Is an Ibanez JSM10 a solid alternative to an ES-335?

[JonasPaulsen2612]

Hello there, so I'm looking to buy a new guitar, specifically semi-hollow body that also can do jazz pretty well, and I'm just wondering if an Ibanez JSM10 could be a solid replacement for a Gibson es-335, since they are very pricey and i have heard negative things about Gibsons consistency lately. What do you think?

[Jimmy blue note]

They are of the same general design. But different materials and electronics. They are like cotton socks or wool blend. What do you like. Both good, but until you try them both and decide the best fit and inspiration, you'll never know which is perfect and which is really nice.

[Jimmy blue note]

Check out the Yamaha top of the line from their hey day. THOSE are also exceptional instruments in that niche.

[Ronstuff]

I had the opportunity to borrow a 2020 Gibson 335 from a buddy and compare it with my JSM10 a few days ago.
I must say Gibson seem to have their quality back under control. The 335 was very well built and finished.
To my surprise the 335 was brighter than my JSM 10. The 335 did not have the 57' pickups and the current ones are much brighter. They sound good for funk, blues and Rock but for Jazz (IMO) are a little too bright. You can cut the tone down, but to me it's not the same as having a pickup with the tonal character I want.
The midrange on a 335 is unique to that guitar and different than on the JSM10.
My Ibanez is really smooth sounding, and I definitely preferred it to the 335 with those "T" type pickups. I would have to compare a 335 with 57's. I must say I did change the magnet on the neck pickup of the JSM10 to alnico 2, like the Gibson 57. Very smooth and mellow.
The Ibanez is very well build, has an amazing neck and fret work. The tri-Sound switch is also very cool and effective on the neck pickup. And as you know the Ibanez is much less expensive...

[Gitterbug]

Yamaha SA2200 is still in production. Comes in small numbers from a custom shop in Japan, hence not cheap. Hottish PU's, which means they're useful in single-coil mode too. Overall, I prefer Ibanez Super 58s, which in their Chinese editions can be found on many Ibanez semis from around 500 euros upwards. I'm not aware of any structural/quality issues on these guitars.

[blue_lu]

I played a vintage as200 years ago as my main guitar and own a 335 now, 2017 model. The 335 sounds thicker , has more lower mids. The Ibanez a bit mor agile in tone, mir treble and overtones. A bit thinner.

I like the Gibson's tone a lot more

[citizenk74]

Hello there, so I'm looking to buy a new guitar, specifically semi-hollow body that also can do jazz pretty well, and I'm just wondering if an Ibanez JSM10 could be a solid replacement for a Gibson es-335, since they are very pricey and i have heard negative things about Gibsons consistency lately. What do you think?

[Gitfiddler]

Another consideration is the JSM100. If you can find one used it may be a better alternative to either the 335 or JSM10. (My opinion)

[Jimmy blue note]

If you look, you can find a vintage AS200. The guitar that has stood the test of time with John Scofield. His has decades of heavy use and the sound so many know so well.
To be had on the used market if you care to look. Find one from the early 80's, geometric headstock, made in Japan.

[frankhond]

Not sure where you are but over here the 335 costs more than a new mij JSM100 so why buy the made in china/korea JSM10? I think there is a AS200 model also which is basically the same.

I tried a JSM100 in a shop once and the neck was radically different from a Gibson, with a modern compound radius. Important factor to consider. You can swap pu’s in a 335 but you can’t change a neck you don’t like.

[Jimmy blue note]

You can swap pu’s in a 335 but you can’t change a neck you don’t like.

THIS is why all the advice you can get from strangers on a forum should be kept in perspective when searching for something that will become an extension of your body and personality.
Sometimes working with an instrument that seems appropriate to where you are as a player makes sense. I learned a lot from a modest semi hollow I started with (and could mod without any reservations) and when it came time for me to get a professional quality instrument, I knew exactly what I was looking for; what was right for me.
I've known really great players whose instruments were only playable and only sounded good in their hands.
The more time you spend playing, the better you can recognize the "best" instrument out there when you meet it.
My two cents.

[Ray175]

Consider also the early 1980s Ibanez AS200. My 1980 model is one of my favourite guitars and the first edition super 58 pickups, whilst marginally hotter, give a sound very close to the PAFs on my 1961 ES-175D. You can find them between 1500-2200USD quite easily. As has already been said the neck pickup trisound switch is a big plus and I use it in parallel mode to get a nice Peter Green sound.