My new 335 arrived yesterday... I checkec it out, set it up, and played it for quite a while, here are some impressions and questions:
Upon first arrival and inspection I was suprised. This looked and felt quite a bit different than my older 335 (a 1999 model). The neck profile was much thinner and there was not much dishing on the top (the arch wasn't very pronounced). These are not bad per se, just different than I expected. Also, the headstock seems more narrow on the wings, skinnier.
The case isn't as nice as the older models, it also does not have an archted top as they used to (I imagine these cases are cheaper to make) and no combination lock. They are a lot like a new Gretsch case.
The fit and finish of the guitar looked good. There were a couple of spots in the binding on the neck, but they rubbed right off. The bridge and tailpiece were set way too high. I did a setup and fixed the neck and this arrangement. That might be for shipping safety, but not very playable out of the box.
Playing it the guitar is very well balanced and is comfortable (other than the weight, more on this). The neck is finished well, frets are even... very easy playing for sure. The more shallow neck is open for debate on whether my hand will be comfortable long term. Maybe a Les Paul with a 50s neck would suit me better.
Acoustically, the sound is very good, balanced and alive. Good sustain as well.
The sound is massive and glorius (nothing sounds like a big bodied Gibson, nothing). Very responsive and useable all through the volume and tone controls. The '57 classics sound great. Cleans just bloom out of the guitar, semi dirty stuff sounds good. Leads are thick and BIG. Very good stuff here.
Overall, after playing for a couple of hours, my back is killing me. I haven't played standing up for that long in a few months since moving to Houston and not being in a band. Plus, the weight is pretty substantial next to an SG or Tele (my other guitars). I think the guitar is a winner, very good stuff.
The neck will get a closer evaluation, as will the weight as far as if it is a keeper. But, this guitar is a great 335. It gets a four headbanger rating (out of 5, 5 being the most perfect guitar ever)
Upon first arrival and inspection I was suprised. This looked and felt quite a bit different than my older 335 (a 1999 model). The neck profile was much thinner and there was not much dishing on the top (the arch wasn't very pronounced). These are not bad per se, just different than I expected. Also, the headstock seems more narrow on the wings, skinnier.
The case isn't as nice as the older models, it also does not have an archted top as they used to (I imagine these cases are cheaper to make) and no combination lock. They are a lot like a new Gretsch case.
The fit and finish of the guitar looked good. There were a couple of spots in the binding on the neck, but they rubbed right off. The bridge and tailpiece were set way too high. I did a setup and fixed the neck and this arrangement. That might be for shipping safety, but not very playable out of the box.
Playing it the guitar is very well balanced and is comfortable (other than the weight, more on this). The neck is finished well, frets are even... very easy playing for sure. The more shallow neck is open for debate on whether my hand will be comfortable long term. Maybe a Les Paul with a 50s neck would suit me better.
Acoustically, the sound is very good, balanced and alive. Good sustain as well.
The sound is massive and glorius (nothing sounds like a big bodied Gibson, nothing). Very responsive and useable all through the volume and tone controls. The '57 classics sound great. Cleans just bloom out of the guitar, semi dirty stuff sounds good. Leads are thick and BIG. Very good stuff here.
Overall, after playing for a couple of hours, my back is killing me. I haven't played standing up for that long in a few months since moving to Houston and not being in a band. Plus, the weight is pretty substantial next to an SG or Tele (my other guitars). I think the guitar is a winner, very good stuff.
The neck will get a closer evaluation, as will the weight as far as if it is a keeper. But, this guitar is a great 335. It gets a four headbanger rating (out of 5, 5 being the most perfect guitar ever)
