Like-New Gibson ES-335s

[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.

[GNAPPI]

My latest is a 2017 and I have no idea what pup of the decade Gibson is putting in those later years but my latest 335 has "Burstbuckers", and I can tell you if what you played has BB's they're nothing like a 335 with 57 classics.

[omphalopsychos]

I've had a couple 355s and have a 335 with a trap tailpiece. I also have had 2 collings i 35lc and an i 30 lc. The gibsons were murphy lab and I far preferred them over the collings in terms of capturing the classic sound and feel of a vintage semihollow. Collings makes killer guitars but somehow I always feel they lack something to make them truly inspiring to play.




As I said I also had some 355s, and I have to disagree with the statement that it's just a 335 with more bling. Both 355s I had sounded quite different from a 335. They sounded great, for the record, but different, due to the ebony board. There was more upper midrange and overall brighter tone compared to the 335.

[gitman]

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.

I agree with your observation : many newer Gibson models felt cheap in my hands and were un-inspiring re the tones I was able to coax out of them. Having been a fan-boy of these ES models ever since highschool and still using the '63 ES-345 that I bought in 1982 I have a pretty good grasp on these guitars and from the several dozen others that I was able to check out (a bit more closely than the usual 20 minutes in a store) during all these years I learned that they vary greatly in terms of basic feel, sound and weight. My particular 345 (with after market pickups, original stop-tailpiece) in comparison to most others has a distinctly mellow sound, with excellent sustain- it's not the model though if you're after the classic rock tones a la late-era Clapton with Cream (and his '64 ES-335) etc. and it's also more mellow that the excellent Ibanez AS200/Scofield guitars. Mine sounds much more "JAZZ" than the others but in the hands of another player it's different again. I'd look for a mid-weight guitar with a mahogany neck, low-wound pickups and then spend a few months dialing it in. Off-the-Rack/instant gratification is a pipe dream in most cases .....

[lesyeuxnoirs]

I have played a number of the current 'figured' models (I am guessing 2022/23?). They didn't feel at all cheap to me. To the contrary, I thought that the QC was a step-change improvement compared to other Gibsons that I have owned or played. With the caveat that I have no familiarity with vintage 335s, I thought these were some of the best that I have experienced. As somebody said above, maybe this was just a good batch?

The pickups on these are 'calibrated t-type' which I assume is based on the T-tops? I actually really like these but I can see that compared to Classic 57s, they are a little bright...so maybe not ideal for jazz (or blues?) without adjusting volume, tone and amp settings?

[Oscar67]

I’ve had a custom shop ‘58 VOS reissue 335 which I really wanted to love… but couldn’t. It played like a dream, amazing neck and fretwork. It looked like it was new-old-stock, made in ‘58 and then left to age in its case. The problem (for me) was in the sound. The neck pup sounded wonderful on the wound strings with the amp’s bright switch on, but then the plain strings would be too bright. And vice versa with the bright switch off. I couldn’t really get a happening jazz tone. Also I couldn’t make both pups sound good through the amp: if the bridge sounded killer then the neck would be dark and vice versa. In the end I traded it for a similarly priced PRS 594 Hollowbody and it was just the ticket. The PRS of course is fully hollow except for a bridge post and has a solid top and back. It’s a different animal. For me it’s perfect.

I’ve tried many non-custom shop 335’s but they didn’t inspire me. It’s funny: to my ears and eyes, Gibsons and Fenders are the best and most beautiful guitars in the world when other people play them. But not when I play them.

Here’s a really nice 335 tone, at least to my ears (BTW Jack makes great vids, I learned a lot from him). Closer inspection reveals that he plays with a very light touch, he lets the amp do the heavy lifting and he’s using a Fender just on the edge of breakup through an Ox. Now if you or I were to play a heavy-handed Prince-style funk jam on the top four strings on this exact same guitar and rig, chances are the high end would eject the fillings from your teeth. So what does this say about his 335? In his hands it’s great. In my hands it would be too bright.

[tomvwash]

I’ve had a custom shop ‘58 VOS reissue 335 which I really wanted to love… but couldn’t. It played like a dream, amazing neck and fretwork. It looked like it was new-old-stock, made in ‘58 and then left to age in its case. The problem (for me) was in the sound. The neck pup sounded wonderful on the wound strings with the amp’s bright switch on, but then the plain strings would be too bright. And vice versa with the bright switch off. I couldn’t really get a happening jazz tone. Also I couldn’t make both pups sound good through the amp: if the bridge sounded killer then the neck would be dark and vice versa. In the end I traded it for a similarly priced PRS 594 Hollowbody and it was just the ticket. The PRS of course is fully hollow except for a bridge post and has a solid top and back. It’s a different animal. For me it’s perfect.

I’ve tried many non-custom shop 335’s but they didn’t inspire me. It’s funny: to my ears and eyes, Gibsons and Fenders are the best and most beautiful guitars in the world when other people play them. But not when I play them.

Here’s a really nice 335 tone, at least to my ears (BTW Jack makes great vids, I learned a lot from him). Closer inspection reveals that he plays with a very light touch, he lets the amp do the heavy lifting and he’s using a Fender just on the edge of breakup through an Ox. Now if you or I were to play a heavy-handed Prince-style funk jam on the top four strings on this exact same guitar and rig, chances are the high end would eject the fillings from your teeth. So what does this say about his 335? In his hands it’s great. In my hands it would be too bright.

Agreed on Jack's style and 335 tone. I'm subscribed to his Patreon lessons, and he has a pair of Truefire lessons, some of the best teaching I know and yes, what a touch he has with this Gibson. Great example, thanks.

[Doug B]

What about a Heritage guitar?

[Herbie]

I’ve had a custom shop ‘58 VOS reissue 335 which I really wanted to love… but couldn’t. It played like a dream, amazing neck and fretwork. It looked like it was new-old-stock, made in ‘58 and then left to age in its case. The problem (for me) was in the sound. The neck pup sounded wonderful on the wound strings with the amp’s bright switch on, but then the plain strings would be too bright. And vice versa with the bright switch off. I couldn’t really get a happening jazz tone. Also I couldn’t make both pups sound good through the amp: if the bridge sounded killer then the neck would be dark and vice versa. In the end I traded it for a similarly priced PRS 594 Hollowbody and it was just the ticket. The PRS of course is fully hollow except for a bridge post and has a solid top and back. It’s a different animal. For me it’s perfect.

I’ve tried many non-custom shop 335’s but they didn’t inspire me. It’s funny: to my ears and eyes, Gibsons and Fenders are the best and most beautiful guitars in the world when other people play them. But not when I play them.

Here’s a really nice 335 tone, at least to my ears (BTW Jack makes great vids, I learned a lot from him). Closer inspection reveals that he plays with a very light touch, he lets the amp do the heavy lifting and he’s using a Fender just on the edge of breakup through an Ox. Now if you or I were to play a heavy-handed Prince-style funk jam on the top four strings on this exact same guitar and rig, chances are the high end would eject the fillings from your teeth. So what does this say about his 335? In his hands it’s great. In my hands it would be too bright.

Maybe nylon saddles for the bright strings would have done the trick?

[Herbie]

I have played a number of the current 'figured' models (I am guessing 2022/23?). They didn't feel at all cheap to me. To the contrary, I thought that the QC was a step-change improvement compared to other Gibsons that I have owned or played. With the caveat that I have no familiarity with vintage 335s, I thought these were some of the best that I have experienced. As somebody said above, maybe this was just a good batch?

The pickups on these are 'calibrated t-type' which I assume is based on the T-tops? I actually really like these but I can see that compared to Classic 57s, they are a little bright...so maybe not ideal for jazz (or blues?) without adjusting volume, tone and amp settings?

I saw one of these modern versions, called ’Sixties Cherry’ in a near shop. It was so beautiful! I try not to think about it in my arsenal… I ain’t got any band where I could play it… and I have all the guitars I need already…

Besides, I once had an Epiphone Sheraton version on this subject and always thought how clumsy it is. Would the new Gibby be similar, hmm? But now and then I am checking, is the guitar still in that shop…

[Flat]

As I said I also had some 355s, and I have to disagree with the statement that it's just a 335 with more bling. Both 355s I had sounded quite different from a 335. They sounded great, for the record, but different, due to the ebony board. There was more upper midrange and overall brighter tone compared to the 335.

They really do have a different sound to my ears. The ebony board made it a little brighter. But the big difference to me was the stereo wiring and a six-position Varitone switch. There's a nice article about the ES-355 in the Holiday 2023 issue of Guitar Player magazine if you can track it down.

Top-Shelf Semi - Guitar Player | Everand

But do take a listen to a Heritage 535 if you are interested. I have one and it ain't goin' nowhere.

[burchyk]

I like the CS ES-335 reissues.

The inherent sound of those instruments is richer with harmonics or something. Think it is the woods and construction. Similar thing with the ES-175 '59 VOS reissue.

Agree with Oscar67 on pickups - not well balanced, neck a bit too hot and dark, bridge bit weak. For jazz I recommend to go with a low-wind neck around 6.5k and a medium+ bridge at least 8.5k.

Check out ES-330 as well. They are the jazzier 335 siblings. Reissues are great, and original vintage ones can be found for much less than the 3X5s.

[jads57]

I owned both a 335 and 345 recent 2022,2023 models. Both were excellent thinlines, and a great representation of the lineage of semi
hollow originals. I really liked the T Top pickups as well.

I only sold because I’m playing smaller lighter weight headless guitars currently. You won’t be disappointed!

[DawgBone]

The ebony board is brighter. The rosewood board is warmer and woodier. Can't go wrong with either but I do generally like ebony.

@herbie the only thing clunkier about the Sheraton is the archtop sized headstock. Some of the latest Sheratons now feature a smaller headstock, but it also appears they also did away with the five piece neck. Body contour wise the Sheraton II Pro model is a match in the body to a Gibson 335 for all intents and purposes.

[Spook410]

Don't know about differences in early and late models. I have a Gibson 335 (late 90's I think) and a Heritage 535 (early one.. probably 1989). Just never have cared all that much for either one. Probably would like a 330 style better.

[Jimmy Mack]

My $.02. I have now an Epiphone 335 Pro, and an Epi '61 Casino RI. Both made in China sometime in the last 10 years. I don't buy guitars to look at, they are tools and they'd better be a joy to play, at home and at the gigs.
In fact, when I found each of these, I wasn't even looking to buy a guitar, just checking out amps at GC.

They are great, as is. But recently, I tried out a new Gibson 335, and a new Epi 335. The Epi was not better than my Epi 335, and the Gibson was not $3500.00 better than my Epi 335. I took my guitar to GC, and played them all side by side! (to be absolutely sure).

But my Casino ( a special issue with Gibson electronics and p/ups and great woods ) is just like the Gibson ES 330.
Great for blues and rock, but especially nice for jazz because it is hollow. Nice enough to warrant me playing it when I don't play my L5.

But I wouldn't ever know all this if I didn't sit down and put them through the drill for a while before buying.

[Spook410]

This is the part that always baffled me: Given the hardwood block down the center, how do you get the hollow part to contribute to the sound/tone at low volumes? Is a bit more volume required? Doesn't seem the laminates and block would interact all that much. In some ways, sort of like 1/3 of a Les Paul. Solid block of wood with a couple of HB's strapped on. So.. yea.. pretty sure I must be missing something in how these are supposed to work.

[John A.]

This is the part that always baffled me: Given the hardwood block down the center, how do you get the hollow part to contribute to the sound/tone at low volumes? Is a bit more volume required? Doesn't seem the laminates and block would interact all that much. In some ways, sort of like 1/3 of a Les Paul. Solid block of wood with a couple of HB's strapped on. So.. yea.. pretty sure I must be missing something in how these are supposed to work.

And yet you strum a semi unplugged and a solid body unplugged and they’re dramatically different. So obviously there’s something going on acoustically with a semi. Plugged in, the difference can be emphasized or minimized with settings, overdrive, etc., but IME not completely removed.

To the original topic, I have never found 335's (recent, not so recent, old) to feel cheap in any way. There's some variation in sound, and some seem better than others subjectively, but I don't think that correlates with recency or age. I played a new 339 a month or so ago, and was blown away. It was a really, really good guitar. FWIW, I once played an original dotneck with PAF's, though, and it didn't strike as a particularly special example. OTOH, I was once in Guitar Center where someone was demoing a vintage 345 with PAF's that sounded incredible (as in holy s*it that thing sounds great). The demo-er happened to be Adam Rogers, though, and I think that might have had something to do with it.

[jads57]

The ES-335 in general has a more pronounced midrange quality to it. I’m not sure how much is the actual design vs. the variation in woods used throughout various productions.
But like all guitars with age they can get a bit more complex. Even with laminates and solid body designs.

For what it’s worth, most of the great players in the past, weren’t all that particular about such details.They just viewed them more as a useful tool,to achieve what they heard in their head.

[Ronstuff]

Last January I bought a 2021 335 dot. Really love the guitar. It replaced an Ibanez JSM10. It had the calibrated T top pickups, which I liked for a while, but changed them for classic 57’s. It really has the rich “woody” Gibson tone. I do find that a semi-hollow guitar needs a certain amount of volume to sound full and big compared to an archtop.

[tomvwash]

Last January I bought a 2021 335 dot. Really love the guitar. It replaced an Ibanez JSM10. It had the calibrated T top pickups, which I liked for a while, but changed them for classic 57’s. It really has the rich “woody” Gibson tone. I do find that a semi-hollow guitar needs a certain amount of volume to sound full and big compared to an archtop.

You're the 2nd one on this thread to mention the Classic 57's for a semi-hollow. This sounds like the ticket.

[DawgBone]

You're the 2nd one on this thread to mention the Classic 57's for a semi-hollow. This sounds like the ticket.

Let me be the fourth to mention 57's in a semi hollow. I've had them in two semis now. My favorite. I had the Seths and they just didn't match as good as the 57s IMO. There is probably a better pickup than a 57 out there for a semi hollow so please let me know if you think you've found it cause I can't afford to go looking.