335 bridge pickup really "howls/Squeals"...

[kingsxman]

Curious as to why my 1971 ES-335 howls so much with overdrive on the bridge pickup. I'm assuming the pickups are T-tops. The guitar also has the stock trapeze tailpiece on it. I'm wondering if its the pickups, tailpiece or maybe the guitar is more hollow than my other 335...which is a 1998 59 reissue. (love the neck on that one).

Trying to decide which guitar to keep. I can only keep one. Both have thier advantages and disadvantes. Like the neck on the 59 reissue better. Like the block inlays and super light weight of the 71 better. But the 71 has a very narrow neck..which I dont care for as much. Anyway..thats off the subject.

Just wondering if anyone else has this issue..

[440gtx6pak]

Higher gain will make a pickup that is microphonic do this. Trapeze tailpieces are only slightly more prone to feedback so it is not that. If only one of the pickups do this I think then it is safe to say its likely the pickup. The reason you like the sound despite the issue, is that 'slightly' microphonic pickups actually sound pleasing, kept below the point of the problem. Many PAF's from the 50's that are considered the 'holy-ground sounding' ones do this to a degree. Sometimes under high volume/gain you can actually talk into the pickup and you will hear your voice through amp, hence the name 'microphonic'.

[tamader74]

...Dunno' about the P-Up issue in the '71 ( sounds like a little to much OD on the p-up)...But, If you HAVE to sell one...Hands down keep the most comfortable one for YOU (neck especially)...I had to Sell my guitar collection a few years back, and I can say without doubt, the ones I miss are NOT the most valuable $$$ wise....But, the ones that felt good to me, and speak of them often with sorta' of a resentment. The others, Oh yeah, they were cool...But, they were just a tool that was used to save my life....and Yep, with those it's just cool to say "I had one of those" and chuckle...You sell the one of these that feel the "best" for YOU ( damn everybody else )....later on...You ain'ta' gonna' like it. From a guy that's been there, to another going there, Tom...

[kingsxman]

Higher gain will make a pickup that is microphonic do this. Trapeze tailpieces are only slightly more prone to feedback so it is not that. If only one of the pickups do this I think then it is safe to say its likely the pickup. The reason you like the sound despite the issue, is that 'slightly' microphonic pickups actually sound pleasing, kept below the point of the problem. Many PAF's from the 50's that are considered the 'holy-ground sounding' ones do this to a degree. Sometimes under high volume/gain you can actually talk into the pickup and you will hear your voice through amp, hence the name 'microphonic'.

THis makes sense that maybe the pickup is slightly microphonic. And it also makes sense that it makes it sound very good when not having so much gain on it. This isnt a real high amount of gain we're talking. I can take my other 335 (57 classics) and it doesnt squeel at all..

Are T-tops potted?

[kingsxman]

...Dunno' about the P-Up issue in the '71 ( sounds like a little to much OD on the p-up)...But, If you HAVE to sell one...Hands down keep the most comfortable one for YOU (neck especially)...I had to Sell my guitar collection a few years back, and I can say without doubt, the ones I miss are NOT the most valuable $$$ wise....But, the ones that felt good to me, and speak of them often with sorta' of a resentment. The others, Oh yeah, they were cool...But, they were just a tool that was used to save my life....and Yep, with those it's just cool to say "I had one of those" and chuckle...You sell the one of these that feel the "best" for YOU ( damn everybody else )....later on...You ain'ta' gonna' like it. From a guy that's been there, to another going there, Tom...

Oh trust me...I understand where your coming from. Hence why this is such a tough decision. What i need is block inlays on the 59. Then I'd have it all. Oh yeah...and to add another 27 years of mojo to it. the 59 reissue is a 1998.

[vortexxxx]

Are T-tops potted?


Some