Like-New Gibson ES-335's

[tomvwash]

Has anyone played a "newer" 335 of late, say 2021-2023 or similar? The figured / blocks somehow feel cheap, not a lot of depth. Maybe this is not new news. I used to enjoy playing them for blues, some jazz. What might be a "beefier" 335 alternative with some depth, volume and output, a 355? Vintage anything? Thank you for any insight, as always.

[spencer096]

not much you can do about inlay, but have you messed with pickup height?

i got a 2019 335 that's exactly what you describe (dots tho)...there's a pro on the dr z forum that's got a 2019 335 too, we've chatted about em, and both bought em over the pricier historic versions. mightve just been a good lil run for em, but who knows.

[tomvwash]

not much you can do about inlay, but have you messed with pickup height?

i got a 2019 335 that's exactly what you describe (dots tho)...there's a pro on the dr z forum that's got a 2019 335 too, we've chatted about em, and both bought em over the pricier historic versions. mightve just been a good lil run for em, but who knows.

Right. What I meant, in part, was that these just feel cheap overall, dot or figured (pricier), with a tone that doesn't inspire. I've never played a vintage 335 and wonder how they would compare. Maybe this is already a Gibson Forum thread. Really, I think the the problem is with me, not the guitar itself! Taste and preferences vary, and the 335 style just doesn't have the same sway of late, for me.

[gitman]

A 355 is just a 335 with more bling. From what I’ve heard and seen the various re-issue models (59, 64) are very toneful instruments, the Collings I35 and Soco models also get rave reviews, not only from players who prefer overdriven tones. My own ES-345 ( a 1963 model) sounds great plugged into my ToneKing Falcon Grande, fat and deep and perfectly suited for any jazzer.