Pups for a 335

[ailean]

I pulled out our japanese Tokai 120 (335 copy) last night having not played it since I put Nailbombs in my Tokai LP. I was so disappointed in the tone, I used to love this guitars sound, it's the reason I bought a guitar for myself and started playing. But my LP + NB's just blow it away.

Don't get me wrong, in truth it does sound good, but it's just lacking something in the mellow tones when compared to the bridge NB in the LP.

So suggestions please for a set of BK's, I'm looking for good clean tones, mellow but good clarity. That said I do like a punchy sound, so ideally something with a reasonable output, but doesn't break up too soon.

Current considerations:

Mules - Alnico IV
Stormy Mondays
Mississippi Queens
VHII

But I'm a novice at this so input please!

I'll be playing through a Peavey ValveKing 112 or Orange Tiny Terror.

[Twinfan]

Stormy Mondays - got to be.  Let the tone of the guitar shine through fo rclassic rock and blues tones...

[PhilKing]

I have unpotted AII Stormy Monday's in my 335.  They really sound sweet and can go from smooth to crunchy.  They get a great Cream Crossroads sound when you have the gain turned up.  I have had no squealy feedback problems with having them unpotted.

[fps_dean]

I sold a Jem partiallly for that reason when I got Nailbombs and Trilogy Suites in my ESP and Rebel Yells in my Les Paul... granted BKPs would have fixed the problem, but the guitar wasn't really.... me..

If I had a 335 I'd go authentic with the Stormy Mondays too.

[TwilightOdyssey]

I would use VHIIs. The Stormy Mondays will probably sound great, but that combo is becoming a Pavlovian response in my opinion. It's like ..

zzzz ... wha?! I'm awake!! Wha? 335? Stormy Monday!! .. zzzzz

The VHIIs will give you a more sparkly clean tone, a less (dare I say) tubby neck tone, and a hell of a lot more drive when you kick in the OD. :)

[gingataff]

Interesting opinion Ben, one I'll bear in mind. I don't have a semi but I'd love one.
Actually I quite fancy one with Riff Raffs for bright, clear but raucous tones :twisted:

[ailean]

Well it was looking like a clear vicotry for the stormy Mondays...

I am worried that the output of the SM's will be a little low, and I like a bit of punch (got used to NB's), and was thinking the VHII's, but at the same time my initial thought was that the SM's sound like the ideal match.

More debate please...

:)

[HTH AMPS]

When I think of 335s, I automatically think - I'd put Stormy Mondays in one of those.

It will sound completely different from your LP with the Nailbomb, but surely that's the point.  I have a NB in my Explorer and use that for heavier stuff.  I also have a Les Paul with Mules but use it for classic rock.  Each guitar has it's niche depending on what I play.

A 335 with Stormy Mondays it just that classic tone - you'll get gorgeous jangly clean tones through to sweet vintage rock.  Also (judging by what Slash does with the similar Duncan APIIs) they'd dirty up well for rawk.

 :twisted:

[TwilightOdyssey]

To me, one of the great all-time killer 335 tones is courtesy of Alex Lifeson. And his wasn't your creamy, vintage, grandfather's 335 tone. It snarled, it bit, and and it would sustain like a mofo.

Listen to Moving Pictures. Through a Marshall or Marshall-esque amp (like a Roccaforte or Splawn) you can get that tone, possibly with either the SMs or the VHIIs, but the VHIIs would get it quicker, easier, and without having to reinvent the wheel. ;)

[Prawnik]

The biggest, ballsiest tones I have ever gotten are courtesy of a 335 Studio with vintage Dirty Fingers humbuckers.  

Apparently Gibson couldn't sell the Dirty Fingers in its first incarnation, so they stuck them in some budget models.  Well, in the 335, Gibson set off a hydrogen bomb.

[ailean]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I'm still torn between Stormy Monday's and VHII's, Stormy Monday seems the automatic choice, but VHII's will be a bit more ballsy.

Oh well, maybe by the time I can afford them I'll have made up my mind...