335 bridge humbucker CLASSIC'57 vs FRALIN

[espinete]

Any suggestions?
i was thinkin' classic 57 or fralin humbucker 9k.also fralin umbucker
looking for a vintage sound.bridge position in a 335 style guitar.

[FrankieSixxxgun]

If the '57 Classic is anything like the stock Shaw PAF in my '81, then I'd say go for the '57. The bridge pickup in my ES-335 rules. I tend to like flat, low output pickups in semi-hollows. They really bring the wood and natural reverb out. I'm pretty sure the '57 Classic was the PAF copy Gibson put out right after the Shaw, so it's probably real similar.

[Blue4Now]

I just put a pair of 57 classics in my es-333 and could not be happier.

[Bhodie]

I have the classic 57's in my 335.. the best sounding so far.. woody, punchy "meaty.. bouncy.." sounds like a song I should write.. wait.. nevermind..

[bluesjuke]

Don'y you have the '57's in your 335 already?

[Bhodie]

Not sure if you were referring to me or the original poster.. mine has the 57's.. (tried WCR's but went back). I think Espinete (original poster) said "335 style" guitar.. meaning it is probably not a Gibson..

[bluesjuke]

The OP.
'57's have been standard in 335's for quite a while now.

I see "335 style" at the end now, was focused on this, "335 bridge humbucker ".

I'm sure Fralins are nice in a 335 style too but I am so very happy with the '57's in all of my Gibbys LP's and 335's.

[espinete]

yeah,mine is Ibanez.a nice old one.
i've seen many gibson players with fralins,supossed to be like an old gibson humbucker.that intrigues me.has anyone tried both?any position
here there is an example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJv9QhHG2VY

thanks

[bluehugh2]

I have a 9K Frakin Humbucker in the bridge position of my 1962 Gibson ES 355... it is absolutely stellar!!! And I have a '64 stock 335 plus other guitars with Voodoos, '57 Classics, Patent sticker pickups, etc. ... so I know what works... and the Fralin 9k in the bridge of a 335 is absolutely the s$#%!!!! Fab. Not too bright but chunky... and yet not muddy at all... mind you, I do like '57 Classics too. I just think the Fralin 9k really is exceptional. In the same guitar I have a 7.2k neck Fralin... it's great too, but I may swap out the neck pickup and try a few others...always seeking the MOST clarity in the neck position. Hope this helps!

[MikeB_18]

A nice fat, smooth pickup is great for a hollowbody and I think either will give you that. I would probably tend to like the Fralin a bit more simply because I feel it has the smoothness of a '57 Classic but when you dig into the strings it gives you the bite of a Burstbucker.

I've never played another pickup that does this as well as Fralin does. It's really the best of both worlds for a humbucker in my opinion.

[SLG]

I like the sound of 57 Classic pickups in 335's. I have that combination in one of my guitars. The 335 with Burstbuckers is a another good combination. I actually prefer the Burstbucker (2&3) over the 57 Classic pickups by a small margin. The Burstbuckers have a little more cut in a live situation.