[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

after one month of test and inquiring, here is what I've found

the Classic 57 in my ES355 Memphis were overly bright and very close to an Alnico5 pickups type, so maybe they've mixed A2 and A5 magnets at the factory or maybe produce a batch of A2 magnets with a very high Gauss magnetic field

I've replaced the pickups with a set of S-Duncan Antiquity, which were better sounding, but got even a better result with a set of Alnico4  humbuckers, which is perfectly balance in this guitar

hope this could help people with same issue

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

Thanks for your comments.

I'm not familiar with Gibson and been extremely surprised how bright and honky was the tone, compared to my japanese ES type, which is more balanced in tone, probably because of a maple neck.

So after one week inquiring, I'm happy that there's nothing wrong with my ES355, just a different world.

 

 

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

On 10/15/2022 at 5:56 AM, Larsongs said:

 What kind of Amp are you using?

I use a vox ac30, which seems to be uncommon with an ES guitar, but this my amp, so I've to deal with it 🙂

 

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

17 hours ago, Larsongs said:

..... Some are brighter & some are warmer.. To my ear the 490R & 498T combo sound the most reminiscent.. The MHS next closest.. The 57’s are something else & definitely brighter.. All sound good though with the right Amps…

you don't mention the Custombuckers, so not so good that we could expect ?

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

it seems the pickups are not PAF '57 Classics, but MHS (Memphis Historic Specifications) a kind of Custombuckers, with less turns, so could be a reason of my surprise

I don't think it comes from the richlite fretboard material, especially on an electric guitar

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

9 hours ago, Wmachine said:

Looks like Gibson was going for a brighter output.  About your pups they say "

Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback. Matched bobbin windings for classic humbucker tone with enhanced highs. Wax potted to suppress feedback. The Bigsby will a small amount of brightness vs stand bridges.

that's could be the reason !

Where have you found this info, maybe a link  ?

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

thank you for all your answers ! (I modified my post, it's bridge pup which is very bright) 
I'll try to record a sound or video file to show what I mean

here the guitar

[ES 355 Memphis 2016]

Hello,

I've recently bought an ES 355 Memphis 2016 and been very surprise how bright it sounds, especially the bridge pickup ... overly bright.

Have some of you experienced the same and how do you explain that ?

I heard that the wiring could be different on the Memphis, but would it produce more treble ???

Pickus are supposed to be Gibson PAF '57 Classics.

Thanks for your help.

Mickael (France)

 

[date Chet Atkins CE]

hello,

I've bought a Gibson Chet Atkins CE , serial number E005

could you help to identify the year of building ?

Thanks