Something Positive From Gibson USA - A CS-336 Love Thread!

Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009.


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  1. Dec 23, 2009 #1
    Guitar Dave T

    Guitar Dave T Member

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    The Gibson CS-336 has got to be, hands down, the coolest guitar I've ever owned.

    Having owned and gigged extensively with 335's, LP's, SG's, Strats and Teles, this guitar is just singularly unique.

    It has the flexibility of the classic 4 knob control, the sustain and midrange growl of a Les Paul and the openess and harmonic overtones of a 335, with the upper midrange sweetness of a Tele. I've owned mine for over a year now, and it's funny how it took a while to adjust my touch and technique, but it is now my #1 favorite, especially with an amp that has its own overdrive options.

    Got pics? Got clips? Post 'em up here!

    [​IMG]
    Infamous Blues Bar, The Hole In The Wall, Dallas, Tx, September 2009, with The Mike Johnson Band, featuring yours truly on G&V, Mike Johnson on sax and vocals, David Fargesen on Electric Bass, and The Amazing Tommy Hill on Drums & vocals.

    Here's a clip of the CS336 with an Omega modified (redesigned) Hot Rod Deluxe amp, no OD pedals or other effects (with my band, Revival, same club, also September, 2009): http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=977750&songID=8437865
     
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    #1
  2. Dec 23, 2009 #2
    Pikesoldier

    Pikesoldier Member

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    sounds good! one of these days i'll try picking up another hollowbody, if i can ever get over this fender kick. (bought another strat this morning.)
     
    Pikesoldier, Dec 23, 2009
    Pikesoldier, Dec 23, 2009
    #2
  3. Dec 23, 2009 #3
    bluesjuke

    bluesjuke Disrespected Elder

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    Amp and guitar sound like they go together well Dave.
    One of these days I've got to get my butt out to see ya'll.
     
    bluesjuke, Dec 23, 2009
    bluesjuke, Dec 23, 2009
    #3
  4. Dec 23, 2009 #4
    lannyhall

    lannyhall Member

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    I have enjoyed my CS-336. It is not my #1 guitar, but it could be. :)

    [​IMG]
     
    lannyhall, Dec 23, 2009
    lannyhall, Dec 23, 2009
    #4
  5. Dec 23, 2009 #5
    BigPapiFan

    BigPapiFan Member

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    I feel the love.

    [​IMG]
     
    BigPapiFan, Dec 23, 2009
    BigPapiFan, Dec 23, 2009
    #5
  6. Dec 23, 2009 #6
    MKB

    MKB Silver Supporting Member

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    This guitar shows that after all the crap Gibson has released recently, they can still create a masterpiece clearly honoring their traditions when they put their mind to it. I've played a few of these, and it's not exactly my cup of tea, but it was obviously a terrific guitar and every molecule a Gibson.
     
    MKB, Dec 23, 2009
    MKB, Dec 23, 2009
    #6
  7. Dec 23, 2009 #7
    rhollyday

    rhollyday Silver Supporting Member

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    How much different is a CS-336 than a 339?
     
    rhollyday, Dec 23, 2009
    rhollyday, Dec 23, 2009
    #7
  8. Dec 23, 2009 #8
    Guitar Dave T

    Guitar Dave T Member

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    Aside from the general appearance, night and day difference. The 339 shares more in common tonally with a 335. The CS-336 is unique sounding in every way, like an extremely open sounding, harmonically complex Les Paul.

    Appearance wise, the 339 is slightly thicker than the 336, and has a different body angle at the neck pickup which isn't conducive for the neck pickup mounting parallel with the strings.
     
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    #8
  9. Dec 23, 2009 #9
    surfshack

    surfshack Member

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    my CS 336p.....
    i love this guitar such a killer alternative to the LP and 335!

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    surfshack, Dec 23, 2009
    surfshack, Dec 23, 2009
    #9
  10. Dec 23, 2009 #10
    Guitar Dave T

    Guitar Dave T Member

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    Now there's three guitars that should cover a lot of ground!

    I love the plain top on that sunburst CS-336. It gives it a real vintage flavor. My first 335, a '74 cherry red, and all the 335 style Gibsons I remember "back in the day" were plain tops.

    BTW, here's Freddie King's '67 355 for sale on EBAY: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180375852258
     
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 23, 2009
    #10
  11. Dec 24, 2009 #11
    surfshack

    surfshack Member

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    thanks man......it plays as good as it looks too!
     
    surfshack, Dec 24, 2009
    surfshack, Dec 24, 2009
    #11
  12. Dec 24, 2009 #12
    Guitar Dave T

    Guitar Dave T Member

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    Well here's your chance! I'll be with Revival at Nate's in Allen Saturday night, the 26th, from 6:30 - 10:30. Revival is a deep-cuts band focusing on dual guitar harmony stuff with a groove. Allmans, Little Feat, Steely Dan, and whatever catches our fancy on a given night. Saturday, we've got grammy drummer, Warren Dewey.

    I WILL BE PLAYING THE 336 AS MY #1, AS USUAL.

    Saturday Night, December 26, 6:30-10:30
    Nate's Seafood in Allen
    (Real Good Louisiana Gumbo and Crawfish Etouffee!)
    190 East Stacy Rd, Suite 1800
    Allen, TX 75002
    (972) 678-2223
    Click Here for Google Map

     
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 24, 2009
    Guitar Dave T, Dec 24, 2009
    #12
  13. Dec 24, 2009 #13
    CharAznable

    CharAznable Member

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    I love the 336's.

    I wish Gibson would hype and market these and the LP Axcess as much as they do the Dark Fires and the Robots. These are guitars that solve real problems and players want.
     
    CharAznable, Dec 24, 2009
    CharAznable, Dec 24, 2009
    #13
  14. Dec 25, 2009 #14
    stevieboy

    stevieboy Clouds yell at me Gold Supporting Member

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    [​IMG]

    I used to live about a mile from the Hole in the Wall.
     
    stevieboy, Dec 25, 2009
    stevieboy, Dec 25, 2009
    #14
  15. Dec 25, 2009 #15
    stratlad

    stratlad Member

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    Guitar Dave T: Nice playing man - some very tasty chops there. I have CS 336 with a natural plaintop. Very versatile guitar. I wanted to thin my guitar herd and took a long time deciding whether I'd keep my R7LP or the 336 but in the end the 336 won. It sounds better live and "work" better with more amps than the LP did while retaining some good LP mojo - but with more openess and clarity.

    Cheers.
     
    stratlad, Dec 25, 2009
    stratlad, Dec 25, 2009
    #15
  16. Dec 25, 2009 #16
    GtrDr

    GtrDr Member

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    Gibson seems to put a lot more work into their semi-hollow & hollow guitars. Nicer fit & finnish.
     
    GtrDr, Dec 25, 2009
    GtrDr, Dec 25, 2009
    #16
  17. Dec 25, 2009 #17
    GAT

    GAT Gold Supporting Member

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    I've been looking for a red one like yours to come up in the Emporium so I can buy it!

    Now this has fueled my GAS for one!
     
    GAT, Dec 25, 2009
    GAT, Dec 25, 2009
    #17
  18. Dec 25, 2009 #18
    bluesjuke

    bluesjuke Disrespected Elder

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    I have always thought that the most beautiful looking 335's were the plain grained ones.
    Just seems right due to, as you said, almost all of them were in the past.
     
    bluesjuke, Dec 25, 2009
    bluesjuke, Dec 25, 2009
    #18
  19. Dec 25, 2009 #19
    A440

    A440 Supporting Member

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    not a 336, but a close relation :)

    here's my 356. Dave, I noticed you wrap your strings over the tailpiece. I'll have to give that a try next time I restring.

    [​IMG]
     
    A440, Dec 25, 2009
    A440, Dec 25, 2009
    #19
    big jilm likes this.
  20. Dec 25, 2009 #20
    Bad Juju

    Bad Juju Supporting Member

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    I bought a 336 sometime around the mid 90s if I remember right. Not sure if they still are, but it was from the Historic Custom Shop or some similar name Gibson was using.

    The guitar flat out sang, was sweet when you wanted it to be and growled when you dug in hard. Through a Budda Verbmaster, Fulltone FD II and Ultimate Octave it was just plain sweet.

    The finish on it was not very good though - overspray on the f-holes, minor binding issues, etc., but it sounded excellent. Sold it a few years after I had it and now these newer ones are looking so much nicer, and from the sounds of it, still sound great.
     
    Bad Juju, Dec 25, 2009
    Bad Juju, Dec 25, 2009
    #20
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