NGD: Gibson ES-333

[theroan]

So I've been searching for semi-hollow for a while now. Considered a Gretsch G5120, Epiphones etc. I thought I would definitely go with the Midtown, but I was concerned about the richlite fretboard, the 3 - 4 piece tops and its similarity to a Les Paul. With a real 335 out of my price range I was lucky to find this beautiful ES-333. Has new knobs, a pick guard and the stock covers have covers, so the aesthetics are covered now. But I had about an hour session with it using some Virtuoso cleaner and polish. Needs a set and I'll have to gut the electronics and get new pickups. I'll save that for another day.

But it has an awesome vintage look to it.

[Nada]

wow, that is gorgeous! great pic too~ congratulations!

[bluesjuke]

Good score these are nice and the answer to the question of "what 335 type can I get for less?"

They are virtually a 335.
I've had two and liked them quite a bit.
Have fun and enjoy that baby!

[ChazMania]

Congrats! I scored a used one of these a few months back. Its red and worn and looks like it was played alot. The thing plays great but has some tuning stability issues. I want to change the tuners. The pickups are stock and are a bit hot for my taste so I'll swap those for something like Antiquities. Cool guitars

[mortadella]

I'll bet that sounds nice when you plug it in.

[StratStringSlinger]

Congrats, beautiful guitar. What's the difference between a 333 and 335?

[bluesjuke]

333s have an access panel on the rear (conveniently) , satin finish (which can be buffed out fairly nicely), and IIRC the pickups are 490 & 498s, and no pickguard.

Many swap pickups or at least put covers on the stock ones and add a pickguard.

[jfwund]

Congratulations! That's a great guitar.

Yours looks just like mine -- I ended up putting on black top hats and an amber switch tip, and installing a 50s wiring harness and Sheptone Blue Sky pups. For the money, it's as good as any non-historic 335 I've played.

Enjoy it!

[mcdonaldkd]

I have one that looks exactly the same. Gold knobs, no pick guard, etc. Love it! Congrats.

[kingsxman]

They are very very nice guitars for the money. With doing exactly what your talking about...they can be killer. I had one and sold it but prior I was thinking about buying an overlay and putting a gibson pearl overlay on it.

[straightblues]

ES333's are great guitars. I love mine.

[RockaBill]

That's a beautiful guitar!! Enjoy it! I had a 333, but traded it for another guitar. That 333 is still "the one that got away."

[TRS1]

Great looking guitar!

[Figaro]

If these came with a 50's neck I would have one.

[straightblues]

Originally Posted by Figaro

If these came with a 50's neck I would have one.

I like big necks on guitars. While they do not have a 50's neck, it is still very full and playable. Try one if you haven't.