Smaller Bodied ES-335?

[Egoss]

Hi gang - My wife really enjoys playing my 1971 ES-335, but the body is too large for her to wrap around comfortably. I'm pretty sure I've seen a smaller-bodied version of this around, but can't remember who made it or when. I do recall a "Little Lucille" Gibson B B King model, but have never seen one. Any others that you have seen, or have experience with? I want a nice sounding guitar with similar pickups to the ES-335, not some cheap knock-off. Or, a less-expensive model with upgradeable pickups maybe?

As usual, Thanks for the help!
Ed

[mtmikey]

you'd have to compare the specs, but maybe the ibanez artcore series has something that will work? cheaper, yes. upgradeable, probably.

[Pvee]

The first thing I thought of is the Epiphone AlleyKat and WildKat.

And of course the FlameKat.!!

[JohnZ]

The Little Lucille is a reworked Les Paul. A Les Paul or SG would be a good choice.

[ramsa]

Check out the Heritage Millenium models. Smaller bodies and top quality USA construction.

[Egoss]

What I'm really looking to match is the neck action, and my limited experience with Les Pauls is that the necks are larger in profile. Am I mistaken? I've never played an SG, but I'd rather a hollow or semi-hollow body in the basic 335 shape. Thanks Pvee for the Epiphone tip, they look like just what I want! Any experience with either the AlleyKat or WildKat's neck playability?

Thanks again, guys & gals.
Ed

[Johnny5]

Ibanez Artcores are KILLER guitars, and very INEXPENSIVE. I gig with 2 Artcores, the AM73(Small bodied ES-335 copy - the lower bout is about 14.5", but it's a true hollowbody) and an AF75D(Gretsch like Jazzbox). They are fine stock, the pickups are not great but certainly useable. I am gigging the AF75D stock with an EQ pedal, and it smokes. Even my drummer keeps looking at me when I play it and saying WOW! LOL... The AM73 I threw a set of GFS Liverpools(Filtertron copies) that I got cheap off of Ebay into it and it KICKS. Best bang fer buck going IMO. My days of gigging $1000+ guitars (well, in my electric band anyways!) is long gone. For that money I could buy 3 ARtcores and a couple of pedals...

[roadking]

The Gibson 336 and it's upgraded sister the 356 are both smaller body versions of the 335. I think they are exactly what you're looking for.

Try these links:

Gibson CS-336

and Gibson CS-356

There's also a signature model, similar to these called a Gibson Johnny A.

I can point you to an internet dealer of these if you want. Send me a PM.

[Egoss]

Thanks again, guys & gals. I'm going to try to find:

Gibson CS-336 - looks perfect!
Heritage Millenium - very impressive, I've got to see one.
Epiphone AlleyKat & WildKat - less expensive alternative, but interesting.

Have a great weekend!
Ed

[geetarman]

You may want to also consider a Hamer Newport which is a bit of a different animal from the 335 but oustanding none the less.

[jayhawk]

The others that you want to look at is older Ibanez in the AS50 series or any of the Ibanez AM series. If you can find an Ibanez AM200 series you will not be disappointed.

The Gibson CS336 are great guitars and carry that Gibson price tag.

Jack

[trpullen]

Originally Posted by Egoss

Thanks again, guys & gals. I'm going to try to find:

Gibson CS-336 - looks perfect!
Heritage Millenium - very impressive, I've got to see one.
Epiphone AlleyKat & WildKat - less expensive alternative, but interesting.

Have a great weekend!
Ed

Egoss,

The Heritage will be what your '71 Gibby is quality-wise. Frankly, Gibson just does not have the killer quality it once had and really have not since the 80s.