Dare I sell a 335?

[74vibrolux]

I picked up a really nice black ES335 at the beginning of the year thanks to a killer deal at the musicians friend clearance center. I've always loved their style, but had never really played on before. Anyway, almost a year into it, I'm still not totally in love with it. My DuoJet, Duesenberg and Tele are by and away my favorites. I love the look of the 335, but it doesn't seem to be very complimentary of the way I play or the amps I play or something. Granted, a decent set up might really help it, but it just hasn't knocked me out the way the Gretsch and Duesenberg did. It's a cool guitar, but ...

I hate to ditch it as I doubt I'll ever pick one up again. And I sure don't want to end up saying "man ... I should have never gotten rid of that thing." But I also don't want it sitting there collecting dust just because it's a 335 and I don't want to get rid of it. I feel I should really love this thing, and I don't. I keep thinking about swapping it out for something I've been wanting for a while, like a Hummingbird, a nice SG w/ Maestro or even a White Falcon.

Anyone else have a similar 335 experience? Are they really not for every man?

 

[Jahn]

Not every 335 is made equal. Or should I say, not every Gibson is made equal. One day I just pulled down every semihollow Gibson off the wall off every NYC store - I had all day. Vintage, New, Stock, Modded, you name it.

I didn't find one I liked. I mean, I blew through over 20 of them. So maybe yours just isnt "the One" for you. That said, I took a stab on eBay on a '69 ES-345 converted sorta to ES-335 specs and lucked out hardcore, it's a keeper.

 

[74vibrolux]

I had the exact same experience with a Heritage 535. Great guitar, and I loved the way it sounded, but it never really felt like the kind of guitar I'd play. I'm a Tele guy. I sold it and I've never really missed it, despite the fact that I sold it to a friend I hear playing it pretty often. While it was a guitar with some downright monster tone, I never felt like I'd use it properly so, no regrets.

Exactly. I love it as an idea. But in my hands it feels awkward. I just can't work with it the way I can my other guitars. I end up playing it more like my acoustic (which just isn't gonna work for a rock band). I don't know what it is that the Tele, Doozy and Gretsch have that the 335 doesn't. But for me, it's making all the difference in the world.

 

[mc1]

they, of course, are not for everyone. but i would recommend getting a setup asap and then playing a little longer until you are sure it's not for you.

 

[Kappy]

Can't speak to your particular guitar, but 335s in general are worth putting some time in to "get". FWIW, I had one I wasn't nuts about but thought was pretty good. I got it Plek'ed, put Lollar low-wind Imperials in it, and upgraded the wiring with an RS kit, and it really turned my head around. I could see myself using a 335 as a primary guitar now, which is something considering I was mainly into strats and teles (and their variants) almost exclusively. Now I have like 3 really nice semi-hollows in the 335 vein and I am pretty sure that number is only going to get larger as time goes on. That's just my experience though.

Dave

 

[Member 37136]

I feel I should really love this thing, and I don't.

Holding onto a guitar out of some sense of obligation when no such obligation exists is crazy. Yes, 335s are great, they're absolutely classic in every sense, and to some people they are the only guitar that matters. So try to find one of those guys and sell it to him!

Life is too short to keep guitars you don't love, especially when that White Falcon or SG might just be "the one."

FWIW, I just sold an ES 339 I wasn't bonding with and got a Telecaster that makes me want to play the living **** out of it every waking moment. I vacillated about that sale for a long time, but it was the smartest thing I've done this year.

 

[101Volts]

I picked up a really nice black ES335 at the beginning of the year thanks to a killer deal at the musicians friend clearance center. I've always loved their style, but had never really played on before. Anyway, almost a year into it, I'm still not totally in love with it. My DuoJet, Duesenberg and Tele are by and away my favorites. I love the look of the 335, but it doesn't seem to be very complimentary of the way I play or the amps I play or something. Granted, a decent set up might really help it, but it just hasn't knocked me out the way the Gretsch and Duesenberg did. It's a cool guitar, but ...

Get it set up before you judge. And have the pickups (And pole pieces) Adjusted for equal output, too.

 

[74vibrolux]

I definitely don't want to invest in a big pickup change. The sound is there, I just can't make its particular tone work for how I play. I think I just prefer a more brightly voiced guitar. I'll start with a setup and get the pole pieces adjusted. But if that doesn't work ... she's out the door I'm thinking.

 

[lpdeluxe]

If you haven't bonded by now, it ain't gonna happen. Release it back into the wild where it can find its natural mate. Trust me, someone will love it. Last year I bought a beautiful blonde 335 from a guy who just didn't get it. It's now my main guitar -- so much so, that I sold my previous #1 (1970 Les Paul Deluxe gold top) yesterday, after happily playing it since 1997.

 

[indravayu]

In a fit of madness, I sold my '71 ES-335 last year - the shock didn't set in for a couple months, then I was sad every day until I was able to afford a replacement last week (which I am vowing to never sell, barring a total financial collapse - even then, I may take it with me to the homeless shelter).

 

[335guy]

I've owned four 335's and everyone was a little different in feel and tone. The one I presently own is a 97' and is my fav so far. A bud has a newer one and it sounds and feels way different than mine. I guess I got lucky because I bought it without playing it from an Ebay seller and it's a monster player and looker. If you're not bonding with it, time to let it go and perhaps get something you'll want to play. BTW, black is me least fav 335 color. But I love it on my Paul.

 

[enharmonic]

I definitely don't want to invest in a big pickup change. The sound is there, I just can't make its particular tone work for how I play. I think I just prefer a more brightly voiced guitar. I'll start with a setup and get the pole pieces adjusted. But if that doesn't work ... she's out the door I'm thinking.

That seems to be the most reasonable thing to do. A good setup can do wonders for a guitar. Worst case, you have the guitar set up and ready to sell

 

[JefeMaximo]

I was in a similar situation years ago. I had a very nice 335 that I felt that I "should" keep even though I rarely played it. 335s are one of the most-versatile and iconic guitars around, but for whatever reason I typically played it out of obligation rather than desire. Needless to say, I sold it and haven't missed it much. I'm sure its current owner is playing it like mad, which is how it should be.

 

[enigma]

I usually sell gear that I don't bond within 3 months. Having said that I love ES-335's tone - nothing can duplicate it.

 

[cherrick]

photos

 

[Tidewater Custom Shop]

I had a '99 Dot Reissue, red, flames, exc set up. Loved it till the gas wore off. Sold it.

I had a '00 Tele 52 AVRI, butterscotch, upgrades, exc set up. Loved it till the gas wore off. Sold it.

I had 5 Les Pauls (3 Historics), great guitars all, exc set ups. Just didn't sit right with me... none of 'em. Sold/traded 'em.

It's a cycle. Either you have an instant bond, or you grow into a platform. I'd say after a year if you haven't grown into the 335, sell it and try something else.

 

[mcdes]

i had a cherry red gibson 335, made on sept 11th 2001 as well!!!!...... but i sold it tweo months ago as i wasnt playing it, and i really wanted a bigsby, so bought the duesenberg...... small regrets as its a good guitar, just didnt do what i needed, but sooooo happy with my purchase!!

 

[Tidewater Custom Shop]

My DuoJet, Duesenberg and Tele are by and away my favorites. I love the look of the 335, but it doesn't seem to be very complimentary of the way I play or the amps I play or something.

I'm convinced... move on to something else. Why on earth would you hang on to something that doesn't gel with your style??

 

[docbop]

I always wanted a 335 and was working in a music store and a great deal came up on used Black 345 and I grabbed it. It looked great black with gold hardware, but something about it just didn't feel right to me. I kept it for a few months and a customer saw it and feel in love with it. So I sold it to him and bought a new 335 we had and that guitar was great and over twenty years later I still have it and love it.

 

[bluesjuke]

BTW, black is me least fav 335 color. But I love it on my Paul.

I thought that too....
....until I found this one;