Gibson ES-335 opinions?

[Glennwillow]

Originally Posted by Rolph

Real nice job on the Neil Finn tune!!!!

Thank you Rolph! Much appreciated!

- Glenn

[Beachrunner]

Originally Posted by pieterh

That’s gorgeous!

I got my wine red 2016-studio ex-demo for about 50-60% new price in 2017. They didn’t have the pick guard then - did yours come with it or did you add it afterwards?

Thanks, pieterh - Your Wine Red Studio is a beauty, as well!

Yes, I put an aftermarket pickguard on mine. As you mentioned, these ES-335 Studios didn't come with a p-g, so I ordered one from Allparts and installed it on mine.

I just preferred a pickguard on it to complete the 335 "look"..

I also swapped out the stock black top hat knobs for silver/black reflectors, and added an amber switch tip.

[pieterh]

Originally Posted by Beachrunner

Thanks, pieterh - Your Wine Red Studio is a beauty, as well!

Yes, I put an aftermarket pickguard on mine. As you mentioned, these ES-335 Studios didn't come with a p-g, so I ordered one from Allparts and installed it on mine.

I just preferred a pickguard on it to complete the 335 "look"..

I also swapped out the stock black top hat knobs for silver/black reflectors, and added an amber switch tip.

Thanks!

Nice subtle changes there!

I haven’t made up my mind about the pick guard yet - I quite like the stripped back elegance of the guitar without the pick guard. The silver top pots are nice!

[Bob Womack]

Originally Posted by Beachrunner

Yes, I put an aftermarket pickguard on mine. As you mentioned, these ES-335 Studios didn't come with a p-g, so I ordered one from Allparts and installed it on mine. I just preferred a pickguard on it to complete the 335 "look".. I also swapped out the stock black top hat knobs for silver/black reflectors, and added an amber switch tip.

Interestingly, I added Gibson reflectors to my Memphis ES-335 DOT. I had simply never seen an ES-335 with top hats - it looked a little cheapish to me. It turned out that I was just inexperienced, but I still prefer the look of the reflectors and have left mine on. My guitar was missing the nut that holds the pickguard to the little metal arm. I called Gibson and they sent me they whole metal arm assembly. Nice!


Back in 2009

Bob

[Beachrunner]

Originally Posted by pieterh

Thanks!

Nice subtle changes there!

I haven’t made up my mind about the pick guard yet - I quite like the stripped back elegance of the guitar without the pick guard. The silver top pots are nice!

Yes, I held off on the pickguard for quite a while - It didn't look bad at all w/ no pickguard, but I just eventually decided to put one on. I'm glad I did, though - I do like the pickguard on it now!

[Beachrunner]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

Interestingly, I added Gibson reflectors to my Memphis ES-335 DOT. I had simply never seen an ES-335 with top hats - it looked a little cheapish to me. It turned out that I was just inexperienced, but I still prefer the look of the reflectors and have left mine on. My guitar was missing the nut that holds the pickguard to the little metal arm. I called Gibson and they sent me they whole metal arm assembly. Nice!


Back in 2009

Bob

I agree, Bob - I think reflectors look great on a 335 - and the top hats just didn't look "right" to me, so that's the reason I went with reflectors as well.

That's a gorgeous 335 by the way!!

[PTony]

Originally Posted by Beachrunner

I agree, Bob - I think reflectors look great on a 335 - and the top hats just didn't look "right" to me, so that's the reason I went with reflectors as well.

That's a gorgeous 335 by the way!!

Same for me. Just finished playing mine. Couldn’t be more pleased. I love it more every time that I play it.

And, I couldn’t agree more. Bob turned me onto some reflectors as well. It’s a great guitar in every way. Although, I will say I wasn’t as pleased before the hardware changes (*Faber aluminum tailpiece and Graphtech String saver bridge/saddles). What was a great guitar… is now outstanding.

IMHO, you can’t go wrong with a 335. They’re VERY versatile.

[GerryFoxBio]

Anybody know much about this model? The one I am looking at has one master volume and 2 tone knobs as well as two toggles ,one 3-way and the other 2-way.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by GerryFoxBio

Anybody know much about this model? The one I am looking at has one master volume and 2 tone knobs as well as two toggles ,one 3-way and the other 2-way.

I thought that was a 1970s model but is maybe one of the SO many reissues some makers do. Recent tangents from Grateful Dead gear content discussed a time when stereo was more popular. That was not really about 335 reading but was fun reading for me having been to concerts in those times.

This was a 2022 thread but from a lot of recent shopping with my son vs my interest in 335s really strong 2010-13 was Gibson might be doing better now. Still paint runs and file marks others won't give you for a lot of money but 60+ year old 335s were also not perfect. IMO the made so beautifully seems to be a more recent decades thing sparked by some upstarts.

The 335 main concept of big bout, semi-hollow, humbuckers, plus 4 knobs is wonderful stuff regardless of who makes them. Have fun shopping and get what sparks a whole lot of joy.

[PapaLobo]

I have a blueberry burst and love it , also have the Heritage version which is just a touch nicer .

[Humbuster]

Absolutely love 335s.

My first really good guitar was an early 70s 335 purchased in 1972.

Have owned many through the years, including custom shop. However, my favorite was the limited run of "Fat Necks" from a few year ago.

My 335 FatNeck and friend.



As I get older, 335 is too big for my small frame (probably always was).

If you are in the market, play as many as you can as they vary significantly.

[6L6]

I think Gibson 335's are the best electrics ever offered to humans.

In short, they sound incredible and can handle any style of music you throw at them.

I had a STETSBAR trem bar added to my ES-335 and it works GREAT! It's like changing your 1950 Buick Roadmaster from manual to Power Steering. By far the BEST term bar I've ever used on an electric guitar.

[fpuhan]

This is a photo of my new (in 2018) ES-335 Memphis that I bought for two reasons. It still has the plastic on the pickguard!

1. I wanted a guitar with the feel and sound of my '57 ES-225
2. I got it for a territic price!

At first, I was a little turned off by the walnut finish (red seems to be the classic color seen on these beauties), but once I sat down, tuned it up and began playing, I knew I'd found what I was looking for!

[PTony]

Originally Posted by 6L6

I think Gibson 335's are the best electrics ever offered to humans.

In short, they sound incredible and can handle any style of music you throw at them.

I had a STETSBAR trem bar added to my ES-335 and it works GREAT! It's like changing your 1950 Buick Roadmaster from manual to Power Steering. By far the BEST term bar I've ever used on an electric guitar.

I agree. I LOVE mine. Sometimes I just open the case and look at it. So versatile. As to the STETSBAR….gonna have to look into this as I’ve been considering adding a (*no mods) Bigsby/Trem.

[hubcapsc]

Guthrie Trapp talks about his 335 in one of his recent youtube
videos...



-Mike