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Hi,
I'm using a fender tele at the moment and am thinking about upgrading to a Gibson 335. I was just wondering whether it is a good guitar in a kind of swing bigband situation.
Thanks
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03-28-2012 06:05 AM
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I find the Gibson ES335 to be one of the most versatile guitars being produced. I think it will work just fine in a big band setting, especially in concert with a good amp. I've had good experiences with this model guitar, and if I were to choose only one guitar, I think the ES335 would be the one.
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Thank you
That's great advice.
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A few things:
Originally Posted by Theza101
- I don't think going from a tele to a 335 is "upgrading," necessarily; they're different guitars (fretboard radius, scale length, solid vs semi-hollow, etc.), each with their excellent qualities;
- there will be some adjustment, so make sure you're "OK" with a different feeling guitar;
- as Rick said, a 335 is very versatile (but then, so is a tele!);
- I'd recommend you buy a less expensive 335-style guitar, just to "test" it first (i.e., Ibanez, Washburn, etc.), then if you like the style, spend more money on a good 335;
- when you're ready to spend the big money, look around -- there are a lot of small builders making 335-style guitars that are higher quality than the Gibson's.
Have fun!
Marc
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I totally agree with marcwhy that going from a tele to a 335 is not an upgrade. It's a lateral move to a different type guitar . . . unless of course you have a very low end repro of a real Fender Tele and are upgrading to a real Gibson ES335. But, I seem to remember that Doc Severenson, the leader of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Band had a guitarist that used a Tele for years. You will not find a more swinging big band anywhere on the planet that was any better (or louder) than that band. I also seem to remember seeing a guitarist on the Lawrence Welk show . . . . OK, OK . . . stop laughing!! . . . I only used to switch to it for a brief momoent to see what kind of a guitar the guitarist was playing . . . and he too had a Tele.
But, to answer your question (now that we've beat you up a little) an ES335 will definitely serve you well in a big swing band setting.
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It depends what you are supposed to play in that swing big band.
If it's rhythm in the Freddie Green way, I'd say that the most authentic would be an all acoustic archtop built for more robust playing (the vintage Epiphones are legendary for this, whereas a modern lightweight X-braced archtop may be less suitable because it leans more towards a sweeter sound and more delicate playing). As you will sit on a chair and be stationary when playing, it is absolutely possible to mic the guitar instead of installing a pickup (check out photos of Freddie Green playing).
If you are not there already, check out the following book:
Amazon.com: Swing and Big Band Guitar: Four-To-The Bar Comping in the Style of Freddie Green (0073999951479): Charlton Johnson: Books
You may also be interested in this web site:
The Freddie Green Web Site
Normally an acoustic rhythm guitar is set up with medium to heavy strings and a fairy high action to ensure good volume without buzz and slap, though very few will set the action as high as on Freddie Greens Gretsch:
%??????% - ??????????? (don't mind the ? marks, the link works)
If you are playing an electric guitar for that kind of rhythm guitar work, I would just keep the Tele, because no matter what, you will likely try to create an approximation to an acoustic archtop (low volume, mid range centered sound, thicker strings, maybe thumb picking). The guitar should be more felt than actually heard. When doing this kind of low-key 4-to-the-bar strumming myself, I have a hard time telling a significant difference between my Strat, my Bendetto Fretello with a floating PU and my Painter with a set in PU, even when practicing alone in my living room. I don't think anybody will hear any noticable difference in sound between a Tele and a 335 in that setting which can't be levelled out using the guitars tone control and the tone stack on the amp (maybe also an EQ pedal?). You will go for a sound much dryer than you'd choose for soloing. Of course, if you are also supposed to solo amplified it's another matter and the guitar may make a real difference there. If you are to do both kinds of playing, an EQ pedal at your feet may come in real handy, so you can swap tone character and volume by stepping on the pedal.
All that siad, I agree with the others - the 335 is a tremedously versatile guitar. But so is a Tele set up the right way.Last edited by oldane; 03-28-2012 at 09:24 AM.
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I have an Ibanez semi hollow and I play in a big band, but I'm just as likely to use my strat as anything. I find it pretty easy to get a good rhythm guitar sound out of anything I might use, including a tele, or a solidbody with humbuckers. The other guys in the band don't notice much difference either, but they think the box looks more traditional. The strat is just such a comfortable guitar.
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After 41 years and 35 instruments, this is my one and only electric:
I really love the form factor. I played a '63 Gretsch Chet Atkins Country Gent for 25 years, and, being tall, solid bodies just don't fit me as well.
The 335 has sensible controls and is a quality guitar. On the subject of trying a less expensive one first, I have to say that, before I found the 335, I owned -- and rewired with Seymour Duncan pickups -- an Epiphone Sheraton II, which was generally unsatisfactory, even after the tedious work of replacing all the electronics. The 335 was exactly what I wanted, and I got it for a good price (well under $2K). It's my last guitar.
A Telecaster is not a bad guitar, and has the ability to cut through a large ensemble, but the Tele doesn't fit me as well as this one. You should probably expect your mileage to vary.
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Jazz musicians like very much to play on Gibson es-335.
You will get really nice jazz sound on heavy gauge strings.
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335 is a "large" guitar, compared to a Tele
Maybe you'll have to consider a Gibson ES339 which is like a small 335, sounding pretty much like a 335, as versatile as a 335. I got mine 10 months ago, and it became my "first" guitar since I stringed it with heavy gauge flat wounds.
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[339 in june] > Gibson ES339 [...], as versatile as a 335. I got mine 10 months ago,
So you got it in May?
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I own a 2008 cherry red Gibson 335, but when I see a picture of other 335's,
like the one above, I feel an impulse at buying another one....
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Got a Gibson 335 last week, with P90 pickups. If there's anything this guitar won't do well (that doesn't require a whammy bar), I haven't found it. But hey, it's essentially a solid body guitar with single coil pickups. I'm still experimenting with the knobs, with different amps and stomp boxes. The range of different sounds is quite surprising, and not intuitive at all. I need to write down how I got that good sound, or I might never find it again!
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You can't go wrong with a 335 style guitar. You should really look at the Heritage 535 and 555. They are very comparible.
I have a Gibson 335 as well as a Heritage 555 and I like them both. That is one of my favorite body styles of all times....
Good luck
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You can find Ibanez as-200 from 1981-83.Great made semi-hollow...with ebony fingerboard.There is one of it:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...910243038.html
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I agree with everyone that the ES-335 is the most complete and versatile guitar out there, along with the Tele. However, my Carvin SH550 is my main guitar now, and has been for the last two years. When Carvin comes out with a hollow body, I'll be the first in line to get one.
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I took part in Randyc's evaluation of the SH550, and, as it happens, played in a quartet last night with the guy who bought the review guitar. If I didn't already have a 335, I'd order one with a Bigsby. Originally Posted by zigzag
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That was an excellent review! Very thorough. Interesting some of the contradictions.
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Any time there's more than one guitarist (or even one guitarist at different times) you'll get contradictions.
There are times when I really love one or another of my basses, and other times I wonder what I saw in it. I have two groups that I use three basses with: two Precisions and a Godin 5 string fretless. Sometimes I pick up the Godin and it kills. Other times, it's "meh." I just go on about my business -- a quality instrument will warm up to you.
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let me make the countdown again Originally Posted by PTChristopher
or have I offended someone ?
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>>> have I offended someone ?
Not at all. I just noticed your name at the same time you mentioned getting the guitar in May. Félicitations pour votre guitare fine.
Chris
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Merci ! Originally Posted by PTChristopher
10 months was actually the time I had to wait to get it after order
But that was well worth waiting ...
I really feel this guitar is a good alternative to a 335
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Guitar design can be remarkably conservative.
>>> But that was well worth waiting ...
You could argue that this guitar took about 45 (or so) years longer that necessary to get to you.
>>> I really feel this guitar is a good alternative to a 335
I think they play and sound great, and once the 335 existed, you wonder why it took so long to scale it down.
Chris
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I just got a 335 as an upgrade from an Ibanez AS 93 (335 copy), and i couldn't be happier .. it feels like i'm playing guitar for the first time again.. i LOVE it!
just thought i'd share this
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335'S are very versatile. What I would suggest is comparing the 335 and the 330. I would listen to recordings by Larry Carlton, 1st Robben Ford lp, Lee Ritenour. Then listen to Grant Green(es 330 ). Listen for tone as the 330 is p-90 vs hbs. Gibson has just re-issued this guitar for like $3k. If you like the hb 335, check out a Guild Starfire III. Vintage 335's run $10-25K and really sound and feel much better than more recent versions. You can always upgrade to your ear's content but the Starfire is a sharp looking and sounding guitar
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