What pickups were in claptons es335?

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natelc1979

New member
I have a really nice epiphone dot that I want to turn into a replica of claptons es335 that he used in cream. Anyone know what pickups were in it. I'm guessing they were pat # pickups but would that mean alnico 2 or 5 and were they long or short magnets. Also what duncan would get me closest to that sound. Thanks for any info!!
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

Eric's 335 is a 1963.

By that time they were all using short alnico 5 magnet and had been for a few years.

Make sure you get pickups that are not potted, and have nickel covers too...
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

I doubt they were ever changed from the originals so alnico 5. And the neck and bridge would have been the same wind and strength. It is supposed to have been purchased by EC in 1964.
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

I don't know anything about that particular guitar, but remember that mods were far more uncommon then than they are now. Since someone provided the year of his guitar, my uninformed guess would be that they were stock '63 humbuckers.

P.S. According to this guy, it's mildly possible that Clapton's guitar came with PAFs, but most likely Pat. No. pickups. http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson4.html

"Mid-1962 Gibson ES-335 guitar specs:

"Small block fingerboard inlays replace dots, wire added to ABR tune-a-matic bridge, double-ring tulip Kluson tuners. The double cutaways change from being very rounded "mickey mouse ears" to be just slightly pointed. This was a transition feature, where models as late as 1963 still have the "Mickey Mouse ears", but some 1962 models have pointy ears. Saddles in the tunematic bridge change from nickel plated metal to white nylon. In late-1962 "Patent Applied For" pickup stickers on bottom of pickups changed to "Patent Number" stickers. Again a transition thing where PAF pickups can be seen as late as 1963 on some models. Neck back shape size starts to increase in size too with late-1962/1963 models having "normal" sized necks again (not the ultra-thin backshape of the 1961 models)."
 
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Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

Lewguitar said:
I doubt they were ever changed from the originals so alnico 5. And the neck and bridge would have been the same wind and strength. It is supposed to have been purchased by EC in 1964.
Click to expand...

The neck and bridge being the same is another big deal...if you really want that old school tone then both pickups need to be the same wind...and that wind will be in the high 7k maybe 8k range...
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

The stickers might have still said "Patient Applied For" but they would have had short alnico 5 magnets in them as they was pretty standard by 1960 or so.

When Gibson did the EC model 335 a few years ago they actually bought the guitar at auction and measured it all and made a few replicas of it and during the process they noted that it was just a standard, run of the mill 1963 ES-335...nothing really of note except that it was owned by Clapton...
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

If you're looking for vintage 335 voiced, Lollar has Low Wind Imperial humbucker. Wolfetone Dr. Vintage or Duncan Antiquity is great option too. But how far will you go with this replica project? Epi Dot is a quite different to 335. They just share similar look. And how about the amp?
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

I find it hard to believe that a Custom 8 hasn't been recommended yet.
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

I prefer alnico 2 humbuckers like Seth Lover specified when he designed the humbucker, so I'd go for a set of Seth Lovers. Or some nickel covered Pearly Gates.

I also prefer having a neck pickup that's underwound compared to the bridge pickup, as most sets these days are and all Duncan sets are.

However, if you want it like a '63 get two A5 bridge pickups.

A pair of nickel covered Duncan bridge model 59's will get you pretty close to what Clapton has in that guitar. Not exact but very close and way better than the stock Epi pickups.

Are the pots 500K? They need to be. That's what was used in the 50's and 60's.
 
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Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

so what duncan pickup would you guys recommend to get me the closest to the originals gibson pat#
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

The closest it'll be an A2 modded Jazz set.

The A2 modded Jazz set replaced a Seth Lover set, so I know what I'm talking 'bout.

HTH,
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

natelc1979 said:
so what duncan pickup would you guys recommend to get me the closest to the originals gibson pat#
Click to expand...

If I were you I'd order 2 59 bridges with nickel covers make sure to rewire the harness with quality caps and 500k CTS pots but remember if you use 2 bridges you will have to really work at it to get a good balance from neck to bridge. A matched neck and bridge set will be easier to work with but won't be completely correct.
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

An epi dot will never sound like a 1960's 335 exactly so dont worry too much about getting exact vintage spec pickups. They are really only one piece of the puzzle. Just getting the amplified sound somewhat in the ballpark will be a big step in improving the axe you have. Unless you are going to get the exact same amp with the exact same speakers, the exact name NOS pedals etc etc, then i would not lose too much sleep obsessing over details inside the pickups.
Given that 60s 335's usually had A5 pickups, just drop in a pair of 59's. They will sound 100% better than the epi pickups and will get you closer to the tone you are after than pretty much anything else. The other great thing about 59's is that they sound great with all manner of different magnets if down the track you decide that you want to tailor your sound a little more to your personal preference instead of trying to recereate someone else's tone. fwiw, I modded the 59's in my 335 to alnico II (as recommended by kojak) which sound superb. I reckon just installing stock 59's will amaze you at how good your guitar will suddenly sound - twaeking can be done later and only if you feel the need.
While you are in there replacing pickups, make sure you replace al the crappy pots, jacks switches and caps that epiphone use to allow the full range of the pickups through. You dont need to spend a lot on this, but if you do have a bit of cash then these are very good:
http://bcsguitars.com/?page_id=2760
otherwise, just get a les paul upgrade kit with alpha pots from guitarfetish and spend a couple of bucks on sprague orange drop capacitors. This will make a big positive difference to your tone.
 
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Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

LtKojak said:
The day you'll try an A2 modded set in a semi-holloiw without knowing what it is, you'll understand my choice.

My statement stays unchanged.
Click to expand...

I'm not saying it's not a good pickup or isn't great in a 335 style but I can't see a way in the world that a Jazz with an A2 sounds anything like a short mag, alnico 5 Pat #/T Top...
 
Re: What pickups were in claptons es335?

what about some gibson 490r pickups with alnico v magnets? how close would that be to the original gibson pat# pickups?
 
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