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NGD: Wildwood Spec 1963 Memphis ES-335

57Strat777

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
347
Howdy guys - I've been looking for a ES-335 for about a year. About 2 months ago a guy had a 59 reissue 335 on Craigslist and I offered him a J200 in trade. He was very interested in the trade until he came to my house to do the swap and plugged his 335 into my Friedman amp. He ended up playing his 335 thru the Friedman for about 30 minutes and forgot about my J200. He then passed on the trade. So the search continued.

The other day I found this 335 and ended up buying it. It's a VOS 63 Wildwood spec 2015 Memphis. I am glad the first trade didn't work out because this natural finish and the dark neck is awesome. Also I really like the 63 neck taper. It is about .82 at the first fret but swells to a generous .98 at the 12th fret. it is surprisingly comfortable to play. MHS low wind PUs are sweet sounding too.

This guitar has nylon saddles. I wanted to ask if you guys think I should swap the saddles out with brass?

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larrykwilliams

Active member
Joined
Feb 27, 2007
Messages
144
Beautiful! There is something about a Natural 335 that is mesmerizing.

I have one on the way that should be here on Friday. I already have a Cherry (not figured maple), but Natural just "gets" me.

The nylon saddles are not something that I like much. A very good friend of mine has a genuine 1961 ES335 that he purchased NEW........yeah, he's a lot older than me. That thing has original PAFs in it!!! But it also has nylon saddles. Comparing it to my 2007 model is not really fair to mine, but his does have a slightly duller sound from the strings because of the saddles.

If it were me, I would swap the bridge and keep the original in the case for later. However, you may like it just like it is. It really depends on the sound you are going for. The nylon should lean more toward that "jazzy" sound. Nickel plated brass or titanium would be brighter. I play more country and blues on mine, so the brass gives me what I need.

Have fun. That is an absolutely gorgeous guitar!!!!
 

57Strat777

Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2015
Messages
347
Thanks Larry! I think you're right. Probably best to just get a whole new bridge. Then I can easily swap them out if I want. I just ordered a TonePros replacement bridge with brass saddles for the 335. I have one on my R8 and like it pretty good. I like the nylon saddle sound on the 335 and I play rock/blues, but I can't help but wonder what untapped tone lies ahead with brass saddles.
 

GuitarMikey

Active member
Joined
Mar 1, 2013
Messages
910
Try them both and see what you like :salude

I have a few 335s and some have nylon and some have brass. To me, not a huge difference, but the nylon does seem to sound warmer.

Either way, wonderful looking guitar!
 

ZZ Not

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
744
Fantastic looking guitar, I wouldn't change a damn thing!

OK, I think you're right, try a whole other bridge and see what you think.
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
Very nice! I like how they are doing the finishes in Memphis now. Kinda matte but not.
 

wmachine

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
303
The nylon saddles are not something that I like much. A very good friend of mine has a genuine 1961 ES335 that he purchased NEW........yeah, he's a lot older than me. That thing has original PAFs in it!!! But it also has nylon saddles. Comparing it to my 2007 model is not really fair to mine, but his does have a slightly duller sound from the strings because of the saddles.

If it were me, I would swap the bridge and keep the original in the case for later. However, you may like it just like it is. It really depends on the sound you are going for. The nylon should lean more toward that "jazzy" sound. Nickel plated brass or titanium would be brighter. I play more country and blues on mine, so the brass gives me what I need.

This pretty much sums it up re the nylon saddles. If you want it to sound like the originals, then keep the nylon saddles.
Sure brass and titanium saddles make it brighter, and I've read numerous "complaints" about the nylon saddles being "too dull", and the fix is to swap to metal. But it is not a "problem". If you don't like it, fine. But as illustrated above, the original sound is pretty much nailed. One should not portray it as a problem just because it is something one don't like. Especially when it is correct to the original sound which is very point of a reissue. Gibson is well aware of the differences and preferences, that's why only reissues have nylon saddles. It is not like nylon saddle are a higher cost feature.

FWIW, for me, the solution was had by getting 2 different models. A 2016 '64 ES-345 TDC VOS Maestro (nylon saddle), which nails the original sounds in spades. And a 2016 ES-335 Premiere Figured Faded Lightburst, which is an unusual model in that it is built essentially to reissue specs but has no "reissue year" associated with it. Has MHS pups, but titanium saddles. Has a fantastic sound, and yes, brighter, but far from brassy.
They have very different voices, but both are excellent unto themselves.
That all said, I would expect the 335 to be a little more versatile for varied use. I say expect, because I have not yet put them though a side by side "versatility test".
 
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mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,020
Sweet! :yah

That is a real beauty.

My recent '59 RI is so good it almost hurts. I hope you enjoy your '63 RI as much!
 

latestarter

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
4,173
That's a beautiful guitar. I just put the original Nylon saddles back on my '65 SG and I'm liking the difference for now. It's knocked the very top end off which this guitar needed. But the difference isn't staggering.
 

reddeluxe

Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2017
Messages
82
Concur on the two completely different bridge/saddles option. For me (and I make my living by playing music that requires playing a wide range of styles/tones), the titanium saddles on the vintage style ABR-1 give the widest range of tone, depending on the pickups selection, tone control settings on the amp, pick or fingers, etc. Titanium is very dynamic in HOW you play the strings, gives very good sustain, wears very well and gives an extremely clear tone, not simply brighter or greater treble. I feel like it responds quicker to the initial attack of the note. Ironically, since that material did not exist in the vintage "Golden Age" 335's (factory saddles originally started as plated brass, then morphed into the nylon type), you would think the TI saddles would sound quite a bit different, but I find I can get a very authentic, classic 3xx sound, with a minimum of knob tweaking. Having a completely different bridge, pre adjusted, would make swapping them painless, and you could directly compare the tone/playing feel and tailor the guitar to the style music you are playing. But the best of all worlds, for me is simply using the TI saddles. Hint: one of the most versatile players of the 335 in history and a huge musical hero of mine, Larry Carlton, uses TI saddles.
 

Dothedew

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
220
First off congrats on the 335TDN! These Memphis guitars are really really fine instruments. Are the WW versions of these hand selected?
 

MikeyGesus

New member
Joined
Sep 25, 2013
Messages
2
DUDE!!! I am about 98% positive I almost bought that exact guitar off of CL back in May or June - I didn't because my CPA scared me about owing $ on my 2017 tax return and because the seller confided in me that he was having serious heart burn about selling the guitar - which I've regretted selling a few guitars, so I agreed to no buy it.
The good news is I didn't end up owing taxes and bought one of the Wildwood Spec 1959 335's in Candy Apple Blue. The price tag was nasty, but truly on e of the best guitars I've ever played.
Congrats on the new guit-fiddle!
 

bern1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
Great! Every one of those I’ve ever picked up sounded and felt great, although I never plugged one in.. yet.
 

1jamman

New member
Joined
Feb 28, 2013
Messages
610
HNGD , You got a beauty ....:salude

I bought 1 of these (not a WW version , But still VN finish) in 2015 and IMO , It has 1 of the best necks of any of my Gibson's .

I like the nylon saddles , it's a personal thing. taking off some of the high end brightness ,gets the tone I like ..So for me they stay .

There's nothing I feel, I want or would change on the guitar ...
 
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