Mick’s Gibson ES-335 Gets New Pickups & Loom [Hardest Pickup Swap Ever?]
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- Опубликовано: 11 июл 2024
- Definitely a job for an expert… taken on by Mick. Oh dear…
Welcome to the show! Mick here, hello. Grab a beverage of your choosing and get ready to witness THE most frustrating bit of guitar maintenance that I’ve undertaken to date. I mean, why get a professional to do it quickly, cost-effectively and to extremely high quality when I can do it myself, nearly have a breakdown in the process, AND run a huge risk of it not working properly?!
Anyway, yes, I’ve been saying for ages that I’d like to hear some different pickups in the ol’ three-thirty-five, the reasons for which I explain in the beginning of the vid. Then comes the hilariously painful process of actually doing the refit, along with all the ‘doh’ moments and forehead slaps you’d expect… before hearing the old and new electronics back to back.
Was it worth it? I’m still not entirely sure. Hmmmm.
Questions arising…
What about pickup heights?
I set the Lollars to the same height as the Gibson pickups. It might be that their optimum position is elsewhere and that will have a significant impact on the tone. I’ll experiment with that over coming months.
- Is the old loom ’50s wired?
Yeah, I’m pretty sure it is. It looks different because instead of doing it in a ‘rigid’ parallelogram, it’s made as one big string to make insertion / retrieval easier (I presume).
- Are we hearing a difference in strings?
I put fresh strings on before recording with the old pickups/loom, and then another fresh set before recording with the new pickups/loom. I recorded each section in the same order, so the string newness should be very similar in the A/B comparisons. My strings are Curt Mangan 10.5-50 that you can find here www.thatpedalshowstore.com/co...
- Why are you wearing headphones in some of it?
So I can hear the backing track.
- Are both amps on?
Yes, both amps are running all the time.
- Have you tried [insert pickup brand and type here]?
Maybe, maybe not. I’m not trying any more pickups. Groan.
Enjoy the show!
Pedals and stuff in today’s video
• Schmidt-Array SA-550 XDM
www.schmidtarray.com/
• Latent Lemon Audio Hurts
latentlemon.co.uk/hurts-pedal...
• Crazy Tube Circuits Super Conductor
crazytubecircuits.com/super-c...
• Mythos Argo
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: bit.ly/3qt3Y4s
USA: bit.ly/3rNY81N
• Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer [underneath, mine is a Keeley mod from 2014]
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
• Kingsley Juggler V3
kingsleyamplifiers.com/product...
• TC Electronic SCF Gold
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: bit.ly/3A03BGa
• Free The Tone FF-1Y Future Factory
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
• JAM Pedals Harmonious Monk
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: bit.ly/3rJBJAb
USA That Pedal Shop: bit.ly/3p4En2Z
• Chase Bliss Audio CXM1978 Reverb
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: bit.ly/37R8McD
• TheGigRig G3 Atom
www.thegigrig.com/g3
Interesting bits and go-to sections
0:00 Welcome and intro
1:05 Why the change?
2:25 Why not just change amp settings?
3:48 Which pickups and why?
5:15 Why change the loom?
7:00 Loom change begins
11:19 Out through the F-hole?!
12:57 Use the pickup cavity?
17:35 DC reading of the old pickups
20:35 New loom goes in
23:25 Old pickups come out
24:57 DC reading of the new pickups
28:45 It’s not going well. At all.
30:20 The next day brings an idea
33:43 A/B sound comparisons
44:46 A/B sound comparisons with track
48:52 Closing thoughts
Guitars in this episode
• Gibson Memphis 1958 ES-335 - Mick’s video here - • Gibson Memphis 1958 ES...
Amps in this episode
• Two Rock TS1 1x12 50-watt combo with TR1265B speaker
• Two-Rock Classic Reverb Signature 100/50 with 1x12 cab & EVM12L speaker
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
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Видеоклипы
Hey Mick. I’m one of three guys that build the ES models, in White wood, at the Gibson Custom Shop. I know you are very particular about details so a few things you may like to know… Gibson builds two main years (with a few small exceptions) a ‘59 and a ‘64 (not a ‘63)… and the hole in the maple Center block is called a “window “. (A detail only someone as geeky as us would appreciate)…. Also, the window was added in 1964. Love the show… I’ve watched since the beginning… love what you guys do… God Bless my friend. Tell Dan Hi from the Custom shop.
Ps… very impressive how you pushed through and got the job done. Even people here (who do this every day) has a hard time with ES style guitars. Great job, Brother.
Thank you so much Aaron! It was inspirational to visit Memphis (when it was there) and also the Nashville facility. It was Mike Voltz who showed me around and had I had the money, I’d have bought a Rusty there and then. That was the inspiration for this one. Thanks for your work Aaron!
Aaron, you guys do great work, thank you!
Asking cause you're on the inside, but I understand you may have no idea... Is there any interest from Gibson on bringing back the 333 with the LP style rear access plate?
There's only three of you? Does that include start to finish or just final assembly?
Hey Aaron, is the ‘61 not considered a catalog model then?
Please Push the management to make more ES varieties plz, ty.
This video has thought me a lesson, don’t buy a 335 style guitar unless I love the pickups it comes with
Or pay a guitar tech to install the pickups for you!
Yes… it is such an incredible hassle.
A 335 has to be PERFECT to even think about it.
was literally thinking this ha
HA! ...that's why I chopped the lead heading off into the oblivion, and soldered the new pickup leads to them ;)
Find yourself a 333, it has a Les Paul style backplate and pickup swaps are really straightforward. They only produced them for a couple years, and they get snatched up by Blink 182 fans and modded because Tom Delonge had a signature 333 that is unobtainably priced.
It's amazing how much younger Mick looks in the the pre-op playing samples. 😆
Hahaha!
i have never felt so represented in a youtube video. Mick sorry for all the trouble but man did it feel good to not be the only one who thinks they are undertaking a simple task with their guitar and getting to the point where you just can't handle it anymore. Great video on showing the utter frustration that guitars can be!
Yup. This is me w Guitar Amps for sure!
mental preparation is the key, you can't be thinking about something else or getting angry at inanimate objects. (easier to say than to do for most though...)
You haven’t lived until you’ve rewired a 335. So relaxing…😳
A cross between dentistry, plumbing, and forestry. 😬🙅🏻♂️📺👍
So… Sooooo relaxing…😅
Dude. No way. Lol
There's absolutely nothing about this process that appeals to me as a do-it-yourself weekend adventure. Anyone who does this is a monolith of patience and dexterity.
the stress...🤮
you should give an ES-137 a shot... having the pickup selector at the top like a Les Paul makes rewiring it..... SO...MUCH....FUN
This might be one of my favourite vids ever. Watching a man fight a full breakdown & I felt every second of the frustration!!! Massive effort.
Well said. So funny. Entertaining and reminded me of “Will Smith” and the Oscars. Take your damn pots and pick-ups out of my geetar. 🤣🤣🤣
It was so relatable, I had a full fledged breakdown the one and only time I did a pickup swap. And that was on an SG!
Hahahahhaha!!!
Same!
Great job staying composed and completing the job! 👏🏻
Mick, I applaud your willingness to experiment with trial and error for an International audience. You're teaching countless budding guitar techs valuable lessons, including perhaps the most important: frustration is real, but can be circumvented. Thanks for your work, per usual. Good job. 335 sounds fantastic.
Thanks Aaron! Here’s //not// how to do it. Hahahaha!
Thanks for taking us along on your journey! I loved the playing at the end.
I was actually surprised at the differences, as I wasn't expecting too much.
Once saw Trogly show a neat little trick to avoid all that fishing the pots in and out hassle: he ties thread 🧵 around the shafts before dropping them inside the body. That way you can just pull each thread through the respective holes and fish the pots back up in no time. Works for the pickup leads, or the jack as well
The new pickups certainly add clarity and brightness. That being said, I actually slightly prefer the original ones.
I like to see that video of him putting it all back to its original state agree.. it's too shrill now
Absolute mad lad for stating that out after that odyssey 😂
The Gibsons are louder and bassier which always sounds ‘better’ in sound comparisons and in music stores (and something that RUclips gear demoers know all about). Ask a producer or a mix engineer though, and they’ll tell you they don’t want all the flub. What they want is the articulation…. Which is what I wanted, and why I prefer the new pickups. Cheers!
@@ThatPedalShow Very interesting. I agreed with his comment, but as you say the the sound of the new pick ups and loom is better defined.
@@ThatPedalShow Yêah 👍
Thank you for transparently showing the struggle of this project! Given your experience doing these type of swaps, it will prevent less experienced operators from damaging their stuff and is also a shared experience for anyone who has had challenges on similar tasks.
Nice one Mick! Your trials, frustration and ultimate triumph made for a very enjoyable film - and informative, as always.
The sparkle and clarity in the new ones got me. Love em much more than the originals. Congrats Mick!
Oh man, I feel the pain. And still you managed to keep pushing onward. Congrats on your endurance
The building rage and frustration seen in this video is quite possibly the funniest and relatable thing I’ve seen this year. I would love to see the outtakes. You have the patience of a saint.
Great job, Mickolas. And thanks for your honesty too. Appreciate it.
Mick, I felt your pain so much on this one that I had to pause halfway through and go and get a glass of wine! 🍷 I could actually hear a difference (albeit a small one) and really appreciate that you gave us some examples in the context of some tracks. Take a bow, Sir!
Thank you Roger. This was an exponentially large amount of ‘work’ hahahah!
You can always put the old ones back in :)
This was a lesson in perseverance. Nice work Mick!
Man, epic work! I love the adventure and honesty in your vlog to whatever ends! it's all about the journey....
Appreciate you taking the time out to highlight the subjectivity of guitar tone, absolutely true.
With that in mind I'm a huge fan of Lollar's too, the guys over there are great folks and the pickups sound insane!
I've experienced so many different emotions watching this video, you're a champion Mick
I can relate to this whole experience in a very real way! Love the new p/u's! They're choice and have so much clarity!
Thanks Blake!
Wow Mick! I was relaxed when I started watching … I think I will need a vacation after this! Love the show, cheers to you & Dan!
Love these videos and new pick ups sounds brilliant there is just that more clarity coming from them
Cleaner and more defined sound is what I hear. Nice upgrade Mick!!
And lots of kudos that you showed all that frustration and modesty, and never once seemed embarrassed to show it to the world.
Really appreciate the effort and struggles you went for to make such an in-depth video. Both sets of pickups sound great to me although can definitely hear a difference
Oh man. This was hilarious! 😂 I like the new pickups! Really cool vibe!
I went through the same emotions you went through when rewiring mine with push-pull pots, and I had a window in the cavity to work with! Working on an ES’ electronics takes nearly an act of God. Congrats on pulling through. It took me 4 days but I finally got through as well and it is glorious. Just left with a lot pride and crippling guitar PTSD.
Love the Lollar imperials. I have the normal wind bridge in several guitars, but I’ve been thinking about doing low winds in my 335. Thanks for another great video, Mick!
awesome vlog, laughed out loud, glad it all turned out, guitar sounds great.
The new bridge pickup is just what it needed! It’s got that edge you were probably looking for!! Great result Mick!
What a good video Mick!!! I swapped pus on my Gretsch…mine did not work at the end… I will NEVER try it ever again!!! It is one hell of a task… but you persevered and were successful!!! Much respect Mick,speaks volumes to your character,a man of many talents you are,bloody good show mate!!!
Your patience knows no bounds. The amount of nonchalance with which you tell us "I'm so angry I could smash the thing to bits." Good on you!
Love the pet cameos as well. Luckily you did the soldering at work, otherwise the cats would sense your intense concentration, and would *love* to cause some ill-timed mischief.
Great video, l was rooting for you all the way. Well done for hanging in there and working it out. I think it's made a significant difference. The instrument has a lot more "presence" and will cut through in a live mix. Nice playing too.
My 335 is a really nice tobacco sunburst from the early 70's. It's one of the rare ones with the coil tap switch on the lower horn. It makes the guitar so versatile. A great attribute for a guitar to have when l was a pro freelance musician.
Love your channel Mick.
Love these long-form vlogs, keep up the great work and be well.
I hope Monty's and other techs give you a kickback on all the work you've just (deservedly) sent their way 😀
My revelation about money 'saved' versus quality of job was a few years back, I'd way rather pay a pro now. Much like how I feel when clients ask if their family can sing at our gigs....
Especially since he's helping them continue the scam of special tone capacitors. Shameful!
If ever there was a "beware, don't try this at home" warning, this was it. Thank you for taking some stress and multiple swear words away from my life. 👍🤟😎
The difference at the end was like night and day to me. Love the new loom and pickups I thought the guitar sounds much clearer now! What a brilliant video Mick, the story of the pure frustration was so completely relatable and genuinely inspiring that you took a day, slept on it and made it to the end!!
That was compelling stuff. So glad you made it through!
What a colossal difference. Reminds me of why I put the same pickups in my LP. The clarity, articulation, and note separation are night and day between the two. Been waiting for this video for a while and it did not disappoint. Thanks, Mick, if for nothing else than confirming I should never work on my 335-style guitars. And the beautiful shots of Those Pedal Pets!
Enjoyable lesson Mick, thanks for letting us know what a royal pain in the arsse it is to change the wiring harness on a ES-335
I applaud your candor here Mick. And so much more fun to watch than do.
Unbelievably awesome editing, mate!
"The Gentle Barking of a Distant Labrador" is a great song name!
HUGE difference. Much more air to my ears, sounds great Mick. Sincerely hope it was worth the pain!
Excellent video. I enjoy doing work on amps, guitars and pedals, but there are frustrating times. Cheers on keeping the humor going. Your playing is excellent as always.
Thank you for that! I’m so glad you left in all the frustration that you were going through with the harness. It was awesome to see that it wasn’t just me. 😅
Dear Santa. Please send Mick a magnetic scredriver and a packet of rubber bands to help him pull the pots through.
Good job, Mick! I've been there (twice on the same guitar). The new harness and pickups sound great, mission accomplished!
Great video, Mick. I could hear a marked difference in clarity and responsiveness in the new pickups and loom vs. the original pickups and loom, especially on the neck position. I know this was a very long and frustrating process, but I think, in the end, it was worth it. Cheers from central Georgia (U.S.)
A purring cat always helps
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PAF's, for me they beat Lollars Imperial range and Bare Knuckles. However any swap from the original Gibbo pickups is going to help. I took the pickups from my Gibson ES345 and dropped them into a Strat. They work very well there, as it happens!
Tried a bunch of the boutique stuff, the only one I like better than the Seth Lovers are the Fralin Pure Pafs! But indeed, Seth Lovers are amazing!
yep, did the same on my 335: seth lovers, and 500k pots. so much better now.
Has to be one of my favourite TPS videos. Have so often found myself at the point of wanting to smash whatever guitar related thing I've been toiling with, it's hugely refreshing seeing another highlight the struggle. Red light fever's bad enough tracking guitars for recording let alone taking them apart for nightmare service jobs on camera - top job!
Well worth the effort! Impressive perseverance! Thanks!
I changed the SD59 pickups and loom in my Eastman T184MX for a set of Montys Retrowinds. When I say 'I changed...' I mean Dave Farmiloe unsoldered my dirty secret of a bodge job and made good. Night[mare] and day better thanks to his skills.
Hahaha! Nice one Steve!
Post vid thoughts: I can understand why you might prefer the new set up. The transient (Attack) is a little sharper, there is less bass and a higher main mid frequency and this I think is more the type of thing you go for. Personally I prefer a softer attack and overall I preferred the Memphis pick ups but as you say there is no better as tone is so subjective.
RUclips compression.....
@@davidtomkins4242 I'm not sure the point you are trying to make?
I like a no-load pot, best of both worlds.
Mate...this was reeeeally worth the hustle! Bravo!
I think what I admire most about this is the perseverence alongside the honesty and admission of near-failure. Many, many people (probably myself included) would have given up and packed it off to Monty's long before you considered that might be your only option. To me the new pick-ups sound more "you" in the sense that the smile that grew across your face when playing them was a reflection of the inner satisfaction of "yup, that's a sound". Huge thanks for showing every painful bit of the process, and for producing yet another insight into the perils of tone-hunting, whilst also proving, sometimes it's worth the pain!
They call them F-holes for the word you say a lot whilst rewiring a guitar with them.
Coffee ready, hoping for no power tool anxieties!
Woo!
@@ThatPedalShow Oh man, I felt all the feels in this video! I don't know what happened when the camera was off, but I imagine you handled it better than I would/have during similar situation/debacles. But hey, the results were stellar! I think better tone and articulation. Thanks for sharing!
Brilliant video Mick - well done mate!
What a great episode! I was considering replacing the pots in my ES-339. Now, I am convinced that I will mess it up (probably not going to stop, though). And yes, I think many here can relate to that sense of anger and frustration when something that seems simple turns out to be such a pain. But, delighted that you went through with it and figured it out -- that guitar sounds gorgeous!
I did this to my bandmate's and my 335 back to back all with lock washers. Instead of tubing, I used long pieces of neon green sewing thread tied to each pot shaft and a nut on the back side of the jack. Somewhat easier
Waxed dental floss is what I've used in past jobs. I found it stronger & less likely to slip than plain thread...
I seem to remember I used malleable thin green gardening wire. It definitely needs that method from the get go. Knobs off, attach the wire, fishing line, whatever to the pot necks then undo the nuts and pull the harness out, making sure you don’t pull the guide wires through… doh!
Ha ha this brought back some uncomfortable memories Mick! 😱🤣well done for persevering against all odds and getting the job done without an access hole... sorry to have given you false hope, we now know for sure that not all 335's are created equal and that Matt's earth wiring is very pretty but a complete 🤬
Ha! And thanks for the video. It gave me hope. Hahaaha!
I feel bad for enjoying this utter frustration so much, but I did. The editing is incredible (Rosie affirmation included) and we all love a happy ending. Kudos for the effort!
Here I was thinking this would be a relaxing video 😂 nail biting thriller ensued.
New pickups sound terrific. Love the clarity and sparkle.
Liked the old ones
Now we know why it’s called an F-Hole
Hahahah!
The upgrade is a success. A beautiful rich sound. Well done.
Great Video! Enjoyed every second of you struggling. I‘m relieved it worked out in the end. I would never in a million years attempt something like that, haha.
I heard they made people do ES wirings and pick up swaps in Guantanamo.
Oooof!
Mick, your frustration was visceral and palpable -- and way too relatable. I've modded many, many guitars and basses, and the one notable failure was my attempt to install a set of Duncan P-Rails (and a coil-splitting tone pot) in my Dean Boca semi-hollow electric 12. The three biggest issues were the original wiring (which included a multi-pin plug assembly for the pickups), the narrow f-hole, and the shallow body cavity. After two days (seemed longer) my frustration was off the charts and I threw in the towel. Am truly glad you were ultimately successful with the 335. Congrats!
As much as I love your playing, I love when you boys stretch out and get down deep like this. It's just a great way to spend Friday at work, but it is so much better than that!
The new setup sounds great. There's something tighter about it, but without losing bass response. And you seem to have your shimmer. Very nice.
the old ones sound a little muddy to me but the true revelation for my ears is the open string to string articulation... lovely! thanks for sharing another adventure in tone.
Fair play even attempting this. Looks incredibly hard and delicate operation.
Well done and very informative. Sorry it was such a hassle, but glad I know that now before embarking on the endeavor myself.
Much better! great success!
I love these videos! Have a great weekend!
Thanks for sharing the frustration. Been there done that. Yes the new setup adds clarity and sustain. It breathes and feels more open. Nice improvement!
Mick - I’m happy I’m not the only one that has experienced this level of frustration mid-project! Pickups sound really nice and I think were worth it!
Some feckin awesome playing in this video, that’s for sure!
First of all Mick, well done. Well worth enduring this particular exploration I feel \m/
Your guitar has officially arrived!! Beautiful tonal upgrade!! I can see the inspiration on your face!!
Totally relatable content. I've been contemplating a wiring change on a Hohner Professional 335 shaped guitar for a while now. Sadly, I suspect I'd have gone full Captain Caveman at 4.30pm on a Friday. Thank you Mick for making this video, the closing thoughts and playing have helped me arrive at the conclusion that I should enjoy this guitar for what it is, and I'd get more tonal millage out of spending the money on an Octave Fuzz.
Thank you for sharing your process and your frustration with us. I always feel like an absolute hack when I struggle with something that's simple on paper.
You really should be calling it "That Pickup Show" for these episodes. Love a good guitar tinker. 👌
Ya we feel you, we've been there! and those who haven't yet will be at some point! Enjoy the peace hero, it sounds great
You're a legend Mick, not an easy task! I'm sure there are many of us who have avoided it due to the limited number of quality video tutorials out there. Nothing worse than seeing an expert making it appear like a simple 30 minute task, when in fact the existing loom won't even fit through the f-hole without a tremendous struggle. This has given me the confidence to give this one a crack.
Ahh Mick, I've missed your modding vlogs so much. I really love how beautifully filmed they always are. This one was fantastic. All your struggling was worth it in the end! I really liked the change in the bridge pickup. Insert fancy adjectives here, but I thought it specifically was a marked improvement over the original. Really well done.
Cheers
Thank you Nick!
Cool shirt, Mick. Another killer blog!
I LOVE my Lollar Dirty Blonde set. Great, great stuff. Oh, and well done on the Mitch Murray tune!!
Hi Mick, thanks for the video. The new Lollers sound lovely, my Wife has the same in a Eastman SB59 which are glorious.
Oh man, I so so relate … rewiring my ES 137 was a similar drama and it gave me loads of respect for the techs who do these things on a routine basis.
For a while I thought the power saw was gonna come out! Excellent video, real world difficulties and success at the end.
I just rewatched the talk box/vocoder vid you guys did and it’s so damn funny. The innuendo at the beginning is priceless, makes me laugh everytime I watch it, it’s just a funny thing
This was hilarious! As someone who started a pickup swap on an ES style/F-hole guitar about a year ago, that is still hanging unfinished in my workshop - I can totally relate!
Good on you for knowing when to take a break and walk away. Frustration is no good to anyone. I’ve done my own wiring and pickup swaps over the years on my Strat Shaped Object (SSO) with all sorts of combinations - phase switches, coil taps, etc. But my last (final?) pickup swap I bought a solderless loom from Obsidian Wire and I so glad I did. Now my soldering iron gathers dust.
Killer tone with the new pickups A LOT more clarity and sparkle with the lollars love the toen