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I have a 1976 Gibson ES-335 in excellent shape, great action, but have never liked the tone I get out of the original pickups - very twangy at the bridge, and totally flat duck-fart at the neck. I am looking to get more of a deep, warm tone, playing mostly at the neck, similar to the early Grant Green sound. I know I can't expect my mid-70's model to sound like a late-50's model exactly, but that's what I am after.

It was suggested to me that I consider replacing the neck pickup with a Seth Lover or Antiquity. I understand the difference b/t the two, at least nominally in terms of quot;it sounds like IT IS 1950quot; vs. quot;it sounds like a 50's pickup would sound TODAYquot;, but was hoping that someone out there has some experience with either of these pickups in a 70's model ES-335, or other semi-hollow and could offer some advice.

thanks in advance,

Ben

Get a nickel covered Custom Custom/Seth Lover Neck. That set will sound spectacular in your guitar! You'll smile ear to ear the minute you plug in.

GJ has a good suggestion, but in a semi hollow, I'd go either Seth/Seth or Ant/Ant. The Ant's will be a little smoother, a tad warmer...more buttery. The Seths will have a little more bite and quot;airinessquot; to them.

I like Phat Cats in my hollow body.

Seth Neck, Phat Cat Bridge, then tell me how it works out. That way, I don't have to spend the money to experiment with it myself!

to get a more late 50's 335 vibe either the Seth or the Ants will do fine. If you want it to sound like a 335 would have sounded the day it was new in the late 50's get a set of Seth's, if you want it to sound like a late 50's 335 woudl sound today (now that it's almost 50 years old) go with the Ants.

well, it's not a win/ lose scenario, since they're both great pickups

I went with Seths for my Goldtop, since I already had a Seth neck. Otherwise, I might have used the Ants, since I already have Seths in my Hamer Artist.

another consideration though, is the engraved Anniversary Seth set, but get them while you can

Both the Seth and Ant will do what you want. My personal preference is to go for a set of Ants. You won't regret it.Jeff

1 for Seths, I'm over the moon with them in my 335 copy

the antiquities sound great. very sweet and warm. to my ears, the seths sound a lot like the antiquity but with a little more bite. not too much as it is still a very warm pickup. this, to me, makes the seths sound more alive. if you roll off the tone knob just a little bit on the seths, they sound a lot like the antiquity. this, to me, makes the seths more versatile.
this said, i'd go with the seths.
you can also try alnico II's, 59's, or the pearly gates. they all have great classic humbucker sounds but are more taste-specific. personally, the pearly gates with coves are my favorite humbuckers because they suit my personal musical tastes the best. the seths come a very close 2nd.
in my experience, if you want a vintage humbucker sound, the pickup cover plays a very very important role. i don't know exactly what word best describes that sound i'm talkin about, but try removing the covers on your pickup, play with it for a while, then when you get used to the sound, put the cover back on... you'll know what i mean.
it just sounds kinda spongy, treble rolled off a bit, but in a very very nice way.
if you don't have time to do all that, just keep the covers on. they add a certain sonic character that is, to me, magically vintage.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserGet a nickel covered Custom Custom/Seth Lover Neck. That set will sound spectacular in your guitar! You'll smile ear to ear the minute you plug in.

That's true! I use that set in my Hamer Monoco and couldn't be happier...it's a semi hollowbody too.

Between the Seth Lovers and Antiquitys, I'd go for the Antiquitys. The Antiquitys wound by Seymour or MJ are always just a little bit better than the pickups wound by the other Duncan pickup assemblers: more complex, more textured, livlier.

The Seth Lovers are awesome pickups...I use one myself. But the Antiquitys are always slightly quot;betterquot; and always worth the extra cost, IMO.

Lew