Favorite quotes so far: 1) “If you’re thinking about doing this-don’t.” 2) “It’s a pain in the fucking ass, quite frankly.” Lol.

Your channel has become my favourite channel because you are honest and show the highs and the lows of modding a guitar. I appreciate your honesty and hard work. Keep doing what you are doing.

I’ve attempted this, so I feel your pain. 😀 Even my guitar tech, who has done many, told me it is a very tricky job. Just pay someone else to do it.

Swearing...Wires...Poking around...I'm in, sounds like fun...a sterling job man, well done on all fronts. Colouring the pot spline tops with felt tip could be worth doing for anyone giving it a go, make a map incase it gets tangled inside...and plugging in a jack without it's jacket and tying the fishing line to the lug...great series this.

Two things that I can recommend right off the bat. First, get a violin sound post setter ( the "S" curved type with the "clover leaf" on one end, you'll know what I mean when you see one), they really help with maneuvering the pots into place. Next, you can run your cord down the inside of the jack, make a loop around one of the contacts and run your cord back out the center of the jack; that way you can pull the jack into the hole, hold it there with your cord and put the nut on, you then release one end of your line and pull the whole bit out the center of the jack. You can also make a jack seating tool out of a cheap, molded end guitar cable by cutting off the outside layer of plastic so it will fit through a jack hole--you plug cable in and pull the jack out the hole. I think the cord looped around one of the lugs works better. I'm hardly an expert at this, but I've done it a few times and it really does get easier.

I’m sorry to say that I was VERY entertained by your process. You are a genuine person, going through a project that sounds like an easy enough job and we could see you slowly get discourage (head off to you for your patience), I was laughing out loud. It was priceless, I can see myself doing the same. Loved that you kept on turning the camera off and on. Just amazing seeing you do this and be somewhat willing to do it again. Sincerely, thank you. I will do the same on mine and be thinking off you.

I don't even have the patience to change strings on my guitars... Hats Off Guitarista!!

I really admire the fact you replaced the wiring harness first without a pickup change. We appreciate your work sir. Love from Ukraine.

Been looking forward to this video all week. Glad I found this channel. Loved the '59 les paul videos, which led me down all of your videos.

I can really sense the dread of next week’s video @37:00. I want to jump across the pond and give you a hug and tell you it’s going to be alright. Carry on.

I always enjoy a "perilous journey" down these rabbit holes! Great video and playing. I think this guitar sounds very nice. Looking forward to the difference the new pickups make.

I remember choosing my first guitar to make. Guess what it was!? An ES 335, how smart was I? It was a blast to figure out how to make it work. It was a work of passion and I had the same conversations with myself. Frustration station was what I called my work area. I’m glad I started there, everything else has been cake to figure out since that one got done.

Don’t pull them out again to change the pickups, cut the wires from the existing pickups and solder to the wires of the new ones! Wouldn’t suggest it for anything other than a semi-solid, but life’s too short! If you do, try aquarium air line tubing! Dip in a mug of boiling water to soften and it pushes onto the splined shafts nicely!

10/10 for effort and honesty … guitar sounds great very articulate well balanced solid sustain luv the low end … hats off to you on this one for seeing it through and true !

Hey Colin, another great but tough to watch episode lol I could feel your frustration man, glad you got there in the end. The guitar is sounding great, can't wait to see the new pick ups going in.Thanks for sharing. Great playing. Take care.

Every DIY guitar modder needs to do this at least once. I feel your pain and your frustration. Thanks for the video great job!

You have the gift of rambling and keeping it entertaining. Even my wife like watching your videos with me. I have recently moved on to the classic style guitars you review. I used to be a shred guitar guy. I find your videos very useful.

I've been watching the video all the the way and all I can say is you are a badass dude. I can hear the difference all the way through. I'm 72 yrs. old and my hats off to you. Robert Miracle from California

Its crazy the amount of work necessary to replace the wiring on a 335....I suppose that changing the pickups will be very difficult as well, but I'm looking forward to see that too!!

You are a wonderful Southend geezer. These silly soppy vids have enriched my life immensely. I love watching 'em. In truth, I'm not a good enough player to notice the difference but I've bought a Casino for a bargain price @PeachGuitars and I'm building up the courage to butcher it's innards.

I recently renovated a 60s Hofner made easier by having a surface mounted scratchplate but harder because it has surface mounted pickups without big holes! I used bent coat hangers where you used fishing line which made it a bit easier to poke bits through the hole but it was still like herding kittens. Thanks for the honest video

Well, despite my comment 8 months earlier I’ve installed the Monty’s Guitars 335 loom in my “inspired by” 335. Things I learned from this video and from comments - I made a tool from a tent peg which is similar in shape to the violin tone post tool. It worked brilliantly for hooking wires and for helping push the pots into the holes. I also made a tool from an old jack and a guitar string to connect to the jack and pull through. I used dental floss to tie to each pot to assist with pull through. Most importantly I took off the bridge humbucker to reveal the hole in the centre block. I had to order a new tip switch as my original does not fit the new one. I’ve kept the original pickups but I have to say the result is brilliant. Much better than I imagined it could be. Overall including a new setup (including neck relief), strings and a clean it took me around 4 hours. Can’t be happier. So I’d say it is worth it. Thanks for this video and for all the comments which helped a great deal.

Each episode has shown definite improvement with the Epi 335. Great to see all the work that goes into making a decent guitar into a really good guitar. Will stay tuned for the next offering. Cheers again from Canada.

God bless your patience mate. Someone get that man a brandy! 😂 No seriously fair play, that harness has Really brought a lot of clarity to the tone. Great video. Can't wait to hear the PAFs in there! (God help ya 😂)

These upgrade videos are so enjoyable. Having learned to do setup and repair to a certain extent (out of financial necessity and a scarcity of local repair techs), I can appreciate how much this can tie a person in knots, and how great it feels to be successful. More please!

Ordered one so these videos a really interesting can’t wait for the next one pick up !!! Good job !

Captain hindsight is gonna have a fieldday with this one😂. Seriously love the honesty in your videos. Trial&error is How experience is built right🤷‍♂️. (First time guitarowner of an hb35 plus in 3 days🤟)

I admire your patience…there is no way I’m going to try this out in person! Overall excellent job mate, I can hear the difference.

Thanks for another great video Colin, watching these is one of the things I look forward to on Fridays. I really want to see how much difference the Monty PAF's will make also that play-out was awesome! See you next Friday.

I love watching you make these modifications so I don't have to! I'm quite satisfied with the feel and tone of my stock Epiphone 335, but I know that in this price point you can get a lot of variation in quality and performance between individual instruments of the same model. One guitar can feel tight, lively, and professional; while another can be dull, loose, and clunky.

Im so glad im not the only one that has a hard time changing stuff. I always wonder why manufacturers dont just charge an extra dime and put better stuff in from the get go .

interesting to learn the 335 has that hole in the pickup cavity. my es339 does not. not large enough to fit a potentiometer through. i had to fish my volumepots through my f-hole when i swapped out the pickups for a set of 57 classics yesterday. it does sound very sweet with the 57's i must say.

I know I'm 11 months late, but this is your most entertaining & humorous vid I have seen in your pile. I so enjoyed suffering along with you. I have the Sheraton Pro 2 and just very much like how it all works. I see now what I'm up against if the switch or jack goes bonkers. Thanks for your frustrating time. 😄🤣

This has become my favorite channel on youtube all your content is first class well done to all involved

I remember going through a pot replacement with my Gretsch G5622t (also center block). This video reminded me of some dark memories 😵‍💫.

Colin, when you said you had to take it all out again next week to solder the new pickups I screamed! 😱 doing gods work as always 🙏🏻 I've been planning to buy and mod a harley benton hb35 and this has confirmed that I will be leaving the wiring firmly alone. However the bridge upgrades etc have inspired me and saved me time and money. Cash strapped and hungry for tone. You're a top bloke 👏🏼 really appreciate this series

That made a big difference. A lot of the mud is gone now from the sound.

I really enjoy your channel. I’ve done a number of these and have settled into using surgical tubing to fish the pots my fingers can’t reach through the f holes. For the jack, I use a cutoff cheap guitars cord with a straight plug that I grind the plastic down so it slips through the hole in the body. No tangles, no twisted wires this way.

Everything you learn costs you something. This cost you time. I appreciate the effort. Good on you. You never want to give up. Maybe that is the lesson here.

I know you have already done all this, but I am beaming you good vibes and hoisting a beer to your efforts.

I have to admire your patience. I can’t say that I’d really undertake a complete electronics transplant on a semi acoustic although I have carried out the odd repair when there’s no alternative . Rubber tube does look like a great idea but ensure that it’s thin walled enough for the nuts to slide over,( most isn’t). In the past when swapping out cheap pickups for better ones on semi acoustics I’ve cheated by splicing the new pickups on to the old wires via the f holes . It kind of wrecks the old pickups but I’m highly unlikely to use them on anything else, ( if they were any good I wouldn’t be changing them in the first place). Look forward to your next video.

Love the channel. In my humble opinion those pots and the switch are really fine, no need to swap them on that guitar. Cheers!

I really like what you are doing and the way you do it with humility and brilliant attitude !!! I have learned interesting tips from you but also spend $$$$$ on replacing parts on my Epi es-335. I have install a Tonepros System II Tailpiece, a Sung-Il BM-003 Bridge, Gibson 57 Classic Hum, Kluson Deluxe Tuners Tone Pros 2000's TPKLICWD Tonepros and the electronics as well...but not the strings yet 😆. It is now an amazing sounding guitar with his own character modeling the Gibson ES-335 body shape !! Thanks for all your help and tutorials!

Super Sound Man !!! for the pickups upgrade on hollowbody guitars I just cut the pickup wires and put some car radio or Hi-Fi automatic plugs!!! No soldering And its the best way not to get mad if you don't do the whole upgrade (pickups and pots ) at the same time; that's what i did on mine everything at the same moment cause it's hard to do this!

Really enjoying your videos. Still toying with the idea of an Epi 1959 Les Paul on the strength of the videos you’ve done. Keep up the good work

23 minutes in and I'm just about in fits! I'm waiting for the turps and a match ... man you've got the patience of a saint!

You are a very brave man I would never attempt that in a million years! Iy make me wonder how do they do this at the factory when they make these guitar

Better you than me, mate! I feel your frustration through the internet!

Appreciate your honest rendering of how mired and frustrating these DIY projects can become. Any fellow wayward tinkerer can relate. Well done not smashing it to bits.

LOL!!! You did great Brother!! IF, you work on guitars, we have been there. You have more patience than most. Well done, great fun!

I installed a Kluson Aluminum Stop Bar and Kluson Bridge with brass saddles and got the same results, much better sound acoustically and plugged in. Definitely worth the $80!

Wow, i feel your frustration. Ive decided that if I ever upgrade my 339 it will go to a shop!

Loved this one. I just bought a cheap Firefly 335 and was planning on doing these upgrades to it. Not sure that’s in the cards anymore. One idea for the pickup swap, rather than pulling everything out again, snip the old pickup wires at a length where you can solder it together with the new ones. It would save hours of time. You may have to leave that loose lock washer in there though. Lol. Great stuff. Keep them coming.

I won't lie and say that I wasn't laughing through most of this, but I was laughing with you and not at you. I've been there mate and I'll never do it again. You're bravery is not so much your willingness to take this on but in your willingness to document and publish it to the world. Cheers and subscribed!

I change the wiring loom on all my guitars. I find that does more to shape tone than actually changing pick ups. This may be sacrilege, but the cheapest and best way to get the tone you’re looking for is actually changing the type of pick you use.

the demo at the end the epi sounds STUNNING!

My heart was in my mouth watching this. Proper anxiety and I have never even done this to my 335.

In place of a wiring loom make one yourself from the original using CTS pots some two sprag caps with switchcraft switch and Jack. Less than £40! Put it all together when you change the pots. Try using braided fishing line, it's much more flexible than the nonviolent that he used!

There really isn't enough use of the word "Twat" on KZfaq. Well done.

Ahhh man, the best belly laugh I've had for years!!!

The easiest way with the strings is to follow the way you get the kit inside and pull out first the jack then the tones and after the volumes and at last the the toggle switch...That's the way I did my first one on a 335 copy. it went easily but by the F holes as they were a bit bigger than on my ES-339, I will do it like you show us, by the bridge pickup cavity hole ;) Secret is to do it slowly ! I do it bit by bit/as Im retreated. Cheers My Friend.

Thanks for the warning. I have an Epiphone 335 that looks almost exactly like yours, and I was thinking about re-wiring it.

Done a few similar projects. It's very satisfying when it comes together after all frustration

What's there to say but yet another epic video from what has quickly become my favorite guitar-related YT channel. Thanks for doing all that in the name of science, the frustration of it all was palpable, and I can't deny there was a certain amount of rubbernecking and glad it wasn't me to my watching. Absolutely loved the nearly seven minutes extended play-out as well. Whether you get stuck in right away with the pickups or slide in a diversion for the next video, I'll be watching!

Late on this series of ES 335 videos..... This is awesome.... This is the best UK channel - The Empire Strikes Back.....🤪

WOW, the tone is popping now!

Thanks for this! I’ve found a cavity in the bridge in my Heritage H-535! Will be much easier to switch out electronics through there!! 😅

Lord. This wasnt easy to watch with all the wires. Especially since i am not the most patient guy. I'd have killed the guitar multiple times. respect and very educating. and great end play Lord Colin!

I did this on my 2002 Epiphone Dot about ten years ago, what a job. There was some trick I discovered to keep them from getting tangled, but I’ll be damned if I remember what it was. This is bringing back memories of that unpleasant job, though.

Hi from France, Very honest and refreshing video. I've got one es339 to rewire, kind of scared now!!!

Love these videos.... We call your type of fingers here in Australia (passionate fingers) .... well done for your persistence and getting it done, and saving some of us grief....

Excellent thanks for sharing

With baited breath and heartfelt hopes of smooth sailing psychically sent your way on each step😎👍 A lead end on wire would help with with the jack. Still believe an access back plate ala the ES333 would be a smat idea 🤣 Thanks for going down this rabbit hole for us. 😎👍 Perhaps with all the blood, sweat and tears you will want to keep this ES335, as you may have bonded with it through this exercise. Had hoped that you would have opted for the surgical tubing over the lines (as I also did), because it is much easier. Guess I should have suggested that...my bad😊 It does sound great😎👍 The new pups are just that one next step we are all looking forward too😎👍 You ROCK 😎👍 😎👍❤🖖 Love brother

OMG man. I would've smashed it. I will be taking my Casino to a luthier for the harness upgrade. Thank you!

I wanted to build a Les Paul clone but with f holes (so no back cavities, wiring through the holes). Now I'm ordering an SG.

Thanx for doing this..... for Our pleasure, and for Science. 10/10.

Hi Colin, hope you are well, funny line: which is obviously very strong, ain't gonna break, "Famous last words". hilarious.Take care.

Hi Colin, Another great video, your channel is starting to become my favourite guitar related channel, really interesting stuff every week. Could sense the frustration coming through on this video with the installation, a tough watch from that perspective. I am going to hold off on my judgement of the upgrades until I see the pickup swap video, but the series has been a really interesting one so far, with plenty to take from it. Keep up the great work!

I bought the same guitar about a month ago and was thinking about changing it to 50’s wiring. It dosent look like fun. Hopefully mine has the hole you found. Maybe it will be a little easier.

Hi ya Colin , thank you for attempting the upgrade , hats off you you Colin . I could feel my frustration building up seeing the snags you came up to . If it was me trying to do that ! I would probably be sitting at the work bench looking at a pile of firewood ! But bless you for getting through it and I will definitely take your advice and never attempt it . Bonus was the guitar sounded much more open , love it

Done the removal and install twice so far and need to do it again - I bought an ex demo ES335 with a wiring fault - I've extracted all the bits through the F hole - re-soldered the wire that dropped off - reinstalled the loom - disassembled again to find another wire dethatched while I was putting it back together - my stock loom had been repaired several times and twice more by me (I guess by the shop I bought it from - tbh it seems to be a mess of poor/dry joints and bad soldering). Think I will make an all new loom properly rather than fix it again.

I hope someone got you a drink after all that, you deserve it: Great Video ! Can't wait to hear the Monty's pafs. Really enjoyed the play out jam, all that pent up frustration came flowing right out of it! Nice one Colin.

I've found success with using plastic tubing to snake pots through the cavity etc. has more stability than fishing line.

For the tricky jack socket, feed the wire through the centre of the socket and tie the wire to the cable. Nothing will then foul the clearance fit of the socket hole. Just a thought many weeks too late! A wonderful watch anyway, Colin you brave man you!

Can't wait for pickup change. This thing comes to life. Having the same kind of guitar, Firefly FF338 actually, waiting for being upgraded. Have pickups already, pots are on the way. Having troubles finding lightweight tailpiece, living kind of far from countries it is available in.

I’ve swapped the loom’s on a Strat and an Epi Les Paul (both with Monty’s loom’s) and have heard the improvements (The Les paul was more difficult because of imperial/metric issues). I’ve been contemplating getting one of these 335’s and was thinking a Monty’s loom would be a good way to go but after seeing this document of struggle I would be much less inclined to attempt it. But fair play for persevering, it definitely makes a difference in the guitar’s clarity of tone.

Forgive me, but I laughed through the whole video. I'm so sorry. I would've totally been drinking Jim Beam through that whole process. The guitar does sound better. Can't wait to hear the new pups.

Thanks for the reply on pt. 3, Colin. I think the overall sound improvement here, compared to the sound on part 1 is quite majestic… (almost) definitely (🙄) worth the extreme aggravation you experienced. Regarding the pick-up change, I wouldn’t bother, sounds great as it is! If you need to scratch your pickup upgrade itch, do it on a Strat, I’ll guarantee it’s a lot easier. 🥴 Great series! 👍

I didn’t know the “proper” way; I wasn’t laughing. I will be heading out into the weeds after you to put some Seymour Duncan P-Rails in to my 2000 Epiphone Dot (and a new wiring harness). I have used the eq pedal, but I am ready to try something new. Thank you for chopping out into the weeds ahead of me.

Great outro ....my Monty's loom arrived yesterday...iv been putting it off lol

I suppose the first time is a bit of a struggle, but damn once you get it. It's only about a 45 min, to an hour and one half job. I built and installed the loom\pots, 3 dog ear P-90s, and set up an epiphone Riveria in about 3 hours, maybe a little more. And YES they do sound better after the up grade

Couldn't bare to see you fish em through the f hole. But I could tell be watching the first few minutes it was going to be an adventure. Think pulling the bridge pickup and pulling em through there is a little easier.

MAN! I really enjoy your playing. You my friend are a great guitarist! Thanks for the great video

This was super helpful! I'm about to go against your advice and have ago myself! Thanks for going through the agonising task first. I definitely learnt a few things.

Hey Colin, From a relative newcomer to your channel...Thanks for the great vid...!! This will be the second of your videos that have really helped. The first was with my Epi 59 Standard LP Limited Edition in which you ran the comparison to a Gibson Custom Shop...very well done. I have a 2019 Epi ES-335 Pro, same color but with block inlays, that I've been wanting to put a pair of Gibson 57" Classics into. I understand it is the pickup that most Gibson ES-335's have. And yes...I've seen the same KZfaq vids that you have...even the one that he uses clear Tygon tubing to hold on to and pass the control knobs thru. It's my understanding that the holes for the Gibson are larger standard size, while the Epi's are slightly smaller metric, so unless you want to enlargen the holes...make sure the pot shafts as well as the input jack are compatible to the Epiphone. That said...I'm going for it..!! I will however wait until your vid on the pickup change out so we can all see what you have learned...In the interest of science of course...! lol No Pressure..!!! Be well...!! Dred P.S. Being a model builder and antique restorer from long ago...it can't be stressed enough that once you've hit a wall with your patience, it is best to stop before what you're doing can lead to a possible negative result. In which case, when you start back up again you have to perhaps undo what you have done, which leads to another round of trying ones patience...or perhaps worse, having to be satisfied with something that could have been done better...either way it creates an undesirable result. Thank you for bringing that important issue to light.

Hi Colin, just subscribed to your channel. Very nice videos! I am binge watching all of ' em!

I did a complete wiring harness change on a Gibson ES345 and Gibson ES355. It is a pig of a job but it's do able never had any real problems with the job.

Great job. You got there in the end. Loving the content on this channel. 👏

I wonder what it would sound like with a orange drop or bumblebee striped capacitor so the neck pickup stops bleeding off treble Anyway world of difference in the tones

I'm tempted to make at least eleven more accounts to give you extra likes for all that effort. Thank you sir