Gibson ES-335 opinions?

[Colt45]

Nicest electric I’ve ever owned/played….Gibson 1959 ES-335 VOS. (Sunburst).
I mostly play acoustic, might be a partial reason I love this guitar.
It’s so easy to play and the tone is to die for.
I’m fortunate to own some incredible amps to play it through too…Victoria Ivy League, Swart STR/Trem and a Carr Raleigh.
I can honestly say I will never sell it.

[imwjl]

From my yesterday Dave's road trip. There were only 102 ES-335s in their system, 35 custom shop, most all at HQ store. The file marks and paint runs did not stand out as they did not long ago. Everyone in staff present agreed Collings competition for them are still superior but the Collings prices are no longer in line with the Gibsons.

There were 5 Herritage H535 too. The two used ones were incredible values.

I was entertained by the person who considered the archetype here a decent compromise between the Herritage and now more expensive Collings. The two used Herritage seemed "a steal" in their niche kind of the way I came home with a different used guitar.

[abn556]

I’ve owned 335s for decades and played them a lot. My intro to them was in the later 70s. A buddy had a 64 that was a killer player. I bought a nice one at Fullers in Houston 24 years ago after a long search for a great one in the Houston market. I probably played 50 before I found the one I bought on the spot.

What I have learned is you have to go play a lot of them and hand select the best of the litter. Some of them are spectacular and some are just good.

[BigBird]

I would agree with others.Play a lot of them and check the tuning stability (G) string. I enjoyed mine great guitar.

[abn556]

Someone mentioned not seeing 335s with witch hat knobs. Back in the 70s lots of the 335s had witch hat knobs. Go look up pics of 70s walnut 335s with trapeze tail pieces and you’ll see a lot of witch hats.

[Stratcat77]

Originally Posted by Mark L

I’d suggest a Yamaha SA2200 unless “only a Gibson is good enough”.
New they’re just over $2K, and possibly less depending where you ask.

Used, well, there are 2 FS right now on a major electric guitar forum. Neither are mine, nor do I have any interest btw. Just saying.

Terrific build quality, beautiful burst finish, great pickups (usually slightly hotter than a 335) with push/push coil splitting on both pickups.

Simply a superb instrument in every way.

From personal experience, I couldn’t agree more!!!

I had an SA2100 and it was amazing. I sold it because my dear friend had his stolen. And he’s a much better player than me! And he taught me so much over the years I just felt obliged.

If it’s good enough for Phil Keaggy….

https://youtu.be/c9fDTksx3Ho?si=LORlOAlRYdeFNXNB