Started a search for a 335. I may go vintage, but I started my search yesterday at my local Guitar Center for new 335's, out of convenience. I don't like the thin neck profile that became popular in the 60's, and I prefer a stop tailpiece, other than that I am looking for standard 335 stuff. There are three versions that I am interested in, one of which I spent time with yesterday:
- Memphis 335 Figured Reverse Burst 2016: $3849 - Wow, I was impressed. Beautiful fit/finish and it just felt awesome. I am coming from a Les Paul and the neck felt quite familiar. Not as fat, but really, really nice. A dream to play actually. This version has Burstbuckers 1 and 2, Grovers, rounded C neck profile, bone nut and nitro finish. I absolutely did not expect to experience such a great guitar out of the box.
- 335 Premier Figured Faded Lightburst 2016: $4150 - Everything from the model above, but with MHS humbuckers, hide glue on neck/fingerboard and braces (maybe more?), historically-correct pots/caps, rounded C neck profile and a different burst pattern. I've only seen it online.
- 1959 335 VOS Vintage Burst: $6500 - This is the Custom Shop '59 Reissue. Has "traditional" C neck (fatter, right?), Kluson's, MHS humbuckers, VOS treatment on hardware and "dots". Presumably, more of this guitar is hand-made, but I am not sure. I've only seen it online.
So, do you folks have experience with these guitars and can further explain the differences? The "Premier" version looks close to the '59 Reissue, at least on paper. I actually prefer Grovers, and while I have lots of years with Les Pauls, the slightly thinner "Memphis" neck profile was very comfortable - sufficient heft IMO - the Premier is supposed to be the same. MHS humbuckers on the Premier and '59 Reissue are reported to be closer to the PAF sound that I know - but I haven't actually heard them yet.
I have no problem paying the difference for the '59 Reissue, but the specs don't appear drastically different from the Premier. Maybe $2k extra is worth it for it to be made totally by-hand?
Again, if you have any insights, please share.
Thanks!
- Memphis 335 Figured Reverse Burst 2016: $3849 - Wow, I was impressed. Beautiful fit/finish and it just felt awesome. I am coming from a Les Paul and the neck felt quite familiar. Not as fat, but really, really nice. A dream to play actually. This version has Burstbuckers 1 and 2, Grovers, rounded C neck profile, bone nut and nitro finish. I absolutely did not expect to experience such a great guitar out of the box.
- 335 Premier Figured Faded Lightburst 2016: $4150 - Everything from the model above, but with MHS humbuckers, hide glue on neck/fingerboard and braces (maybe more?), historically-correct pots/caps, rounded C neck profile and a different burst pattern. I've only seen it online.
- 1959 335 VOS Vintage Burst: $6500 - This is the Custom Shop '59 Reissue. Has "traditional" C neck (fatter, right?), Kluson's, MHS humbuckers, VOS treatment on hardware and "dots". Presumably, more of this guitar is hand-made, but I am not sure. I've only seen it online.
So, do you folks have experience with these guitars and can further explain the differences? The "Premier" version looks close to the '59 Reissue, at least on paper. I actually prefer Grovers, and while I have lots of years with Les Pauls, the slightly thinner "Memphis" neck profile was very comfortable - sufficient heft IMO - the Premier is supposed to be the same. MHS humbuckers on the Premier and '59 Reissue are reported to be closer to the PAF sound that I know - but I haven't actually heard them yet.
I have no problem paying the difference for the '59 Reissue, but the specs don't appear drastically different from the Premier. Maybe $2k extra is worth it for it to be made totally by-hand?
Again, if you have any insights, please share.
Thanks!