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Post by apwwest59 on Nov 25, 2014 13:45:01 GMT -7
Hi all,
I have had a Gibson ES-339 for a few years now, and it really doesn't get that much playing time. Something about the pickups just isn't "inspiring".. I know I like the sound of a semi-hollow, and the guitar sounds and feels great unplugged, the pickups just seem a little lifeless.
I was wondering if anyone has ever swapped out the pickups on an ES style guitar, and do you have any recommendations on possible alternatives to the stock pickups?
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Post by Christopher on Nov 25, 2014 14:12:39 GMT -7
I put some fatty Arbucker paf clones in my CS336 to see what they sounded like compared to the stock '57 classics. I've found them to be clearer and snappier than the Gibsons. For my ears they made the guitar more versatile and dynamic. I had these lying around from a swap and thought they may be a good fit. I like them.
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Post by southmusic70 on Nov 25, 2014 14:14:31 GMT -7
I tried some Carvin M series for a while that sounded pretty good, but ended up with a Seymour Jazz at the neck and a JB at the bridge and went about 15 years on those (the guitar was a 1990 ES335 Studio, closed top/no F holes).
My CS336 came with Gibson 57 Classics, which sound good to me. I've kept the SD 59ers on my Guild Bluesbird that came on it (it's a chambered instrument a little larger than a LP, very resonant and versatile).
All of these will give you pretty much a classic sound of that's what you want.
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Post by Ridgeback on Nov 25, 2014 14:16:36 GMT -7
I've had great experiences with Wagner Custom Rewind (WCR) pickups in semi-hollows. I have a Crossroads set in my Lucille (wired like a 335) and a Darkburst neck \ Godwood bridge in my 335. Take that with a grain of salt however because when it comes to pickups and speakers, everyone hears things very differently. Tons of quality winders out there these days.
One suggestion, try upgrading the pots and caps if you use the control knobs at all. Much cheaper than a new set of pickups and Gibson's factory stuff is sometimes less than optimal in this area. Good luck.
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Post by Joey Beverages on Nov 25, 2014 15:22:26 GMT -7
I previously owned a Gibson ES-339 (date of manufacture 2009 iirc) and have played several of 'em over the past few years - thru Z-28, Galaxie, Remedy and a coupla other Z amps. Most - if not all - stock standard with the Gibson 57 Classics ..... there was a really wide range of sweet, good, not-so-good and down right awkward range of sounds despite the specs being identical ..... imhoI'd look at changing the pots and caps prior to changin' out the pickups ..... That said, my inclination would be to find somethin' from the 'Duncan catalogue or even the PRS catalogue ..... and then maybe try some of the more "boo-tee-keee" pickups cheers always, eh Joel
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Post by greenblues58 on Nov 25, 2014 15:49:55 GMT -7
+1 on the pots and caps change. I have 57 classics in my 2008 Memphis Dot fatneck and it made the world of difference changing to all audio taper(Bareknuckle custom taper)CTS 550 k pots and PIO caps especially with an 015 on the neck wired 50,s style. Like lifting a blanket off the neck pickup as 57's are actually quite low output alnico 2. Only problem my tech complained that whatever solder Gibson used needed more heat than he was prepared to give the O/E pots so he just cut the harness out and made me a new one. Nice man only charged what he originally quoted for installation of pots and caps.
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Post by Luke on Nov 25, 2014 19:28:01 GMT -7
I've seen many guys put PAF style pickups on there Epiphone hollow bodies. Most guys seem to really like the results.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Nov 25, 2014 19:39:05 GMT -7
I have Sheptone Blue Sky pickups I my JB14. Killer tone and very inspiring to say the least.
Sent from my SM-N900V using proboards
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Post by apwwest59 on Nov 27, 2014 18:51:18 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies!
If I understand correctly from reading, Gibson uses 300k linear taper pots on 339s, I think I will try switching those out for 500k audio taper and see if that "does the trick".
Otherwise, considering some more Lindy Fralin pickups - possibly the Big Single he recently introduced. Big departure from the stock pickups, but even if they don't feel right I'm sure I'll have a project guitar down the road some time that they will work for.
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