smaller body+ 335 vibe= which guitar?

[neastguy]

I had a full body 335 style guitar which i really liked, but couldnt get past the full size body.. anyone have suggestion for a guitar that can get me real close to that woody airy 335 sound again w/o the size? I miss it...

[BettyFjord]

The CS-336 (http://www.gibsoncustom.com/flash/products/archtops/cs336/CS-336.html) (solid, carved, mahogony back and sides) or the ES-339 (http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Gibson%20Custom%20Proudly%20Presents/) (a Les Paul-sized 335) seem to be good starting points.

Comparison:
http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages/CS336%20ES339.bmp

[FlyingVBlues]

The Gibson CS-356, which has a smaller body than a 335, would also be a good choice. Brian Scherzer just did a good review of the 356 he recently bought:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=424072

FVB

[buchla300]

Ibanez AM series can be had for not too much.
AM-50 or AM-205 are nice
http://jnjguitarcellar.com/images/LostLoves/AM500002.JPG

[Steve Gambrell]

I just bought a Gibson Vegas, they're discontinued, but they've got "that" tone. The Ibanezes are mighty fine, too.

[neastguy]

sorry, let me update to say under $750... it gets tougher this way...

[jtees4]

Not exactly a clone, but my Carvin AE-185 fills the bill perfectly for me.

[buchla300]

sorry, let me update to say under $750... it gets tougher this way...

Maybe see what this get's to
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-AM-50-guitar_W0QQitemZ330261209005QQihZ014QQcategoryZ330 43QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[planetal]

Hamer artist..... semi hollow small body.... well made guitars.. the necks run thinish on older ones (the only BIG negative for me.. as I own one and may be selling it soon)... I've heard that the newer ones have thicker necks.... I don't know if that's an actual fact. Does it sound like a 335.. no.. but very much a semi hollow feel. Used market, new they are well beyond 750.. I virtually never buy new guitars.. but that might just be my thing

[Point to Point]

Reverend manta Ray twin HB semi-hollow - great guitar, great value out the box.

[Bryan T]

Ibanez AM series can be had for not too much.
AM-50 or AM-205 are nice
http://jnjguitarcellar.com/images/LostLoves/AM500002.JPG

I've always thought those guitars were too cool. It has been a long time since I played one . . . what are the necks like?

[Red Suede]

The Heritage 535 is a little bit undersized from a 335.

[fusionbear]

Suhr Archtop.....

[mindwave_21]

I believe the Heritage is only thinner body wise; the rest of the dimensions seem pretty much the same. I have one and it's a pretty big guitar.

Maybe try a Heritage Prospect:
http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/40U-3988.htm

I've also seen some LP style semi hollows like this:
http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=%5BCacheBuster%5D&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=4&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FMINT-Prestige-Heritage-Hollow-AAAA-Top-custom-guitar_W0QQitemZ170250194301QQihZ007QQcategoryZ238 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.com/MINT-Prestige-Heritage-Hollow-AAAA-Top-custom-guitar_W0QQitemZ170250194301QQihZ007QQcategoryZ238 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828753&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2FMINT-Prestige-Heritage-Hollow-AAAA-Top-custom-guitar_W0QQitemZ170250194301QQihZ007QQcategoryZ238 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[Gary Ladd]

If you can score a Dean Sarasota 6-String you're there for less than $400 used:

http://www.frettech.com/images/dcsfulldean.jpg

I've got an early one with F-Holes just like a 335, once I swapped out the junk electronics for an RS kit + Fralin P-92s I never looked back at my ol' 1980 ES-335 which I mistakenly sold in 88' ;)

[trumpus]

Here're my babies...

'82 Ibanez AM-205
http://www.oceansofosyrus.com/forums/uploads/1205210592/med_gallery_141_10_107908.jpg

'01 Gibson CS Paul Jackson Jr.
http://www.oceansofosyrus.com/forums/uploads/1171557926/med_gallery_141_10_46313.jpg

[Dave Wakely]

That AM-205 looks utterly ovely. What's with the extra toggle switches?

[Flyin' Brian]

Here's mine..Heritage Prospect. Available with a full block like a 335 or a floating block which makes it more like a 330.
BTW the Heritage 535 is the same outside dimension as a 335 just a bit thinner.

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/marchbirthdays/Prospect1.jpg

[trumpus]

The previous owner installed coil taps and a preamp - I don't use them and am actually about to bring it in to have some HD Z-90's installed.

[NoahL]

You could buy a used Ibanez AM-73 and upgrade to top-end pickups and have a pro setup for well under $500. I've owned two such guitars and have regretted selling both on impulse, to buy others. I'll own one again someday.

[CitizenCain]

If you can score a Dean Sarasota 6-String you're there for less than $400 used:

http://www.frettech.com/images/dcsfulldean.jpg

I've got an early one with F-Holes just like a 335, once I swapped out the junk electronics for an RS kit + Fralin P-92s I never looked back at my ol' 1980 ES-335 which I mistakenly sold in 88' ;)

Man, I've been looking all over for one of these. All you ever see now are the 12-strings. I wonder why they stopped making these? I always thought they were the perfect guitar.

[Gary Ladd]

I think they didn't sell good enough, which is a shame because the ones I saw had excellent wood and hardware, except for the plastic nut & pickups that were Dean's MIK Super-Distortion model.

The backs are one piece hogged-out real mahogany, although if they were making them now I'm sure they'd be that pseudo asian-mahogany that is sooo common...

I also think Dean's cheaper bolt-on version called the Boca seriously tainted the Sarasota line - Terrible marketing/management blunde ;)

[wrxplayer]

I'm loving my Gadow Custom Hollow. Mine has Fralins. The Framus Tennessee would also fit the bill.

Here's a Framus that I forgot to bid on last week (Sold for $760)
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/evanlerner/framustennessee.jpg
Here's my Gadow
http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee199/evanlerner/gadow1.jpg

[aeronius]

The old Ibanez guitars are great. I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Eastman stuff. All solid wood, $1k less than a 335, exceedingly well-built. If you can get past the Made In China bit you'll have yourself an awesome guitar.

T184:

http://www.12fret.com/new/eastman_T184_thinline_guitar.jpg