Are 335's really worth it?

[hyde]

I mostly play teles and SG's but I have a real craving for an ES-335...unfortunately I'm suffering from sticker shock. Are they really worth the premium or has Gibson lost their minds?

Cheers,
Hyde

[FrankieSixxxgun]

Yeah, they're really worth it. Les Pauls come and go, but my ES-335 is one guitar I'll never get rid of.

[james...]

Surely there's a viable alternative?

[daddyo]

Depends if you just want the sound. Lots of guitars like it for a lot less that are better or just s well built: Ibanez Artstar As80, 200, or Artcore AF105; Yamaha SA 2200, Guild Starfire; just as examples. But when the friends come over, you'll be going, "yeah, that's my 1990 AS200 that is better than a Gibson 335 but it's made in Japan at the Tareda factory by craftsman [yadayadayada]." or you can say, "check out my ES 335."

[Mark Kane]

Originally Posted by daddyo

Depends if you just want the sound. Lots of guitars like it for a lot less that are better or just s well built: Ibanez As 80, 200, or AF105; Yamaha SA 2200, Guild Starfire; just as examples. But when the friends come over, you'll be going, "yeah, that's my 1990 AS200 that is better than a Gibson 335 but it's made in Japan at the Tareda factory by craftsman [yadayadayada]." or you can say, "check out my ES 335."

brilliantly put!!

[FrankieSixxxgun]

It's so true. My buddy has a Yamaha 335-type guitar, and it's every bit as good as my ES-335. I've played it on stage before and when telling people what it is I had to give 'em the whole business about it vs. me playing my ES-335 and not having to say anything.

[esoteric pete]

if you want a 335, then buy one. if you dont, youll like the new guitar for a while, but then youll tell yourself that you should have got the 335.

i have a 63 historic RI that i wont let go of, and just today took posession of a 1964 ES-330. i am head-over-heals in love w/ my 335 though. just spectacular guitars that if you dont LOVE at first, then wait until you bring it to a gig and play it through a loud amp!

[FrankieSixxxgun]

An ES-335 into a Plexi is an incredible thing, especially 5 Super Leads like our friend Alvin Lee here:

[axe4me]

I love 335's.
I still have my '69 335. I'm the original owner. Bought it new in 1969 for $250.00.
I have an '84 DOT & an '87 DOT. I bought these used.

I wouldn't buy a new 335 today.
I'd buy used.

[FrankieSixxxgun]

The best ES-335's came out of the Kalamazoo factory is the word on the street, so if you can, find a pre '82 and check the serial number to see where it's made. You might luck out.

[Don L]

i post these every now and then whenever another 335 thread gets started...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3wX1...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOVzgijaPnk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djRAF...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OAIm...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxC9f...eature=related

[TopDog]

hell yes

[archtopjazz]

Originally Posted by FrankieSixxxgun

Yeah, they're really worth it. Les Pauls come and go, but my ES-335 is one guitar I'll never get rid of.

[MisterTV]

Pssst....

If you want a real Kalamazoo-made 335 at a good price, be on the lookout for one of the "Pro" models that were made from '79 to '82, IIRC.

I have a '79 Pro in red... they also came in sunburst. Honestly, the only way you can tell it's not a standard is that the word "Pro" is engraved on the truss rod cover.

I don't think they come up for sale that often, but when they do, they seem to fetch anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.

[FrankieSixxxgun]

I got my '81 Kalamazoo-made ES-335 for $1600-$1700 at Guitar Center no less. It was just, "Used gear," so I was all over it. Best Gibson I've ever owned or played.