ES-335 Fat Neck reissue

[sinner]

When did Gibson first start doing this ES-335 Fat Neck model:

A 335 with a chunky neck!
Introduced in 1958, the ES-335 has been a staple of rock, blues, and country players for years. The ES-335 "Fat Neck" - while not a full-on historic reissue - is tailored to be more like a vintage 1959 335 than the current production models. That starts with the thicker, '50s-style neck carve made of mahogany. The Fat Neck also sports a thinner body style that's much closer to the style of a vintage '59 335. For pickups, the Fat Neck has '57 Classic humbuckers for a tone that is pure, vintage Gibson. The coolest thing about the Fat Neck is that it's built like a reissue, yet manages to be priced more moderately than a vintage reissue.

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/ES-335-Dot-Fat-Neck.aspx

I am getting one, made in 2007, and wonder if there have been any changes to specs from then to now, and when this model first appeared.

It is less expensive than the "Historic 59 RI" which also has the "Fat Neck" so I am expecting a little less regarding fine points, perhaps.

I like the "slightly thinner body, more like an original 1959", hoping for less weight and maybe for airy sound (horn-like?).

By the way, mine weighs in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and I paid $2k even for it. It is about the going price for used ones?


OK, how about a pic?

8 pounds, 1 ounce dressed in Black:

 

[JPP100]

this sort of ties to my thread on # of Historic '59 ES-335 (Nashville) made each year. think they only were able to sell 100 or less of the more expensive model over the last few years, yet many players want the thicker neck ES-335. so they come up with the Fat-Neck...build it in Memphis right next to the other ES-335's to keep cost inline. the small differences to the nashville version i have seen (having had both in my house for sometime):

The neck joins differently as can be seen by where the pick-guard meets up with the top--on the historic it is 'very' close to the top edge while on the fat neck it is 'slightly' lower indicating a different neck joint.

the ply's are different--m-m-m versus m-p-m, not that this is bad or good since there are multiple examples of what the real '59's used.

the body thickness on my 2008 nashville is real close to the FatNeck, so not sure about a thinner body on either.

the Nashville has a solid center block with small wire routes, the FatNeck has the cut-out which didn't appear until the 60's models.

the case is slightly different--both black but one has different handle and inside material (nashville like the historic LP case), retail difference is about $60 between the cases but not sure one is better than the other.

the binding looked slightly different between the two, with the nashville having a slightly thiner binding.

both looked like madi fret boards, but who knows.

my nashville is slightly heavier (@ 8.40 lbs) than the FatNeck i had.

not sure what other differences, but folks on the forum know better than me.

your black one is stunning--i really like the black ones but hard to find in the nashville version (never seen one)

 

[Don]

The ES-335 Fat Neck is my dream electric. Also I find the black to be stunning, I want a red one.

Sometimes I consider selling everything to get one!

I see them used for $2000 and up.

 

[shuie]

Do you have a pic from straight ahead, or something that's not shot at an angle that shows the ear shape?

TIA

 

[sinner]

Do you have a pic from straight ahead, or something that's not shot at an angle that shows the ear shape?

TIA

The guitar is being shipped so I don't have my own pics yet. Here are a few more showing the ears to pretty good effect:

Looking pretty "Mickey Mouse" to me! Reminds me of my old '59 ES-330, that one had some great mouse ears.

 

[Uncle Gary]

The "fat neck" and "block neck" 335s seem to be Gibson's attempt at a "poor man's" '59 and '63 reissue, respectively. For less money, you get a plain maple body with Kluson tuners and other visual cues from the historics, but built in Memphis, with Memphis style construction (narrow neck tenon, thick fingerboard binding, fiber headstock veneer, etc.).

I have a "block neck" (actually "block inlays"-the neck isn't "square") in cherry red, and despite some cosmetic flaws, I LOVE the guitar. Mine weighs 7 3/4 pounds, plays like a dream and is a major tone machine. Even the Burstbucker Pros Gibson hobbles it with can't ruin it. The cherry red is a beautiful DARK cherry, and looks just like I remember these guitars looking back in the day.

Not meaning to hijack the thread. That black fat neck is daBomb! To be "vintage correct", it should have black knobs, though.

 

[Uncle Gary]

"The neck joins differently as can be seen by where the pick-guard meets up with the top--on the historic it is 'very' close to the top edge while on the fat neck it is 'slightly' lower indicating a different neck joint."

This seems to vary a lot, both on vintage and modern ES-335s. The "bottom" of the cutaways can fall on a line anywhere between the 21st and 22nd fret. This must have something to do with where the body is trimmed for the neck joint.

 

[sinner]

Uncle Gary, what kind of Black Knobs would be correct?

I was planning on putting some black ones on, because I like the look, but wanted black reflectors with silver in the center (for the look), like these at RS (if they will fit on the posts):

 

[Uncle Gary]

Technically, a black "59" would have black top hats, just like a Les Paul Custom from that year. The reflector top knobs were phased in during the year 1960 as existing stockpiles were used up. But, hey, it's your guitar, and FWIW, I LOVE black reflector knobs (but prefer gold top hats-funny, huh?). If it were my guitar, I'd rock the black reflectors. The ones from RS should fit just fine.

Rule of thumb for vintage Gibson electrics is that gold knobs were used on sunburst, goldtop and natural finished instruments, and black knobs were used on TV yellow, cherry, black and all other custom colors (think Firebirds).

 

[Humbuster]

My 09 Fatty and Friends

 

[JPP100]

nice family pic--you should put a santa hat on the ES and make it a xmas card!

 

[sinner]

My 2007 Black Fat Neck 335 just got here! I unpacked and everything is fine. I only had time to inspect and feel the neck--really really nice!

I don't know why they call it a "Fat Neck", it just feels correct, not overly big at all. It's not as big in the shoulders or fat as my 2005 Historic 335 (that one felt over done to me). The other extreme is a slim neck and a real 61 I played, that one felt like a ruler for a neck, like you are holding onto a yard stick, no meat at all.

This Memphis Fat Neck is just right! Nice and light, balanced feeling as well at 8 pounds, 1 ounce.

It's a used one, but not played at all. An obvious finish flaw, like slight finish checking on both upper and lower bouts, so probably a return that this ebay dealer blew out--good price for me!

 

[garywright]

I was planning on putting some black ones on, because I like the look, but wanted black reflectors with silver in the center (for the look), like these at RS (if they will fit on the posts):

they'll fit and imo look great ...not vintage "correct" but who cares.

 

[sinner]

Thanks, Gary. The guitar just got here, so I'll try and make sure it's a keeper, then order the RS reflector knobs. I might even order the Grovers for a complete Black/Silver "Terminator" look!

Of course, the guitar will appear more like your average USA 335 reissue, but will still have the long guard and Fat Neck.

 

[bluesjuke]

your black one is stunning--i really like the black ones but hard to find in the nashville version (never seen one)

My Nashville is black (Ebony).

Sinner's looks like it's twin brother in the pic.

How much time have you got on it now Rocco?

 

[rockabilly69]

Sinner, that's a beauty. I really love the black. I think it'll look great with the reflectors. I think that hardware looks great against the black. My new ES-335 has become one of my all time favorite guitars. If you like yours, half as much as I like mine, you are in for a treat. I love the Classic 57 pickups which I had all but written off in other guitars. The neck pickup on my ES-335 is the best humbucker neck pickup tone I've ever gotten out of a Gibson. It just required a few turns of the screwdriver to get it there. It's also the first Gibson guitar that I haven't modded and seriously doubt I ever will. My neighbors probably hate this guitar more than all of my others combined, as I play it every day that I'm home, and my Deluxe need to be on at least 6/7 to get the sound I like

 

[sinner]

My Nashville is black (Ebony).

Sinner's looks like it's twin brother in the pic.

How much time have you got on it now Rocco?

Not much, been building new record bins at work, stocking them up, Christmas rush is taking all my time, I go home, soak my tired feet, eat dinner, pick up the 335 for just a minute. I've noticed the whole guitar vibrates, even when I just plucked the B string, real great acoustic tone.

But it's great knowing it's there for me, after the holidays!

 

[Humbuster]

Spent a few hours with mine last night.
These really are great guitars and exceptional 335s, IMHO.

 

[sinner]

Yes, indeed! Loving it, nice and light (at 8 pounds, 1 ounce), great balance, the best neck, nice and comfy round, and great tone--the best acoustic tone 335 I've had yet. The 57 Classics are great pickups, but I think I will play around with height/pole pieces and dial it in more.

 

[ApolloCVermouth]

Ditto on the '57 pickups in 335s! I've got the Anniversary '59 335 -- I heard '57s in other guitars and it didn't make an impression; but the combination of 335 design and those pickups just creates one of the sweetest tones around! And very versatile!

... certainly one guitar where I wouldn't even think of changing the pickups.