My Experience With A Gibson ES 335
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
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The strings I use on this guitar
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I was fortunate enough to be able to buy my dad one just a few weeks ago . He has wanted one for around 30 years and he loves it . The look on his face when I gave it to him was worth every penny.
That's a great gift. He must be a great dad.
Ray, would you have a word with my son, please?
Great gift!
Ray your a good son, My son got me one too
Hey son so happy to meet you !
My 335 is such a part of my life. In 1976 my mom and dad, who have both passed, spent their vacation money to buy me a red ES-335TD. I still have it and play it to this day. I was inspired to buy it because of Chuck Berry, BB King and oddly enough, Alex Lifeson. I was brought up in the jazz method by a great teacher named Frank Vaccaro. I complained always about getting a better guitar (we were a blue collar family) and he would then opick up a beat up classical and play amazing flamenco or jazz on it. I said, I get it Frank. It's in my head, how to play better. After years of lessons I got my 335. It is part of my musical heritage. I think of my mom and dad's sacrifice in buying it. Love your channel Phil.
In August my band played a gig and an older gentleman guitar picker was there. He is a regular to our gigs and really likes our band and shared he still strummed some on his 1963 ES 335 . In August we played the outdoor gig and he and his family showed up to celebrate his 84th birthday. He also brought his guitar. Asked if I wanted to see it , Of Course I said and I also asked him if he would sit in on a tune. He replied “no, I want you , to play it for me.” I was so honored.
What did I play?
Johnny B Goode...
Yup, I’ve now played a Birthyear guitar
Great story, I can def appreciate it
Awesome story
Great story! Thanks for sharing that... made my day.
aint it some year.
@@harryw9598 I was born a year later in '64 which was also a good guitar making year!
My father who just passed away a few months ago, owned a 1959 Gibson ES 350T. This guitar is beautiful! I always loved that guitar, going back to when I was just a teenager in the 70's. I checked online to see its value and was astonished to find out it could be worth between 10k to 16k. That was the range I seen them going for. This one is in pristine condition. Of course the typical wear you would expect but nothing more. He took care of that guitar as if it was my brother. Anyway I really love that guitar it's one of a kind. At least to me it is. And to think my Uncle bought it for him because he needed a guitar to play in a band. As the story goes he got if off a bartender who was down on his luck. If I remember correctly he paid something like $200 or $300 bucks for it at the time. That was in the early 60's. Now it's increased exponentially in value. But sentimental value will always out weight monetary value on this one.
That's a great story! Treasure it!
Great story, but if it was worth only a fraction of the price and you still love to play it, would you ever get rid of it? It is not simply a valuable 'asset' for you but a nice instrument to play music on and to remember your dad, right.
@@peterdegoeij6234 I see what you're saying. Yes you are definitely correct. I mentioned sentimental value being more than monetary, but you're right. If the guitar was worth a fraction of that, I would still never part with it. It's a very nice instrument that brings back many memories with my Dad, from when I was a kid in the 70's to now. Thanks for pointing that out!
@@Colhogan06 Enjoy the guitar and memories. It must be a great feeling of playing something that old and amazing. It seems that nowadays we only built things to last a few years to replace them as soon as they are made obsolete by newer versions. It used to be different and that instrument ia a great example..
@@peterdegoeij6234 Thanks! I think one thing that I really like, is I have a lot of pictures of him playing the guitar. Back in the 70's when cable TV was just getting started his band got a deal on a cable channel to be on a season of some show called Country..something. I can't remember the 2nd part of the name but he used it on that show. It was definitely something. Thanks again for the nice comments.
Everytime I watch one of Phil's videos, I want a new guitar.
Great video and I'm super happy you enjoy your Gibson. Although, Gibson does not use ANY prefab nuts on ANY guitar. Each nut is hand crafted. Some from scratch. I know because I work at Gibson and I am one of the few that handles all the ES models. I take great pride in ensuring everyone gets the great Gibson experience they deserve. Sorry about the fingerboard. In a mass production setting, due to time constraints we are not able to finish the fingerboard like I want to. I assure you we try to do the best we can with the time we have. Thank you for the video and great review! Enjoy!
Love my 2020 es 345! What a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. And the tone is unreal. I want to visit the Nashville plant someday. I've watched almost every Gibson factory tour video. You guys impress me and I will play my es till I die. The action is so smooth, low, fast. It's an unbelievable instrument.
Just got mine in ebony and I wonder if it ever went through you 🙂 love it
Experiencing exactly the same problem with my brand-new ES 335, same model! Gorgeous guitar, sounds amazing but I am not able to bend the high strings because my fingers get stuck to the fretboard, nothing you expect from such a fancy brand like Gibson! It's really annoying to not be able to play this new instrument correctly, I hope to be able to fix the problem like you did on yours...
I love my Gibsons Ive own over the years but all of them I need to work over nut slots when new. Those tricky angle filing techniques were never applied on any of mine to prevent strings binding in the nut!
hey Jay, im trying to decide bwn Heritage, es335, ibanez jsm100 and.. not sure id stoop to an eastman… but anyway, please tell me why the es335 wins! it would help alot coming fron someone who knows! thank you
I've wanted a 335 since I was a kid but thought there's no way I could ever justify spending that kind of money on a guitar. Finally bought one in 2010 loved it so much I bought my second one 2 months later now I have 3....My favorite guitars by far
You got a Memphis Nashville is a totally different animal at least 2021 is. I loved the Memphis ones.
I purchased a new 2018 Memphis 335 and it is my favorite of all. I've wanted a 335 for 45 years. Finally got that one and it is my dream guitar. I love everything about it.
Congrats Phil! I got my Gibson ES-335 a few years back and still love it.
I got a 2020 ES-335 a few weeks ago and I am mind blown! It sounds and feel like anything else i've tried, it can do all styles with no problems. It's been a dream on mine to get one and I couldn't be happier.
Hey Phillip, I recently kitted out my Epiphone 335 Dot cherry, it was a guitar I had for a few years and I wanted to breathe some life back into it. Installed a graph tech nut, Gibson 490 R and 490 T pickups, upgraded pots wiring harness switch and topped off with Gibson Deluxe tuners and new volume and tone knobs. She plays like a dream and has amazing tone and clarity, the pickups really sparkle and they clean up really well. The guitar was great to play straight out the box but after a little investment it has become my go to guitar. All in all including the cost of the guitar I spent £780.00. I've compared it to my friends Gibson 335 and it definitely can hold it's own, the Gibson is of higher quality but for playability and tone there isn't much in it. Great post man, thanks for sharing your beautiful Gibson ES 335.
Last year I got an Eastman T-486 (their version of a 335) and I would say my comments about my guitar absolutely mirror what you say about your 335. - Just a great guitar that's hard to put down. Makes me want to play differently. Fantastic/versatile tone. This style of guitar really is... fantastic. I even like the middle position with the treble tone rolled back. Congrats on your find!
I have wanted at 335 for years. I love the fact that you demoed the Guitar clean and then dirty. So many times I hear a demo where the guitar is distorted throughout -you can’t learn anything about how the guitar really sounds. This guitar sounded great! Thank you Philip.
Coincidentally, my Epi 335 arrived 2 hrs ago in the same color. Love to see a comparison video. Thanks PM!
THAT is exactly the Gibson I wanted so...I bought a red 335 Pro Epiphone instead. Times are tough and I think this was a good compromise until I go professional. Thanks for the video!
Great video! Im a Les Paul guy. Ive played a custom since 89. I had to buy a Strat just for the sake of having to have one in my possession. I bought a gorgeous Strat Plus in 90. Ive played it often but never really considered a Strat was for me. Fast forward to 2016. I got this itch for a 335. I searched GC for a new or used one even considered an Ibanez. I found a used Ibanez at a local GC I stopped by to play it and was less than impressed by its vibe. I called a friend at another local music store and told him I was looking for a 335 or equivalent. He told me he just got an Epiphone in yesterday that he thinks I may be interested in. I told him I would be there in an hour or so. He told me he was leaving for the day but he will let an associate know I was coming. I arrived and found it behind the counter already rung up with a special price given to me. I plugged it in was was blown away by the tone and feel of this fine instrument. Although it wasn’t perfect as it needed some fret work done, 30 minutes of a fret manicure had this feeling like an instrument worth 10 times what I paid.
This guitar gives back something my Les Paul never has. When you crank up the amp the body provides vibrations of happiness only a hollow or semi hollow body can. It does inspire me to play differently and truth be told, I would rather play my Epiphone Dot over my gorgeous white 3 pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom.
I paid $249 for a mint used Dot with a hard case.... what a find. I should note this Epi is a 2012 model and was not made in China.
Although Ive not played many 335’s or epiphones, I know what I like and consider this one a gem.
I bought my 335 not much after you. Mine is also a 2020 that I bought soon after it arrived into the shop in Dec and I purchased it in January of 2021. It's my 'every day' guitar. I play it plugged in and unplugged. Absolutely love it.
I’ve watched this vid a couple of times, now. I just love hearing the great tones Phil gets out of this.
I'm in a funk, disco band. Every previous player used strats, for a good reason, but I decided to go for the 335, just to be different. It works remarkebly well, better than I expected.
Congrats Phil, that's a beauty and it sounds superb in your hands...Sounds like it's been a long wait to finally find "the one"...Here's to many years of the kind of enjoyment and fulfillment that only a much-loved guitar can bring!
Your playing style demonstrated the tone really well! Love the Es-335.
The clarity of the bridge pickup is perhaps the best I've ever heard.
I was just thinking that! Ive got a cheaper version of the 335 and my bridge pickup doesnt sound like that!
@@mathieuschuler366 It really surprised me. I have a couple of Seymour Duncans that are very good in that spot, but not that good. Jealous!
Back in January I had decided to finally get a 335 after years of wanting one, but I couldn't justify the expense of a Gibson so I was going to get an Epiphone. Well, while looking at the Epiphones I tried a Hagstrom Super Viking, which is essentially a 335 - hollow on the sides, solid down the middle, similar size, humbuckers, and I fell in love with it. The Super Viking has a 25.5" scale which is the Fender scale which suits me since my other guitars are Strats and Teles, but they also have the Viking which has the Gibson 24.75" scale. This type of guitar is a wonderful thing to own and play.
Yeah I got the cheap Hagstrom Viking 2p and I like it too. Cool guitars for the price
M Hicks my Epi came on sale from Musicians Friend for $399. Can’t beat it for that price.
Probably a better purchase than these overpriced Gibsons.
@@tapfishchallenge I don't know about that but it is VERY pretty and plays and sounds great.
Awesome, would like to see a little playing demo on your Hagstrom.
I bought my Epi Dot 335 about 15 years ago. The serial number reveals that it was made in the Samick factory in So. Korea in 2001. Absolutely fantastic guitar....natural finish. Great feeling neck. Sound is great through my Mesa Boogie 22 Caliber. Cost, with hard shell case...$250. One of my best deals ever.....
Thanks for all the work you do on your channel. I always look forward to your new content.
I too have wanted a Gibson 335 for a long time. I got one recently, and I'm so glad I did. It is the "335 Satin" variant, but I really love the neck and the tone is beyond's words. Thanks for the review.
"smells like vanilla" damn you sold me there
My favorite type of guitar. Congrats!
The sunburst looks fantastic, great looking !!
I found my 335 this year as well. Custom shop 2009 50th anniversary 1959 reissue 335 in vintage burst. It is the most amazing guitar I've ever played! I love it.
I love slow blues and vintage rock on a 335 or 335-type guitar! Mine is a D'angelico premier DC, which is about what I could afford. But the Gibson just has that TONE we all love. Great video, PMc. What a beautiful guitar!
I love this guy's presentational style. Very engaging and clear, regardless of the subject.
Every note you played was perfection. The tone is so unique and perfect..........Eargasmic :)
Amateur player for 50 odd years owning a Les Paul and Fender strat from my younger days with the ES-335 always on my bucket list. Retired last year and rewarded myself with a Gibson ES-335. Back in March the first one delivered (vintage burst) was great except for the fretboard that had odd dark coloration streaks in the rosewood going down both sides. Not a good look and I don't know how it got past quality control. Delivery on its replacement got held up with Gibson shutdown due to Covid and didn't arrive until July. This one was a keeper. Neck was perfect (and yes it is on the larger size) and I love the guitar. Concur with your assessment 100% on sound, playability and how it makes you play differently. And yes, love the 'vanilla' smell. Was a bit hesitant to pull the trigger as Gibson works to restore its quality issues but the guitar (2nd one!) really was flawless. Kudos to Gibson!
Just bought a 2020 in Ebony. Echo everything you mentioned except my fretboard was in great condition. Glad it was an easy fix for you. But Gibson has truly stepped up. They have been putting out quality guitars which come made with plenty of love and attention to detail. Enjoy and keep rocking!
That sound is about as perfect as it gets from a neck pickup
Congratulations Phil ! My bucket list guitar is an ES 345 split parallelagram inlays in Cherry .Soon ! 😎🎸👍
Wow, that is just an amazing fiddle. I would tell you to enjoy that one but I can tell you already are! Man that sounds nice! 🤠
2:40 you gave me goosebumps because of how smooth that sounds. I need a Gibson Es:335 so bad. Everyday I have to talk myself out of selling everything so that I can afford one.
Randomly saw a 2020 Es-335 on Facebook near me and bought it on a whim. SO GLAD I DID! The neck feels so good and the pickups are phenomenal!
"There's just something about it". The sentence we all utter when the magic happens. Enjoy your beautiful guitar.
Glad you are happy with what you just got. I have an Epi Dot which has been updated with a TV Jones Classic Filtertron in the bridge position. I prefer my Gretsch Country "Gentleman" Classic and my new Gretsch 5422 - 12 string. I know what it is to have your dream guitar(s). Enjoy !
I always wanted a 335 but could never find one that spoke to me until I played an Eastman T59V. I’d definitely recommend them . Maybe not a Gibson but …… . It’s the best guitar I’ve certainly ever played .
Philip you play and talk authentic.
Many thanks.
Dom
Hi Phillip! for many years, i've been pining after a cherry red 355 Lucille. finally after 30 years, i picked one up. its not only the most versatile instrument (especially for recording in stereo), but its the most comfortable and inspiring instrument i've ever played. For both you and I , this should be the guitar we use Flatwound strings for the most.. goes along well with its natural vibe.
I just bought a Relish Mary One and an Emerald X20 this week. I love this in cherry red and after a little breather for my wife, I’m doing it. Sounds great for blues which I’ve really learned to love after all these years. Didn’t appreciate. Saw SRV a year before he died and was falling asleep…swear to God. Oh, if I could see that show now
Really beautiful guitar!
A comparison would be helpful. Thanks.
I just received a late 2020 made Gibson 335 Figured cherry red guitar. First off it looks so beautiful and it brings a smile to your face when you look and play it. I found the craftmanship to be excellent and no flaws in construction or quality of parts as an issue. It looks beautiful and smells nice. The action was a little too low so I moved the screws up on the saddle a little just to get it low but not that low.
The pickups on this guitar are the calibrated pickups. They are much brighter and open than some of the older ones I have played. To be honest even with reducing my treble knob on my Fender Twin to 5, the front pickup for what I was expecting was a little too bright when clean. I turned down the tone control to 8 and its now perfect. Now I am getting the beautiful tone of the Gibson that I expect. On the back pickup I have the tone knob down to 7 1/2. It sounds closer to my LP on the back pickup in the treble response. The 335 back pickup can sound a little icy picky my amp treble on 6 or higher. Just moving it down to 5 made a big difference with my Fender Twin. Moving the treble knob on the guitar down to 8 also helped get a different sound. With distortion, the brighter sound works in my favor. It sounds awesome. It has a very open sound with detail in the top end.
To be honest if I was just playing clean jazz only, for my taste I think I would prefer the 1961 335 Reissue pickups which is not as bright. But I like the neck better on the 2020 335 which is not as thick. Right now I am just using my Fender Twin and have not used my Boogie or other amps yet. So granted with each amp you will get different results.
I compared it to my 1989 Gibson Les Paul Custom. The LP has a thicker tone with the front pickup and has a tighter sound. On the back pickup, the LP rocks more, while the 335 which also rocks but it has a little less punch. LP is clearly a better guitar for heavier rocking than the 335. The 335 has a pleasant open sound in comparrison. There is clearly enough of a difference between my LP and 335 and the different pickups helps justifying owning both. With just reducing the treble on my amp, all three toggle switch positions sound amazing.
The case is nice but it feels so large compared to my Fender and LP cases. They include the tools you need, a thin black strap, and the inspection card.
Turning pegs have a material that is non slip and tuning feels very secure. They also look great.
All in all I think the the 335's from Gibson are really great.
Hi Revelationsound studio. you just described my 335, which is a 2019, not sure of pickups, cherry red burst, beauty to look at. You just described the sound of the pickups!!! I too have rolled down the treble on the amp and the guitar. Its a learning curve but i love it so much !! Thanks for all this , very helpful!!!
I have a 2015 ES-335 after having owned 3 different ones between 2002 and 2015. Each of the prior ones had huge necks and wouldn't stay in tune. This particular model spoke to me when I played it, stays in tune and sounds great. thanks for your great videos!
Definitely would love to see the comparison of Epi versus that one. That my friend is a might good looking and good sounding guitar
The problem with the 335 epiphones- to me- is they need to get some models in the 1k range. The jump in price between the gibson and epi also makes the comparison unfair. The epi 335 is a great guitar-but the budget limitations to pump them out doesnt allow them to be all they can be. Which may be gibsons plan.
Epi vs 335 has been done. Many times. I wanna see a klamazoo heritage 535 vs es 335. They are the same price. About 2700.
I was actually looking at buying an Epiphone 335 dot for my brother as a birthday present but ended up buying an Ibanez equivalent the AS93 FM instead, due to it being a better guitar overall despite them being in a similar price range.
I think ES 330 is the most versatile guitar 🎸 😍 ♥ 💙 ❤ 👌.
@James Bennett - Good call mate 👍 If I wanted to buy a hollow / semi hollow then I think I'd rather go to the experts in that field, Gretsch. Plus, for 3 grand I think you're going to be getting more for your money than you'd get from Gibson, and being Japanese made, I don't think you're going to be getting any quality control issues 😎👍
Speaking of staying in tune. My Squire Strat purchased last year is still in tune after several months ! ! ! I am impressed. Been playing for 60 yrs.
Congrats on the 335 and enjoy your new guitar!
Great content, as always.
I think that the only thing that would make your channel better is some kind of OX or Torpedo to get better sounds for the videos from your Friedman.
Thanks a lot for all your videos. Had helped me a lot.
Best from Barcelona.
Yes! Please do the Epi-Gibby ES335 comparison! In an attempt to recapture my Dad’s old Epiphone jazz box from the 40s, I purchased an Epiphone ES335 Pro two years ago. I immediately fell in love when I experienced controlled feedback for the first time. I felt like a real rock star 😆. The tone, for me, brings back that Chuck Berry/BB King/Roy Orbison vibe. And sweet memories of my Dad. Congrats. Yours is a beauty.
2020 was an amazing year for Gibson. I purchased the Les Paul Standard 50's model through Wildwood in a Dark Cherry Burst and the guitar is perfect. Everything I had hoped for and more.
Phil you are absolutely right! It seems as this recent 335s are as of a Gibson quality which deserves the name. They are not out of the custom shop but they are very well crafted. They really look great, nothing to complain about it, and playability and tone are fantastic! I got mine 4 weeks ago and love it!
I bought my Gibson ES-335 in 1993. Mine has a slim taper neck. I put Grover locking tuners on it. I love this guitar.
I agree with the comment about the rough fretboard. I picked up an ES-335 recently and that is the first and really the only thing I was not liking. I appreciate the steel wool suggestion and am going to give it a try.
I love the 335s, but not the price. Some years back, I decided to go for the Epiphone Dot. I kept the Grover tuners, but that was about it! I swapped in a Tone Bros bridge, added a graphite nut, put in 300k linear taper volume pots, 500k audio taper tone pots w/.047 Orange Drop caps, inserted Seymour Duncan Antiquity Humbuckers and finished it off with a switchcraft jack. The result was one hell of a great player and classic-rock tone-machine for under a grand! It will never be a Gibson, but I am very happy with it. I also took the Epiphone "E" off the pickguard for aesthetics.
Congratulations on that ES-335! It's beautiful, and has a tone so amazing I could listen to you playing it all day!
Congratulations Phil for this new toy.
I finally got one last year and absolutely love it. Looks, sounds, and plays beautifully.
I had a 1968 cherry Gibson ES335, I sold it about 10 years ago. I now have a number of guitars and one of them is an Epiphone ES335, I changed the pickups, Alnico classics to the Pro Buckers by Epiphone. I love that guitar. It has a slimmer neck than my Gibson version had and plays really well. I don't really miss the Gibson.
Love love love.. you will have a hard time not playing this one all the time! The guitar is a monster, that tone is perfect. Congratz!
I had one sold it when my children came along now they have grown up and left the nest my wife bought me a Yamaha SA 2200 I must say it's fantastic I still miss my 335 but the Yamaha may not have the history but boy its a beautiful instrument.
I bought the satin model earlier this year and it’s the best guitar I have ever owned. I like the idea of developing a shine on the body as I play it over the years. It’s insanely versatile, always sounds fantastic and never disappoints me. If you ever get the chance to buy one, I’d 100% recommend it.
I think the satin looks and feels better. I own a vintage burst 335 in satin. Love it
Lovely playing and review ! Yes ES-355 or ES-355 on the radar for sure
I had never played a 335 until I bought a new 2018 figured. Love it- will never be my #1- but is just such a nice guitar. The pickups I have are the unpotted MHS, and the slight microphonics makes for some great lead tones!
I’m psyched for you! I got the limited edition 70s Walnut 335 in 2017 and feel the same way about it; incredible instrument and inspiring to play! Rock on brother!
Awesome revue. I bought a 2019. Mine has the titanium saddle, rolled neck edges. I had to sell mine original in mid-80s and could never find a replacement which played and sounded like the old one. Finally....this one did. They started in 2019, making them like the old ones. I'm in love with this new one. I concur with assessments. Good job. Listen up folks, he's speaking truths.
Great video Phillip, as usual. I have the exact same guitar in same color. I bought it this year, a 2022 model. I love it so much.
Before I got my beautiful ES-335, I had an HSS Strat that was given to me that belonged to someone who passed away.
It was my main workhorse for many years till the bridge pickup stopped working. My little brother and I took it to guitar center to get it fixed. While they were diagnosing the old strat, I was trying out a bunch of guitars till a Cherry Red Epiphone ES-335 caught my eye. For years, I wanted an ES-335 but I didn't have the cheddar to even buy one. I tried out that guitar and I instantly fell in love with it. Then my little brother did something totally unexpected, he got me that Cherry Red ES-335 along with a Multi-Effects Processor. In exchange, I gave him my old hss strat so he could give it to someone who needs a guitar. For a Semi Hollowbody that was on the rack for god knows how long, it played like a dream. The neck is perfect, no sharp fret ends, and it stays in tune. I'm very grateful for my little brother for getting me a guitar that I've always wanted.
I got one this year too, I've always wanted one. Its just a great guitar in cherry that is.
Gibson’s have always been hit or miss for me, either there’s no magic or it’s one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. Been saving for a Heritage H-535 though 😍
Wow. What a great no BS review. Specially the nod to epiphone.
Great job brother
I just bought the same one and they’re magical…really love mine
I have an Epiphone ES-335 Pro and I love it.
Since I do not pose with my guitars I have never felt that I am missing anything by not buying the Gibson.
Used the money I saved to get a nice Yamaha acoustic and a Fender Baja Telecaster with plenty left over.
I love my ES-335, try that neck pickup with a clean toned Princeton Reverb and you'll get godly tone. Many will say the Les Paul or SG are their favorite Gibson models, and that's totally fine. But for me, it's gotta be the ES-335 🤘
Try a rectoverb mesa. Even better.
The es335 has kinda always been Gibson's premium offering IMHO. I love my LP, but the 335 is a killer design that gets so many things right.
I still need a 335. For me though, nothing beats the tone of a good 330. I have two and just love the fully hollowbody with P90s.
Princeton Reverb (65) is a great pairing, so is my EC Tremolux!
I have a 2016 ES 345 Premiere. Love it. Looks great and plays even better!
Love it probably one the best 335 I’ve ever heard. Enjoy since jc took over there Quality has came up 100 percent. I bought a 2019 Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s last year best guitar I’ve ever owned.
bought a 339 on the advice of a guitar store staff because i only sit to play..had it one night took it back the next day felt like it was always sliding off my leg, exchanged for es 335 based on your review.... everything about is better! worth the $900(cnd) extra, thxs Phillip (the pickups especially, 339 had 57H and 57+H)
I had a PRS McCarty sitting in my cupboard for nearly 20yrs and couple of weeks I sold it. Have 4 SGs and 2 Tokai Reborn Olds, and thought what next? Low and behold Marty McFly was doing his thing on TV. Yes!! A 335. Spent days looking for one at the correct price of course and at the bottom of the page I was looking at was Yamaha SA700 Super Axe in Persimmon Red. So UA-camd everything on it Googled everything on it and after a bit of haggling I bought it. It’s over 40yrs old and looks like it just came out of the factory. It is truly a fab looking guitar. Was worried about the Alnico 3s for pickups but see that Gibson Customshop sell theirs also with Alnico 3s. All in all got a fab guitar and saved £1400 quid in the process. Don’t let the name on the headstock stop you from buying something pretty special.
Phil, That PRS is just unbelievably beautiful. And I am not even a big PRS fan.
Congrats on your guitar man, it’s a big achievement and that one is dictionary definition perfect.
I just bought my brand new red 2022 ES-335 Figured with block inlays; it is the most incredible guitar ever, in every way possible. I can not think of any possible way it could be improved, though I wish it did have a Bigsby. I'm afraid to put one on because I don't want to ruin it, but I do find myself reaching back by instinct to grab it (I have one on my Gretsch, and my Strat, of course). Wonderful guitar. In fact, I may well sell my fabulous '74 Les Paul Twentieth Anniversary model, unless I set it up for slide.
These always had some sort of mystic about them over the years. I have gone through many guitars including many various Les Pauls. My two favorite guitars as of now are my 2008 LP 68-RI Custom and my 2014 ES-335 Dot satin. If I had to choose between the two...I think my head would explode. The 335 is so versatile. it will do pretty much anything you ask of it, with a few pleasant surprises.
Thank you for this. I’ve been wanting a 335 for a while. I’ve been looking around at Gibsons vs Epiphones. I played a Epi Sheraton and I really enjoyed it! Didn’t have the opportunity to play it against a Gibson (they didn’t have any in stock). Before I buy anything I think I’ll try to get my hands on both… but after the intro on this I’m really liking the idea of getting the Epi and having some cash left over for upgrades. Thanks!
I have a left-hand Gibson Memphis 2018 ES-335 in Cherry Red. I play it through a Fender Reverb Deluxe Re-issue ‘65 (switched out the stock Jenson speaker for a Celestion Redback G12H 8 ohm 150 watt). Great sound.
Best guitar tone I’ve ever heard in your videos...now I want one!!!
I bought one two weeks ago. Same guitar. A 2021 model in the same finish. I love it! I changed out the black control knobs for gold ones, swapped out the stock tuners with Klusons and press fit conversion bushings. I think the press for bushing look cleaner than those screw on hex head things with a washer. Other than that I think it’s awesome!
I've got a Washburn HB-35 and its almost an exact replica of the ES-335. If you change out the pots, the bridge and nut, its outstanding! I've had several people ask to buy it. No way!
Very sweet looking guitar. I have a Gibson ES-347 and a D'Angelico DC Excel with the stair step tail piece. Both very fine instruments. With that being said......I've never stopped looking at the ES - 335. You made a great choice!
I just bought a 2002 Epiphone Deluxe VS 335 with a beautiful flame top. Plays superb! I have no desire to get the Gibson version on this occasion.
I have an Korean made Epiphone Dot "Custom" that says GIBSON on the truss rod cover that I purchased new in 2002. I replaced the pickups with Gibson Custom 57's (from the L-5) and I use Thomastik-Infeld George Benson GB112 strings. I compared it to a Real ES-335 and can't tell the difference when I record it. It's on all my songs on my channel.
Sounds amazing! I have never considered buying an ES-335 until two days ago. I purchased a 2020 Gibson Les Paul Standard Goldtop with P90s in July and it´s incredible! Anyway, I picked up an ES 335 at guitar center (thought they might have some deals given their current financial situation) on Monday and I can´t get it out of my mind. It was so comfortable to play, light weight, sounded great. I must have one.... at some point. I say ¨at some point¨ because I´m married and it will take a few months of casual mentioning, looking at, and coercing before I plead my case of necessity to the Mrs. lol
I have the early 2000's Epiphone Dot Deluxe with flamed top, 57 Classics, and Grovers, in vintage burst w/gold hardware. Fantastic sound! Great playability (chunky neck). Beautiful visually.
I'll never be sorry I made that purchase.
I had the Epiphone ES-335 Pro, and it was an excellent guitar that needed just a few little things to achieve its best (better pots without push pull for example). But now, I have a 2013 model Gibson 1963 ES-335 RI. Absolutely superb. I agree that it is hard to put your finger on it, but that's because everything about the guitar is at least 5% better than the Epi. And in total, it puts this one miles ahead.
I realize things can be subjective, however, for the longest time, I wanted a Gibson 355, but didn’t want to pay the price, I owned an Epiphone Dot, Epiphone Sheraton, and a Japanese made Gretsch, and tried a Gibson 335 Satin and basic Gibson 335 at a store.
They never really did it for me.
I was close to giving up, but had this feeling in my gut, that the one’s I had tried just couldn’t have been doing the model Justice.
So in 2013 I finally broke down and took a chance and purchased a 2012 Gibson 355 Custom Shop guitar online, since no music store near me stocked anything other than the cheapest version of the Gibson, and used ones never showed up near me.
The Custom Shop 355, was a revelation compared to the other semi-hollow body guitars I had owned or tried.
It was everything I had imagined it to be, but had never found in any of the semi-hollow guitars I had tried.
I got the model with the Bigsby and it weighs in right at 8lbs.
It’s built to the historic 1959 specs with the longer pickguard.
I’m not sure what the newer Custom Shop stuff is like, but if you ever get the chance to try one, you owe it to yourself to take that chance.
I 100% agree with your take on this magnificent instrument. My local GC just got in a whole bunch of Epi's and the 335 is one of them. I plugged one in and ran it through the paces. I could have easily walked out with it and been perfectly content with what I bought. But the Gibson is the "pie in the sky" for many just because of the price. If I had the means, I would definitely spend it on that 335 you got. Magic neck pick up sound.
I have the same guitar but in the satin cherry. Absolutely love it. One of the best investments I’ve made and I own several guitars but this one is a keeper. Thanks for the video.
I have a 2018 Memphis 335. It's a fantastic guitar, but it's the second one I received, since the first had a bone nut that was cut too low. 2 strings would buzz at the first fret. A tech filed the slots with the usual bone and super glue mix, but after even a few weeks the guitar would buzz and ping (during tuning again). The second 335 I received (same model, 2018 Figured) has a perfectly cut bone nut.
I also have a 2020 LP Standard with I believe the same Graph Tech nut, and like you, I was a little disappointed that it's not bone, but 1) it looks almost the same, 2) is slotted PERFECTLY, and 3) the LP has incredible tuning stability, even on the notoriously-ill-behaved G string.
Cheers on an awesome guitar, Phil!
Hi - thanks a lot for this video! After my Custom Shop Les Paul a 335 is the one and only (and last) guitar I decided to buy. I know that EVERY guitar player says this, but I really want to do this.
So I just started looking for a Gibson ES 335 and couldn´t really decide if I should look for an older used one or a new model.
Your video helps me a lot. I will take a deeper look at the new models, too. Seems that Gibson managed it to build great guitars again.
At the moment its really hard to find one of the sunburst models here in Germany - out of stock nearly everywhere.
Your hint to the Epiphone is very useful for those who like to have such a guitar, but don´t want to pay for the "history of the brand" (I want to do it!).
I own an older Epiphone Sheraton II (not the Pro Version!) and this guitar is really good playable and sounds very good even with the stock pickups!
Thanks a lot again, grettings from Germany - take care of you!