es-335 pickups

[thebrownguitar]

I've got an early 80's es-335 with its original pickups. They sound boomy and muddy to me. Can anyone suggest a good replacement? I'm interested in a clean sound, with some texture - lower output is okay, and probably better. My favorite sound is my P-90 ES-175. I know there are humbucker-sized P-90's, but I thought I keep some variety in the line up. Does anyone know anything about the stock pickups Gibson was using in the early 80's? It'd be nice to have perspective on what's in there, so I can contrast...

Thanks,
matt

[Tom CT]

Before you yank those pickups out, check to see if they're "Shaw" pickups (you can a search on the Les Paul Forum for lots of info on identifying them). If they are in fact Shaws, I'd be surprised that you're not getting a great sound from them. They're held in very high regard by many players.

Jim Rolph does make excellent pickups (my first choice for PAF-style replacments), but don't throw those old ones out. They may actually be worth something.

[righthandman]

I've got an '82 335, I've always loved the way it played but thought the pickups sounded unusually flat and muddy. I put in a set of Duncan 59's, now it sounds great, very much improved.

[Laroosco!]

Duncan 59's solved the problem in my Dot

[alderbody]

WCR's with RS guitarworks pot upgrades.

http://www.crcoils.com/New_PIckups/n...kups.html#note

http://www.rsguitarworks.com/


try them and you will understand...

[Scott Cioe]

I have an '03 ES-335 which comes stock with Gibson '57 Classics. I love the sound. In fact, every hollow/semi-hollowbody guitar I've heard with the classics have sounded great.

[GuitarG]

A Seth Lover sounds great in the neck position of a 335.

[roknfnrol]

Originally posted by GuitarG
A Seth Lover sounds great in the neck position of a 335.

+1. I am really digging the Seth Lovers in my Hamer Monaco Superpro right now.

[jreardon]

Originally posted by Scott Cioe
I have an '03 ES-335 which comes stock with Gibson '57 Classics. I love the sound. In fact, every hollow/semi-hollowbody guitar I've heard with the classics have sounded great.

57's in my 2000 model as well. Great sound.

[Marty s Horne]

Another fan of Gibson's 57 Classics

[thebrownguitar]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I never had any idea about the Shaw thing - it looks like that may be what I have (ink stamped number over the engraved pat # - the guitar's an 83 made in Nashville). Do they actually sell for something? As much as some folks over on the Les Paul Forum seem to like them, I'm not that crazy about them. I'm probably looking for something different than they are.

For the folks that suggested the Gibson 57's, Seth Lovers (Seymour Duncan?), or 59's, what do you like about them - especially in comparison to the others you've tried?

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

m

[Marty s Horne]

Matt,
I've had 3 Custom Shop semi-hollow Gibsons with 57 Classics. I like them because in all 3 guitars, the tone was warm, fat, and balanced. No muddiness, no midrange scoop or spike, and some nice chime in the high end; a very smooth sounding pickup.

[Greggy]

Originally posted by Marty s Horne
Matt,
I've had 3 Custom Shop semi-hollow Gibsons with 57 Classics. I like them because in all 3 guitars, the tone was warm, fat, and balanced. No muddiness, no midrange scoop or spike, and some nice chime in the high end; a very smooth sounding pickup.

Marty,

I'm looking to replace the stock pups in my 335 copy. Leaning towards Classsic 57s. Do you recommend the Classic Plus for the bridge? Is that what you use? Apparently wound hotter than the regular Classic 57.

I've had '57 classics and a SD '59 and thought they were too muddy in the neck position. I'm waiting on a couple of sets of pickups from www.highorderpickups.com The alnico III is supposed to be a great, open sounding neck pickup with no hint of mud, but less compressed than a alnico II at higher volumes. Shoot Jeff an e-mail describing what you're looking for.

[jreardon]

I don't find the 57's too muddy at all, in fact quite the opposite. The 490/498 combination in my Les Paul were muddy, but not the 57's