Rediscovering this old 335

[mad dog]

What the hell was I waiting for?? Picked up a well-used '66 335 more than 10 years ago, cheap because of headstock repair, but basically unplayable due to fret wear. I've played it maybe 6 times in all. Finally kicked my butt to get it refretted.

Just got it back last night. Wonderful job from Bill at Dave's Sound in NJ. I never did get to know this guitar. Lots of learning to do. My first hollow body electric, first humbucker guitar. It plays so easy, sounds so good. It's gonna be a loud weekend at my house.

[zappafrank]

whoa---I ALSO have a '66 ES-335 w/ a (well done, stable) headstock repair---got it last year.
It is my #1 these days---I love it. I have some decent gear, but that 335 just lights up the tone all the way around---

here's some sound samples from a new blues CD I'm on---my 335 into an outboard reverb tank into a Victoria tweed Bandmaster w/ 4-10" speakers, tracks 6 and 7 best show the 335's tone, for what it's worth--

BTW, if you like Rockin' and Swingin' blues---check out all the tracks---you will hear some RIPPIN' guitar from the other guys---and Jimi Bott is the drummer for the Fabulous Thunderbirds....heck, feel free to buy a copy! hehe---I know, spam, but really I just wanted to have you hear the 335 tone and why it's MY number one....

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimibott2

ac

[Zuper]

Originally Posted by mad dog

What the hell was I waiting for?? Picked up a well-used '66 335 more than 10 years ago, cheap because of headstock repair, but basically unplayable due to fret wear. I've played it maybe 6 times in all. Finally kicked my butt to get it refretted.

Just got it back last night. Wonderful job from Bill at Dave's Sound in NJ. I never did get to know this guitar. Lots of learning to do. My first hollow body electric, first humbucker guitar. It plays so easy, sounds so good. It's gonna be a loud weekend at my house.

Awesome! 335s are one of the best guitars around, IMO. I have a newer DOT Reissue that I absolutely love! Spend some time with it and make a new friend.

[gkoelling]

Originally Posted by zappafrank

whoa---I ALSO have a '66 ES-335 w/ a (well done, stable) headstock repair---got it last year.
It is my #1 these days---I love it. I have some decent gear, but that 335 just lights up the tone all the way around---

here's some sound samples from a new blues CD I'm on---my 335 into an outboard reverb tank into a Victoria tweed Bandmaster w/ 4-10" speakers, tracks 6 and 7 best show the 335's tone, for what it's worth--

BTW, if you like Rockin' and Swingin' blues---check out all the tracks---you will hear some RIPPIN' guitar from the other guys---and Jimi Bott is the drummer for the Fabulous Thunderbirds....heck, feel free to buy a copy! hehe---I know, spam, but really I just wanted to have you hear the 335 tone and why it's MY number one....

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jimibott2

ac

Sweet guitar tones Zappafrank and Bott smokes!

Thanks for the link.

[mad dog]

Thanks for the feedback, gents. ZappaFrank: Interesting about that victoria. I'm most curious how the 335 will work with my Clark Tyger. Of course the power went out today as I was plugging in. Just came back on. Of all days to lose power ...

Thanks for those clips. I'm on dialup, so will listen at work. I play lots of blues. Can't wait to hear this stuff! BTW: Does yours have a stop tailpiece or the original trapeze? I left the trapeze on mine, wondering if I did the right thing.

[mprvise]

Okay, mine's not THAT old. I traded a Kramer guitar (Baretta I think) and $300 for a brand new 335 in 1986. Although I still love the 335 it doesn't see the action it used to anymore. Think I'll go pull it out right now and do some playing. :AOK :AOK

[zappafrank]

Originally Posted by mad dog

Thanks for the feedback, gents. ZappaFrank: Interesting about that victoria. I'm most curious how the 335 will work with my Clark Tyger. Of course the power went out today as I was plugging in. Just came back on. Of all days to lose power ...

Thanks for those clips. I'm on dialup, so will listen at work. I play lots of blues. Can't wait to hear this stuff! BTW: Does yours have a stop tailpiece or the original trapeze? I left the trapeze on mine, wondering if I did the right thing.

mad dog---I'm SURE the 335/Clark combo will smoke---I have a Clark Beaufort w/ a 15" old Jensen---oh yeah, baby--
I'm keeping the trapeze on---I think the stoptail makes a 335 more 'Les Paul' like, and the trapeze gives it a tiny bit more airy-ness of a sound---maybe a bit more 'archtop-y'---hope that helps---plus, I have the pole-pieces on the rhythm pup facing back toward the bridge---a trick I heard that Hollywood Fats did---a bit more definition, and less 'boomy'---
hope you dig the cuts!---
BTW, I started a new thread on the CD so I don't hijack this thread---sorry 'bout that!!!

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=166889

mprvise---GORGEOUS wood and finish, man--Ill post a pic, too:


er, it's on the left....(ignore the 64' strat and the 41' ES-100--) LOL!

ac

[IndieHead]

Whats the best 335 clone? the Edwards, Tokia or Epiphone?

[trisonic]

I've got a "flametop" ES335 with matching back and front ply!

Seriously, I think a good one is more dynamic than a good Les Paul - and the tone is often fatter. I just can't get on with the size of the body. Too big for me and looks weird hung around my knees!

Best, Pete.

[mad dog]

Holy Christ. The tone gods stopped by this AM, plugged this old 335 into the Clark Tyger, and showed me where it's at. I AM NOT WORTHY!! It's so smooth and alive. I can't get over the fullness and warmth of these sounds, and how it bites when you dig in a little. It's like Christmas over here. How could I have let this guitar just sit in the case and gather dust for so long??

[zappafrank]

Originally Posted by mad dog

Holy Christ. The tone gods stopped by this AM, plugged this old 335 into the Clark Tyger, and showed me where it's at. I AM NOT WORTHY!! It's so smooth and alive. I can't get over the fullness and warmth of these sounds, and how it bites when you dig in a little. It's like Christmas over here. How could I have let this guitar just sit in the case and gather dust for so long??

yeah---how COULD YOU!!?? :RoCkIn

I think you wil find the tweed/335 thing is a beautiful marriage, and one that is not overly used by a lot of guitarists, either---Hollywood Fats is the only cat I can think of who used it really consistently ---BB King was using Blackface and Gibson amps by the time he 'married/ Lucille, so he did not use that type of tweed amp w/ a 335 (maybe THAT's why I dig his 50's stuff so much---P90's and tweed, mostly!!)

Oh---and I use it a lot, too:AOK
---PS--Mad dog---I'll respond to your email later----

glad you have found a new tone in your life!!

ac

[zappafrank]

Originally Posted by IndieHead

Whats the best 335 clone? the Edwards, Tokia or Epiphone?

I have not played them, but I hear real good things about the JAPANESE Tokai 335's (and many other MIJ Tokais, as well---)
You may also try to look up 'Orville' guitars---another Japanese version of Gibsons---look for something not TOO heavy---they need to be kinda resonate to sound real good, IMHO--YMMMV---etc...

ac

[gkoelling]

Originally Posted by zappafrank

I have not played them, but I hear real good things about the JAPANESE Tokai 335's (and many other MIJ Tokais, as well---)
You may also try to look up 'Orville' guitars---another Japanese version of Gibsons---look for something not TOO heavy---they need to be kinda resonate to sound real good, IMHO--YMMMV---etc...

ac

In addition to these try to find a Tradition. I had one for a while and it was very nice. Fit, finish and tone were all great.

I had been gassing for a 335 style for years. I bought the Tradition and barely played it. While it was everything I hoped it would be, that style of guitar just wasn't me. My nephew was playing in a jazz oriented band at the time so I gave it to him. He's still loving it.

[bbarnard]

I've got a 335 Tokai and it is great.

[Matt Gordon]

Check out a Yamaha SA2200 for a possible alternate to the vintage collectors item that can be damaged. The Yamaha's are pretty sturdy, hold tunning really well, and sound great straight out of the box.