gib 57 vs 59er for es333

[gottliver]

What do you guys think about these two pups in a es333. Acoustically this guitar is very midrange heavy, honky if you will. Plugged in the stock 490/498s are too hot for me. I can't seem to get a nice clean sound w/em. My budget is limited so I'm looking at either a used set of 57s a new set of 59s or maybe even the a2pros. Seths are too rich for my blood, as are antiquities. I know slash uses the a2pro but I'm not a fan of his tone.

Let me know what you think, thanks!

[xerxes]

i would go with the 59's. they sound great in hollowbodies.

[gottliver]

how do they sound? I'm looking for something that can do nice cleans, some crunch and some smooth lead work. I've heard many 335s doing this but I have no idea what was in 'em! I have played a 57 eqipped 335 at a local store and was not wowed by the tone, then again the git didn't do it for me either. Once thing I do know is that
I HATE overly bright guitars. My 333 is very much not a bright guitar acoustically.

[badco33]

thought I would chime in on this one cause I just got a 2003 ES-333. I immediately took the stock pickups out and installed a set of Seth Lovers that I had been holding onto. I absolutely love the Seth Lovers in this guitar and they basically do everything you described. They are very versatile and can cover everything from a good clean tone to classic rock to hard rock. I mostly play blues and that is where they shine but I have also played some Sabbath and other hard rock tunes and they sounded great for that as well. I assume that the 59's would sound good as well but I tend to prefer the Seth's. The 59's tend to overdo the bass a little too much, at least to my ears, and I don't think the neck 59 is as crisp and open as the Seth neck. I took the covers of my Seth's off (they are Zebras underneath) and I haven't had any feedback problems but I don't play at extremely loud volumes either. The 59 might be a better choice if you are worried about feedback.

As for the 57's, al lot of guys at the Gibson Board really like these in their ES's. To me they are a very warm sounding pickup and really sound great in an overly bright guitar. If the guitar has a well balanced tone then the 57's are just too warm for me. I think the Seth gives you more versatility.

[TheMist]

DiMarzios PAF PROs

[gottliver]

Thanks guys, I think that a 59n and either a PGb or A2PROb would be my best bet. I don't want to spend the dollars for the seths and I definitely want a5s for the neck.
I usually find that when going from the neck to bridge pup during a solo on the 333 that the bridge pup sounds thin. So maybe the PG is the way to go. A bit more bite and output than the a2pro.

[Lewguitar]

how do they sound? I'm looking for something that can do nice cleans, some crunch and some smooth lead work. I've heard many 335s doing this but I have no idea what was in 'em! I have played a 57 eqipped 335 at a local store and was not wowed by the tone, then again the git didn't do it for me either. Once thing I do know is that
I HATE overly bright guitars. My 333 is very much not a bright guitar acoustically.

Do you like BB King's 1960's and 70's tone? How about Larry Carlton's ES 335 tone? Larry's is maybe the ULTIMATE 335 tone! The closest Duncan pickup to those tones and to the pickups in 1960's Gibson ES 335's would be the Duncan '59. Lew

[gottliver]

I do like BB Kings tone! But I don't get much sense of rythm tone from his playing nor is it the right style for me! I play a lot of classic rock and a bit of blues based jams as well. I'm a big fan of Paul Kossofs tone w/Free. I'm afraid I don't know Larry Carltons playing much. I know WHO he is, but never really heard any of his stuff! I'll make a point to get a CD of his. Any suggestions?

[MCG]

I wouldn't put a Pearly Gates in the bridge if you don't like an overly bright sound. The Pearly is a good pickup but it dose have a high end sizzle that is very cutting. I just took the PG out of my SG and replaced it with a Seth BTW.

MCG

[Lewguitar]

I do like BB Kings tone! But I don't get much sense of rythm tone from his playing nor is it the right style for me! I play a lot of classic rock and a bit of blues based jams as well. I'm a big fan of Paul Kossofs tone w/Free. I'm afraid I don't know Larry Carltons playing much. I know WHO he is, but never really heard any of his stuff! I'll make a point to get a CD of his. Any suggestions?

I like the Joni Mitchell Court and Spark CD with Larry on it. Any of the Crusaders stuff would feature his 335 too. He's known as MR 335 and I thnk he has a CD with that title too. Paul Kosoff's tone sounds like a Les Paul with 50's alnico 2 pafs to me...you might want to spring for the a2 Seth Lovers after all! They're only about $200 a set vs. $140 a set for the 59's. Lew

[Surgeon]

A set of '59 is just amazing in my '335... very nice, the bridge does the leads and cuts through easily while the neck is warm and mellow...

[gottliver]

Hey Surgeon, are you in montreal? Thats were I live!

I think I'll get a set of covered '59s. If I find the bridge too bright I'll pop an A2pro in there!

Thanks for all the help guys!