• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

335 construction?

WildBill

New member
Joined
Jul 27, 2001
Messages
95
my 98 Historic 335
has 7 or 8 small square shaped routes about 1/32
there visible when you take either pup out
there located on the smaller block of wood that
is betweent the laminate top and the large center block
running parallel from pup cavity to pup cavity
is this shody craftman ship or is this part of the design?

also just curious about the philosophy of using laminate
over a solid top?
isn't a solid top better?
whats the typical amount of plies on original 335's
I believe my reisue has 3 plies
thanks
Bill
 

Tonefiend

Fiendish One
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
7,656
Thats the design. It's an interlocking block to fit the arched top to the center block. Otherwise it would be a tough job to machine one block. I suppose nowdays on a CNC machine they could pull it off, but that is the traditional method. I am not well versed in 335 construction, I know the '50s were different than the '60s and am not sure which type of construction this is patterned after.

The laminate top is so the guitar doesn't cost megabucks like a Super 400.
It is also designed that way to eliminate feedback I think. The ply top is less prone to it.
 

Big Al

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
The back and top are pressed into shape. All such guitars from Gibson are ply, for strength and thinness. The center block is maple and spruce.

Why did you buy one?
Why are you so intent on finding problems or issues?:bigal:bigal:bigal
 
Top