"bang for the buck" 335?

New, it'll run you about double your price range (but still way less than a 335)...Heritage 535. Lighter, better crafted (IMO) & Pleked, and affordable.

ps. You can probably pick up a good "used" 535 for $1K or under.

 

What are you used to playing? I have a Heritage 535, and have owned a 335, in the past. For $600. I think the Epiphone Sheraton II is great. I play mine at outdoor festival's, where I don't want to take my Heritage.

 

SA-series Yamahas.

 

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Big time.

Had to sell mine last year due to financial stresses. But I WILL replace it soon.

R
A
Z

 

Orville 335, used. Edwards 335 used.

 

I know what you mean about the Epi's; they seem great at first, but after awhile you notice that lack of clarity.

Unfortunately, haven't found anything better in this category. I had high hopes for Hamer, but none of those felt right either.

Re Yamaha SA's, great choice, but aren't these prohibitively expensive now? Used to be able to grab an SA-2000 for $500 or $600, but last time I looked they were much higher.

/rick

 

I paid $700 for mine in 2001, sold it in 2004 for $850. So they're going up, but I still see them for $700-800.

The SA-2200 is still available in the States for ca $1500 new, unlike the SG series solid-bodies which are only available in Japan and are 'spennnnnnnsive.

R
A
Z
(Pondering whether to sell my SG-2000)

 

Yet another cheapo copy.......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=7321943183&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

 

A used Guild Starfire IV. Great guitars - I think right up there with modern Gibson 335s - but sadly, they don't hold much resale value. Which helps you, the second owner, quite a bit!

 

I just got an Epiphone Sheraton II recently... I like it very much for the price range it is in. Only a couple of bad things I have seen so far..

Input Jack - this is my 3rd Epiphone & and all seem to have cheap jacks that get loose every time you plug in & are so hard to pull out, seems like it is going to break.

Pickups - as of right now, I am still enjoying the neck pickup of my Sheraton II. But, the bridge pickup is not even close to making me happy.

All in all, Epiphones are ok with me because they are affordable. Gibsons are just too much money, unless you find "YOUR" guitar. I use a PRS McCarty as my main guitar, and nothing I have found is even close to it. Final thoughts - unless "YOUR" guitar is a 335, go with something less expensive like an Sheraton II. It is built better & sounds miles ahead of the lower Epiphone 'Dot' guitars... and insanely more affordable than a Gibson.

 

No brainer !

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81703

I've even considered this one myself.

 

+1 for the Orville & Guild suggestions

 

Play a Peavey JF1.

http://peavey.com/products/browse.c.../113643/number/00532230/cat/262/JF-1?+EXP.cfm

 

John, that Yamaha is a BEAUTY! Hope it plays as nice as it looks?

 

Maybe the Agile AS-820 Prestige. I know my LP style AL 3000 is an amazing value.

http://www.rondomusic.net/as820prestige.html

 

Hamer Echotone.:AOK

 

Wow! Ebony board and Grovers for 4 bills + case? Are these made well? They certainly seem a terrific value. They kind of remind me of a Yamaha SA-2200.
Anyone have one?

 

IMHO, after messing around with a vast arrray of 335 wannabes, my votes go for (in no particular order) the Epitome Dot Special, Washboard HB32, Ibeenhad Artcore AS73. Most Pacific Rim guitars will need some help, but once properly administered, you'll uncover that diamond in the rough. For sure. It's truly wonderful to be living in the Golden Age of Guitars. Really.