Collings v Gibson enquiry, can you shed some light ?

Sol · Dec 3, 2021

Its been my ambition to own an ES 335 type guitar for some yrs now, and some time ago several people suggested that I shouldnt commit to a Gibson until Id thoroughly investigated what Collings has to offer.

So, with that said I thought Id just open the floor for a discussion by those with genuine convictions to share their ownership and playing experience with either, or both Gibson and Collings semi hollow guitars.

renderit · Dec 4, 2021

Collings is definitely a better built guitar. The workmanship is second to none. Perfect.

It is close to a 335. They do make several sizes. The picture below shows a Gibson Nashville CS 345 on the bottom, my Collings I-35 Deluxe in the middle and my CS 339 on top to give a feel for sizes.

This is the I-35 Deluxe.

Sound is very similar to a 335. As with some 3XX Gibsons it is not unusual you might want to try pickup types other than what you had in it. This one had Lollar Imperials. I like them a little dirtier so I replaced them with Throbaks. The Lollars were super clear and piano like.

Best guitars out there.

I still play the hell out of my Gibsons though. On a 3x5 I grab them in this order:

Sol · Dec 4, 2021

How would you describe your Collings I-35 Deluxe, when compared to your ES-335 ?

renderit · Dec 5, 2021

Soundwise:

Clearer all through the registers with the Lollars which came on it. Each note would ring perfectly. With Throbak SLE's in it it is more like a 335 but still a little clearer.

Feelwise:

Same. Neck to die for but so are my 3xx's. Just more consistent on the Collings. The Collings is more like a perfect 59 LP neckwise.

Finishwise:

No comparison. Collings is hands down the best fit and finish I have ever seen.

Sizewise:

Don't notice it at all.

jb_abides · Dec 5, 2021

Ren -

Ever try/compare a SoCal or Statesman to your stable..?

Those are my candidates for next in the semi- stable. Unless Gibson offer a lefty 355 that drives me that way.

Sol · Dec 5, 2021

Renderit, thanks for that concise reply, I appreciate that. Youve answered what were going to be my follow up questions. Having said that, it would be interesting to know which type of amp works best for you when using your Collings/es335 ?
Cheers.

renderit · Dec 5, 2021

jb_abides said:
Ren -

Ever try/compare a SoCal or Statesman to your stable..?

Those are my candidates for next in the semi- stable. Unless Gibson offer a lefty 355 that drives me that way.

Don't have a Statesman...yet.
Got a Soco though.
It's a little different than most I've seen.
All hog and P90's...
Small thin body.
I love it!

[

renderit · Dec 5, 2021

Sol said:
Renderit, thanks for that concise reply, I appreciate that. Youve answered what were going to be my follow up questions. Having said that, it would be interesting to know which type of amp works best for you when using your Collings/es335 ?
Cheers.

They are much more versatile than most guitars, and each has their own personality so amp matching is both easy and hard.
If you have a bright and punchy one some amps really add to it.
More sparkly ones can be played with in other ways.
Some are moaners and really like heavy amplification.

Now a Bassman is excellent.
Down softer and quieter they have a sparkle and shimmer that is awesome with a 3x5.
Turned up they will flat out scream (and bring the cops)!

Lower power 57 Pro or 57 Deluxe or At Mars Specialist are awesome because they let you explore some. But generally do a rock thang.

Sparkles through a 65 Deluxe reverb. But everything does...

Raises the hair on your neck through the Sag Queen (MGL 20). 70's to the max!

Punches your chest out on the Longhorn Vaquero or EC Twin-o-luxe. Literally rips through anything. Like loud drummers and stage pushers.

renderit · Dec 5, 2021

I am not partial to them on my more sparkly amps such as the Matchless or Komet. Maybe if my control was better...

I have not found my sound on them with Carr Mercury V or Dirty Shirley. But I like them with other things.

I feed back too much on Germino MGL. Maybe if I had a larger stage. Yeah, that's it.

And while I love it on my Mesa Boogie Mark V-25 there are so many knobs I keep getting it wrong. I get the sound then try to tweak and screw up. But I love the amp.

Victoria Silver Sonic is fabulous as is the B&G Prototype NOS. I can dial them both right in.

Don't use my tweaked out Blues Junior too much anymore but it more than works there. As well as my old tweaked Marshall Class V. And the Bad Cat Cougar 50 is in the same zone as the Matchless but a little dirtier, so it works.

Anything works with a 3x5. Some just work better.

Sol · Dec 16, 2021

Renderit, I laughed out loud when you 'amp bombed' me. I had no idea what Id let myself in for by asking which amps you prefer when using the Collings and Gibson semi's.

I had this idea for a comic response to match your 'amp bomb' with something salty and witty to get you back and raise a few laughs in the process, but thing is, Ive done this before and found to my horror that humour doesn't always travel.. I.. 'bombed'.. However.. in your case Im willing to give it another shot.
Until then Renderit, thanks for making the few precious vintage amps I have look like something dragged from a burning dumpster, I hope your pleased with yourself young man.. To be continued..

renderit · Dec 16, 2021

Fire away, I like being the fodder for light hearted discussion.

Bombs away!

ourmaninthenorth · Dec 17, 2021

All piss taking aside, Ren you've built a fantastic collection, really really fantastic.

It definitely wasn't thrown together in a fortnight.

Thanks for taking the time out to let us all have a squint.

renderit · Dec 17, 2021

Oh...there is more....don't encourage the pisser (?pissee?)...

ourmaninthenorth · Dec 17, 2021

renderit said:
Oh...there is more....don't encourage the pisser (?pissee?)...

Your public awaits.

Sol · Dec 17, 2021

Whilst relaxing in my secret guitarists lair deep below the Yellowstone caldera volcano , a thought unconnected to your iminent humiliation occured to me..

Why do Collings use Kluson abr-1 bridges ? Given the company's reputation for sparing no expense in the pursuit of tone, I can only conclude that the Kluson came out on top.. What say you ?

m bernardi · Dec 17, 2021

yes kluson came out on top for a lot of builders

renderit · Dec 18, 2021

They certainly work and are nice as they don't fall off when you restring.

But the first time you go to mess with them it throws you.

And you may be in trouble as we are hunting for my next compound in the caldera area...

Sol · Dec 18, 2021

Perhaps the metal alloy and engineering tolerance matches those made by Gibson in the '50s ?

Oh, fyi, that sub caldera lair your looking at ? it's a complete dump.. A 2.5 mile vertical drop with a cruddy trailer home at the bottom, furnished with a flashlight, tin of beans and a box of matches, though Id think twice before striking a match down there.. Particularly after eating the beans.. Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates have it on timeshare. You could go thirds with them..

Then again do you really want to be seen around such people ? You've a reputation to think of..

57gold · Dec 18, 2021

I owned these, all 1959s:

But once I installed Throbaks and a pickguard, this is what got played:

Why you ask? Better built, perfect neck, fretwork, neck angle, no dead spots, great PAF tone...it's a no excuses guitar, if you mess up making a change or completing a line, it's your fault not the instrument making you work too hard. The 355 was too heavy, kind of flat neck, the 335s pickups were not as string as the double white in the 355 and the 345, so I kept the 345. Might let it go when I get one of these, an I-35 LC Vintage, that is being built with Ron Ellis pickups:

Sol · Dec 19, 2021

Are they the same size as the Gibsons ?

Collings v Gibson enquiry, can you shed some light ?

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