Anything else I should do?

[MartinS]

OK, based on Tim's recommendations I've gone for a calibrated Mule set for my 335. I'm going to have these fitted by a tech as there's no rear access. Just wondering if there's anything else I should have replaced at the same time (as long as it's relatively cheap!).

Cheers.

[badgermark]

Some good quality pots will make a big difference.

I replaced the pots on my Tele and the sound instantly seemed bigger and fuller on the stock pickups, and now you can actually use them.

[MartinS]

Hmmm... I've done a search and am now more than slightly perplexed!

Pots, caps, orange drops – weren't these the things that were in Pandora's Box?!

I might just stick with the pickups, unless someone can say 'if you fit [this] and [this] it'll make all the difference".

[Ted]

Buy some CTS pots and some nice capacitors, sprague orange drops if you're on a budget and Hovlands Musicaps if you value your tone.  

I have no idea what goes into a 335 in terms of pot values and capacitor values, but I would guess it would be the same as a Les Paul (500k pots and .022uf capacitors).

Can anyone confirm that as I am not 100% sure?

It would be a damn shame if you changed the pickups and not changed the pots and caps.

[MartinS]

Cheers. It occurred to me that while I was paying someone to swap the pickups it would be wise to change the other bits and pieces (which apparently aren't too expensive) at the same time: I want to take this to the tech ONCE, and once only!

Grateful for any advice.

PS: I'd need four pots, I can work that out, but, um, how many caps?

[Philly Q]

Just the two caps.

But I'd just like to say, if it's an American 335 I wouldn't assume the electronics automatically need replacing.  Do the existing volume and tone controls work OK?

If it's a Japanese or Korean guitar, then replace away - the pots are never any good.  They usually seem to only have any effect between 0 and 3.

[MartinS]

But I'd just like to say, if it's an American 335 I wouldn't assume the electronics automatically need replacing.  Do the existing volume and tone controls work OK?

Yes they do. It's a 79, built in Kalamazoo.

[MartinS]

According to this page the pots are likely to be either 300k or even 100k.

To be honest, the tone pots seem to do very little to me.

[Philly Q]

That's a useful link, thanks.

So yeah, sounds like you want to get those 500Ks in!

[Twinfan]

Agreed.  For the minimal extra cost while it's at the tech you should get:

* Four 500k CTS pots with audio taper
* Two 022uf capacitors for the tone controls

The capacitor type is up to you, but any of the good brands will be fine.  Choose what your budget desires:

Hovland MusiCaps
Sprague Orange Drops
Mallory 150s
Jensens
Vitamin Qs
Vintage Bumblebees
etc

[MartinS]

Cheers, guys. The Orange Drops are much cheaper than the Hovlands; does this reflect the impact on the sound, or isn't it that big a difference?

Thanks.

Martin

[Twinfan]

It depends how sensitive your ears are to the slight tonal difference.  Mine are quite sensite and I find:

Orange Drops = clear, maybe a little sharp sounding, quite musical
MusiCaps = very clear, hi-fi type clarity, slightly less musical

I'm talking very slight differences here though.  In a live band context it'll  make no difference anyway!

[Philly Q]

It depends how sensitive your ears are to the slight tonal difference.  Mine are quite sensite and I find:

Orange Drops = clear, maybe a little sharp sounding, quite musical
MusiCaps = very clear, hi-fi type clarity, slightly less musical

That's interesting - I'm generally perfectly happy with Orange Drops, but I have one MusiCap which I bought on the spur of the moment then never used.  Do you think it would be good with a P-90, or better with humbuckers (or not bother at all)?  

I think, on the whole, expensive caps are a luxury I can live without.

[Twinfan]

Phil - I'd try it in your Epi Junior with the P90 and see what you think.  I have them in two guitars and while they give exceptional clarity they seem to lose a little of the musical sweetness we all strive for.  I can see why they're used in hi-fi stuff as they do not seem to colour the sound of the guitar at all.  While this is a good thing, you do lose a little of the musicality that some guitar parts can bring to the overall mix.

For what it's worth, I won't be buying any more for any other guitars.  I've left them in my two guitars for now as they do add to their personalities, but I may try swapping them for something else in the future.

[MartinS]

Thanks for the help and advice. I've ordered four CTS pots and two Orange Drop caps.

I only hope all this expense is worth it!