The Best Epiphone 335 Mods - Still Not a Gibson, But it is GOOD

[@harleyrider9166]

Stock pickups are great in these and sound is great. Doesn’t make anyone sound $600 better. Just play the damn guitar and adjust the amp.

[@atxplankspanker]

"there pretty decent pickup", as he tears them apart. Yes, I agree they are pretty decent pickups. You pretty much can tell they're decent just by listening to them. It's the whole reason I bought one and keeping it stock. I love my Gibson 335's but this new Epiphone makes one hell of a gigging guitar without any modification. Dial it in with a good amp and your good to go.

[@marccarter1350]

I found mine really muddy. But I agree they are well made, use great parts. Changed the covers to pure Nickle, and added some Orange drops to the wiring loom, they sound great now. It killed the Muddy drag i had.

[@CRUNCHCOLE]

Sounds great and I love the burst color. I have an Epi 339 with Gibson pickups, Emerson/CTS pots, Switchcraft jack & switch, Orange Drop caps, Canare shielded wiring and bone nut. It sounds better than most Gibson's and a lot cheaper.

[@windsurfmaui8239]

I agree every once in a while a perfectly good pickup has to be sacrificed. But please in the future if you ever have Gibson or Epiphone 4 wire humbucker pickups, especially chrome covered pickups, ship them to me I'll gladly pay the postage. I'll give them a good home.

[@CavemanWithAStringStick]

I have a fun idea. He could continue this trend and give away the pickup he didn’t destroy each time. Win win

[@alexcorona]

He gives them away, but you have to be one of his patreon members.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

@@alexcorona Some thoughts should really not become a comment Alex. It surely labels you as a non-contributing member of even your favorite KZbin creators.

[@CRUNCHCOLE]

He winds pickups and uses the same wire. It wouldn't be hard to rewind the one coil and the set would be as good as new.

[@LMGuitarCorner]

Got the Jimmy Page wiring in my 335 as well. It is so much fun and so versatile. Probably one of the most versatile guitars you could find. Shameless plug, we have a step by step tutorial for the wiring and the installation of it into a Sheraton II on our channel. Cheers, Martin

[@mikehickey6256]

I bought the Epi Les Paul modern and initially was thrilled with the pickups. After adjusting them I loved em. Before you go to the trouble and expense of replacing them try tweaking.

[@randysummers9228]

Just finished my first guitar with these pickups. Outstanding! So good I ordered another set for myself. Just got the notice they had been shipped. Will take a while to finish the guitar in which they will be installed as it is a very custom scratch build.

[@achimdg6335]

You can call them paper in snake-oil.

[@Anton-ji4td]

The Kluson Revolution pearl keystone locking tuners with the 10mm collar not the bushings are a direct drop in easy mod replacement. Look fantastic and are awesome re tuning tone etc. Did it to mine. You don't need to change anything else. My Epi IBG 335 is as good if not better than my Gibson's Fenders and PRS. One other good thing; no nibs on fretboard. Highly recommend this guitar.

[@roddiculousguitar]

I agree, you only need to change the tuners. I've been looking everywhere for something that will just drop in. Two orders and advice later and I'm still looking. Is there any chance you could send me a link to the specific ones you got? My searches keep coming with the ones with bushings. Thanks 🤞🤞🤞

[@78tag]

Thanks for this demo. The guitar you just modded would make a very good partner to my 345. It would be interesting to see how many tones could be matched to the Varitone in the 345 and how many tones could be contrasted. I bet there would be many similar vibes and yet these guitars would be really nothing like each other in other settings. Thanks again.

[@mikestillwagon5675]

I did almost the same thing on my 339. I used up my entire vocabulary of bad words, and I may have made up a few new ones.

[@EricDeibler]

I would have really liked to see how you managed to wrestle those push-push pots into the holes for the bridge volume and tone knobs!

[@peterschmidt9942]

Thanks for the heads up on the push/push pots Dylan. Didn't know they existed!

[@stringdoc]

I had the Jimmy Page Wiring Kit from Torres Engineering installed in one of my guitars several years ago. It had 141 different tonal options. Fantastic tool! I need to do that in my Superstrat.

[@roberthastings708]

I wound up using you DAFs in my Ibanez AS 73. I did not change the pots. New Gotoh Bridge and zero glide. The DAFs are phenomenal. And the guitar plays great...now.

[@striknine570]

Listening back to the first video in comparison to the final, I fully agree with your analysis. The stock guitar after a good setup is not that bad. I was planning to upgrade the pickups on mine and I believe you’ve made me rethink that decision. Sure there are small differences in the tone, however if you had the new pickups in there originally and installed the stock ones, the argument could be made that they rounded out the tone and provided a more vintage sound in an attempt to justify the purchase. Thanks again for documenting this. Awesome channel you have.

[@dastardlydave1455]

Went from cool to cooler. Sounds good!!

[@Fuff63]

Very informative vid thx. I like how you start out skeptical of the components and then are happily surprised that Epiphone provided decent quality parts. I enjoyed learning about the Jimmy page mods. Cheers.

[@barrymiller2272]

I was skeptical! You my friend obviously know the in's and out's....literally. Thinking of buying a set of you're Humbuckers....nicely done

[@michaelmenkes8085]

So glad you opened up the Epiphone pickups to see what actually ticks. I do line their pro bucker minis but something is a bit lacking on the ones you ripped apart

[@asambatyon]

It is funny that I didn't like the pickups of my epiphone dot, and that put me in rabbit hole of modifications, where: Pickups, Wiring, Bridge (incl. Studs), Pickguard, Tuners, Nut and Inlays where changed over the years.

[@mattc8723]

When the output jack is face mounted, I like to swap it around with the pickup selector switch.

[@arthritisankle]

I’ve never heard single coil sounds out of a split bucker that sound as good as that. Normally I hate the sound of split humbuckers but this time I didn’t hate it as much as I just kinda didn’t love it.

[@bobsakson6033]

Great video! I heard the guys at Casino interview you on their podcast and subscribed. I am guessing that you didn’t need to enlarge the holes for the pots and it was simply a drop in process? I would like to do something similar to and ES-339, but the internet has been hit or miss or saying whether the holes are big enough.

[@adamburger858]

great video brother... sweet tones.. and i love that wiring harness. Quick question... what mods would you do on a stock Gibson 335...if any...just curious, thanks

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I an sensing some strange Gibson vibe in the series about upgrading a 335. Let it go my friend. BTW…I replaced my pickups long ago and now cannot wait to do the Jimmie Page mod you have shown in this video. Thanks so much for this EpiEpisode.

[@davidkornblatt851]

I’m a corvair fan

[@zazoomatt]

Following you has been a pleasure. No Fluffy straight up Guts Trendy as you do the Dylan thing. I just am thankful for you doing these videos . FAN

[@roberthastings708]

Thanks Dylan. I want to use a set of your center punch in an Ibanez. I appreciate the demo

[@roberthastings708]

I think I show up as no subscription but I did join as a patreon. Could you check my status? Thanks

[@DylanTalksTone]

You are for sure sir.

[@rickyilgrande]

Hey great mod, I wanted to mention, with that wiring, having those 2 Epiphone low output humbuckers suddenly makes a lot of sense

[@jagr9228]

How did you get those tall switchpots into the body? Just kidding. You don't have to answer. I'm sure it wasn't easy. I do enjoy your videos.

[@thmmke6926]

like absolute value, this demo review video is just outstanding in its delivery and content,

[@TestarossaRocks]

Great sounding pickups, epiphone’s blue berry fade drives me up the wall. The darker front doesn’t fade like it should. Sets my ocd off.

[@qddk9545]

Nice mods. I am quite sure that when using the PG setting, you need to turn one of the volume knobs down. That will give you a more full, but still out of phase, sound.

[@jimcamp2423]

You may not want to discard the Epiphone output jack. From what I saw in another Epiphone video, they made a special designed one that is supposed to stay in position so that the wires don't twist inside and eventually mess up the solder connection from twisting stresses for tightening maintenance ? I thought that was a neat feature/idea to eliminate the dead output connection other guitars might get.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Nah… it’s just a regular cheap jack

[@jimcamp2423]

@@DylanTalksTone It's actually a non-rotating jack that when tightened for installation or after coming loose, the jack doesn't spin inside so the wires don't twist. From what I see of the Pure Tone is that it's a 4 prong spring vs a single prong spring output jack. Let the Epiphone output jack prove it was cheap garbage & fail before replacing it. I don't think the Pure Tone is going to deliver any better output as new or even over the life of the output jack. The output jack contacts & works or it doesn't kind of thing. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpjCnaGOmq2hp6c

[@DylanTalksTone]

Except that it was already loose…. So that can’t be effective. Most of the posts were already loose too

[@jimcamp2423]

@@DylanTalksTone Well, the video I linked is from 2015, I have a 2017 Epiphone LP Special I P90 and haven't had to tighten it in the 4 years & months since it was manufactured. Output is the same from the day I first plugged in. I must've gotten lucky with that one ?

[@DylanTalksTone]

Yeah it is possible. I can only report on the experience I have had, and the jack in this guitar was in no way special.

[@marshallohio5512]

Poor Dylan install frustration was because harness is wired for a Les Paul vs 335 !! I've done a few of these types guitar s !! Extremely easy !!! Bourns pots and caps from Amazon !! Treble Bleeds !! 22awg wire !! Wired 50s style, reverse volume connections for independent controls, mini switches for series parallel single coil sound option !! The harness needs to be loose as a snake not like those tightly expensive prewire harnesses !! Snake switch and neck controls in f hole first, and install them as with output after finishing wiring !! Then snake bridge pickup controls and install after finishing wiring !! The pickups are prewired to mini switches, and are installed close to bridge controls !! I snake the neck pickup wire from mini switch along harness to switch !! All wiring are inner twine with each other leaving NO wires showing through f hole cavity when done !! Extremely easy !! Parallel vs single are not the same !! I find single to have a slightly cleaner presence in tone than parallel !! I have Gibson waiting for upgrade. !! Oh, the f hole install is so much easier vs bridge hole install, for one can get fingers in the f holes making easier installation !! Enjoy Music!! Oh, if one thinks he/she needs the Page setup, then please rewire harness like a long snake !!

[@DylanTalksTone]

It was made for a 335 so…

[@marshallohio5512]

@@DylanTalksTone No Worries ! I would have rewired that harness in a second ! Man, that harness must have wore you out ? LoL Nevertheless, have a very nice day ! Enjoy Music !

[@alanthew6490]

So you didn’t take the pick guard off and put everything through the bridge pickup route then? Piece of cake then, especially with a couple of home made tools to move the pots around when in the body.

[@haveagoodone5830]

That's a great guitar with a sick tonal palette! Totally love it. Thumbs up!

[@tubularbill]

Pickups can make a world of difference. Awesome video!

[@EddieG1888]

I've gone for a Varitone in my Artist Black58DLX, but I wish I'd known about that wiring harness before I did, some really nice tones with that mod.

[@notanotherguitarchannel]

My coil-split humbuckers just sound like the volume's gone down when I split em. The tonal quality seems the same. The only difference I can hear is that they don't lose the top end like they would if I just turned the volume knob down.

[@CavemanWithAStringStick]

Sadly that kind of is the point. Retain high end “jangle” and sacrifice the compression and volume you get from impedance. His center punches are intended to rectify this exact issue

[@arthritisankle]

I’ve never heard a coil split bucker that I liked as much as a true single coil but this one was the least objectionable that I’ve ever heard. Maybe because it sounds like a real single coil but it still doesn’t sound like a Fender which I expect out of a single. So maybe that’s just about as good as you could get from a real single in that guitar.

[@charleswallace5818]

Thanks again for an awesome 335. Love those pickups.

[@timothypotter2137]

Beautiful guitar and is sounds delicious. I just need some of those center punch pickups...and the right guitar to put them in...I love the wiring harness options.

[@shanewalton8888]

surprised how close to a tele it sounded like, though. Not perfect but close.

[@nalukeko]

5:08 right? I've been trying my hardest to like them. Pickup height, volume knob, amp settings. Was trying not to spend $150 or more on this thing. But I pickup any of my other guitars and the tones although all different are just fun to listen to. Just strum a chord and enjoy the vibrations. But these are coming out... as soon as I decide what to put in there... I'm a big Duncan fanboy. I'd try DTT but Duncan is actually cheaper. at least for the '59 set I'm thinking of so far for this one. sorry.

[@asherplatts6253]

You should check out the inside of the Gretsch G2220 junior jet II bass pickups. They claim they are dual coil humbuckers, but I got one where they are garbage single coils without bobbins, just wrapped copper coil around two rail magnets. I can send you a photo. I wonder if it was just mine that was garbage or if it's a bigger quality control problem

[@deanallen927]

The only thing I can see wrong with those pickups is the winding is too prefect, which as you set out in your scatter-winding video to disprove - but proved, could be better if you just rewind them the usual way you wind stuff. Probably will sound very good.

[@garyp5522]

Great sounding pickups.

[@rayfabris2512]

ok if you're in a studio and need a strat but you have a les paul with humbuckers and you just have to pull a knob to get the strat sound but if you're doing a gig I don't want to push or pull shit that's what the backstage is for lol

[@tomopie4296]

Could you have put original black knobs on the new tone and volume controls? The gold knobs didn't seem to match the guitar.

[@RobertFisher1969]

Have you done a video on coil split versus wiring a humbucker in parallel? Also, coil-split versus a bass cut circuit? I’ve been considering those options instead of a coil split.

[@johnstangland6900]

Great video! I just purchased an affordable 335 guitar and the very first upgrade will be either a Bartolini PBF-55-BK PBF Jazz Neck Humbucker or a Seymour Duncan SH-55n Seth Lover Neck Vintage 4-conductor Humbucker. I'd much rather spend 1000 bucks on select upgrades than blowing 5 grand just because it says "Gibson" on it. Any preference on these pickups?

[@maldpotato497]

Hey Dylan, just a quick question since no one (from my own search in the internet) has tackled the subject of stacked single coil pickups. Maybe you can make a video about what's the difference, an actual sound test and what would happen if that stacked single coil is wired in parallel, would it also sound as close as a true single coil? Thanks for the great content as always!

[@topdog6742]

Gorgeous guitar! Sounds amazing with your Mods. The tone is awesome.

[@Richie7390]

Thanks for the advice

[@ercntreras]

Sounds so good!

[@peterwelsh1932]

Can’t wait to watch this! Weird CoincidAnce: just got a mint Epiphone ES-335 PRO. I’ve always wanted a BBKing (or RUSH, Hooker or Chuck Berry) 335. But : I always thought I’d get a Varitone equipped (and probably cherry red). But this Epi -Pro has Push/Pull volume pots (coil taps” Any body compared these coil-tap Epi’s to a Varitone? Does it do the same thing tone wise? Different concept , right? Coil tap is a coil length whereas I’d imagine that the Varitone is a set of selectable resistors (?…l

[@Michael777Simmons]

Awesome thanks 😊

[@HelterSkelter736]

Thanks Dylan, great video! Did you have to enlarge the potentiometer holes on your Epiphone 335 to fit the pots shaft from the jerseyshore jimmy page wiring? Also, were you able to pass in thru everything inside without enlarging the f-hole to do so? Looking to mod my ES335 inspired by Gibson as well!

[@MonkeyBrains007]

Dylan, do you think this setup would be a great tool for rock, heavy southern rock type music?

[@jeffreymorreale7223]

Knowing someone like you could struggle made me feel way less stupid whan I attepmpted the same mod to my Riviera. What a nightmare.

[@newgunguy4176]

No. Not, as good as a Gibson. The thing is, though, it doesn't have to be. Check out Tim Lerch's Epiphone ES-335 demo. He plays so beautifully that it doesn't matter if it's as good as a Gibson.

[@DMSProduktions]

Sounds nice! Good 1 Dyl! \m/

[@ramencurry6672]

Pick ups can make a big difference. I had my repairman install Fralin pickups in my Epiphone. It sounds so good that my Gibson stays packed away in the closet.

[@embreesmith7613]

Epi's come with crap p'ups

[@mikehickey6256]

I saw a guy online with an Epi 335 and he changed out the Stop tail piece and apparently it made it dramatically more resonant. Do you think that mod can really make that big of a difference?

[@futilejester]

In case you're still interested I just did this, along with a new bridge, both from Faber. Made a noticable difference to the unplugged tightness and brightness of the strings.

[@deanallen927]

I had a world famous guitar repair guy tell me the Pure Tone jacks always break. He's had to replace three because of that so far.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Ooohhhh…. Like WORLD famous?

[@bce3210]

@@DylanTalksTone yea. And they always break. Not even sometimes.

[@FilipeDiogo49]

I have a guitar like that, just different colour... mine is an epiphone sheraton II Pro, I swapped pickups and I bought some 2nd hand ones from a late 90's Gibson Les Paul, I wish I knew about Dylan talks tone pickups cause the pickups I got are way too high output, I got them cause they are Gibsons and gold.... I should have done more research, I may yet swap them again cause the guitar is not sounding how I intended

[@lucretiabanks8334]

What type of tuners are on this guitar? We have one that constantly goes out of rune 😢

[@tpmit]

did you have to modify the body to install the new wiring? meaning the holes for the pots. Also what shaft length and what capacitor did you pick for the harness? thanks

[@carlosalves4444]

I do wonder if the magic mojo can be had with a 7 band EQ pedal and a decent tube amp, instead of continuous pot, cap and pickup changes. By the time you've spent over $300+ time, can you really hear such a significant change in tone? and then come to the conclusion it still sounds like an Epiphone? so what's the point.?

[@stevenperry1189]

Great video! I'd love to swap the positions of my 3 way switch and the bridge pickup volume control on my 335 copy. Would it be as easy as I think? Thanks

[@jeffmclowry]

Dylan, cool videos! How do you tell an alnico 5 manner from a 2 and others? Thanks for your time. Jeff

[@paulmcnary4277]

Nice job Dylan. What do you think of using in a SG build? The pups and wiring?

[@DylanTalksTone]

heck yes and Jimi makes a harness for SGs because they are thinner

[@tonymesser6988]

This is the video that convinced me to subscribe! Great stuff and thanks for the video.

[@chrislatham1184]

Noob here…. Would you recommend this same upgrade for a Gretsch streamliner g2622?

[@Bliggick]

I wanted to upgrade the pickups in my 1996 Epiphone Riviera. Instead of mini humbuckers it was factory fitted with full sized humbucker pickups. I can't find a replacement for the neck pickup because it has a smaller pole piece spacing of 1 7/8 inches to match the closer spacing of the strings due to the slightly narrower fretboard. So far I haven't found a pickup online that has this pole piece spacing. Does anybody make a pickup this size?

[@yakfishin4912]

How can you call that hitting the amp hard? Very soft to me

[@DylanTalksTone]

Every one hears things differently. Thanks for watching

[@PaulBaughman2142]

did you get the short or the long Shaft Length?

[@benallmark9671]

I’m wondering if it’s at all possible to make any copy Gibson of any kind as good as a Gibson , or is it just not gonna happen. Thoughts ?

[@ramencurry6672]

For me….the main reason why I own a Gibson is because the neck on my model is outstanding. As a bonus, the body finish is super fancy. It looks like some kind of fancy tiger stripe wood pattern design. I play my Epiphone way more because I have Fralin pickups installed and it sounds better than the Gibson. As a nice bonus, the neck is also just as good as the Gibson but it doesn’t have that fancy artistic wood design

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Put good Gibson type stuff on your Gibson copy and get a good setup and you're 99% there and practice practice. I always say, don't obsess over all that boutique gear. Evh recorded eruption on a junk picked guitar that he built.... Warren dimartinis #1 was a charvel seconds body that he had built. Don't think you need custom shop, Gibson, bogner, Friedman, duesenburg or John suhr anything... they're nice but far from required.

[@quiksilver78]

What is the pole spacing on the bridge humbucker? Gibson sized or more Trembucker territory?

[@winningatmusic7586]

Great Vid - Danny at #winningatmusic HQ picked up a Korean Epi 335 a while back, it's a bit dull (sonically), and just doesn't get played - I think we'll wrestle it off him and see what we can do with it upgrade wise...Thanks

[@DaringDan]

the moral of the story is buy some gibson pickups and pop them in your epiphone and save yourself a few grand and get over the vanity of having gibson on the headstock and voila!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Lol… no.

[@gustavobilbao8963]

FABULOUS !!!!;!

[@johnm3152]

Sweet!

[@BudiPrasetyoHarsono]

You should do Epiphone Casino, please

[@reflectormate4814]

cool video

[@pippydog28]

Epiphones are now Gibson's . Gibson's are my fave . But sometimes epiphones are just easier to play and easier to get set up right ;p

[@jonnybeck6723]

It's the good switch lollypop...

[@jonnybeck6723]

So the DI is exactly like a real speaker and I can't see your pickup selector switch...

[@DylanTalksTone]

That is why I said OUTLOUD what pickups I was using. ;)

[@jonnybeck6723]

@@DylanTalksTone I know I know It's just a pet peeve of mine and besides I was inna MOOD

[@chrisparker5278]

I tried to buy a set but the website looks like you only ship to USA. Is that right?

[@DylanTalksTone]

we ship all over the world

[@shanewalton8888]

Nah. He has shipped to me in Japan twice so far.

[@jonnybeck6723]

@5:00... it's really low output now...

[@DylanTalksTone]

6.2 K Alnico 5 when split. Just like a fender single.

[@jonnybeck6723]

@@DylanTalksTone @5:00 it ain't 6.2k any more....

[@deanallen927]

NNNNNnnnnoooooo!!! Not Pull pots!

[@1972Georges]

dont like the gold knobs.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Fortunately those have nothing to do with the tone and can be replaced for like 5 dollars…

[@JuanJaim]

Oh, great, I get to be the first one in the comments to say "Blah blah blah that's not how you're supposed to do it blah blah blah"! Now, being serious, I want my next guitar to be a guitar with F-holes, and I kind of dread the modding process. Already thinking of improvising some tools to fiddle with it or else I'm gonna get mad and someone's gonna get hurt. Probably me 🙃

[@multipipi1234]

Not a Gibson. Because its an Epiphone.

[@danielemilazzo4610]

GOOD, but how good?

[@markgum2636]

Why if you want a tele get a tele

[@DylanTalksTone]

I just got one

[@leer.2137]

Lost Me on the tones. Camera not on switch. 👎 from the beginning. Suggestion; put up changes on screen in writing

[@patrickfarley8036]

Useless video! The important stuff, fishing the pots into the holes was left out! I just wish he'd said something sooner about not filming that part!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Glad you enjoyed it