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My first 'ES' Gibson Where do I begin?

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
I've never forgotten the first ES 335 I played. A dot neck cherry from 1992. The same year as my Les Paul, identical neck profiles but a sound so good it hurt to leave the shop without it.
For the first time in many years I'm finally in a position to 'go hunting' for my first ES Gibson, but while I can identify a good Les Paul from sheer familiarity I'm lost in the complexity, verity and history of models that have gone through numerous changes over the years.

If you were to point me to three ES 335,s made in the last 10 yrs that I should not ignore in my quest,. Would you mind listing them for me?
You. can list your reasoning for this, I'd be really grateful for your help..

I started this thread in part as I thought it may benefit others in the same position as me
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,947
I would suggest the following:

Memphis built 335 after 2015 but play them first if you can. If not try a place like Wildwood. Any of their reps will give you an honest tone report.

Pre 2015 there are a ton of good Memphis out there, but I would not buy one I had not played (except using a trusted source).

Any used Nashville models.

345's have a different sound and are usually cheaper. I have a Nashville '65 and the fit and finish is wildly good. Don't care for the Varitone though.

I also have a 330 reissue (and I love it for the P90's) but DON'T buy one unless you can play it. They are different altogether.

355's are the bees knees and I hope to have one someday, but it is cleaner and probably not the tone in your head.

The tone in your head: (51 seconds in and after...)

345 Nashville '65 345 (1996?)
36425489996_4d328cfc4a_3k.jpg

335 '59 lemonburst (2015 special run)
36333228881_3ab2ed7995_3k.jpg

335 '58 unbound (2016 memphis)
36151438393_1e9d2574d4_4k.jpg

330 '61 reissue Memphis
38977941695_1782084bc8_4k.jpg
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Renderit,
Wow, great response many thanks.

First thing : You mention post 2015 and pre 2015 Memphis 335,s what should I be looking for? Did something change at this time?

I didn't mention ES 345's but I love the look and the Varitone circuit is a feature I'd love to experience, but the whole stereo thing isn't for me, and whilst the ES 355's are sexy as you like I have a strong preference for a rosewood fingerboard.

Were I living in the U. S. where choice is abundent this would far easier.

An ES 345 Varitone with a mono output is very attractive to me, but availability in the UK will be limited..

Okay, two 335,s that caught my attention other than the historic reissues, are the Warren Hayes and Joe Bonamasser (apologies for my spelling).
Anyone own or familiar with either of these? Opinions?

Another was listed as a '58 fat neck' not the reissue as such but having a slightly deeper body with a large 58 style neck, I believe it has the correct neck tenon joint.. I mention these as examples that may help anyone reading this get a general idea of what I'm looking for..
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,245
You mention 'ES' style then jump to 335s, maybe 3x5s. If you are narrow-cast, then I don't have much to add that's substantively different from Ren...

However, if you are interested in the semi-hollow ES style but are coming from LPs, don't overlook the smaller 339s and semi-hollow ES-Pauls, which get you in a similar tonal neighborhood but with the playability and size of a Lester.

339s heyday were circa 2008 thru 2015, approximately. ES-Pauls had a spurt from the final years of Memphis under Mike Voltz, in the later "20-teens."

Also, explore the routed 'CS' models, the 3x6s, 336, 356 (Custom-level appointments). These are not laminates but solid bodies with substantial routing and F-holes. Note quite laminate tone, but great nonetheless.

Food for thought if you want to expand the aperture. At the very least it gives you an excuse to search out and play some adjacent designs prior to committing to one, at best (?!) it helps expand your list for upcoming GAS attacks.

:salude
 

marshall1987

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
3,278
I've never forgotten the first ES 335 I played. A dot neck cherry from 1992. The same year as my Les Paul, identical neck profiles but a sound so good it hurt to leave the shop without it.
For the first time in many years I'm finally in a position to 'go hunting' for my first ES Gibson, but while I can identify a good Les Paul from sheer familiarity I'm lost in the complexity, verity and history of models that have gone through numerous changes over the years.

If you were to point me to three ES 335,s made in the last 10 yrs that I should not ignore in my quest,. Would you mind listing them for me?
You. can list your reasoning for this, I'd be really grateful for your help..

I started this thread in part as I thought it may benefit others in the same position as me

Not here to disparage Gibson ES-335s, or derail this thread, Many owners are happy with them.

However, for roughly the same purchase price (or less) you can get a high quality Collings I-35-LC (their version of the ES-335) built in limited quantities in Austin, TX. With it's comfortable 15" body width, the I-35-LC is a delight to play. You can find many new and used Collings spec'd out with ThroBak replica PAFs. The highly skilled craftsmen at Collings take enormous pride in their guitars, and customer service is the best in the business. They come with premium Armitage hardshell cases that offer extremely good protection.

Go straight to Collings and you'll be glad you did! https://www.collingsguitars.com/electric-guitars/i35-lc/

Here's my recent I-35-LC.



 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,947
The 345 of mine above is a mono by the way.

Yes, I have a 2013 Custom Shop 339. They are decent guitars with less meat to slam into the chair. Took me a long time to find the right pickups for it though.

Also, the Collings I-35's are awesome.

35711464193_6761612679_3k.jpg


35687650534_26c8ce6772_3k.jpg
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,947
PS. If you are thinking along the lines of an ES and like the smaller size I might recommend the Collings Soco they make in the smaller size.

36124138060_9f79d8a455_3k.jpg

36474168066_dfacd2300c_3k.jpg


Or my favorite guitars of all...B&G. The tone on these is better than anything I have ever heard. These are Little Sister Custom builds with my Big Sister Bass in there.

36520491965_70bd2925b2_b.jpg

36473931816_c37ee816c6_b.jpg
 

wmachine

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2016
Messages
303
I would suggest concentrating on the reissues. They are easily identified generally by having a year associated with the model name. They are generally considered to be a cut above the standard models.
 

mdubya

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 31, 2010
Messages
1,017
I have Memphis made ES guitars from 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018.

2013 ES 330 VOS
2014 ES 335 Dot Reissue
2015 ES Les Paul
2018 ES 335 1959 Reissue

The 330 and the '59 RI are the standouts, but the LP and the standard issue ES 335 hold their own. The 2014 does not boast historical accuracy, but it is an excellent guitar with all the versatility and tone you would expect from a good ES 335. The ES 330 is sublime, and the '59 RI is just this side of perfection. A couple of hundred $$$ with an excellent luthier and it would be all but untouchable.

I was happy as could be with the 2013 and 2014. CME made the 2015 and 2018 guilty pleasures. :dude:
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Thanks for the response guys, I'm going to get out there and play as many as possible I need a 335 345 in my life!!
 

Rich R

In the Zone/Backstage Pass
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
4,999
The 345 is always an interesting question. Personally, I've always been drawn to those double-parallelogram inlays! However, over many years and guitars, I find that the most enjoyable thinlines to own and play are the 335s. They are simple and straightforward in a way the other models are not.

I also greatly favor the "look" of the vintage long guard vs the short, and it's great that some CS models now offer this feature. You can also embellish any thinline with an aftermarket guard. Just some thoughts--have fun w the hunt!
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
Okay guys, Im going through your posts making notes as I go in order to list in order of priority the things I need to check out, ( and there are quite a few) I'm enjoying the process BTW..
I don't want to monopolise your time so I'll keep this as brief as possible.

It was mentioned that the ES 345 (mono version with varitone) Is cheaper, and that it sounds different from the ES335. Is this due to the extra weight of the Varitone circuit or something else?

Post 2015 Memphis ES 335/345's recommended by renderit, (thank you) are on my 'look out for' list. You included, 'any used Nashville models', and you have a gorgeous ES345 made in 1995/6. I assume made in Nashville?
Is this a period of time I should bear in mind in my search?

Marshall 1987 and Renderit: Thanks for the heads up with Collings and B&G guitars, just stunning.. Wow..

Okay guys, interrogation is almost over.. So much has been said about the tone of Les Paul's based on how much they weigh, its a perrenial subject for many, and it's not without merit, however I've played ES335, s close to the weight of my 8.14 oz R7, and others considerably lighter.

Is there any concensus on the 'ideal' weight range based on the measurements of vintage ES335,s ?

To all the gentlemen posting the guitar porn, thank you, impeccable taste,..you lucky, lucky b,stards.. Not gealous or anything,.. just saying that's all..... ...I'm not gealous..
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
My mono 2014 love it !
yakmgTW.jpg
[/IMG]

Ohh, what a lucky, lucky, bxxxard you are! What a stunning beauty you have here, I could feign indifference but it would be a shirade.. Care to share your story with us? Don't spare us the details..please?
 

Sol

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2001
Messages
775
To, Kenny F, GuitarMikey, Marshall1987, renderit, and anyone I've missed, thanks for posting these images, much appreciated.
And I think I get it: there are a few builders out there producing incredible guitars, in the case of Collings, they're staying close to the Gibson template but with smaller production runs an emphasis on quality. Interesting that they prefer a slightly longer scale length 24.8, no doubt to address tuning/intonation?

B&G I've read about them, they look amazing, and I'd be very interested to hear from renderit as to why these are your favorite?

I've made notes on all advice, including that concerning post 2015 Memphis ES335s and the statement regarding 'any used Nashville models', I'll be looking for more info on Nashville models from the 1990s to current day to try and get a feel for years or production periods players hold in high regard.
It's a learning curve for me.. Cheers.
 
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