pickups for my gibson 335

[leerocker]

hi guys , i have a 2008 gibson es-335 and it has lollar imperial low wind humbuckers in it , these were in it when i bought it and to be honest im not keen on it, however my 1966 345 with original pickups sounds great , any recommendations on what bareknuckle i should be putting in my 335, i have mules in mind!

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya , and welcome to the forum !

It will depend on the style of music you are aiming for, but in the lower output pickups, I had best results in my 335 copy with Alnico IV magneted Stormy Mondays, for sweet and clear - and Mississipi Queens ( Humbucker sized P90 type pickups, but fatter sounding ) for lovely chewy and confident tones. I liked my Stormy Mondays with Alnico II magnets for ultimate sweetness, but changed to AIV magnets for a clearer / tighter bass. The swap from II to IV sacrificed a little roundness and sweetness on the top strings - but for me, worth it.  The Mules I like very much, and have then in a Les Paul Standard. They have a subtle emphasis in the  mid range - and therefore ( for me ) fitted the Les Paul construction / character better.

For Rock but still 'vintage' voicing - The Riff Raffs are usually recommended ;  and are very Rock'n'Roll - from Chuck Berry to (of course ) Angus Young - and beyond.  I do not own Riff Raffs, but have heard them being used - and If I wasn't such a mellow player , would have used Riff Raffs for sure.

You might find some interesting examples in the 'Players' sub section.

Happy Hunting !  :)

[AndyR]

Hi, welcome to the forum :D

I'm partly guessing here, but I believe Riff Raffs are the BKP "equivalent" of "Patent Received" humbuckers from the mid/late 60s onwards.

I find the Riff Raffs a little "tighter" sounding than Mules which are the "equivalent" of "PAF". I used to have a semi years ago, a 335-type which I used in a blues-rock combo. If I still had that, I'd be putting Riff Raffs in it.

I understand that Stormy Mondays are also good bets for a semi, but I've no experience of them.

EDIT: I was going to say "there's a guy called Fourth Feline..." and lo, he's typing the same time as me :D

[Fourth Feline]

 :lol:  Yes Andy, they have just woken me up and given me my Ovaltine - so I thought I'd pop in .

[leerocker]

hi cheers for the replies! im mainly playing rock punk indie etc. not heavy metal stuff, i want to eventually retire the 345 to the house and not on stage! so i want something thats gonna hold up with a bit of gain, riff raffs may be the answer then! i have already ordered some mules but they may go in my gibson r7 goldtop

[Fourth Feline]

hi cheers for the replies! im mainly playing rock punk indie etc. not heavy metal stuff, i want to eventually retire the 345 to the house and not on stage! so i want something thats gonna hold up with a bit of gain, riff raffs may be the answer then! i have already ordered some mules but they may go in my gibson r7 goldtop

In that case ( considering the easier job of wiring them into the Les Paul first ) I would slap the Mules in your succulent R9 Goldtop - and in the unlikely event that you don't think it is a Marriage made in heaven, then move them to the Semi.

I know it's easy to spend other people's money, but If I had both guitars , I would genuinely desire Riff Raffs for the 335 - and the contrasting late 50's P.A.F. sweetness and more elegant 'kick'  of the Mules specifically as heard in a Les Paul.   Incidentally, I have done a lot of changing pickups round in my own 335-alike , and can confirm that it is worthwhile, but a real test of patience - and a thief of time.  :lol:

Your needs ( just ) eliminate the Stormies and the fat juicy 'swagger' of the Mississipi Queens.

[leerocker]

cheers fourth feline im gonna have a think now! at the end of the day i want my guitars to sound great and i dony moind spending a couple of hundred quid on riff raffs if it means i only have to pull the 335 apart once! ive cleared off all the guitars i dont use on evil bay and just sticking to 4 or 5 now! i also have a 54 black beauty with p-90s ive ordered a bkp 92 for the bridge to give it a bit more oomph, the alnico 5 p-90 will prob stay in the neck for the moment!

[gwEm]

sounds like you want a little more juice - i'd steer clear of stormy mondays

[leerocker]

i had stormy mondays in a burny 335 copy i had a while back from what i remember they were ok but i need something just a tad wilder!

[Philly Q]

I think from what's been said the Riff Raff bridge is going to do it for you.

But for the neck pickup, don't rule out mixing and matching - I haven't tried a Riff Raff neck, but it has an A5 magnet and I gather it's fairly bright and defined.  Personally I'd want something a bit warmer, with an A4 or A2 magnet, a Mule or Stormy Monday.  I like the sweet sound of the neck '57 Classic (A2) in my ES-339 and wouldn't want to lose it.

Just a thought!  :D

[Prawnik]

If you are looking for something different, I have original Gibson Dirty Fingers humbuckers in a 335 Studio. The only guitar I have owned for any length of time that I have never modified. The sound of a thermonuclear blast in a red package.

IIRC, Crawlers will get closest to that sound.

[tomjackson]

hi guys , i have a 2008 gibson es-335 and it has lollar imperial low wind humbuckers in it , these were in it when i bought it and to be honest im not keen on it, however my 1966 345 with original pickups sounds great , any recommendations on what bareknuckle i should be putting in my 335, i have mules in mind!

What's up with the Lollars?

I've had Stormies which are great but it sounds like you want a little more kick....

[Ratrod]

I'd go for Riff Raffs. But I'd ask for an AIV magnet in the neck pickup.

[Fourth Feline]

Hi Leerocker ,  :)

I see on Pistottiamp's 'pickups for my Les Paul '  thread, that you have installed the Mules in the Goldtop today . Do let us know how you find them, for ( as you may gather ) - there is a lot of 'Mule love' around here !  I remember replacing the stock pickups in my Les Paul Standard with them , and being very happy with the difference !  :)

[Fourth Feline]

I'd go for Riff Raffs. But I'd ask for an AIV magnet in the neck pickup.

That sounds like an great idea !   8)  :D