Wanting to buy my first Gibson!

[Tony Done]

I'm just going to be contrarian, and say get something with P90s. If I was buying another Gibson, it would be an ES-330. I played the Ibanez knockoff recently and thought it was terrific. A nice thick single coil tone, with a fair bit of "acousticness" from the bridge-block-only body design.

[stonedtone]

Originally Posted by Tony Done

I'm just going to be contrarian, and say get something with P90s. If I was buying another Gibson, it would be an ES-330. I played the Ibanez knockoff recently and thought it was terrific. A nice thick single coil tone, with a fair bit of "acousticness" from the bridge-block-only body design.

The 330 had P-90? Hmm. I love the airy tone I get from my semi Hamer Artist with Phat 90's

[clintj]

The 335 is a very nice choice. I have an Eastman version of it, and it is about my favorite guitar right now. About the only thing it won't do that a LP will is that thick, rich, distorted blues rock tone like early ZZ Top.

[stonedtone]

Originally Posted by clintj

The 335 is a very nice choice. I have an Eastman version of it, and it is about my favorite guitar right now. About the only thing it won't do that a LP will is that thick, rich, distorted blues rock tone like early ZZ Top.

Hey, how do like the Seagull S12? I love mine. What a great bang for the buck. I paid $520 shipped. What a great guitar. The tuner sucks, but electronics sound real nice. I'll be bringing that one out tonight for the OM.

[The Old Gaffer]

Two very special guitars! You can't go wrong with either. But If I have to pick, I'd go with the 335.
By the way try these guys for a price on your Gibson, I think you will be pleasantly surprised:

www.wichitaband.com/guitar.html‎

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by AlbertR213

I am happy to finally say that I am planning to buy my first gibson!
I've always loved them but never really tried to get one of my own. I can't really decide on these two so hopefully someone could help out a bit since they are both different.

Gibson Memphis 50th anniversary 1963 ES-335


Gibson 1958 Les Paul Plaintop VOS
http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPR83VO?siid=120656

Two things come to mind.

First is decide for yourself which of two styles with different characteristics is for you. Delay the gratification and play them with same or similar amp type, then repeat. It was a long time in my case but in the end I knew just what I wanted and could easily identify the best copies of the guitar models.

Second, if you've got the custom shop and vintage type Gibsons in your budget you need to try Collings electrics.

[stonedtone]

Originally Posted by imwjl

Two things come to mind.

First is decide for yourself which of two styles with different characteristics is for you. Delay the gratification and play them with same or similar amp type, then repeat. It was a long time in my case but in the end I knew just what I wanted and could easily identify the best copies of the guitar models.

Second, if you've got the custom shop and vintage type Gibsons in your budget you need to try Collings electrics.

Try Hamer. Much cheaper than Collins

[ronbo]

Originally Posted by Tony Done

I'm just going to be contrarian, and say get something with P90s. .

I'm with Tony, Gibson P90's sound great and the 330 is a great and iconic guitar. I'd love to have one in my stable...Barring that the Epiphone casino is a nice p-90 hollowbody of the same flavor at a more affordable price.

[mikealpine]

First, I have a question for those of you suggesting P90s. How do you deal with the hum? Do you just accept it? Do you use a noise suppressor? Do you have noiseless P90s? I tried a guitar with P90s yesterday and like the tone, but hated the hum.

Second, I'm with lmwjl; for the money you are willing to spend, look at Collings. My new instructor as a CL Deluxe and an I35 (I think that's the model) and I think both sound phenomenal. I think it is the Lollar pickups. At least I hope it is because, based on those guitars, I'm going to buy a set and put them in my Brian Moore (replacing the Duncan JB/59 combination that's in there now). Very comfortable guitars, but the sound...just wow.

[Teleman52]

Brother , nevermind the 335 get a trinni Lopez!

The noise of single coils is not as bad as it's made out to be. If your playing alone yes you can hear it but IMO that's the sacrifice for better tone. (I always prefer singles over hbs, always)

But when playing with a band, I can't recall one time where my hum could be heard over the rest of the band at all. When you stop playing or there's a break in a song where you aren't playing, turn the volume down, simple as that.

All that said, if I were in custom shop gibson budget, I'd be wanting a trinni Lopez for sure

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by stonedtone

Try Hamer. Much cheaper than Collins

Maybe it was a typo, but it is fairly often when I catch Collings as Collins.

Yes, some Hamers really look like good values but I saw the OP posting sales links for current Gibsons.

Still, Collings are in a level beyond most.

I didn't know about them (Collings) but a favorite acoustic dealer only stocked Taylor and Collings electrics around 2006-8 so put those in my hand when I was interested in my first electrics. Another local dealer only had Hamer and PRS as their better brands. I sort of got my first electric guitar learning without the tribal bias many have because those two shops put stuff in my hands that was all made better than the Gibsons at Guitar Center.

Still, there is a tone that 335s have that I consider iconic. One of the Collings (SoCo 16) nails that in a better package. A former work associate has a used guitar shop and let me play and many times listen to his personal 1950s and 60s Gibsons. I felt their pickups or nature sounded more like the Lollars in Collings models than the new Gibsons we compared them to.

What the OP should do is in my earlier message and try lots of stuff. I did that the expensive way buying and selling guitars with what now seems like some haste. Buying used eases some of that pain.

[AlbertR213]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

First, I have a question for those of you suggesting P90s. How do you deal with the hum? Do you just a ept it? Do you use a noise suppressor? Do you have noiseless P90s? i tried a guitar with P90s yesterday and like the tone, but hated the hum.

Second, I'm with lmwjl; for the money you are willing to spend, look at Collings. My new instructor as a CL Deluxe and an I35 (I think that's the model) and I think both sound phenomenal. I think it is the Lollar pickups. At least I hope it is because, based on those guitars, I'm going to buy a set and put them in my Brian Moore (replacing the Duncan JB/59 combination that's in there now). Very comfortable guitars, but the sound...just wow.

I checked out some videos of the cl deluxe and wow what a tone! i was very impressed but honestly i was still wanting that es 335. Call me crazy but ive always loved gibsons and when I played the 335 at a guitar store for the first time I knew that it was going to be one of my top choices.

[Mikeo O]

Originally Posted by AlbertR213

I am happy to finally say that I am planning to buy my first gibson!
I've always loved them but never really tried to get one of my own. I can't really decide on these two so hopefully someone could help out a bit since they are both different.

Gibson Memphis 50th anniversary 1963 ES-335


Gibson 1958 Les Paul Plaintop VOS
http://www.zzounds.com/item--GIBLPR83VO?siid=120656

Originally Posted by [B

stonedtone[/B];3885618]I may never buy a Gibson. Hamer covers all the areas I need

didn't take me too long to find you.

Here's the deal for me. The ES-335 is an amazing guitar. It's my personal fav in the Gibson electric line up, and I like it better than the Les Paul Standard I own and the 2 SG's. Plus I own a ES- 135 too, which has kind of a chubby old skool neck.

The ES 335 will cover rock, jazz, blues and anything you probably will want to toss at it, except probably metal. It's a no brainer. The Memphis stuff is sweet.

I personally like the 57 classic for pick ups too.

Once you get over the body size it a cool. The ES-336 has a smaller body like the Heritage Prospect. The Prospect is similar in vibe, but the pick ups are not as sweet.

Look no further the the ES 335.

Mine has a figured flame top and is in sunburst

I paid like 1600 for mine new in the early 2000 something, and it has climbed in value. they are about 3 grand plus now.

[Blunote]

If you're considering an ES-335, do youself a favor and also look at the Heritage H-535. I've got one and love it. It's more of a thinline and the output jack is mounted in the rim like an LP, rather than sticking out of the top. They're built in Gibson's famous Parson Street plant using the same tooling that produced the much-beloved vintage instruments of the 50s and 60s.

They are more of a hand built guitar than current Gibsons, and generally on a par with their custom shop. Used ones can be purchased for as little as $1300.