What pups for ES 335?

[lex666]

Hey guys,

I finally got my Gibson ES 335 last week.

Great guitar. Absolutely beautiful. I like the semi hollow tones I get from the 57 classics but want something better than I can coil tap for single coil tones also.

What pups would you recommend? Is single coil taps a good idea in a semi hollow guitar? I want something a little bit hotter in the bridge, but still sounds kinda classic and captures the whole semi hollow sound. The 57 neck also needs to go... I'm looking for something with a little more clarity.

I'm using this guitar for clean rock ballads and some blues rock stuff if that helps...

Thanks!

 

[Lu_B]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I've got Seths in my 335 knockoff

 

[lex666]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

Thanks, what kind of tone are your getting from your Seth's? Would you say they cover a good electric clean and blues rock style?

I've read other recommendations for 59's in a 335, but IME, the 59n has been kinda dark and heavy on the low end. Would that be the same in a semi hollow?

Thanks,

 

[LtKojak]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

Definatly a Jazz bridge in neck and a C5 in the bridge.

You can't beat this combo. That's what I've got in my 1967 MIJ Emperador 335 copy and sounds lika a million dollars!


HTH,

Pepe aka Lt. Kojak
Milano,Italy

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

Definatly a Jazz bridge in neck and a C5 in the bridge.

You can't beat this combo. That's what I've got in my 1967 MIJ Emperador 335 copy and sounds lika a million dollars!

I also have a new Gibson ES-335 and love it. However, I sort of like the 57's in it, just because it's the definitive Gibson sound to me, so I may leave them in.

I think it's the Alnico 2 squishiness that you don't care for. You may not care for the Seths either, if that's the case, because they're similar.

I agree with Kojak. I've used the 'C-5/Jazz bridge in neck' a lot in other guitars, and it's one of the best Alnico 5 sets you can get. If I changed my pickups, I'd probably go in that direction as well.......C-5/JazzB, or Custom Shop Brobucker/Jazz N.

 

[Sanford]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

*using stage director voice* Cue Blueman335 with pot value change, magnet change recommendation.

Or just search for his posts on the subject.

Nothing against Blueman335. It's just that he's covered this subject too many times to count in a very informed/experienced way.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I also have a new Gibson ES-335 and love it. However, I sort of like the 57's in it, just because it's the definitive Gibson sound to me, so I may leave them in.

I think it's the Alnico 2 squishiness that you don't care for. You may not care for the Seths either, if that's the case, because they're similar.

I agree with Kojak. I've used the 'C-5/Jazz bridge in neck' a lot in other guitars, and it's one of the best Alnico 5 sets you can get. If I changed my pickups, I'd probably go in that direction as well.......C-5/JazzB, or Custom Shop Brobucker/Jazz N.

For a hot bridge pair, the JazzN/C5 works well for a lot of people in a lot of guitars (anything but a full hollowbody). For a PAF set, I like the '59's. All of these use A5's, which are especially good for more definition in the neck. If the bridge is a little bright, 250K pots or an A4 magnet will warm it nicely. An A3 magnet might even be an improvement over the A2's in your Gibsons.

I've got some Gibson 490's & '57's, and pulled the A2's out of all of them, and replaced them with A5's or A4's. To my ears that gave them better tone and clarity. I'd first work with the '57's you have, and if that doesn't give you the tones you want, then look something else.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I think the '57 Classics work really, really well in the 335. I got my Antique Sunburst 335 in May of 2007. I have a couple of other 335 clones as well, including an Ibanez Artstar AS-120.

Now, I play Classic Rock, Blues and some jazz through Mesa Boogie amps at a not too overwheming volume, in a G/B/K/D band. Many people, including my band members, have responded really well to this guitar, and I keep getting compliments on how sweet it sounds.

I think a big part of this is the amp-guitar combination; and I think even strings play a part. I have pickup screws raised in my normal pattern; I use D'Addario XL strings--and NOT anything that is PURE NICKEL. I like the Mesa amps--they are a little bass shy for many people--but that helps keep things clear on the bottom end, especially in a band. The Mesa-335 is a proven combination, and I love the sound.

And if I want single coil sounds, then I'm just gonna reach down and grab my G&L Legacy. I think you can ask a guitar to do too much; and all too often you wind up with a guitar that does nothing well.

Honestly, my choice is already made--I'm going to stand pat with this guitar. I have several other guitars, including six Les Pauls. I have Antiquitys, Seth Lovers, Pearly Gates, 50th Anniversary A2 Seths--and my Burstbucker 1 & 2 and my Classic '57 sets will easily hang the Duncans.

At the very least, I'd try to live with them for a while. I actually think Classic '57s perform better on the bandstand than they do in the bedroom. I'd be hesitant to recomend removing them on only a week's trial.

Good luck.

Bill

 

[lex666]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

Thanks for the replies guys. Your suggestions have led me to more questions...

I'm considering a pair of 59's... But, IME, I've used 59n's in the neck position in a few of my Les Pauls. I've always found them kind of bass heavy. Will the bass be toned down a little bit in a semi hollow? What about the bridge 59? Is that bass heavy too? How would you describe the 59b in a semi hollow?

Have you guys tried single coil taps in a semi hollow? Was there alot of feedback? I already get a little bit of feedback - I stand pretty close to my amp. Was the tone useful or too thin?

Does anyone know what pot values are used on the 335? I know Gibson uses 300k pots often... Will switching to 500k's open up the 57's ?

Thanks!

 

[blueman335]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I'm considering a pair of 59's... But, IME, I've used 59n's in the neck position in a few of my Les Pauls. I've always found them kind of bass heavy. Will the bass be toned down a little bit in a semi hollow? What about the bridge 59? Is that bass heavy too? How would you describe the 59b in a semi hollow?

Have you guys tried single coil taps in a semi hollow? Was there alot of feedback? I already get a little bit of feedback - I stand pretty close to my amp. Was the tone useful or too thin?

Does anyone know what pot values are used on the 335? I know Gibson uses 300k pots often... Will switching to 500k's open up the 57's ?

Thanks!

I have '59N's in a couple 335's, and don't have a problem with the bass (but I have a high tolerence for bass). You're more likely to be bass-heavy in a LP, more than a 335. If it's an issue, an A4 should take care of that. I think '59's are great in semi & full hollowbodies. I find the '59 bridges a little bright (I'm a warmth freak) so I use 250's on the bridge (500K's on the neck). Most guys use 500K's on both. Depends on your wood and your tastes. Easy to tweak. If you're using '57's, I'd use 500K pots on the neck to open up the tone & get some sparkle.

I think PAF type PU's bring out the harmonics in a 335, with a little woody tone. When you get hotter PU's you tend to lose that. That being said, a '59N/C5 is a very nice combo in a 335. Great for classic rock & Chicago blues.

I have the Jimmy Page system in a few 335's, and it works well with coil cuts. You should wire the bridge HB so that the slug is active in coil cut (warmer & louder than the screw coil - on the bridge use the red as hot, white as ground, and connect the black and green together). I've never had a problem with feedback with 335's (no more than a solid body), even playing live. With that big center block, the top doesn't vibrate much, nothing like a full hollow body.

 

[eggman]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

Howdy,

Lex: My ES-335 has a two conductor set of '59s, without covers. I'm quite happy with the 59s; they're great for 'Stones (think "Get yer Ya-Ya's Out" or "Hot Legs" by Rod Stewart) duties. Ideal P/Us for slightly overdriven Bluesy stuff in the quintessential Blues guitar.
As for coil-splitting, it's not my cup of tea. If I want single-coil tone, I'll use my Tele. I wish you all the luck in finding your tone with that new ES-335!

Eggman

PS: I'd be tempted to stick with the '57 Classics; they're pretty close, if not identical to what Ted MCarty envisioned for your guitar. My 2 cents.

 

[blueman335]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I'd be tempted to stick with the '57 Classics; they're pretty close, if not identical to what Ted MCarty envisioned for your guitar. My 2 cents.

I've changed the magnets in my Gibson '57's & 490R's neck PU's, from A2's (which are heavy on mids & have a loose low end) to A5's (which are brighter and tighter). Big improvement in the neck tones, especially in a 335 which tends to have a dark tone to begin with.

BTW, the stock HB's in Gibsons are single lead, with a ground. The other end of the spectrum is 4 lead plus ground.

 

[FAC]

Re: What pups for ES 335?

I think the '57 Classics work really, really well in the 335. ...

Honestly, my choice is already made--I'm going to stand pat with this guitar. I have several other guitars, including six Les Pauls. I have Antiquitys, Seth Lovers, Pearly Gates, 50th Anniversary A2 Seths--and my Burstbucker 1 & 2 and my Classic '57 sets will easily hang the Duncans.

At the very least, I'd try to live with them for a while. I actually think Classic '57s perform better on the bandstand than they do in the bedroom. I'd be hesitant to recomend removing them on only a week's trial.

Good luck.

Bill

I agree with this. I started a thread asking for pickup advice a few months ago after I got my 335. I appreciated all of the input, but I stuck with the stock '57's and I am very happy with them in this case. The 57's work very well in my guitar, to the point where I don't (yet) feel the need to change them. Initially, I felt the neck pickup lacked a bit of definition, but after playing it for a few months, I don't feel that way anymore...the pickup was not that far off in the first place, and I think I have subconsciously adjusted my playing to compensate.