Jonesing for a Gibson ES-335. Need Inputs for Research

Steely Glen · #1 07-20-2016, 04:52 PM

I'm on the hunt for a Gibson ES-335. I've done some cursory research, but it seems that there are a lot of different reissues, limited editions, Nashville vs. Memphis, etc. So as I'm looking, are there any particular models and/or eras of 335s that I should (a) particularly look for or (b) stay away from?

This won't be a vintage buy since I can't likely exceed $3K, and spending less is not a bad thing, so please let me know what you think about the legendary 335. Thanks!

--Glen

Steve DeRosa · #2 07-20-2016, 05:27 PM

If it's tone you're after first and foremost, try the Eastman semis first - T386/486/186 in ascending order of price, none more than $1800 street (BTW that $1800 T186 is all solid carved woods, not multi-ply laminate) - before you decide to drop ~$3K for the Gibson name on the headstock; if you really must have a Gibson suss out a 2015 335 Studio - $400-500 less than the '16 edition for starters (even less if you can cut a deal), simple controls, and it'll give you all the sounds of the high-buck models...

dchristo · #3 07-20-2016, 05:36 PM

you can get a Gibson es 335 studio for 1599 at guitar center and get 10% off of that
Ive played several of these, they are very nice

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson/2...21077090394.gc

jseth · #4 07-20-2016, 09:01 PM

As far as new guitars go, I would recommend that you try out the Reverend model that is quite "335-esque"... don't recall the name of it (the Manta Ray?).

I own a '74 Gibson ES-345, and the Reverend's fit and finish is MILES ahead of that Gibson (which I have owned since '75). The Reverend will run you less than a Grand, without a case...

muscmp · #5 07-20-2016, 09:18 PM

i have a 68 335 and it is great. later year gibsons seem to not be as good. so, you have a choice of a vintage one and pay up, or, a new one that sings to you , after playing as many as you can.

play music!

Bob Womack · #6 07-21-2016, 05:46 AM

A few years ago I went on a quest to find out of it was possible to find a great-sounding and -playing modern ES-335. I was surprised doubly, when:

a1. Out of 10-11 examples in my area, my favorite was a plain old 2005 Gibson Memphis DOT reissue. That's not a part of the Historic series, that's the standard ES-335. And...
b. My wife surprised me with the guitar I loved for Christmas.

You can read about my search and what I found over HERE.

That guitar has gone on to become my first-call instrument for sessions.

Red guitar day at the studio, six years ago

Photobombing a Tele

You can find examples of the modern Memphis ES-335 in the $3k range new and definitely used. For example, AT SWEETWATER FOR $3349

Recorded examples of my guitar:

Follow the Drinking Gourd
(Score cue)

Waiting
(Equipment check)

Bob

rmp · #7 07-21-2016, 06:59 AM

I was where you were about a year ago...

I wound up with a Sheraton Pro II....

Honestly, the difference in cost, verses the difference in play/tone,..

IMHO wasn't over the 3x (and then some) added cost to me..

mtown · #8 07-21-2016, 08:08 AM

I used to own a Reverend Manta Ray and found that it sounds more like a solid body. The body is chambered and not a true semi hollow. I now own a Gibson 335 and found there is no substitute if you want that particular sound.

coreyman97 · #9 07-21-2016, 08:24 AM

I was in the same boat as you are, a few years back. The ES-335 is a great guitar, and as noted by other posters, the choices in addition to Gibson's are plentiful. As far as Gibson's go, besides the mind boggling number of models that you pointed out, the difference in tone between the same guitars can be quite varied. I'm not talking about Nashville's vs Memphis vs reissues, I'm talking about the same subset. I was told to play it before buying it, though I found a great deal on a '59 CS reissue, so I grabbed it without playing it. The guitar was a beauty but the neck pup was so muddy ('59 classic) that I swapped it with a Seth Lover. I eventually traded the guitar and picked up a '69 ES-335 that I love.

You have TONS of choices and will be able to spend well below your $3k depending on what you decide. Be patient and you'll be happy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

I'm on the hunt for a Gibson ES-335. I've done some cursory research, but it seems that there are a lot of different reissues, limited editions, Nashville vs. Memphis, etc. So as I'm looking, are there any particular models and/or eras of 335s that I should (a) particularly look for or (b) stay away from?

This won't be a vintage buy since I can't likely exceed $3K, and spending less is not a bad thing, so please let me know what you think about the legendary 335. Thanks!

--Glen

Steely Glen · #10 07-21-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

A few years ago I went on a quest to find out of it was possible to find a great-sounding and -playing modern ES-335. I was surprised doubly, when:

a1. Out of 10-11 examples in my area, my favorite was a plain old 2005 Gibson Memphis DOT reissue. That's not a part of the Historic series, that's the standard ES-335. And...
b. My wife surprised me with the guitar I loved for Christmas.

You can read about my search and what I found over HERE.

That guitar has gone on to become my first-call instrument for sessions.

Red guitar day at the studio, six years ago

Photobombing a Tele

You can find examples of the modern Memphis ES-335 in the $3k range new and definitely used. For example, AT SWEETWATER FOR $3349

Recorded examples of my guitar:

Follow the Drinking Gourd
(Score cue)

Waiting
(Equipment check)

Bob

Bob,

Thanks so much. Like yours, the cherry red is exactly what I'm after; what a looker! I'm not a guy that cares much about the name on a headstock, but I do want a bona fide 335 for the history and legacy, so I appreciate your inputs and will read up on how your search went.

Humbuster · #11 07-23-2016, 07:03 AM

I have owned and played many 335s since 1973.

Play as many as you can as they vary greatly in feel and tone.

My current and last 335 is a 2008 Nashville Historic 59.

Texsunburst59 · #12 07-23-2016, 08:48 AM

Be VERY patient and play as many 335's as you can see,feel, and hear in person.

DO NOT ORDER ONLINE!!!!!!!

Most of all guitars that are bought and flipped right away were bought sight unseen.

DO NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!!!

Find the one that speaks to you and make the best deal you possibly can on on the guitar.

My suggestion is that you buy a Gibson 335. In the end it'll hold its value and you should be able to get most of your money back on the resale.

On most 335's copies, you'll lose money if you choose to sell it in the future.

Make your $$$ count and vote Gibson.

I was able to try out all the ES models in my collection.

I did get crazy low prices on all 3 of these,but waited until the right deal came along on each one.

'63 ES 330, '70 335, '83 Dot RI:

zabdart · #13 07-23-2016, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

I'm on the hunt for a Gibson ES-335. I've done some cursory research, but it seems that there are a lot of different reissues, limited editions, Nashville vs. Memphis, etc. So as I'm looking, are there any particular models and/or eras of 335s that I should (a) particularly look for or (b) stay away from?

This won't be a vintage buy since I can't likely exceed $3K, and spending less is not a bad thing, so please let me know what you think about the legendary 335. Thanks!

--Glen

Memphis made 335s are generally better than Nashville made ones, simply because the Nashville plant lacks sufficient climate control and the 335 is a semi-hollow guitar and the lack of temperature and humidity control can have adverse effects on the finished product... even if the body is form-pressed laminates. Any Kalamazoo made 335 is better than either of them, but you'll shell out a lot of bucks to own one. Best bet? Search reverb.com, elderly.com or larkstreetmusic.com for a used Heritage H-535, which is the same guitar made by the former Gibson employees in the same Kalamazoo plant that Gibson abandoned in the 1970s. The resale value isn't as high because it doesn't have the Gibson name on it, but the quality is generally better.

Humbuster · #14 07-23-2016, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zabdart

Memphis made 335s are generally better than Nashville made ones, simply because the Nashville plant lacks sufficient climate control and the 335 is a semi-hollow guitar and the lack of temperature and humidity control can have adverse effects on the finished product... even if the body is form-pressed laminates. Any Kalamazoo made 335 is better than either of them, but you'll shell out a lot of bucks to own one. Best bet? Search reverb.com, elderly.com or larkstreetmusic.com for a used Heritage H-535, which is the same guitar made by the former Gibson employees in the same Kalamazoo plant that Gibson abandoned in the 1970s. The resale value isn't as high because it doesn't have the Gibson name on it, but the quality is generally better.

I and a lot of other folks would disagree about the above statement on Nashville vs Memphis production sites. IMHO, the Nashville Custom shop guitars are superior and better manufactured than the Memphis Custom shop guitars. YMMV.
Also, Heritage 535, while a fine guitar and similar shape, is not the same as a Gibson ES335 (I believe the body thickness is slimmer) and quality can vary greatly as well.

Follow the advice from Texsunburst59 and you cannot go wrong.

Steely Glen · #15 07-23-2016, 07:37 PM

Great advice, Texsunburst. Wildwood Guitars is about 1.5 hours from my house so I may make a trip there to demo whatever 335s they have in stock at the time, which ought to be (at least) several. Also, I have a business trip to St. Louis coming soon and may use that opportunity to visit some shops there in search of the right 335. I'm definitely set on going with a Gibson, as opposed to the various quality copies out there, and am willing to wait.

Bottom line, it's good to know that this particular model benefits from a hands-on approach to purchase.