Recommended pick ups for a Gibson ES-335

William Braddell

William Braddell

Member
Messages
3,423
Hi everyone,

So I am very much in love with my new Gibson ES-335. I am wondering however if I should consider changing the pick ups at some point. I love the sound of this guitar as is but I figure it might sound even better if I switched the 57s' to Tim Shaw pickups (whenever I can afford to buy some). I wouldn't know how to change them myself but I know of more than one person who can show me how to do it so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Maybe you think there is another type of Gibson pickups that I should consider using? Any helpful comments from forum members would be appreciated, cheers.
 
Scootch McGooch

Scootch McGooch

Silver Supporting Member
Messages
2,237
I know they aren't Gibson, but I have had semi-hollows previously and currently with Lollar Imperials and think they're great in that style guitar. Sweet and lower-output, but can still scream without microphonic squeal.
 
J

Jon C

Member
Messages
17,869
I think 57s are very good in hollows & semis and I haven't taken them out of my holy grail '59 Historic (that several pros here have played and say is right up there w/ the real thing -- there is a line to buy it with the stock setup) in the 11 yrs. since I got it new.

So ... I'd do nothing especially if it's new. Play it for a year or several hundred hours and get to know it. The same folks (local pros & techs) who enable me swapping in other guits (e.g., 57s for Voodoo 59s in my R8) have said they'll cut my fingers off if I touch the 335 or 355 - both of which have 57s.
 
William Braddell

William Braddell

Member
Messages
3,423
Jon C said:
I think 57s are very good in hollows & semis and I haven't taken them out of my holy grail '59 Historic (that several pros here have played and say is right up there w/ the real thing -- there is a line to buy it with the stock setup) in the 11 yrs. since I got it new.

So ... I'd do nothing especially if it's new. Play it for a year or several hundred hours and get to know it. The same folks (local pros & techs) who enable me swapping in other guits (e.g., 57s for Voodoo 59s in my R8) have said they'll cut my fingers off if I touch the 335 or 355 - both of which have 57s.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, I think it is the right way for me to go.
 
K

kracdown

Custom User Title
Silver Supporting Member
Messages
5,978
William Braddell said:
Thanks for that, I think it is the right way for me to go.
Click to expand...

If you like the pickups, don't worry about changing them. The 57's didn't do it for me in my ES-339 but I had a really specific guitar tone i was going after. Anyway, if you want some suggestions i'd look at Wolfetone Dr. V's or Wolfetone Legends.
 
Tweed335

Tweed335

Member
Messages
376
I've put Lollars in my Tele, Strat, and LP, but I just can't justify taking out the 57's in my 335.

I thought the 57's sounded really muddy and inarticulate in my LP, but they compliment the 335 really well. Kinda odd considering the 335 is usually a darker (?) sounding tone IME.
 
J

johnfv

Member
Messages
260
Ruraltom said:
...Lollar Imperials...they're great in that style guitar...
Click to expand...
+1 The first Lollars I tried were in a friend's '80 335 and I thought they were a perfect match. I had my eyes open for a 335 to buy when I found a nice '81 347. I tried to give the stock "Dirty Fingers" pickups a chance but soon replaced them with Lollar Imperials - again a perfect match. Recently I picked up a '04 335, a big selling point was that it already had Lollar Imperials installed.
 
D

dspellman

Member
Messages
8,304
William Braddell said:
Hi everyone,

So I am very much in love with my new Gibson ES-335. I am wondering however if I should consider changing the pick ups at some point. I love the sound of this guitar as is but I figure it might sound even better if I switched the 57s' to Tim Shaw pickups (whenever I can afford to buy some). I wouldn't know how to change them myself but I know of more than one person who can show me how to do it so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Click to expand...

Whatever they put in my '67s are excellent. I've never felt a need to swap them.

I really like '57s in LPs -- I've never really listened to them in a 335.
 
Hari Seldon

Hari Seldon

Member
Messages
2,457
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PUs are among the first choice for 335-style guitars.
You will find many recommendations for them if you search the forum.
I put them in my Eastman T185, and it sounds just great.
 
B

buzzp

Member
Messages
7,117
William Braddell said:
Hi everyone,

So I am very much in love with my new Gibson ES-335. I am wondering however if I should consider changing the pick ups at some point. I love the sound of this guitar as is but I figure it might sound even better if I switched the 57s' to Tim Shaw pickups (whenever I can afford to buy some). I wouldn't know how to change them myself but I know of more than one person who can show me how to do it so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Does anyone have any advice for me? Maybe you think there is another type of Gibson pickups that I should consider using? Any helpful comments from forum members would be appreciated, cheers.
Click to expand...


My advice-

If you love it's sound- don't start the chase. It doesn't end with the first set, or the second. I'm on my third and I'm beginning to wonder why I even started. 57's a great pickups on 335's- is there anything you don't like about the tone? Specifically the neck or bridge?

Also, IF you decide to go through with a pick-up change, wait till the "honeymoon phase" is over
 
wreckmarkT

wreckmarkT

Gold Supporting Member
Messages
1,469
I just ordered a set of Imperials for my 2006 ES-355. I like the clean sound of the 57 Classics, but the dirty sound was a little harsh...
Hoping the Lollars will rectify this..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.



Trending Topics

Top Bottom