Gibson es-335 studio
 

A small mom and pop guitar store just took one of these in trade. I'm interested in it but would like to know if the studio is significantly different from a standard 335. Anybody have any experience with this guitar model? Thanks in advance for your consideration.

If it is the newer version with four knobs (a volume and tone for each pickup) it is a pretty cool guitar and very much like the regular ES-335, right down to the same pickups, electronics, and hardware. I think the only differences would be the lack of binding, screen-printed headstock logo rather than inlay, lack of pickguard, and torrified maple fingerboard rather than rosewood.

I have a Memphis ES-335 DOT Reissue that I LOVE and would definitely consider one of the studios for a road or gigging backup.

Bob

The 4 knob Studio models are pretty nice. They don't have the niceties of a Standard as noted by Bob above, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if the price was reasonable.

If you're more of a guitar-cable-amp, "touch" player - relying solely on technical finesse to achieve your tone - the older two-knob versions can be a real bargain. I own a similarly-wired (except for the P-90's) Godin CW II, used to own a late-CBS '52 Tele RI, and never found anything lacking in terms of control of my instrument; just be patient and take some time to dial in your combination - IME pickup height, balance, string type/gauge, and choice of pick are all critical (and not necessarily what you're used to, or would like them to be) - and you may just find out that less really is more...

The reason I mentioned the four-knob configuration is that there's a tendency for the bridge pickup to be quite a bit brighter than the neck pickup when they are physically setup for balanced volume in Gibsons. I tend to run with the tone control on the bridge pickup wound back most of the time. I do it on the ES-335, Les Pauls, and SGs.

Bob

Bob's right on as usual. The original idea of "studio" Gibsons was the exact sound of the flashier bound and inlaid models was that they could sound the same in the studio and not be as flashy as you might want for a stage guitar at a lower cost.

Some people even prefer the lack of binding, etc.

I have a 2016 Gibson ES-339 Studio (somewhat smaller body than the 335) that has turned out to be awesome. The electronics, tone, and design/build is essentially the same as the Standard 339, but without bling. They are much more affordably priced than the Standard version and serve the need identically.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 335 Studio, if that size body is what you want and you like the particular sample itself.

ES-339 Studio shown here with my Gibson Les Paul Jr. Special P90
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...s/P1000259.jpg

Gibson es-335 studio
 

Thanks for all of the input, a lot of good info to ponder. I'm going to let this percolate for a while.

The fellow in the pic looks a lot like my yellow lab (whose name is "Boo!") who is lying behind me being my "computer kitty" right now.

Bob

Only thing I'd add is to spend some time with one and see if the size is comfortable for you. Sitting down, I play with the instrument on the "wrong" leg and 335's are just too darn big. The 339 is just right, though.

I went with two ES-339s (one an Epiphone Pro P90 and the other a Gibson with humbuckers) because I found the ES-335 body not so comfortably large, and the ES-339 body so very comfortable.

Bob... that was our Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab cross, Harley. We had to let him go last year, at the age of 12. What an incredible dog. Aren't they awesome. I miss him a lot.

Yes, they are. We got Boo! and his sister Zoe' after our golden/lab mix died nine years ago. I found her to be the greatest mix I'd ever encountered - protective and incredibly loyal. My wife lasted all of six days before she had to have another dog. The pure labs are a different animal entirely - we found out after we got them that labs are the most destructive breed out there, like a silly K12 saw. Still and all, they are great, loyal dogs and Boo! is a love. That's him on the left below:

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...92&oe=5A1D65E2

Bob

Bob... Boo! and Zoey look awesome!

I think the Golden Retriever part of the Golden/Lab mix makes the cross a most exceptional dog. Harley was not destructive in the least. I don't think dogs get any better than that mix.

When we knew that Harley's time with us would be drawing to an end, we decided to add a puppy so Harley could show her "the ropes" - here he is with his little sister "Kimber"
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...IMG_1737-1.jpg

And after Harley died, Kimber got a little brother from the same parents, but a different litter, here she meets her new little brother, "Colt"
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...t/P1000410.jpg

Together, they have eased the pain of losing Harley, and we love them without end.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...r/P1000793.jpg

Sorry folks, for the diversion.

They look like a fun pair!

Bob