Which BKs for a 63 Historic 335 Reissue?

[StuartMac]

I have a 63 Historic 335 Reissue, which is my main guitar. I'm wondering whether I'll get just a bit more out the guitar with a pickup swap, and Stormy Mondays intrigue me.

Don't get me wrong, the guitar sounds great with the stock 57 Classics, and I have no complaints (other than a very slight ice-pickiness on the bridge pickup from time to time) but I just wonder if I can squeeze even more tone out of it.

Are Stormy Mondays the obvious choice?

[FernandoDuarte]

Probably yes... If you want to have the usual tone of 335, it's the way to go!

[Fourth Feline]

Hi ( and welcome to the forum  :) ).

The Stormy Mondays will certainly get rid of that " slight ice pickiness" - and bring out the best vocal qualities of the semi-hollow body.  

However :

The next thing that needs be asked, is what style(s) you would like to use it for ;  only because a leaning towards Chuck Berry style licks - and Rock'n'Roll in general, might merit the use of 'Riff Raffs' - as I gather they replicate a 60s pickup, whereas the Stormy Mondays are unashamably sweet and late 50s sounding.  The 'Mule' would be nice also, with a leaning towards 70s Rock, without the balistic edge of the Riff Raff . I think of my Mules as a more assertive Stormy Monday. I must emphasise that although 'Riff-Raffs' have an edge to them , that is not to be confused with any form of " Ice Pickiness" - they are 'toothy'  :mrgreen: but not shrill.

If you go with the Stormy Mondays, stay with it's tried and tested Alnico II magnets; as I once flirted with the Alnico IV magnet in my Stormy Mondays - and felt that whilst the Bass end sharpened up a touch, I consequently lost the best of the sweet top end.  I of course asked B.K.P. to put the AII magnets back in for me - and was very happy I did !

I feel that generally speaking, AII Stormies are ideal, but must first verify which tones and players you would be leaning towards, in order for us to be as helpful as possible.  :)

[FernandoDuarte]

( and welcome to the forum  :) ).

Doh, I'm so unpolite sometimes :lol:
Welcome aboard!! Listen FF, he knows about hollow guitars! :)

[Fourth Feline]

( and welcome to the forum  :) ).

Doh, I'm so unpolite sometimes :lol:
Welcome aboard!! Listen FF, he knows about hollow guitars! :)

Thanks for your faith Fernando, I will send the usual 'loyalty' cheque ( in Euros ) to the usual address... 

[Telerocker]

Welcome here! And yeah, FF knows about hollowbodies. Personally I would fav Mules in such guitar, do clean and drive very good and sound huge. The SM's are a bit sweeter.

[StuartMac]

Thanks guys, all very helpful.

Tonally, I guess my priority is a rich, warm but clear, classic clean sound with lots of detail. My main amps are a 65 Amps Soho HP, a Budda SD45, and a Fender Bass Breaker (2x12 Custom Shop Bassman) and I want to optimise the guitar for the Bass Breaker, for rich, piano-like tones. The 57 Classics do sound great, and it would have to be a significant improvement for me to make the change. They get me almost into Gretsch Filtertron territory on the mix position (a good thing!), but they are a little imbalanced between neck and bridge, the bridge is prone to a touch of hardness at volume, and the neck can very occasionally get a little too plummy.

[Twinfan]

I would say go with AII Stormy Mondays  :)

[Fourth Feline]

I would say go with AII Stormy Mondays  :)

+ 1  :D

[Telerocker]

from way you describe: +1

[PhilKing]

I have unpotted AII Stormy Mondays in my 65 335.  They are great for classic rock and blues.  Think of Clapton's Crossroads tone and you have it.  They replaced a set of 57 PAF's which were in it (not the original pickups), and the tone improved tremendously.

[Ratrod]

I'm with Fouth Feline.

Stormies for blues and jazz, Riff Raffs for rock n' roll.