Gibson Calibrated T-Types

[Fiesta Red]

Been interested in these, but have been wondering if they're too bright, too thin, or too anemic. Sounds like maybe not? Was wondering if you've had any experience directly comparing them to the current Custombuckers, the older Burstbuckers before they became a production pickup, or the Memphis MHS 1st version.

A set of these came in a CME Gibson Les Paul Standard I bought. Too bright, which sucks because I wanted to really like them. Especially under any amount of higher gain. I can see why they would be perfect for a 335.

 

[Mr. Electric]

A set of these came in a CME Gibson Les Paul Standard I bought. Too bright, which sucks because I wanted to really like them. Especially under any amount of higher gain. I can see why they would be perfect for a 335.

Are 335 naturally darker or something? What would make them work in a 335?

 

[Anje]

IMHO when talking about the classic ES3x5 models there are 2 « types » of those, from a sound & feel perspective:
- the ones that sound more like a solid body => those can be very very close to a good equivalent vintage LP;
- the ones that have more of a « hollow body » character.

If yours is more in the 1st camp, you can expect similar results from a pickup swap than what you’d get in a LP. No « bad choices » IMHO, just depends on what you’re looking for.
The 2nd type have a slight different character, but nothing that will make any pickup choice « bad » either; again depends on what you want.

I’m personaly more interested in the 2nd type, just to make it really stand out more besides a LP; I find old PAT# / T-Top are a great match to those guitars, as they are really balanced, open, clear and let the voice of the guitar really speak through.
More «early PAF » accurate or even slightly hotter pickups would still be great, but pull the guitar more towards that 1st type character. Again, depends on what you want.

 

[VonBonfire]

What would make them work in a 335?

I never considered a 335 because of their design, but happened to play a 60’s 335 at guitar center and thought “this thing rocks” - bought one and am wondering what to attribute the tone differences from a Les Paul to. I’m sure it’s a combination of body design and pickups. But I love how it’s different enough from a LP to be worth owning but close enough you do t have to swap amp settings etc.

I have Throbak SLE 101 in my LP, and while I think I love the T Types, they don’t have the smoother, harmonic jangle in the high end of the Throbaks. But do you even want that in a 335 design? I’m new to these guitars I have no idea. I do know this baby hangs with my 59’ RI Les Paul, has a nice deep growl to it and airy high end. I wish I hadn’t ignored the 335 based on its looks alone for so long .

From what I’ve hear changing pickups is a chore. It’d suck to do a pickup swap and then be unhappy!

Here’s me noodling with some AC/DC, which it does really well.

I'm not sure whether you've realized just how good that sounds in your clip. It reminded me of my own 335, the same model. Nicest guitar I've ever owned....

IME Les Pauls have a tighter low end with a lot more thundering bass and the 335 has airier high end. If you use too much gain it kind of eliminates the air being noticeable. Member @cobrahead1030 just purchased Heritage versions of both those guitars and A/B'ed them if you pop over to his NGD thread and have a listen. They are more similar than different the more you bump the gain IME.

My own preference for pickups did not lend me to love the "jangle" of Seth Lovers. I found them harsh, strident, peaky in the high registers. They were workable, but not ideal. They also lack the compression of the T-Types and other Gibson pickups so through a Twin they just couldn't compete with the 57 classics or T-Types either. Yes, big headache to swap pickups. My T-Types aren't going anyplace but if you use them with too much gain they do get a bit of microphonic squeal.

 

[Mr. Electric]

I'm not sure whether you've realized just how good that sounds in your clip. It reminded me of my own 335, the same model. Nicest guitar I've ever owned....

IME Les Pauls have a tighter low end with a lot more thundering bass and the 335 has airier high end. If you use too much gain it kind of eliminates the air being noticeable. Member @cobrahead1030 just purchased Heritage versions of both those guitars and A/B'ed them if you pop over to his NGD thread and have a listen. They are more similar than different the more you bump the gain IME.

My own preference for pickups did not lend me to love the "jangle" of Seth Lovers. I found them harsh, strident, peaky in the high registers. They were workable, but not ideal. They also lack the compression of the T-Types and other Gibson pickups so through a Twin they just couldn't compete with the 57 classics or T-Types either. Yes, big headache to swap pickups. My T-Types aren't going anyplace but if you use them with too much gain they do get a bit of microphonic squeal.

Thanks! And that’s a good way to put it. I totally noticed the loss of 335 airy magic at high gain - at least in the bridge pickup hitting chords. Neck leads were still interesting.

I did a direct comparison of Seth lovers to my Throbaks in my Les Paul, and was disappointed in the Seth’s. Nothing wrong with them but nothing great either. Especially their high end. Throbaks, at least the sle with the mismatched coils, have a nice and clear top end that tickles my ears.

If I end up experimenting with a paf I’ll try to make a comparison vid. It’s more out of curiosity than anything. These guitars rock as is.

 

[VonBonfire]

Thanks! And that’s a good way to put it. I totally noticed the loss of 335 airy magic at high gain - at least in the bridge pickup hitting chords. Neck leads were still interesting.

I did a direct comparison of Seth lovers to my Throbaks in my Les Paul, and was disappointed in the Seth’s. Nothing wrong with them but nothing great either. Especially their high end. Throbaks, at least the sle with the mismatched coils, have a nice and clear top end that tickles my ears.

If I end up experimenting with a paf I’ll try to make a comparison vid. It’s more out of curiosity than anything. These guitars rock as is.

The T-Type neck pickup is outstanding IMO and beats a 57 hands down forme. The bridge is pretty good too but through my rig I think the 57 classic has a very slight edge. Fatter, richer, and not as inclined to go microphonic since it's potted. I would only add that I am happy using either set, and have 57's in my Edwards ES which functions as my #2 gigging guitar.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Are 335 naturally darker or something? What would make them work in a 335?

They are a little more fuller and richer, I guess are the words. Warmer -- that's the word. The attack doesn't sound as immediate as a solid body. My opinion.

 

[ChurchHill]

I never considered a 335 because of their design, but happened to play a 60’s 335 at guitar center and thought “this thing rocks” - bought one and am wondering what to attribute the tone differences from a Les Paul to. I’m sure it’s a combination of body design and pickups. But I love how it’s different enough from a LP to be worth owning but close enough you do t have to swap amp settings etc.

I have Throbak SLE 101 in my LP, and while I think I love the T Types, they don’t have the smoother, harmonic jangle in the high end of the Throbaks. But do you even want that in a 335 design? I’m new to these guitars I have no idea. I do know this baby hangs with my 59’ RI Les Paul, has a nice deep growl to it and airy high end. I wish I hadn’t ignored the 335 based on its looks alone for so long .

From what I’ve hear changing pickups is a chore. It’d suck to do a pickup swap and then be unhappy!

Yep, good ES3x5s are magical, this coming from a dedicated metalhead, or at least once upon a time. To me, good LPs are woody sounding, good ES even more so. I think the hollow parts really bring out the acoustic character that contributes to how the string vibrates and therefore translates through the pickup to the amp. Some say that they have a little less sustain, maybe some do, but I've never had a problem with them sustaining. I do think the attack is a little more pronounced, but the whole thing seems to breathe. It's difficult to describe until you've experienced it.

For pickups, if you like the Throbak SLE-101, which is a medium/high output for a PAF, I could recommend the Throbak KZ-115. A little less spendy, I might try the new Gibson T-Top Reissue (not talking about the T-Type). They just released it a week or so ago, and while I haven't tried it, yet, I would expect it would be similar in quality but not in sound to the Custombucker, which are pretty darn good if not quite on the Throbak level.

FYI, there's a trick to changing the pickups in an ES that involves using surgical tubing inserted through the pots' holes and out the F hole, then onto the pot shafts, then pulled through. You can even slide the washer and nut down the tube and attach them before pulling the tube off the pot. I'd recommend putting some really good pots and caps in, although Gibson's stock isn't terrible. I prefer RS Guitarworks, but Throbak sells good prewired harnesses, too.

IMHO when talking about the classic ES3x5 models there are 2 « types » of those, from a sound & feel perspective:
- the ones that sound more like a solid body => those can be very very close to a good equivalent vintage LP;
- the ones that have more of a « hollow body » character.

If yours is more in the 1st camp, you can expect similar results from a pickup swap than what you’d get in a LP. No « bad choices » IMHO, just depends on what you’re looking for.
The 2nd type have a slight different character, but nothing that will make any pickup choice « bad » either; again depends on what you want.

This ^^^ Couldn't have put it better. It seems an exaggeration, but IME, if any pickup sounds good in any guitar, it'll sound good in an ES. Just depends on what you want. Personally, I prefer medium/low output PAF types, better if they're not potted.

IME Les Pauls have a tighter low end with a lot more thundering bass and the 335 has airier high end. If you use too much gain it kind of eliminates the air being noticeable. Member @cobrahead1030 just purchased Heritage versions of both those guitars and A/B'ed them if you pop over to his NGD thread and have a listen. They are more similar than different the more you bump the gain IME.

This ^^^ is a great description of the general differences between an LP and an ES.

Fair warning. If you love LPs, ES are similar enough to make you feel like home and different enough to make you keep them. They have a tendency to multiply, too.

In any case, enjoy the guitar and welcome to the club!

 

[VonBonfire]

To me, good LPs are woody sounding, good ES even more so. I think the hollow parts really bring out the acoustic character that contributes to how the string vibrates and therefore translates through the pickup to the amp. Some say that they have a little less sustain, maybe some do, but I've never had a problem with them sustaining. I do think the attack is a little more pronounced, but the whole thing seems to breathe. It's difficult to describe until you've experienced it.

Seems like a good one has just slightly less sustain than a nice LP, which doesn't matter once you crank it up! Plus you get some extra cooling when the F hole emits air. Always catches you by surprise the first time or two. Mine definitely has a nice woody thunk to the attack that makes it slightly more blues-worthy than a Les Paul. It's addicting.

 

[ChurchHill]

Oh, yes, completely addicting! I just love them!

 

[John4021]

I just tore the T-Styles out of my new 70's Les Paul Custom ..... maybe I should throw them in the classifieds ...

Man, the 70's Les Paul is a great re-issue
Bought one in tuxedo black a month ago. Plays as good as a CS and is way cheaper

these are bright, but you can dial it out using the tone knob'

 

[VonBonfire]

these are bright, but you can dial it out using the tone knob'

They are bright but I don't find them harsh with some gain and volume thanks to the compression. I do find myself dialing the tone further back than my 57 on the bridge to keep it honking properly. A couple times when the venue was a little brighter than usual I've even rolled the neck tone back a little bit. Don't tell anyone I told you that though.

 

[John4021]

Don't know if Bonamassa has different caps in his guitars, but I learned tweaking the tone and volume from him. He can get a plethora
of tones by working those. He has a good ear/touch/feel that most don't know to use the 6th sense.

 

[VonBonfire]

Don't know if Bonamassa has different caps in his guitars, but I learned tweaking the tone and volume from him. He can get a plethora
of tones by working those. He has a good ear/touch/feel that most don't know to use the 6th sense.

Definitely. I'm always fine tuning those tone controls. Volumes too especially if I'm on the middle pickup setting i.e both pickups. That can make a huge difference in the final sound. If you watch Santana he does a lot of that as well.