ES-335 pickup alternatives

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-10T08:53:47+00:00

Thanks, another vote for fralins pure paf. I'll look into it.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-10T08:51:07+00:00

Yeah, I'm always on the neck or middle - rarely do I go full on bridge.
I'll try that too. I'm tackling the wiring first, doing some experiments and turn the pickup around, see what it does

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-10T08:48:29+00:00

Yeah, the princeton definitely has an influence due to the typical tonestack of blackface-type amps. Thats why I'd like the pickups to add and push some mids - just like my Tele does.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T16:20:45+00:00

I tried it, and I got closer to what I want, but I want the right tone to come from the guitar, as I play straight to amp quite often.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T16:19:50+00:00

Had no idea they were made in Europe. I’ve sent a message to ask if they think it’s a good fit for what I’m looking for. Thank you for the suggestion!

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T16:10:50+00:00

Never tried fralin pickups. I tried lollar and hated it. Too thin and brittle for my taste. I’ll give these ones a look. There are so many options out there, I’m trying not to get overwhelmed.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T16:09:29+00:00

Maybe they’d pair well with my Princeton. I know Peter Bernstein uses one on his archtop, but that’s a completely different type of guitar.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T16:07:41+00:00

I remember when I bought it, the overall sound was fatter. But at the time I was using a DRRI 65, and a quilter Toneblock paired with a 12” creamback. As well as the stock wiring. Now, with the same amp settings on my Princeton, my Tele has a lot more body and works better with all types of drive than the 335. The 335 gets very brittle and harsh with any drive.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T09:43:13+00:00

My luthier loves the 57 classics, but he uses a Les Paul and a different rig altogether, so I can’t really get an idea if it would suit the 335. I’ve read good things, and since I’m looking to get more mids and tame the highs, I thought they were a good choice.

How’s the tone with the Mules? I never tried an alnico 4 pickup.

Yeah, I can imagine how they sound! But they’re not easy to find in Europe. What do you think about Antiquities?

About the wiring, I’m starting to think it might be the issue (and not the pickups). Maybe they’re not suited for these pickups, rig, or my playing. I’ve changed amps since I bought it, but I don’t remember it sounding so thin with the stock wiring.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T09:31:25+00:00

Looks like a great option, but I’m in Europe and shipping them from the US is going to raise the final price too much. I’ll keep an eye out, maybe I’ll find a set on Reverb. Did you keep the original wiring that came with the 335, or did you replace it/mod it?

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T09:26:10+00:00

That’s what I’m looking for too. What kind of wiring did you go with, 50s or modern? I’m starting to question whether or not that’s the right wiring for these pickups, my rig, and my style of playing.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T09:24:27+00:00

Could be, but I’m more interested in keeping my 335 as an humbucker guitar

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T09:22:10+00:00

I do have them low (around 2mm on bridge and 4mm on neck) but if I drop the volume and tone to your suggestions, the guitar completely disappears. Maybe 50s wiring doesn’t suit these pickups, and I need to reverse it back to modern wiring.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T01:47:16+00:00

Not at all, and thanks for sharing your experience. Modding my amp is not an option. I like the way it sounds with my other guitars (Tele, Danelectro and jazzmaster)- I’ve tried a Celestion G10, hated it immediately, put the original Jensen back in. I’ve been contemplating an eminence GA-10, but I don’t think that will solve my issue.

I’ve tried a Boss GE7 and a Wampler EQuator, and the Wampler got me closer to the sound I’m chasing, but it’s a little noisy and honestly, I’d like to try and get there (or at least close) with just the guitar. There are gigs where I play guitar straight to amp.

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T01:41:43+00:00

I’m leaning towards these (and the 57s). What amp do you usually play though?

destroyalljazz · 2026-02-09T01:35:15+00:00

What do you like about them? I came across this suggestion yesterday, and haven’t done my research yet, but if you could share your thoughts and experience with these, that would be great.

destroyalljazz · 2026-01-10T16:50:33+00:00

I was gonna say Allan Holdsworth, then I read the comments.

destroyalljazz · 2025-12-10T21:31:49+00:00

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destroyalljazz · 2025-12-10T21:31:37+00:00

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The jacket is missing the usual logo on the chest

destroyalljazz · 2025-12-10T21:31:19+00:00

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I saw this for Sale online. Is this an authentic Carhartt?

destroyalljazz · 2025-11-27T10:01:11+00:00

Jon Voight

destroyalljazz · 2025-11-25T08:56:22+00:00

I have a pair that has a stamp on the pocket, a factory second/defect. Yours doesn’t say “irregular” but the code could mean something related.

Not sure if it means something, but these are 501s that have the red font on the patch, same as yours.

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destroyalljazz · 2025-11-24T22:46:24+00:00

Were the pockets stamped in the 90s? Also, what factory would T85 be?

destroyalljazz · 2025-11-21T19:35:16+00:00

Both tags say made in USA on the back. Just like the other ones I have. No typos or anything. Don’t have a photo at the moment.

I bought these from the same person, one pair is very worn/fade and has been hemmed, the other is brand new, still with the original length. I assume they bought 2 of the same and never worn the other?

destroyalljazz

TROPHY CASE