Thinking about a Gibson ES-335 - Page 2

Bob Womack · #16 01-26-2018, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imwjl

The custom shop 335s still seem to have those high prices but your best bet for fat neck if you insist on a Gibson

I keep hearing this quoted like gospel but mine has a slimmer neck, similar to an SG (full shoulders), and I love both the sound and the feel of it.

Bob

Steely Glen · #17 01-26-2018, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluside

Thanks for all the replies.

Not many stores around here that carry a 335 to try. I was at my local GC a few weeks ago and did not see a single one on the walls.

If you simply cannot play one, I'd call up a store that has a bunch (CME, Wildwood, etc.) and tell the salesperson your situation, your preferences, and your goals for the guitar. Ask them if they'd be willing to play all the 335s in stock (within your budget) and pick the one that's the best based on your input. It doesn't guarantee you'll get what you want, but it's a lot better than going into the purchase blind.

imwjl · #18 01-26-2018, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

I keep hearing this quoted like gospel but mine has a slimmer neck, similar to an SG (full shoulders), and I love both the sound and the feel of it.

Bob

There must be a misunderstanding here. I can't believe the neck profile is something most people or maybe anyone can hear.

I have to admit to being quite obsessed with this style guitar - the figuring out what I liked and wanted to kill GAS. I could really hear differences with pickups, body size, scale length and how hollow. I could not honestly think two otherwise same or very similar ES-335s with different neck profiles sounded different.

The only association I know of or think of with neck profile is a lot of acoustic guitar players and fans of vintage and retro liking the fatter neck profile. A trip to Dave's where there would be 10 to 20+ ES-335s usually had the less common fat neck and custom shop models with better fret work and finish. Even then you'd see a $4000+ guitars with file marks and finish issues the competition in essence made inexcusable.

Being relatively close to dealers with a lot of stock I started thinking the less common models got more attention at the Gibson factory.

Most funny for me us I spent years liking and seeking a low profile neck guitar with same gusto I had for fat neck.

imwjl · #19 01-26-2018, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Glen

If you simply cannot play one, I'd call up a store that has a bunch (CME, Wildwood, etc.) and tell the salesperson your situation, your preferences, and your goals for the guitar. Ask them if they'd be willing to play all the 335s in stock (within your budget) and pick the one that's the best based on your input. It doesn't guarantee you'll get what you want, but it's a lot better than going into the purchase blind.

I believe the best shops try hard to find the best guitars for a long distance sale. I've been visiting Dave's and observed employees picking up different guitars hoping the one they would ship would satisfy the customer and not come back.

Even visiting the shop they've done a "try this one". To some extent it's how I ended up with the Collings even though I went there for an ES-335.

Beachrunner · #20 01-26-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Wow, that is sweet!

Thanks, Dru. I'm really enjoying it. It was good to go right out of the box. I figured I'd probably have to set it up to my specs, but I didn't need to - as the action was right where I like it..

Dru Edwards · #21 01-27-2018, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachrunner

Thanks, Dru. I'm really enjoying it. It was good to go right out of the box. I figured I'd probably have to set it up to my specs, but I didn't need to - as the action was right where I like it..

Sweet. PM Sent.

Beachrunner · #22 01-27-2018, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Sweet. PM Sent.

Just replied to your PM.

Dru Edwards · #23 01-27-2018, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beachrunner

Just replied to your PM.

Thanks Beach. Again, enjoy your 335 Studio!

Beachrunner · #24 01-28-2018, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

Thanks Beach. Again, enjoy your 335 Studio!

Let us know if you "pull the trigger" on one of these CME deals.. !!

Oracle · #25 01-30-2018, 07:16 PM

Don't rule out a 339.
Great guitar, in a LP sized package.......
As others have said, take a look at CME's floor models....
There are some great deals to be had .....

Mike

veryzer · #26 01-30-2018, 09:06 PM

I have a 335 copy. Since you're only interested in Gibson, I won't name the brand, but I run it through a PRRI also. They are a fantastic match, so I think you'll be pleased with whichever flavor you try.

Bluside · #27 02-01-2018, 01:49 PM

Inbound...Pulled the trigger.

Dru Edwards · #28 02-01-2018, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluside

Inbound...Pulled the trigger.

Sweet! Create a NGD thread when it comes in.

kayakman · #29 02-07-2018, 01:52 PM

Great guitar had a sunburst,1982 custom order with ebony fretboard,shouldn`t have sold that beauty..

DHart · #30 02-11-2018, 05:41 PM

335's are great guitars, but I never quite warmed up to how large they are.

When I discovered the ES-339 (made just as a 335 is made, but the body is smaller), I was won over! Now I have a Gibson ES-339
(compare size to the Les Paul Special beside it)

and an Epiphone ES-339 Pro P90 (center, below)

Both are awesome, but I am, surprisingly, a bit partial toward the Epi 339 Pro P90. Yes, the Epi 339 Pro P90 IS that good! and at 1/5th the price of the Gibson, sheesh - no brainer. The bound neck on the Epi is beefier (wider nut!) and really feels amazing. The P90 pickups sound fantastic, of course.