Telenic Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I'm looking for a used 535 I can use for jazz and blues. Which pick ups would give me a smooth warm tone, not too aggressive and not too bright? I had a Prospect with Schallers and didn't care too much for those, I currently have a 575 with a single SD 59' and I like that pick up.Used 535's seem to come in a wide variety of pick ups ranging from HRW's, Seth Lovers, Schallers, and one I'm not familiar with...Golden Age???Any advise would be helpful since I probably won't be able to play the guitar before I buy it.Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxdx99 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Seth Lover's work well for me and they'll get my vote. As a general rule, I don't select used guitars based on pickups since they can so easily and relativey inexpensively be changed. Playability, finish, condition, price... those are what I look at in the used market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55tele Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 My 535 has Seymour Duncan '59's....very vintage PAF sounding....I prefer these because they are potted (unlike Seth Lovers and I think Schallers as well) and have less of a chance of being microphonic...... My new 575 has Lollar Imperials (regular wind) and they are great!!!! Same pickup Collings uses in their hollow and semi hollow bodies..... Regards, 55Tele.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telenic Posted December 10, 2012 Author Share Posted December 10, 2012 Seth Lover's work well for me and they'll get my vote. As a general rule, I don't select used guitars based on pickups since they can so easily and relativey inexpensively be changed. Playability, finish, condition, price... those are what I look at in the used market. I understand, in fact I have replacement pick ups in almost every guitar I have. But I'd like to get close to what I want without having to spend an extra couple hundred dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunote Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Telenic, you'll be able to get nice rich warm tones from any of the pickups mentioned in the OP. The Seth's and Schallers will be more PAF-like -if that's what you're looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidsmoke Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Seems a later model used is more than likely gonna come with Duncan p'ups, 59's or Lovers, and either of those will be acceptable to you "out of the box". Good luck on your quest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuz Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I have tried them all and in my opinion, semi-hollows are the hardest to select pickups for. Again, I tried them all and only one gave me more mids and lows to fatten up the tone. Throbak PG-102s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillnetter Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I purchased a H555 a few months back that had Schallers, I just replaced them with Seth Lovers. The guitar sounds fantastic. i may put them in my H150 that has 59`s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCovach Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Another vote for Lollar Imperials here. I have them in my 555 and in one of the 150s and they are the best humbuckers I own. The Duncan 59s a bit darker by comparison. I have those in the 535 and another 150. The 59s shine when using distortion but clean they are not as balanced as the Lollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Not to further muddy the waters of choice, but consider the 57 classics from Gibson. I don't know how to describe them compared to other pickups, but they sound very pleasing in my 535! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noonesperfect Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I listened to two 535's with identical Schaller pickups, that sounded completely different. The guitars were were made within two years of each other too, so I doubt there were significant differences in their construction. I have no idea what the variables are that caused that result, but there are no guarantees that any given pickup will sound the way you expected when you finally take delivery. Your best bet is probably the one recommended by fxdx99 - get the guitar you want for the right price, and work on the pickup later. FWIW - you will be able to lessen the pain by selling the old pickups too, especially if you get a 535 with HRWs. What part of the world are you located in? If you are not in a hurry, you may be able to try before you buy, especially if you go to the next PSP and buy from one of the attendees. I found local deals both through eBay and through Craigslist. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 SD Seth Lovers or a SH2N (Jazz) and a SH4B (JB) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesDabbler Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Being a blues lover; after hearing Seth Lovers on many YouTube clips they get my vote! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCovach Posted December 10, 2012 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I listened to two 535's with identical Schaller pickups, that sounded completely different. The guitars were were made within two years of each other too, so I doubt there were significant differences in their construction. I have no idea what the variables are that caused that result, but there are no guarantees that any given pickup will sound the way you expected when you finally take delivery. Your best bet is probably the one recommended by fxdx99 - get the guitar you want for the right price, and work on the pickup later. FWIW - you will be able to lessen the pain by selling the old pickups too, especially if you get a 535 with HRWs. What part of the world are you located in? If you are not in a hurry, you may be able to try before you buy, especially if you go to the next PSP and buy from one of the attendees. I found local deals both through eBay and through Craigslist. Brad The values of the pots make an enormous difference. Some of these guitars may have 250k or 300k ohm pots and you really want 500k. Gibson has used 300k pots and these are just too dark in my opinion. I save the 250k pots for single coil strats and teles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I have a 535 with Lollar Imperials & it sounds great didn't much like the Schallers that were stock, they were quite dull in comparison Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High Flying Bird Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I changed out the HRWs in my 535 and put in SD Phat Cats. I love the tone I get from it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big bob Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I have Seth lovers in my 555 and they rock, I mean they can get really rock heavy... Like them a lot, even for Judas Priest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichYank Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I'm more of a classic rock kinda guy with jazz preferences. My 335 has SD APH2's and they sound amazing great! My 575 has SD '59's but modified with an A2 magnet in the neck and an Un-oriented A5 in the bridge. The magnet swap gave the pickups a smoother sound - but the A5's are a good magnet too. Just my preference. Magnets are only $4 or so each. The Yank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 I changed out the HRWs in my 535 and put in SD Phat Cats. I love the tone I get from it now. Ron has it right here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hfan Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Seth Lover's work well for me and they'll get my vote. As a general rule, I don't select used guitars based on pickups since they can so easily and relativey inexpensively be changed. Playability, finish, condition, price... those are what I look at in the used market. +1 on all that. Antiquities, which I believe are pretty much like Seths, work great in mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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