chambered Les Pauls and they both have plenty of punch. One has Seymour Duncan Jazz humbuckers in it and the other has Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro pickups in it.
Finally, even real hollow guitars can have punch. For example: Tim Armstrong.

Pickups do have a bit to do with it, but so does wood. Maybe your 2009 CR8 has bad pickups or bad wood. Just because it is chambered does not mean it can't have punch.
Click to expand...

No, I think your wrong.

If you need to make up for a lack of punch with pickups, then it is the construction that makes the difference.

Also, you are wrong because I never said there was anything wrong with the tone of my CR8.

And I think you are wrong saying there is a big difference between chambered and hollow.
 
Re: Trying to get more punch out of my Gibson ES-335

DonP said:
No, I think your wrong.

If you need to make up for a lack of punch with pickups, then it is the construction that makes the difference.

Also, you are wrong because I never said there was anything wrong with the tone of my CR8.

And I think you are wrong saying there is a big difference between chambered and hollow.
Click to expand...

There is a huge difference between a chambered guitar and a hollow guitar. Huge difference.
I never said anywhere I had to make up for a lack of punch with pickups, I just said I have two chambered Les Pauls with plenty of punch. So, you are wrong about that too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top