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New ES-335's

jalevinemd

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Joined
May 7, 2007
Messages
916
There is a huge price difference between the new Memphis Es-335's and the Custom Shop ones. What is the difference in build quality? What are you getting for the extra $2000?
 

mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
I have a 2014 Dot Reissue (the standard USA stamped model) and a new '59 Reissue. The standard model compares surprisingly well. I have absolutely loved owning it. The '59, however, does reveal itself in the most subtle ways. It has more acoustic qualities, it looks much more faithful to actual "real" 59 335's. I got mine in one of the CME blowout deals and didn't pay much more than I paid for the 2014. I would NOT have spent $2K more, but that says more about how good the Standard model is to begin with. And it should be; it is a $3K guitar.

So, to me, it comes down to 1. can you find a great deal on a Custom Shop RI? and 2. how important are the Historical appointments to you?

I could live with the 2014 Standard model as my one and only for life. Great guitar. I love it. However, I tend to play the '59 RI almost exclusively now that it is in my possession.

My nephew recently stated his preference for the 2014 Standard.

I will also say the '59 RI had a few QC shortcomings that a guitar of that level should not have. They aren't permanent and were nitpicky but shouldn't have existed AT ALL.

2014

BhZsf2V.jpg


'59 RI

bObdOOt.jpg
 
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c_wester

Well-known member
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
2,116
The answer to your question is, try before you buy.
I have a non custom shop and I cannot imagine a customshop sounding better.
 

Pellman73

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Aug 9, 2016
Messages
1,762
Try to find a warren Haynes

can get for 3-3500 used and they are the shnizzle

not just my opinion...
 

mr kenny

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2015
Messages
39
Any of the recent CS 3xx's seem to be really nice. The specifications set them apart. I have a VOS '58, played it yesterday and it amazed me several times. The spec's were the reason I chose the '58. No binding on the neck (.90/1.00), historic truss rod, MM ears, hide glue etc. I did change the MHS pickups and after a long search found Wolfetone Legends gave me what I wanted to hear. I have a little experience with ES models. Had a '59 es345 for a while, a long time ago. As I remember this '58 is right up there. I REALLY like this guitar.

http://
 

P.Walker

New member
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
941
Any of the recent CS 3xx's seem to be really nice. The specifications set them apart. I have a VOS '58, played it yesterday and it amazed me several times. The spec's were the reason I chose the '58. No binding on the neck (.90/1.00), historic truss rod, MM ears, hide glue etc. I did change the MHS pickups and after a long search found Wolfetone Legends gave me what I wanted to hear. I have a little experience with ES models. Had a '59 es345 for a while, a long time ago. As I remember this '58 is right up there. I REALLY like this guitar.

I played this one a while ago. This has the AXXXXX serial just like the nashvilles used to have right?

Either way, sounded the best out of the bunch of 335s on the wall, including a 59 nashville vos 335 in blonde. That one had the binding but the 58 had the better tone.
 

mr kenny

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2015
Messages
39
I played this one a while ago. This has the AXXXXX serial just like the nashvilles used to have right?

Either way, sounded the best out of the bunch of 335s on the wall, including a 59 nashville vos 335 in blonde. That one had the binding but the 58 had the better tone.
The traditional orange label pencil marked ES335TDN with serial# AOXXXX is visible thru the upper F hole.
There's a noticeable acoustic clarity unplugged.
 

Ken Fortunato

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 26, 2006
Messages
2,742
Try to find a warren Haynes

can get for 3-3500 used and they are the shnizzle

not just my opinion...

My Haynes 335 is my only 335 at the moment... LOVE IT!!! :salude

To answer the OP's question... The Memphis stuff is pretty damned good... Good enough that I wouldn't spend 2 grand more for essentially the same guitar...

21329743170_066c51bb1f_h.jpg
 

akstrat61

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Feb 16, 2004
Messages
1,845
Do any of the Standard models come with a larger neck profile? If so, which ones?:hank
 

Don

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Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
Do any of the Standard models come with a larger neck profile? If so, which ones?:hank

The neck on my 2017 Memphis ES-335 Figured is 1.688" wide at the nut, .852" thick at the first fret, and .970" thick at the 12th. It's not real big, but big enough. I like it.

It seems like all ES-335s are different. This one is a little less loud and fat acoustically than some that I've played- I was disappointed when I pulled it out of the box and strummed it acoustically! Then I plugged it in and found that it had a focused sound that blew me away- it cuts through and every note is really defined, yet the note seems to have a "bubble around it" that pops as you hit it. It works so well with a band!
After wanting a real ES-335 for many years and thinking that I knew what I wanted all those years, this guitar changed my expectations of an ES-335.

I wish I could take a pic of it that looks good. I can't seem to capture the flame and the color. I need to take it outside.
 
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mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
The newer Standard models have the "medium" neck as posted by Don ^^^^ .

If you are used to '58 RI LP's it won't feel big, but if you have guitars with all sorts of differing neck sizes, it is a nice chunky medium neck.

My ES LP has a similar sized .85" - .95" rounded neck, almost no shoulders, and I love its medium and comfy feel.

The really big ones are reserved for the RI guitars.

There is a '58 RI on CME's site for low $3k right now.

My 2014 Dot RI is .81" - .88" with a wide nut. It is very comfortable to play.

My '59 RI is the biggest neck on any of my guitars, both width and depth. It makes my ES 330 feel average and the 330 has a huge neck. The '59 still has very mellow shoulders, making it very comfy to play. But it is BIG.
 

1jamman

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
610
There is a huge price difference between the new Memphis Es-335's and the Custom Shop ones. What is the difference in build quality? What are you getting for the extra $2000?

If things are ~ still the same(I haven't been following this lately) All 3X5's bodies are still build in Memphis , It's when those that will be CS builds , the differences start .I'd guess to say the CS might do runs of their own specs at times . So it depends on that 1 or run of guitars .

IMO , Necks seem to have a different shape (from the 1's I've bought and/or tested) . More hands on work from a CS guitar ? Some Memphis like the '59 RI 335 get different woods in their build , hide glue in some ... It's a Historic Spec build and gets that designation in it's serial number ...Different Pups for Memphis and CS 335's (normally) I don't recall if the pots and harness are somewhat different now . IIRC Memphis uses 550K pots now and CS uses 500K? So there are differences . I'd always go with what plays sounds best for you over any paper spec. differences . it's all about what the end result is ...

For me ,I bought a 2013/14 (I don't recall off hand right now) Memphis '59 RI Blister top(my 1st 335 and all hide glued spec) and it still is the best 3X5 I've bought or played of all the my new issued 3X5's ....( the interesting thing about that time with Gibson was that much of the 3X5 builds were done at Memphis by CS workers who moved over to Memphis. This run was done at both shops and early COA's are CS )


I wouldn't get hung up on which shop built it ... more important , imo, how well it works for you ...
 

Red Rogue

Active member
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
166
Recently I had the chance to play some expensive Memphis/Custom Shop ES 335. I loved the look and sound of a plain 59 RI CS 335. The one thing that bothered me was the rough Centerblock and the F-holes. At this price point I would expect that even those non visible parts would have been sanded.
Maybe it is a "historic" feature, but is it common for Gibsons 335?
 

Trans-Am

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Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
4,686
Makes me wonder why the 2016 Memphis line up of the Studio is more expensive at one time than the currently Studio lineup.

Depending on the year as the new ones offered are cheaper with only difference of the neck material/gig bag as opposed to the HSC offered in 2016:bigal

Not sure if it still comes with a COA? in which mine came with.
Am sure glad I found one NOS demo model with HSC and COA/pickguard included but not installed.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/64345569@N03/48690904098/in/dateposted/" title="IMG_2696"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48690904098_ab99e0df7b_c.jpg" width="600" height="800" alt="IMG_2696"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Studio line has got to be the best bang for you buck that you shouldn't dismiss before you dig deep in your rich pockets.:biggrin:

Cheers!
 
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