First impressions on my new Gibson ES-335...

[No Code 5]

My new 335 arrived yesterday... I checkec it out, set it up, and played it for quite a while, here are some impressions and questions:

Upon first arrival and inspection I was suprised. This looked and felt quite a bit different than my older 335 (a 1999 model). The neck profile was much thinner and there was not much dishing on the top (the arch wasn't very pronounced). These are not bad per se, just different than I expected. Also, the headstock seems more narrow on the wings, skinnier.

The case isn't as nice as the older models, it also does not have an archted top as they used to (I imagine these cases are cheaper to make) and no combination lock. They are a lot like a new Gretsch case.

The fit and finish of the guitar looked good. There were a couple of spots in the binding on the neck, but they rubbed right off. The bridge and tailpiece were set way too high. I did a setup and fixed the neck and this arrangement. That might be for shipping safety, but not very playable out of the box.

Playing it the guitar is very well balanced and is comfortable (other than the weight, more on this). The neck is finished well, frets are even... very easy playing for sure. The more shallow neck is open for debate on whether my hand will be comfortable long term. Maybe a Les Paul with a 50s neck would suit me better.

Acoustically, the sound is very good, balanced and alive. Good sustain as well.

The sound is massive and glorius (nothing sounds like a big bodied Gibson, nothing). Very responsive and useable all through the volume and tone controls. The '57 classics sound great. Cleans just bloom out of the guitar, semi dirty stuff sounds good. Leads are thick and BIG. Very good stuff here.

Overall, after playing for a couple of hours, my back is killing me. I haven't played standing up for that long in a few months since moving to Houston and not being in a band. Plus, the weight is pretty substantial next to an SG or Tele (my other guitars). I think the guitar is a winner, very good stuff.

The neck will get a closer evaluation, as will the weight as far as if it is a keeper. But, this guitar is a great 335. It gets a four headbanger rating (out of 5, 5 being the most perfect guitar ever)

:dude :dude :dude :dude

[No Code 5]

I should add,

any suggestions for alternatives with less weight are appreciated... full hollow, smaller bodies, etc. The guitar has a 45 day return window, so I can put it through its paces.

Gretschs, Epi Elites, Hamers, Heritage?

[No Code 5]

Anyone? Bueller?

More playing in approximately two hours... more bonding.

[rooster]

Originally posted by No Code 5
I should add,

any suggestions for alternatives with less weight are appreciated... full hollow, smaller bodies, etc. The guitar has a 45 day return window, so I can put it through its paces.

Gretschs, Epi Elites, Hamers, Heritage?

I know Heritage makes one called the "Prospect", I think. It's like a smaller 335, and if the necks on them are anything like the one on my H150CM, you'd probably like it. The neck I have is partway between the '60's Gibson carve and the '50's carve, a little closer to the '50's. Perfect for me, much like my old '72 SG Standard. Check with Jay Wolfe in Florida and see what he can do for you.

rooster.

[Den]

Originally posted by No Code 5
I should add,

any suggestions for alternatives with less weight are appreciated... full hollow, smaller bodies, etc. The guitar has a 45 day return window, so I can put it through its paces.

Gretschs, Epi Elites, Hamers, Heritage? I have a Gibson Johnny A that gives me everything I've been looking for in this style of guitar. I can get as close to 335 tones as I like and pretty close to some LP tones as well. Also some nice jazzy stuff too. It's very light weight and I find the neck amazing. I could stand up and play this one all night and hardly feel it.

Another big plus for me is that this Gibson has a Fender scale length, which gives it more snap and clarity that, as a strat player for years, I really love. You may want to check one out.

[Buffaloe]

Originally posted by No Code 5
I should add,

any suggestions for alternatives with less weight are appreciated... full hollow, smaller bodies, etc. The guitar has a 45 day return window, so I can put it through its paces.

Gretschs, Epi Elites, Hamers, Heritage?

Hamer Newport. I just sold a 335 to make the change to the Newport. Mine is 7 lbs. 4 ounces, much smaller body, way better build, and more resonant. Try one. You'll likey.

[pirateflynn]

+1 for the Hamer Newport. I have a Newport Pro that is fantastic.

:cool:

[mtndog]

Another voice for the Johnny A.

[Den]

Originally posted by mtndog
Another voice for the Johnny A. Don't you just love it??!! Everytime I play mine, I smile like this: :D

[hawkeyeinexile]

nice evaluation.

i like and recommend my Heritage Millenium DC. it's in the 7-lb range, double cut, like a downsized 335, esp. w/the HRW pickups. list is $2500 and up, depending on options. new ones go for <$2000 at some dealers.

http://www.rjsanders.com/pix/MDC.jpg

:cool:

[57special]

strange, the old 335's are real lightweight... never think of it as even a medium weight guitar.

[adamquek]

I was thinking of a 335, ended up with a Soloway. Sure it's not the same sound but it's a glorious sound none the less :) And it's really light

[Bluedawg]

I don't have a Johnny A, but I sure would like to have one.

Played one once and I loved it.

Maybe someday.

:cool:

[No Code 5]

I played for another 3-4 hours last night, I picked up a new amp too (well new to me)...

While most of my playing was sitting down... I still really dig the tones from this thing. I am thinking maybe it is an adjustment issue rather than a deal breaker.

I played an R7. Awesome neck. That is a neck you can spend some time with... fills up my hand and you can really dig in. Still the tones aren't what I am looking for... the 335 sounded fantastic through the Fender amps I was testing.

I wound up with a Super Twin Reverb(a beast), but it really gives a ton of 6L6 tone, which is a good thing with a 335 or tele.


Re: Suggestions

Thank you for the input. I tried the Newport/Newport Pro, it wasn't quite my thing. It was a nice guitar, no doubt... not what I am looking for at the moment. I have never played a Heritage that spoke to me. The Johnny A is a killer guitar, a bit more than I want to spend at the moment though... I kind of like the Gibson scale... it lets me get away with more when playing live. I have my telecaster to show my lack of skills. :(

So, I think the 335 may be a keeper. I need to put some more time on it with the new amp and play with the setup. Might have a winner for the new live rig.

[tiptone]

Dan,

I want you to check out my Agile 2900. Shaped like a LP, but almost completely hollow. We still need to get together and play anyway, sounds like a good enough reason. :)

[No Code 5]

Originally posted by tiptone
Dan,

I want you to check out my Agile 2900. Shaped like a LP, but almost completely hollow. We still need to get together and play anyway, sounds like a good enough reason. :)

Well, how was the wedding? Or is that this coming weekend?

Good enough reason for sure. Plus, I have a new amp to play. Another good reason.

I am warming up to the guitar and its "features."

[tiptone]

Wedding was great, thanks for asking. It was outside so it was a little warm but everything was perfect. Couldn't have asked for much more.

You've got one coming up too correct?

I didn't get a new amp and 335 before I got married....guess I need to talk to someone about this... :)

[No Code 5]

yeah the wedding is July 16th in St. Louis.

I had told her for months I was getting a new guitar and amp after we paid for the wedding... so, we paid for the wedding, I bought a new guitar and amp. :)

I figure I should get my purchases in now before I am married. Although, she is always supportive of music stuff in general.

She even let me setup my new amp in the living room by the couch...

We do need to jam sometime soon... how's your schedule?

[tms13pin]

Try a Gadow Custom Hollow. Don't know if Gadow has any
dealers in your area, but you can check at their site:
www.rrgadowguitars.com. Fralins, tonepros bridge, 25.5"
scale. Bolt-on, not set neck, but, check it out if you get a
chance. Light as a feather. The neck is wide, so you may or
may not like that. I love mine.

I've also got a Brian Moore semi-hollow on order. Smaller
body than a 335 and I'm sure lighter. I love the BMG
necks, but that may or may not be your thing. This one is
a bolt-on too, 25.5" scale, Duncans, tonepros bridge etc.
I'm kinda taking a chance on it though as they generally
aren't stocked and you have to place an order. But, I like
Brian Moore guitars in general, so it isn't too much of a stretch
for me.

I've heard great things about the Johnny A's, but haven't
played one yet. They ain't cheap though!

--Tom

[phretbored]

Another Johnny A player checking in. :D
Stoptail!!!

This is the best design to come out of Gibson in years IMHO.

[Den]

Originally posted by phretbored
Another Johnny A player checking in. :D
Stoptail!!!

This is the best design to come out of Gibson in years IMHO. Agreed! When I first got mine, I thought it was so beautiful, I was almost afraid to play it ... Although I got over that soon enough. :D

I seriously can't wait to play it every day. My rig is a Radial ABY to a Carr Rambler and an Aiken Tomcat and the only problem is choosing which amp (or both) to play it through ... it all sounds too good.

Of course, a great 335 (or 336 or 356) is a thing of beauty as well. Lots of great choices these days.

[Scott Cioe]

I have a 335. While I love the tones, it could certainly be a bit more "user-friendly", meaning that the weight (9.5 lbs) is a bit on the high-side, and due to the large shape, it is not quite as easy to maneuver/traverse the stage.

I ended up ordering a CS-336. It is a down-sized 335 made out of a solid mahagony slab for the back and sides, which is hollowed out and attached to a bookmatched solid maple top.

Similar to the Johnny A, except for the traditional Gibson scale length and rosewood board.

I do not have it yet, but have discussed with others who all rave about the tone, playability and weight. Most end up weighing around 7 pounds.

It is far cheaper than a J.A. model and only a couple hundred more than a production 335.

Scott

[No Code 5]

I was considering a 336 as well. It appears to have the same neck profile as the 335 which is my biggest gripe with this guitar. I wonder how well it covers the 335 tones sonically.

The construction is more like an semi-hollow LP. Could be pretty cool too. I know I have heard good things re: the 336.

Let me know what you think of yours when it comes in. I will be interested in a review.

[Scott Cioe]

I certainly will review when it shows up!

Re: Neck profile - Yeah, it is the slim taper, like the regualr 335. I had been on a big neck kick for a while (jeff beck strat, prs w/f) and ended up loving a LP standard with the 60's neck. So the slim taper doesn't bother me!

The way I understand the tone of the 336 is that it is some sort of cross between a 335 and an LP.

[Anode]

Ummm.... well, if you are up in the $2000 zone, you might take a look at a PRS hollowbody. Yeah, I know... but it's a full hollowbody about the size of a LP and light as a feather. You might find the wide fat neck to your liking. Its not a 335, but with a pair of '57 classics, it might do the job and there is no issues with build quality of the PRS stuff.

[Mutley]

I bought a Heritage 535 from Jay Wolfe a year or so ago because the tone of a 335 is so distinct and I wanted it. I thought it was a little heavy, but at 8 pounds it is lighter than all of the 335s, Lucilles, etc. I've tried since. Had a CS 356 for a brief while and don't know if it was the '57 Classics, but it was a bit on the dark side tonewise. Very comfy to wear and maneuver onstage. I couldn't live with the darkness of it though. It was maybe the prettiest guitar I've ever owned.

Ned

[Den]

Originally posted by Anode
Ummm.... well, if you are up in the $2000 zone, you might take a look at a PRS hollowbody. Yeah, I know... but it's a full hollowbody about the size of a LP and light as a feather. You might find the wide fat neck to your liking. Its not a 335, but with a pair of '57 classics, it might do the job and there is no issues with build quality of the PRS stuff. Always seems to be a lot of these available used, so there are probably some deals to be had. I was really hot on these for a while as well ... great necks, build quality, lightweight ... really beautiful guitars ... but after trying a number of them, I couldn't find tones that really turned me on. I'll bet with the right pups, one of these could be amazing.

[Pedro58]

The 336 can be had with a larger neck profile. I forget which dealer ordered them. But you could get yours to do so. Of course, you'd be stuck with retail price that way...
Look for used and ask before you buy what the neck contour is?

[kego]

I love my 335 too, Code...One thing I found that helps with the weight is to wear it a little higher than my other guitars.

So you're in Houston now? I just moved here last August, we should get some folks together and jam!

kego

[No Code 5]

Originally posted by kego
I love my 335 too, Code...One thing I found that helps with the weight is to wear it a little higher than my other guitars.

So you're in Houston now? I just moved here last August, we should get some folks together and jam!

kego

yeah I am in Houston. I am adjusting to the 335s weight... strap positioning is a help. I wear my guitars on the high side anyways.

send me an email/pm and we can discuss playing. I had a thread a little while ago looking for a jam/band... that is still in progress.

[kego]

Code: You have mail!