The story of you and your dad looking for the guitar together spoke to me, you are a lucky man to have your dad supporting you and being with you In such an adventure.
You are so lucky to have found your passion in music after two failed colleges, also the way you talk about your family, sounds like they sre very caring people. Thanks for the content rhett !
You've totally explained the 335 mojo. I love all guitars but when I get the 335 out everything just clicks. The notes bloom in the right spots, the attack is always where it needs to be, and it just looks amazing! Thank you sir!
339’s a great guitar, more compact but still with some more ‘woody’ tone in the note attack than a solid. I love mine - still want a 335/345/355 though! Maybe a 330 with P90s, but that would be as well as a semisolid.
While picking up my Butterscotch Tele Ukele at my LGS, I spotted the current Epi 339 in Pelham Blue. It took considerable effort not to suffer GAS immediately. Pretty, lithe, balanced and well made. I expressly forbade myself the chance to plug it in.
stephane matis well done. I’ve tried the Epi - sorry to say the neck is not a nice shape to my hands - the main reason that I’ve often dislike Epi versions of the Gibson originals.. but the Casino is WELL worth a play if you like the full hollow body and P90s. Early on, the only significant difference between the Casino and the 330 was headstock shape and maybe hardware - tailpiece, knobs, etc. I’d love another!
My old band mate from the 80s that is now a master luthier is building me a bespoke CS-336 style guitar from scratch. However, with 3 PUs. Two P90s and a strat single coil in the middle. Also will utilize a Duesenburg tremolo. Very excited about this build!
I built an ES 335 out of boredom during the lockdown, and had my 4 year old daughter witness the whole thing, it also has a certain sentimental value to me now and I hope someday she will hold the guitar like you're holding yours now, and have memories of me and her hanging out in the workshop :) in case she forgets, I filmed everything and put it on UA-cam .. I initially almost picked the project randomly and to ear you talk about it with so much love makes me think I made a good choice. Thanks for that !
335s are just incredibly aesthetic too. Great looking instruments, the kind where you see it and think “I wanna pick that up and play it”, etc. Gorgeous. And lots of killer sounds. Cream-era Clapton with his 335 is burned into my psyche. Love it
I accept that Clapton did a lot for the image of the 335 just by using it at one of Cream's farewell concerts ( my own 335 is cherry red). But he didn't use a 335 much with the band, mainly Les Pauls and an SG with a single pickup Firebird featured live towards the end of the band in 1968. He MAY have used the 335 on the studio tracks on "Goodbye Cream", but otherwise I don't think there's a 335 on any of the live recordings except that Albert Hall farewell gig in 1968.
@02:54 "Struggled in school, barely passed out of high school. Failed out of one college only to go to another college and fail out". Now that is an honest man admitting where he did not succeed. Kudos.
I have the very same guitar, EXACT same. I went downtown and tried all Epiphone Sheraton available, in 3 different shops. In the last store, the 335 was hanging on that corner I never dared come close. I went there and stared at it for a really long time, taking it in. Then I turned to the only guy around me, and said "this is a beauty, but it's so beyond my budget that I don't even dare touch it". The guy was none other than the store owner, who said "well, go on, have a go. that's the only way to find out how a real guitar should sound like". I picked it up and played it for about half an hour, unplugged. It was that good. Then the same guy came to me, smiled and suggested financing, gently, not pushy at all. I had never financed anything in my life, but was convinced the guitar needed to be mine. After all the paperwork was done, he had the grace to tell me that I was the first one to play the guitar, that was hung earlier that morning. I'll never part with "Gibbie".
The ES shape was my favourite when I was a kid. Learning guitar, it was the only electric guitar I wanted. In 2007 when I was fourteen, my dad took me to a guitarshop and on the wall was a Yamaha SA500, essentially just Yamaha's version of the 335. I still have it to this day, along with a few Fenders.
My mother bought me a 1966 ES335 in 1985 used as a graduation gift. It was VERY used and had lacquer crackle everywhere. It was a Sunburst just like yours and it was spectacular! The sound and feel was so good that I would never part with it. Unfortunately in 1998 I was living with a roommate and he had a party when I was out of town and I lost all my guitars and other gear. I was and I am still heartsick over this and I have never found that perfect guitar to this day. I check everywhere and I play any 335 I can to find that unicorn but I never have. Thanks for sharing Rhett, this was great content. Gregg
That story of having your dad gifting you a 335 is literally my biggest fantasy. I dream that my dad will gift me a Les Paul someday, although he has already given me so much
@@harounel-poussah6936 unless you play metal or prog, choosing a guitar is really not about what has the newest and greatest stuff. its about what inspires you
@@thadcox5298 : jazz people, especially fusion dudes, are probably the #1 clients for custom guitars... You'll surely be more inspired by getting 4-6 top notch custom guitars fully hand made to YOUR needs by luthiers than getting a single good Strat or LP or PRS from their custom-shops... In terms of songwriting (if you're a singer), a good acoustic guitar worths a full mega-studio's backline of e-guitars You will for surely find better inspiration from other arts, or from listening to totally different musics than what you're used to play, rather than being inspired by your instrument... Instrument wise, the most inspiring tool a guitarist can get is probably coupling the Axon Mk.II with a Roland GK-2a/GK-3 then accessing audio-sequencers, synths and sample players interaction... Even an old Atari (with a tiny hard drive) and totally outdated sound banks of the likes of Sound Canvas SC-88 Pro or Korg NX5R : you just end with more than a thousand instruments available... Actually, I even regret having sold my old Atari with its SCSI interface... The old MID-only Cubase used to boot within 2 seconds, moreover you weren't getting distracted by computer's multi-tasking while it was very simple to use... I was dumb when I sold the Atari and old expander to help funding my 1st DAW in 1997 : this stuff was way more inspiring in the end.
@@harounel-poussah6936 sir, you are blinded by brand. Les Paul's while noisy are not outdated. Roland makes great synths, pedals, and edrums. The player is really what makes the instrument. Sure the les paul can by noisy, especially if it's loaded with 57+s, but that's when you learn to control the feedback with your hand. Weezer's rivers Cuomo was great and including feedback into his early albums. All instruments have their own charm and sound. I prefer ibanez but yet here i am thinking of a 4k 335
A guitar that can do it all must be really worthy of it's being reviewed by someone like you! So awesome to always see these kinds of videos, would love more stories on your gear.
The story you have about this guitar and your dad inspires me. Knowing what your son is into, and having such a thoughtful idea to fulfill a dream of his is a great act of love.
Thank you for sharing your story! As a music teacher I've seen so many "problem" kids find music and in doing so, find themselves. I'm glad that guitar found you.
It surely depends on what you play, but to me HSS feels like "a strange strat", which is like muted or I don't know. Like, I still feel the same attack response, specific to the strat tremolo I believe, but the humbucker wont let it come through, it evens out the dynamics and the highs. Had an HSS as my first guitar for 6 years, then bought an SSS and it was like "yep, that's what it's all about"
I have a "Mr 335" I bought before my Mother got sick. Put it away for several years while I took care of her. After viewing this video I pulled it out and it was like seeing an old friend again. It is going to get a good makeover and I will start playing again. Thanks, man.
Absolutely right! I got my Es335 in 1980 and i still think, this is the best of my guitars. Best Design for shure. Access to high notes on no other models . It is still my Nr.1 Guitar.
Your dad did the right thing by taking you to lots of different music stores and letting you find just the 335 that spoke to you. My own experience with 335s (and 335-style guitars) is that they can be hit or miss until you find just the one that resonates with you. When you find it, you'll never put it down.
335 is straight God tier, there’s no doubt about it... Although, twang of nice Tele and pure delicate sound of the Strat make the top 3 electrics imo, cheers :)
@@VIDS2013 My dream guitars are the 335, Les Paul, EOB Stratocaster, SG, Tele, Jaguar, Mustang, Jagstang, Casino, Duo Sonic, Rickenbacker 360 and Duo Jet.
I took my Epiphone ES-335 and gave it as much "Heritage" mojo as I could. Seymour's '59 PAF's and 50's wiring. I even changed a lot of hardware. It sounds great, but I'm still saving away for one from Kalamzoo.
I’ve been saving up for a 335 for 2 years. However I’ll be saving for longer than that because of college expenses, and other stuff like that. I don’t even really want a custom, I just want an off the wall cherry red 335. That’s my dream guitar, without a doubt. They’re flawless.
There are budget-friendly alternatives. I just got an HB 35Plus. It's a Harley Benton 335 type guitar from Thomman Music - under $400 dollars with a hard case and shipping from half-way around the world. It's an excellent guitar. I love it. You can find a lot of reviews for it on UA-cam.
Todd Dufrene I’ve played a Harley Benton, I wasn’t really impressed. I’m glad you like yours though! Everyone has different taste in guitars, and that’s ok. If it’s something you love and it inspires you to play daily, that’s all that matters
I never liked the body shape, but when I heard Larry Byrom play all those great solos on Steppenwolf live, I loved the sound. Byron’s playing on Steppenwolf Live is my favorite live rock guitar. Many years later I was visiting my cousin in Tokyo and he had a burst 335. So I picked it up and played it and it fits so well on my body that I just fell in love with it.
I got my 335 directly from the factory in Memphis. It’s A along story. My brother in law was a fraternity brother with a now an attorney at Gibson. In 2011-2012 Gibson managed to get guitars from just about everyone who every played a Gibson. The traveling collection came to Memphis and my brother in law thought I might like to see the display and take a private tour of te Memphis factory while we were taking a little vacation at the casinos in Tunica. (That’s important). This whole setup was for my birthday and on my birthday I w as surprised with the Memphis factory tour et Al. It was amazing. I stepped into a showroom filled with Gibson guitars that had been played by The Greats. Every Beatle was represented. Even had a snare drum from Ringo. Jimmy Page loaned a gold top les Paul which he had signed with what looked to be a nail scratch. BB kings lucile etc etc. I was completely overwhelmed I thought. Then….. I was told I could grab a pick and play any and those iconic instruments. I was as close to heaven as you can get while breathing. These were played guitars. And many came straight off the stage- my first indulgence was a 335 from the collection of some guy named Eric Clapton. Then on to as many as I could play with my mind definitely absorbing the moment. As I said, amazing. The guitar that I see when I think about it is the 335. We were both born in 1958 and my dream has been to own one. They are crazy expensive and way out of my budget. Back to the casino. My wife didn’t tell me she had hit a jackpot and after the excitement of everything at the factory on my birthday, an employee looking guy asked me if I was ready to get my custom shop 335 started. My wife,my beautiful wife had gotten me the guitar of my dreams and now the good folks in the custom shop were going to fix me up. Every detail of my guitar was built
Dude, this is such a great video. Absolutely beautiful. I always enjoy your videos, but this one was special. I am a career sax player, never had another job. I'm diligently shedding to add guitar to my arsenal and have learned a lot from you. But this video, and your story, in particular really moved me. You will cherish that guitar and your Dad forever. My Dad passed suddenly and tragically almost 5 years ago the day after I'd visited and brought a brand new, solid silver tenor I'd finally been able to afford and played it for him. He cried as I played and told me what a great musician I was. Those were the last words he ever spoke to me. Every time I play that horn - which until this confounded pandemic was all the time as I make my living gigging - I hear him in it. He's usually cursing at me to "play the damn melody, boy!" But it's OK. It's probably pretty good advice. You're a good man, Rhett. Thank you for this and all your well-thought-through videos. And for your music...
I've always wanted a 335. I got permission from my wonderful wife to go get one and drove from Georgia to the Memphis plant and could not, for the life of me, find one I wanted to own. Recently I bought an "In The Image of Gibson" Epiphone and then did a bunch of upgrades to it. It's pretty wonderful. If the right "real" 335 comes along, I'll snap it up. I just love having one to play. Thanks for the video. So informative!
My first "exposure" to guitar was as a kid in the mid 60's. The model that caught my eye was the 335. I've always wanted one. But Gibson is well out of my budget. So around 2000 I bought an Epiphone Riviera. Nice guitar, with good tone. But I'm a small guy and found the body size to be a bit uncomfortable. Then a couple years ago I got an Epi ES-339. My life is now complete.
@@f1n3ss3r4 I'm 5' 6". For a smaller person I would suggest the Epi 339. It's a smaller body, 14-1/4" wide vs 15-7/8" wide for the 335. The 339 body is also shorter, at 16-1/4" vs 19-1/4" for the 335. That makes the scale length seem a bit shorter as well. Though, like the 335, it's a full 24-3/4". Someone once told me the Ibanez AS series bodies were smaller than the ES-335. But according to the Ibanez website, they're 15-3/4" wide x 19-1/4" long. So pretty much the same. I don't know about any other "small body" ES style guitars, other than the Gibson 339, (But it's $3,000 to $3,500. Where as the Epi is around $550.) and the Epi Casino Coupe (If you want a full hollow-body and P-90 pickups.) And even if you wanted to upgrade the pickups and pots, you're still well under the cost of the Gibson. And hey... The Beatles played Epiphones.
What a fantastic story of you and your dad, thanks for sharing. I feel a very similar way about my 12 String Rickenbacker. Unfortunately I had an older brother who died when I was young and left me some money. As soon as I turned 18 I used the money to buy the Rickenbacker. 38 years later I still cherish that guitar and it always reminds me of my brother. Like your guitar, mine will be handed down and hopefully stay in my family for generations.
I really enjoyed your story! You have a beautiful guitar. I too have a strong bias for the 335. I showed interest in learning at 10 years old and my parents funded an ES 125 single pickup. It was more than sufficient and kept me going until I was 13. By then The Beatles had been out for a year and I was hooked. Bar chords and a band soon followed and I needed something easier to play than the 125 so I traded it in for 64 335 (240.00 with trade in - God bless my parents because that wasn't cheap). I loved it then and it's still my main (only) guitar. The neck has always felt at home and its so comfortable I never strayed. With a good amp and some basic effect pedals you can create whatever you want. Yes, the emotional connection and the fact that I'm satisfied does keep me from trying other styles. I love the sound of a Tele and Strat but I'm fine with the 335. Someday I'll pass it on to my son who plays.
When observing Mr. Shull hovering around helping out wherever he could during the studio setup, I was thinking - how lucky was Rhett to have a supportive father. One memorable road trip to Chattanooga.
An inspirational story for all of the young people out there. Never give up. Keep looking for your dream. Once you find something that youre passionate about, stick with it. Youre day will come. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together.
Rhett, thanks for doing this video, I really enjoyed it. I bought my ES335 brand new when I was a kid - still have it 55 years later. I get it when you say that you'll likely hand it down in the family because that's how I feel about my 335 too. I've had guitars before and after the 335 that I've sold but would never sell my 335 - luckily I'm not in a position where I would be forced to sell it. The one thing about my 60's vintage 335 is that when I attempt to play it while sitting, it exhibits the opposite of neck dive (butt dive??) because that lower bout is so big and heavy. My work-around is to stand up with the guitar! Keep up the great videos!
I just built a tele from local lumber and it sounds better than any guitar ive ever owned. There has to be magic between the body and the neck for it to be good. I do like bolt on necks better though because you can use them like to push vibrato if youre in a pintch.
"I'm six foot three"!!! Now I understand why Rhett's 335 looks like miniature scale when he lifts it about! Such a lovely story about how Rhett and his 335 found each other. Nobody forgets the day they found that first guitar that spoke back to them. Its like something warm happens in your hands that goes directly to your soul and your brain, and that can't really be explained. When you find it keep it. Plenty of people regret having later parted with their first one. Not in this case. That guitar is defined for the grand children!
I’ve got a 58’ Historic Reissue that I like a lot. Mine doesn’t have an amazing story like Rhett’s. The only regret I have was that I bought it online and couldn’t try it out in person before buying. I had tried another Historic Reissue (not sure of the model) in person. It was incredible-one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. I decided I was going to buy it, until they told me the price was $6k. That price seemed insane to me. But since that time I’ve purchased other expensive guitars ($3k range) that didn’t turn out to be anywhere near as good as that 335. If I ever find another guitar like that again (no doubts in my mind at all that it is the best I’ve ever played), I’m buying it-even if I have to sell off a lot of other gear to afford it.
Rhett, you deserve massive props for keeping that guitar in such pristine condition throughout all those years, gigs and tours. I took an epic step today, April 17, 2024, one I've waited a lifetime for (I'm 73). I pulled the trigger on one in Vintage Burst from Sweetwater. Because it was a Demo, I got $800 off the retail price, making it doable. It is a pleasure watching/listening to you playing your baby, and your sentiments towards it are touching..
I first saw a Duesenberg at a guitar show several years ago. It was beautiful, but just didn't feel as organic as my favorite Gibsons and Fenders. Also kind of had a middle-aged dentist kind of vibe. Almost got it, but don't regret passing on it.
I don't use reverb. I'm the only guitar player that I know that does not enjoy reverb. I do like a great shimmering chorus from time to time but I'm out on the reverb.
I'm a Strat guy, but especially in music school I found it so hard to be heard in a band mix with just a random amplifier and without the perfect "Strat Rig" and pedalboard. I have an ES 339 and it is my second main guitar. And it especially becomes my main guitar if I don't know yet what exactly the job is that my guitar needs to deliver. There's never a situation where I get lost in a mix with my 339. Being able to play Jazz, Blues and Rock through basically any amp without any pedals and just by using your guitar knobs is so so so valuable to have.
Agree with every point you made in this video. For me it is the ergonomic fit being so right for me (I'm 1.85m - 6foot 1inch in American) that seals the deal. If a guitar feels awkward to play, I just can't keep on with it no matter how good the spec or the sound. For me it needs to hang right more than sit on my lap right as I usually stand up to play. And it took me a while to get around to using an ES-355. My first guitar was an SG, which turned out to be the worst for me ergonomically. Next I went to a Les Paul - better - but as you say too small. I still resisted the 335 shape because to look at, I was convinced it was going to give me the same problems as the SG. So once I finally did get my (first) ES-355 and it didn't give me the SG problems, after the first hour it was pure perfection. I use a 355 95% of the time now. Mine is actually an ES-355 Custom - I just love the ebony fingerboard, gold bling, Bigsby and all black body with white binding.
Great story. When I was 15 my Dad took me to the music stores in New York City to find my first acoustic guitar. I have very warm memories of that time with him. I was thrilled when I brought home an Epiphone D that I own to this day. I realize now it was not a high end guitar, not even close. But, to me, it was absolutely gorgeous. It is the guitar I learned to play with. I am just retired and getting back into playing again. I have some musical goals that I've never achieved, (lots of them actually🙂), and its now or never. I have a nice acoustic and a nice tele, but I have been considering getting a 335ish guitar as well. This video has me just about convinced to pull the trigger. Thanks.
I got an Epiphone ES 339 for cheap. It was more of a how-can-I-turn-this-down purchase at the time but its turned into a go to guitar for me because of the warmth of the tone. It's now taken over the role my LP played.
After playing around on a Strat, Tele and Les Paul, plugging in my 335 is like coming home. Plus, I'm 6'4", so it doesn't look like a banjo on me!!! The best guitar Gibson ever made.
Amazing and courageous of you to share your struggles through high school. I love how you found your calling in music.I love the ES335 as well. Thanks for this great video
I've always been a solid body guy. SG's, Les Paul's, Tele's. I was in San Diego a few years ago and went to a great store (don't remember the name) and played a Fano RB6 - OMG, what a guitar. I understand completely why you love the Novo's so much - Dennis is a genius. But, when I vacationed in Nashville last Christmas, I stopped into Carter Music (killer store) and played a brand new Nashville made ES-335. I fell in love. Nice rounded neck profile (I hate flatbacks), great sound, and gorgeous (as we all know, the better looking a guitar is, the better it sounds :)). But I wasn't ready to buy. A month or so later, my local Guitar Center in NJ had a 2010 ES-335 1963 RI that absolutely blew me away. I managed to negotiate a great deal on it, and it is now part of my modest collection. I just love it, and I agree - a great 335 can do anything from Jazz to Blues to Classic Rock to (ugh) Metal. They are amazing instruments. Nice video BTW :)
Agree with everything said. When I use mine with a guitar speaker in front of me (like a floor monitor) it’s pretty easy to get a controlled feedback/infinite sustain thing happening. That always surprises my friends at church!
Great story about your Dad, Rhett! As a Dad 3 times, I realize how important making memories with your kids is. And BTW, the next guitar on my list is a 335.
My story is amazingly similar to yours. My parents bought me my ES335 when I turned 12 in 1960. It is a 1959 Sunburst. I still own and play that guitar and it plays as well if not better than when it was new even with so many miles on it. Everything is original including the hard shell wooden case. Like you I will probably pass it down to keep it in the family. I agree that the 335 is the most versatile of my guitars, Strat, Les Paul, SG, Epiphone E175. I feel like it's part of me.
@@richmorpurgo5554 For me it's just my guitar but other guitarists who know guitars certainly treat it like the grail...they are afraid to touch it when I ask if want to play it. It's as if they experienced something spiritual.
Growing up I loved the les paul I always have as I got into my teens I found mr.alvin Lee and I never looked back at les pauls ever again I knew when I heard him play and his solos are like no other....i was sold...anyone that doesn't know Alvin Lee have fun looking that legend up!
Semi Hollows are my favorite body type. They’re just so much fun both plugged and unplugged. When cranked up, they react to the sound and feel alive in a way solid bodies can’t. Sometimes they feel like theyre going to get away from you but never really do.
Thank you for the always honest and throughly description of the instrument. I love the 335, I honestly like the sound of the P90s better. My dream custom guitar would be a 335 with P90s and a Bigsby. My main axe now is a 70s 330 which I really love.
Check out a Sire H7V. It's a Larry Carleton signature 335 clone with P-90's but no Bigsby. You could always add one. Plus they sell for around $800, not $4500.
Great video. I don’t own a 335, but I love the tones from it. I have a Gretsch DuoJet with TV Jones Filtertrons and I love it. I agree about the warmth and presence of a semi-hollow guitar. I think the dual volume and dual tone pots on the 335 add to it’s versatility. P90s rock too.
There is an old adage musicians repeat over and over that is..."you never choose a guitar, the guitar chooses you"...your story just proves that adage is true.
I had a similar trip to Nashville with my dad back in the early 2000's. I'm from AL and I'd always heard that Nashville was the place to go to find great used gear, so Dad and I took a daytrip up. I was on the lookout for a Parker Fly, myself. This was before the days of smartphones with maps, so finding all the shops was a challenge for someone who wasn't local. We walked in the first shop and there was a near perfect Fly Classic in a natural finish just inside the door. Great price, too. I played it and liked it, but it was the very first guitar I'd looked at - and we'd come to Nashville to shop, so we visited lots of other shops with nothing topping the first. We came back for the natural Fly just in time to see someone walk out the door with it. haha We went home empty handed and I ended up buying a '97 PRS Standard 22 off eBay - I still have that one and it still feels like "home" in a lot of ways. After dad passed, I found a Parker Classic Maple online... I've had it a while now. Still think about Dad and that trip when playing either of these guitars. Love your fathers well, guys. Rock on, Rhett.
very sympathetic story :-D - and I know that phenomenon, coming back home not having bought anything, for not being able to decide :-D - hm and my dad passed away 2 months ago (from today), you're right, once s.o. is gone forever, it feels very final, yet I tend to think of the great times we had together (and the wars, as well :-D )
The A/B comparison between the 335 and the LP was interesting. They sounded mighty close to one another. The 335 had just a tad clearer high end than the LP with the bridge pickup selected. With the neck pickups, the differences were negligible (at least, through the monitor speakers on my pc). It's likely you can feel the difference when you play them, more than a listener can hear the differences.
Definitely agree that the player notices the differences far more than the listener in almost every case. Once you roughly divide guitar tones into roughly about 5 categories (strat like, tele twang, humbucker (les paul, 335), jangly (rickenbacker), hollowbody jazz box) the variations within each category are not all that noticeable for live listeners. Studio recordings are different because you can sit there with headphones and really pick out the more subtle differences. Within these 5 categories the really good players can pretty much take any of the guitars and, given the right amp/pedals can play almost anything so well that you never think about which guitar they are using because 99% of their sound comes from their abilities. I agree that the way a guitar feels to a player makes a difference and there are some sizes/shapes/variations that just feel better or have some feature that is helpful (some combination of pickup options/whammy bars, scalloped frets, etc...) so there is room for many of the variations to be useful. Rhett is a really good player and he would sound great playing the cheapest Squier. He might be more inspired using his ES335, but we all would still like what he plays.
The LP has more of that treble shrill to me. Just like when I've seen LP vs SG videos, IDK what it is, but the LP just has that extra bite in the high end to me.
My parents bought me a fender stratocaster for my 18th birthday, later when i bought other guitars for myself almost all of them have been strat/super strats.
A guitar from your dad is just a special gift. Unfortunately I never had the bug to play until my dad passed away and I inherited his guitars. Now I play at least an hour or two everyday. There are many days where I wish he was still here so we could talk guitars face to face, but I know he was thrilled when I started playing and very happy when I bought my first Gibson. I have an Epiphone 335 and it’s a fantastic guitar. Great video as always Rhett, God Bless!!
Late 50s- early 60s 335s arent called "burst killers" for nothing. I never played a burst. However, I did have the opportunity to play an old 335 (I believe it was a 1960, but I'm not entirely sure), and just... wow... I have never forgotten about that guitar, and I'm more of a SG/ Les Paul guy. Speaking as an SG lover, the 335 was probably the best sounding, playing, and looking guitar I've ever played
I'm 6'4" tall and own just about every major high end version of a popular model guitar. And indeed my 335 (which looks like yours btw) is comfort supreme!!! The sound is full and extremely versatile! Though I'm hard rock guy, I steer towards blues with my 335. Marriage made in heaven. The LP I own looks like a mandolin on my tall body, plus it's awkward . I never bonded with it. The Strat is another that has great comfort. But my baby go-to guitar is also the 335. Do you know the story of Ted Nugent who was gifted a Fender to try out at his house. He plugged it into his amp and after experimenting with it he instantly hated it literally took it off and threw it across the room at his sliding door window breaking the glass. Dude is crazy but he made a definitive statement that the 335 is ONLY one. LOL!....btw, I graduated HS Valedictorian and was admitted to several elite colleges and all my Dad did for me is put me to work in his warehouse moving boxes that beautiful summer! "You'll take it and you'll like it!" And still college sucked. Boring! Mechanical/non-creative. I wish i could have swayed to music school at that age! YOLO and NOT to always listen to ambitious parents (learning this lesson 20 years later of MY life!)....Your Dad is a fucking Rock Star, btw....bust out the waterworks on that heartfelt story! Whew!
I’m a beginner guitarist. I’ve played piano my entire life and have been picking up guitar very quickly. I’m looking to buy my first electric guitar. I love playing mostly indie alternative/rock like Mac demarco kinda music. I have no clue what guitars I should consider really. I have a lot of money saved and was wondering if you’d recommend a telecaster or Gibson. I think the ES-335 is beautiful, but I feel like I see many indie artists playing fenders. Thanks for any advice you can provide
I was watching this with some interest until you started playing the Don't Take Me Alive solos. That's when I really started listening. Man you are GOOD!
Huge semi-hollow body fan since childhood. My first electric was a Harmony Rocket, and I’ve just loved the sound and the body style ever since. Today, I have a 335, a 339, and a ‘92 347, as well as a LP (a Franken-Paul I put together using a Gibson high-performance body I picked up from stratosphereparts), a Strat and a Tele. With the exception of the LP, all of them are stock. And of all of them, the 339 is my go-to guitar. Love semi-hollow bodies! Thanks for the vid!
ps Les paul came up with "the log" by having a hollow body epiphone cut in half and inserting a block of pine in the center.. gibson dismissed this idea, then they "came up with this design"(revisiting the original dismissed idea, Les Paul is King.. god bless him for his innovations. just giving credit where credit is due.
I also trusted my guts and bought a Plaintop 1991 gibson les paul standard in vintage sunburst where many of my friends and family just asked: Why this one? there are so many more beautiful examples like this guitar.... Am playing it for over a year now and I'm never gonna give it away... Until the end.
I totally agree with you about the Gibson ES 335, Rhett. I'm only an amateur guitarist, but I do own 2 Gibson guitars. My 1st one was bought by my Grandpa for me way back in 1976 when I was 21 and learning to play with my brother, sister and niece. That girl is an ES 330. Over the years she developed a problem in her electronics. I never wanted to ship her off to be fixed, but she still means the world to me. Now, I recently bought myself another Gibson which I absolutely love! She's an ES 2018 figured aquamarine in mint condition that sounds awesome! Not a scratch or mar on her. It's my dream guitar and I am a 65 yr old 5'2" female. The size doesn't bother me at all. Thanks for the great review and the background on your sweet guitar.
I have played my Epiphone Dot since 2001. It has gotten me through college ensembles, orchestra pits, church music, jazz and blues band and worship leading and still gives me what I need every week. It’s not a Gibson, but the slim neck does it all with great comfort. Though she is a bit heavy, I still love her. Thanks for the video, Rhett. You enhanced my appreciation for my gear.
I was lent a 335 for a week when in high school back in the 70's. I've wanted one ever since. A few years ago I was able to land a 2018 Memphis-made natural figured ES 335. I'm in love with it. Definitely a different beast from my Les Paul but complimentary. If I were to suggest only 3 guitars for life it would be a 335, a Tele and an OM acoustic. You could do it all.
Your "very hard not cringe" is another man's "I'll never be that good". (I'm not revealing his identity but his name rhymes with 'cars'). Keep up the good work. 🤘
I love my 335. As you mentioned, Gibson was a eensy, teensy little bit above budget lol. So i got the Epiphone dot. Love the sounds and tones i can get out of it and the sustain is unbelievable. My only problem is being able to play some of the "chrunchier" rock. I can't get a good chugga chugga out of it. Could be my amp too tho. But i do love my 335. Oh yeah, im 6'7".
I bought an Epi 335 dot used, lefty, the previous owner had installed a Seymour Duncan pick up on bridge position, with that…it does chuga chuga I also have an Epi Casino with P90s, that’s another story,
@@marcosaenz4719 who knows lol. I must have thought it relevant at the time. Did you watch all of the video? I can't remember. Mayne he said something about the size of the body. That is an excellent question tho lol.
@@allenwilliams630 actually yeah my bad lol. i replied to you in the middle of the video and then a few minutes later he mentions how the guitar is really big and that’s he 6’3 so that makes it the perfect shape for him.
Recently I've spent some time in music store playing different Strats. You know, I want to be funky and play like Tomo Fujita Fenders were suprisingly not in my taste. They seemed harsh and blunt Silversky blew me away but it's price could sink me down with all my belongings After this whole exploration I grabbed some PRS SE Hollow body with two humbuckers It really felt like home to me Guess deep inside I'm still "Gibson" kinda guy Now I'm looking for perfect pickups to go along with my es175 styled hollow body :v
I just watched this while cradling my own 335 and saying "Yes. Yep. Mmhmm." to everything you said.
Lmao 😂
Lucky guy
Same!🤗
You too huh…? ( it’s not just me).
The story of you and your dad looking for the guitar together spoke to me, you are a lucky man to have your dad supporting you and being with you In such an adventure.
Same. I have one guitar I own that my dad bought for me. A 63 Jazzmaster. I’ll never ever sell it.
Very lucky
You are so lucky to have found your passion in music after two failed colleges, also the way you talk about your family, sounds like they sre very caring people. Thanks for the content rhett !
You've totally explained the 335 mojo. I love all guitars but when I get the 335 out everything just clicks. The notes bloom in the right spots, the attack is always where it needs to be, and it just looks amazing! Thank you sir!
Thanks for the mention Rhett. Being of a more “average” height the ES-339 and CS-336 have always appealed to me.
Hi Keith!! You should make more videos on the back stories of records, like the one you did on the Beano album. Loved that video!!
339’s a great guitar, more compact but still with some more ‘woody’ tone in the note attack than a solid. I love mine - still want a 335/345/355 though! Maybe a 330 with P90s, but that would be as well as a semisolid.
While picking up my Butterscotch Tele Ukele at my LGS, I spotted the current Epi 339 in Pelham Blue. It took considerable effort not to suffer GAS immediately. Pretty, lithe, balanced and well made. I expressly forbade myself the chance to plug it in.
stephane matis well done. I’ve tried the Epi - sorry to say the neck is not a nice shape to my hands - the main reason that I’ve often dislike Epi versions of the Gibson originals.. but the Casino is WELL worth a play if you like the full hollow body and P90s. Early on, the only significant difference between the Casino and the 330 was headstock shape and maybe hardware - tailpiece, knobs, etc. I’d love another!
My old band mate from the 80s that is now a master luthier is building me a bespoke CS-336 style guitar from scratch. However, with 3 PUs. Two P90s and a strat single coil in the middle. Also will utilize a Duesenburg tremolo. Very excited about this build!
I built an ES 335 out of boredom during the lockdown, and had my 4 year old daughter witness the whole thing, it also has a certain sentimental value to me now and I hope someday she will hold the guitar like you're holding yours now, and have memories of me and her hanging out in the workshop :) in case she forgets, I filmed everything and put it on UA-cam ..
I initially almost picked the project randomly and to ear you talk about it with so much love makes me think I made a good choice. Thanks for that !
Saw your videos a couple days ago! Great looking guitar!
Haha I’ve seen that video like 4 times! Great work!
Your daughter will be proud of you 👍
@@coat.thik1 I'm proud of him too!
I saw the video. I was drooling over that guitar. Great work!
“I have enough guitar already” said no guitarist ever.
No, there are a few out there who have said "What do I need more than one guitar for?"
@@grimmseti yeah ? But not us, right !?
@@auntjenifer7774 certainly not us arf arf
No. We say it all the time. Just change our minds a lot.
@@grimmseti We all say that, but!
335s are just incredibly aesthetic too. Great looking instruments, the kind where you see it and think “I wanna pick that up and play it”, etc.
Gorgeous. And lots of killer sounds. Cream-era Clapton with his 335 is burned into my psyche. Love it
Just bought my first guitar - a 335 - because it looks so damn good.
Exactly
I accept that Clapton did a lot for the image of the 335 just by using it at one of Cream's farewell concerts ( my own 335 is cherry red). But he didn't use a 335 much with the band, mainly Les Pauls and an SG with a single pickup Firebird featured live towards the end of the band in 1968. He MAY have used the 335 on the studio tracks on "Goodbye Cream", but otherwise I don't think there's a 335 on any of the live recordings except that Albert Hall farewell gig in 1968.
@02:54 "Struggled in school, barely passed out of high school. Failed out of one college only to go to another college and fail out". Now that is an honest man admitting where he did not succeed. Kudos.
I have the very same guitar, EXACT same. I went downtown and tried all Epiphone Sheraton available, in 3 different shops. In the last store, the 335 was hanging on that corner I never dared come close. I went there and stared at it for a really long time, taking it in. Then I turned to the only guy around me, and said "this is a beauty, but it's so beyond my budget that I don't even dare touch it". The guy was none other than the store owner, who said "well, go on, have a go. that's the only way to find out how a real guitar should sound like". I picked it up and played it for about half an hour, unplugged. It was that good. Then the same guy came to me, smiled and suggested financing, gently, not pushy at all. I had never financed anything in my life, but was convinced the guitar needed to be mine. After all the paperwork was done, he had the grace to tell me that I was the first one to play the guitar, that was hung earlier that morning. I'll never part with "Gibbie".
Wew
That was a beautiful love story. :D
And that's how you make a guitar sale! Haha
That's the best guitar sale ever !
That's a lot of "kismet", man.
The ES shape was my favourite when I was a kid. Learning guitar, it was the only electric guitar I wanted. In 2007 when I was fourteen, my dad took me to a guitarshop and on the wall was a Yamaha SA500, essentially just Yamaha's version of the 335. I still have it to this day, along with a few Fenders.
When you were at the Yamaha store, did you also look at the keyboards, snowmobiles and Jet skis too?
My mother bought me a 1966 ES335 in 1985 used as a graduation gift. It was VERY used and had lacquer crackle everywhere. It was a Sunburst just like yours and it was spectacular! The sound and feel was so good that I would never part with it. Unfortunately in 1998 I was living with a roommate and he had a party when I was out of town and I lost all my guitars and other gear. I was and I am still heartsick over this and I have never found that perfect guitar to this day. I check everywhere and I play any 335 I can to find that unicorn but I never have. Thanks for sharing Rhett, this was great content. Gregg
That story of having your dad gifting you a 335 is literally my biggest fantasy. I dream that my dad will gift me a Les Paul someday, although he has already given me so much
Wow.. I just gifted my daughter a Les Paul...I hope we can go on a musical journey together!
Les Pauls are really outdated, you can get much better.
My dad would had been pleased to use my guitars as firewood
@@harounel-poussah6936 unless you play metal or prog, choosing a guitar is really not about what has the newest and greatest stuff. its about what inspires you
@@thadcox5298 : jazz people, especially fusion dudes, are probably the #1 clients for custom guitars...
You'll surely be more inspired by getting 4-6 top notch custom guitars fully hand made to YOUR needs by luthiers than getting a single good Strat or LP or PRS from their custom-shops... In terms of songwriting (if you're a singer), a good acoustic guitar worths a full mega-studio's backline of e-guitars
You will for surely find better inspiration from other arts, or from listening to totally different musics than what you're used to play, rather than being inspired by your instrument...
Instrument wise, the most inspiring tool a guitarist can get is probably coupling the Axon Mk.II with a Roland GK-2a/GK-3 then accessing audio-sequencers, synths and sample players interaction...
Even an old Atari (with a tiny hard drive) and totally outdated sound banks of the likes of Sound Canvas SC-88 Pro or Korg NX5R : you just end with more than a thousand instruments available...
Actually, I even regret having sold my old Atari with its SCSI interface... The old MID-only Cubase used to boot within 2 seconds, moreover you weren't getting distracted by computer's multi-tasking while it was very simple to use...
I was dumb when I sold the Atari and old expander to help funding my 1st DAW in 1997 : this stuff was way more inspiring in the end.
@@harounel-poussah6936 sir, you are blinded by brand. Les Paul's while noisy are not outdated. Roland makes great synths, pedals, and edrums. The player is really what makes the instrument. Sure the les paul can by noisy, especially if it's loaded with 57+s, but that's when you learn to control the feedback with your hand. Weezer's rivers Cuomo was great and including feedback into his early albums. All instruments have their own charm and sound. I prefer ibanez but yet here i am thinking of a 4k 335
Long live the 335 ! Saved all my Summer earnings one year back in high school and bought one. It sounds so good and is worth a lot more today.
A guitar that can do it all must be really worthy of it's being reviewed by someone like you! So awesome to always see these kinds of videos, would love more stories on your gear.
The story you have about this guitar and your dad inspires me. Knowing what your son is into, and having such a thoughtful idea to fulfill a dream of his is a great act of love.
Johnny Marr playing the intro into "What Difference Does it Make?" sold me on the 335. Just a great, unforgettable sound.
What a marvelous gift. Having a mom and dad is real important, especially if they are nice.
I played my 67 Gibson es335 today. I bought it new when I was 16. I have had a whole professional career with it. Bravo my friend!
Beautiful story Rhett. Good for you and your dad. That's pretty special, all the way around.
Thank you for sharing your story! As a music teacher I've seen so many "problem" kids find music and in doing so, find themselves. I'm glad that guitar found you.
The most versatile award definitely has to go to the HSS Strat for me
Definitely, although a 335 with coil-split can get pretty versatile
Agreed
I'm an HSH with coil split, but HSS is a close second. The 335 feedbacks too much and is too muddy to do most metal tones.
1 million percent
It surely depends on what you play, but to me HSS feels like "a strange strat", which is like muted or I don't know. Like, I still feel the same attack response, specific to the strat tremolo I believe, but the humbucker wont let it come through, it evens out the dynamics and the highs.
Had an HSS as my first guitar for 6 years, then bought an SSS and it was like "yep, that's what it's all about"
I have a "Mr 335" I bought before my Mother got sick. Put it away for several years while I took care of her.
After viewing this video I pulled it out and it was like seeing an old friend again.
It is going to get a good makeover and I will start playing again.
Thanks, man.
Absolutely right! I got my Es335 in 1980 and i still think, this is the best of my guitars. Best Design for shure. Access to high notes on no other models . It is still my Nr.1 Guitar.
Your dad did the right thing by taking you to lots of different music stores and letting you find just the 335 that spoke to you. My own experience with 335s (and 335-style guitars) is that they can be hit or miss until you find just the one that resonates with you. When you find it, you'll never put it down.
335 is straight God tier, there’s no doubt about it... Although, twang of nice Tele and pure delicate sound of the Strat make the top 3 electrics imo, cheers :)
I own a tele and a 335. I kind of feel...done. Though I do want a 330
I prefer Tele, Les Paul, and Gretsch Jet.
@@VIDS2013 My dream guitars are the 335, Les Paul, EOB Stratocaster, SG, Tele, Jaguar, Mustang, Jagstang, Casino, Duo Sonic, Rickenbacker 360 and Duo Jet.
Wife is the 335. Mistress is the Strat/Tele. I know, bad analogy! LOL!.
I have a Heritage 535 artisan aged and I loved that guitar!
I loooove Heritage. I dont own one but i have had the chance to work on one. Rly beautiful and good sounding guitars
Santiago Gutierrez truly great guitars
I took my Epiphone ES-335 and gave it as much "Heritage" mojo as I could. Seymour's '59 PAF's and 50's wiring. I even changed a lot of hardware. It sounds great, but I'm still saving away for one from Kalamzoo.
I’ve been saving up for a 335 for 2 years. However I’ll be saving for longer than that because of college expenses, and other stuff like that. I don’t even really want a custom, I just want an off the wall cherry red 335. That’s my dream guitar, without a doubt. They’re flawless.
Good luck, brother.
There are budget-friendly alternatives. I just got an HB 35Plus. It's a Harley Benton 335 type guitar from Thomman Music - under $400 dollars with a hard case and shipping from half-way around the world. It's an excellent guitar. I love it. You can find a lot of reviews for it on UA-cam.
Hey Todd...The man says it’s his dream guitar he’s saving up for. And you really recommend a $400 Harley Benton?
Look into ES-333. Love mine and the only major difference is there's a control plate on the back.
Todd Dufrene I’ve played a Harley Benton, I wasn’t really impressed. I’m glad you like yours though! Everyone has different taste in guitars, and that’s ok. If it’s something you love and it inspires you to play daily, that’s all that matters
I never liked the body shape, but when I heard Larry Byrom play all those great solos on Steppenwolf live, I loved the sound.
Byron’s playing on Steppenwolf Live is my favorite live rock guitar.
Many years later I was visiting my cousin in Tokyo and he had a burst 335.
So I picked it up and played it and it fits so well on my body that I just fell in love with it.
I got my 335 directly from the factory in Memphis. It’s A along story. My brother in law was a fraternity brother with a now an attorney at Gibson. In 2011-2012 Gibson managed to get guitars from just about everyone who every played a Gibson. The traveling collection came to Memphis and my brother in law thought I might like to see the display and take a private tour of te Memphis factory while we were taking a little vacation at the casinos in Tunica. (That’s important). This whole setup was for my birthday and on my birthday I w as surprised with the Memphis factory tour et Al. It was amazing. I stepped into a showroom filled with Gibson guitars that had been played by The Greats. Every Beatle was represented. Even had a snare drum from Ringo. Jimmy Page loaned a gold top les Paul which he had signed with what looked to be a nail scratch. BB kings lucile etc etc. I was completely overwhelmed I thought. Then….. I was told I could grab a pick and play any and those iconic instruments. I was as close to heaven as you can get while breathing. These were played guitars. And many came straight off the stage- my first indulgence was a 335 from the collection of some guy named Eric Clapton. Then on to as many as I could play with my mind definitely absorbing the moment. As I said, amazing.
The guitar that I see when I think about it is the 335. We were both born in 1958 and my dream has been to own one. They are crazy expensive and way out of my budget. Back to the casino. My wife didn’t tell me she had hit a jackpot and after the excitement of everything at the factory on my birthday, an employee looking guy asked me if I was ready to get my custom shop 335 started. My wife,my beautiful wife had gotten me the guitar of my dreams and now the good folks in the custom shop were going to fix me up. Every detail of my guitar was built
Dude, this is such a great video. Absolutely beautiful. I always enjoy your videos, but this one was special. I am a career sax player, never had another job. I'm diligently shedding to add guitar to my arsenal and have learned a lot from you. But this video, and your story, in particular really moved me. You will cherish that guitar and your Dad forever. My Dad passed suddenly and tragically almost 5 years ago the day after I'd visited and brought a brand new, solid silver tenor I'd finally been able to afford and played it for him. He cried as I played and told me what a great musician I was. Those were the last words he ever spoke to me. Every time I play that horn - which until this confounded pandemic was all the time as I make my living gigging - I hear him in it. He's usually cursing at me to "play the damn melody, boy!" But it's OK. It's probably pretty good advice. You're a good man, Rhett. Thank you for this and all your well-thought-through videos. And for your music...
I've always wanted a 335. I got permission from my wonderful wife to go get one and drove from Georgia to the Memphis plant and could not, for the life of me, find one I wanted to own. Recently I bought an "In The Image of Gibson" Epiphone and then did a bunch of upgrades to it. It's pretty wonderful. If the right "real" 335 comes along, I'll snap it up. I just love having one to play. Thanks for the video. So informative!
Sounds like your wife and that Epiphone are keepers.
I will never let go of mine...the Epi, that is! Lol
My first "exposure" to guitar was as a kid in the mid 60's. The model that caught my eye was the 335. I've always wanted one. But Gibson is well out of my budget. So around 2000 I bought an Epiphone Riviera. Nice guitar, with good tone. But I'm a small guy and found the body size to be a bit uncomfortable. Then a couple years ago I got an Epi ES-339. My life is now complete.
Hey, how tall are you if you don’t mind me asking? I want a 335 based guitar but I’m not that tall so I’m not sure if it will fit me
@@f1n3ss3r4 I'm 5' 6". For a smaller person I would suggest the Epi 339. It's a smaller body, 14-1/4" wide vs 15-7/8" wide for the 335. The 339 body is also shorter, at 16-1/4" vs 19-1/4" for the 335. That makes the scale length seem a bit shorter as well. Though, like the 335, it's a full 24-3/4".
Someone once told me the Ibanez AS series bodies were smaller than the ES-335. But according to the Ibanez website, they're 15-3/4" wide x 19-1/4" long. So pretty much the same.
I don't know about any other "small body" ES style guitars, other than the Gibson 339, (But it's $3,000 to $3,500. Where as the Epi is around $550.) and the Epi Casino Coupe (If you want a full hollow-body and P-90 pickups.) And even if you wanted to upgrade the pickups and pots, you're still well under the cost of the Gibson. And hey... The Beatles played Epiphones.
What a fantastic story of you and your dad, thanks for sharing. I feel a very similar way about my 12 String Rickenbacker. Unfortunately I had an older brother who died when I was young and left me some money. As soon as I turned 18 I used the money to buy the Rickenbacker. 38 years later I still cherish that guitar and it always reminds me of my brother. Like your guitar, mine will be handed down and hopefully stay in my family for generations.
I love that I love that story, man family means so much your parents sound like awesome people
I really enjoyed your story! You have a beautiful guitar. I too have a strong bias for the 335. I showed interest in learning at 10 years old and my parents funded an ES 125 single pickup. It was more than sufficient and kept me going until I was 13. By then The Beatles had been out for a year and I was hooked. Bar chords and a band soon followed and I needed something easier to play than the 125 so I traded it in for 64 335 (240.00 with trade in - God bless my parents because that wasn't cheap). I loved it then and it's still my main (only) guitar. The neck has always felt at home and its so comfortable I never strayed. With a good amp and some basic effect pedals you can create whatever you want. Yes, the emotional connection and the fact that I'm satisfied does keep me from trying other styles. I love the sound of a Tele and Strat but I'm fine with the 335. Someday I'll pass it on to my son who plays.
Probably the best (material) gift he'll ever receive.
I too love the es-335. Looks so gorgeous.
When observing Mr. Shull hovering around helping out wherever he could during the studio setup, I was thinking - how lucky was Rhett to have a supportive father. One memorable road trip to Chattanooga.
An inspirational story for all of the young people out there. Never give up. Keep looking for your dream. Once you find something that youre passionate about, stick with it. Youre day will come.
Thank you for taking the time to put this video together.
Rhett, thanks for doing this video, I really enjoyed it. I bought my ES335 brand new when I was a kid - still have it 55 years later. I get it when you say that you'll likely hand it down in the family because that's how I feel about my 335 too. I've had guitars before and after the 335 that I've sold but would never sell my 335 - luckily I'm not in a position where I would be forced to sell it. The one thing about my 60's vintage 335 is that when I attempt to play it while sitting, it exhibits the opposite of neck dive (butt dive??) because that lower bout is so big and heavy. My work-around is to stand up with the guitar! Keep up the great videos!
There's no more versatile guitar than the humble Telecaster, in my opinion.
telecaster kinda sounds boring though, man.
@@Buccarado it's more likely your playing than the telecaster
Maybe not for Jazz
i hate the tele thou. its so bulky it looks bad and it doesent sound special
I just built a tele from local lumber and it sounds better than any guitar ive ever owned. There has to be magic between the body and the neck for it to be good. I do like bolt on necks better though because you can use them like to push vibrato if youre in a pintch.
"I'm six foot three"!!! Now I understand why Rhett's 335 looks like miniature scale when he lifts it about!
Such a lovely story about how Rhett and his 335 found each other. Nobody forgets the day they found that first guitar that spoke back to them. Its like something warm happens in your hands that goes directly to your soul and your brain, and that can't really be explained. When you find it keep it. Plenty of people regret having later parted with their first one. Not in this case. That guitar is defined for the grand children!
I'm 6', and the 335 still feels too big. Wonder what the height threshold is?
Idk but I’m 5’ 4”
I’ve got a 58’ Historic Reissue that I like a lot. Mine doesn’t have an amazing story like Rhett’s.
The only regret I have was that I bought it online and couldn’t try it out in person before buying. I had tried another Historic Reissue (not sure of the model) in person. It was incredible-one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. I decided I was going to buy it, until they told me the price was $6k. That price seemed insane to me. But since that time I’ve purchased other expensive guitars ($3k range) that didn’t turn out to be anywhere near as good as that 335.
If I ever find another guitar like that again (no doubts in my mind at all that it is the best I’ve ever played), I’m buying it-even if I have to sell off a lot of other gear to afford it.
Rhett, you deserve massive props for keeping that guitar in such pristine condition throughout all those years, gigs and tours. I took an epic step today, April 17, 2024, one I've waited a lifetime for (I'm 73). I pulled the trigger on one in Vintage Burst from Sweetwater. Because it was a Demo, I got $800 off the retail price, making it doable. It is a pleasure watching/listening to you playing your baby, and your sentiments towards it are touching..
I must be gettin old, I've get tears...your dad is awesome!
I went shopping for a 335 . Came home with a duesenberg gran majesto and I love it to bits
Leigh Tranter I totally understand! Love my Caribou!
I first saw a Duesenberg at a guitar show several years ago. It was beautiful, but just didn't feel as organic as my favorite Gibsons and Fenders. Also kind of had a middle-aged dentist kind of vibe. Almost got it, but don't regret passing on it.
VIDS2013 Haha... and I always thought that this was Gibson‘s main target group?! ;-)
@@sunlounger29 Not that there's anything wrong with that! 😁
Rhett shull: "This guitar does it all"
Kerry King crosses his arms and looks mean while he shakes his head.
Neshkan Paul Gilbert isn’t Kerry King but I think he has demonstrated what this guitar-model can do with high gain.
@@MrAndyLake just making a joke man. Nothing serious.
No guitar does it all. Some guitars may do everything you need.
Kerry King, a 335 and a Bigsby. Make it pay-per-view.
@@fullclipaudio Bigsby cannot outperform Kahler or Floyd Rose
2019 Rhett: I discovered I was using too much reverb
2020 Rhett: 5:43
Haha i thought the same.
Sounds somewhat like the war on drugs. Love it
I don't use reverb. I'm the only guitar player that I know that does not enjoy reverb. I do like a great shimmering chorus from time to time but I'm out on the reverb.
@@jaycheek254 that is like, your opinion man !😂
I for one can't enjoy electric guitar without reverb, in fact I usually turn it all the way up !
I'm a Strat guy, but especially in music school I found it so hard to be heard in a band mix with just a random amplifier and without the perfect "Strat Rig" and pedalboard. I have an ES 339 and it is my second main guitar. And it especially becomes my main guitar if I don't know yet what exactly the job is that my guitar needs to deliver. There's never a situation where I get lost in a mix with my 339. Being able to play Jazz, Blues and Rock through basically any amp without any pedals and just by using your guitar knobs is so so so valuable to have.
I have an Epiphone ES-335 pro and it’s one of the best guitars I own!
Same! It just has a sound that stands out
I have that exact guitar!! It’s so good
I have a ltd edition Epiphone 355 and I wouldn't swap it for anything - not even a Gibson.
I have a limited edition DOT deluxe. From 2008. Excellent guitar. Though I’ve replaced the nut, wiring harness, and pickups over the years.
How does the epiphone compare to the Gibson?
Yeah, but does it Dje...nevermind. I'll see myself out.
Haha!
Just for what it's worth....it very likely does
Excellent
Of course it does
Idk if it'd handle drop G....
Agree with every point you made in this video. For me it is the ergonomic fit being so right for me (I'm 1.85m - 6foot 1inch in American) that seals the deal. If a guitar feels awkward to play, I just can't keep on with it no matter how good the spec or the sound. For me it needs to hang right more than sit on my lap right as I usually stand up to play. And it took me a while to get around to using an ES-355. My first guitar was an SG, which turned out to be the worst for me ergonomically. Next I went to a Les Paul - better - but as you say too small. I still resisted the 335 shape because to look at, I was convinced it was going to give me the same problems as the SG. So once I finally did get my (first) ES-355 and it didn't give me the SG problems, after the first hour it was pure perfection. I use a 355 95% of the time now. Mine is actually an ES-355 Custom - I just love the ebony fingerboard, gold bling, Bigsby and all black body with white binding.
Great story. When I was 15 my Dad took me to the music stores in New York City to find my first acoustic guitar. I have very warm memories of that time with him. I was thrilled when I brought home an Epiphone D that I own to this day. I realize now it was not a high end guitar, not even close. But, to me, it was absolutely gorgeous. It is the guitar I learned to play with. I am just retired and getting back into playing again. I have some musical goals that I've never achieved, (lots of them actually🙂), and its now or never. I have a nice acoustic and a nice tele, but I have been considering getting a 335ish guitar as well. This video has me just about convinced to pull the trigger. Thanks.
I got an Epiphone ES 339 for cheap. It was more of a how-can-I-turn-this-down purchase at the time but its turned into a go to guitar for me because of the warmth of the tone. It's now taken over the role my LP played.
After playing around on a Strat, Tele and Les Paul, plugging in my 335 is like coming home. Plus, I'm 6'4", so it doesn't look like a banjo on me!!!
The best guitar Gibson ever made.
Amazing and courageous of you to share your struggles through high school. I love how you found your calling in music.I love the ES335 as well. Thanks for this great video
I've always been a solid body guy. SG's, Les Paul's, Tele's. I was in San Diego a few years ago and went to a great store (don't remember the name) and played a Fano RB6 - OMG, what a guitar. I understand completely why you love the Novo's so much - Dennis is a genius. But, when I vacationed in Nashville last Christmas, I stopped into Carter Music (killer store) and played a brand new Nashville made ES-335. I fell in love. Nice rounded neck profile (I hate flatbacks), great sound, and gorgeous (as we all know, the better looking a guitar is, the better it sounds :)). But I wasn't ready to buy. A month or so later, my local Guitar Center in NJ had a 2010 ES-335 1963 RI that absolutely blew me away. I managed to negotiate a great deal on it, and it is now part of my modest collection. I just love it, and I agree - a great 335 can do anything from Jazz to Blues to Classic Rock to (ugh) Metal. They are amazing instruments. Nice video BTW :)
amazing amazing story. very touching. I would say, that 335 is literally priceless at this point.
Agree with everything said. When I use mine with a guitar speaker in front of me (like a floor monitor) it’s pretty easy to get a controlled feedback/infinite sustain thing happening. That always surprises my friends at church!
11:52 bout time someone played this riff
And on this lick I could tell without looking which guitar was the LP, which for me at least had the better tone.
Great story about your Dad, Rhett! As a Dad 3 times, I realize how important making memories with your kids is. And BTW, the next guitar on my list is a 335.
My story is amazingly similar to yours. My parents bought me my ES335 when I turned 12 in 1960. It is a 1959 Sunburst.
I still own and play that guitar and it plays as well if not better than when it was new even with so many miles on it.
Everything is original including the hard shell wooden case. Like you I will probably pass it down to keep it in the family. I agree that the 335 is the most versatile of my guitars, Strat, Les Paul, SG, Epiphone E175. I feel like it's part of me.
Jim a 59? That’s is the grail!
@@richmorpurgo5554 For me it's just my guitar but other guitarists who know guitars certainly treat it like the grail...they are afraid to touch it when I ask if want to play it. It's as if they experienced something spiritual.
I am considering a newer one.
@@richmorpurgo5554 I probably don't have to tell you this, but make sure you play it before you buy it... every guitar has its own personality.
@@Jim-dn6pp I bought the one from the pawn shop. I am in love. been playing for nearly 50 years and have fallen in love.
Growing up I loved the les paul I always have as I got into my teens I found mr.alvin Lee and I never looked back at les pauls ever again I knew when I heard him play and his solos are like no other....i was sold...anyone that doesn't know Alvin Lee have fun looking that legend up!
Semi Hollows are my favorite body type. They’re just so much fun both plugged and unplugged. When cranked up, they react to the sound and feel alive in a way solid bodies can’t. Sometimes they feel like theyre going to get away from you but never really do.
Kid Charlemagne solo on a 335 is always going to sound better than any other guitar.
Thank you for the always honest and throughly description of the instrument. I love the 335, I honestly like the sound of the P90s better. My dream custom guitar would be a 335 with P90s and a Bigsby. My main axe now is a 70s 330 which I really love.
Check out a Sire H7V. It's a Larry Carleton signature 335 clone with P-90's but no Bigsby. You could always add one. Plus they sell for around $800, not $4500.
Great video. I don’t own a 335, but I love the tones from it. I have a Gretsch DuoJet with TV Jones Filtertrons and I love it. I agree about the warmth and presence of a semi-hollow guitar. I think the dual volume and dual tone pots on the 335 add to it’s versatility. P90s rock too.
There is an old adage musicians repeat over and over that is..."you never choose a guitar, the guitar chooses you"...your story just proves that adage is true.
Agree, I love my 1967 335 ... feels and sounds better than all other guitars I own(ed) ...
I had a similar trip to Nashville with my dad back in the early 2000's. I'm from AL and I'd always heard that Nashville was the place to go to find great used gear, so Dad and I took a daytrip up.
I was on the lookout for a Parker Fly, myself. This was before the days of smartphones with maps, so finding all the shops was a challenge for someone who wasn't local.
We walked in the first shop and there was a near perfect Fly Classic in a natural finish just inside the door. Great price, too. I played it and liked it, but it was the very first guitar I'd looked at - and we'd come to Nashville to shop, so we visited lots of other shops with nothing topping the first. We came back for the natural Fly just in time to see someone walk out the door with it. haha We went home empty handed and I ended up buying a '97 PRS Standard 22 off eBay - I still have that one and it still feels like "home" in a lot of ways.
After dad passed, I found a Parker Classic Maple online... I've had it a while now.
Still think about Dad and that trip when playing either of these guitars. Love your fathers well, guys.
Rock on, Rhett.
very sympathetic story :-D - and I know that phenomenon, coming back home not having bought anything, for not being able to decide :-D - hm and my dad passed away 2 months ago (from today), you're right, once s.o. is gone forever, it feels very final, yet I tend to think of the great times we had together (and the wars, as well :-D )
When our house was on fire my brother came running down the stairs with his son in one arm and his D28 in the other. Nuff said.
40 years ago I turned down a 335 for the greater tonal versatility of the 345 and never regretted it.
I agree. I’ve got a 2018 Gibson ES335 and the tones u can get out of it are amazing. It’s a workhorse.
playing a 335 style guitar for over 10 years now. never gets old! still love it.
The A/B comparison between the 335 and the LP was interesting. They sounded mighty close to one another. The 335 had just a tad clearer high end than the LP with the bridge pickup selected. With the neck pickups, the differences were negligible (at least, through the monitor speakers on my pc). It's likely you can feel the difference when you play them, more than a listener can hear the differences.
Definitely agree that the player notices the differences far more than the listener in almost every case. Once you roughly divide guitar tones into roughly about 5 categories (strat like, tele twang, humbucker (les paul, 335), jangly (rickenbacker), hollowbody jazz box) the variations within each category are not all that noticeable for live listeners. Studio recordings are different because you can sit there with headphones and really pick out the more subtle differences. Within these 5 categories the really good players can pretty much take any of the guitars and, given the right amp/pedals can play almost anything so well that you never think about which guitar they are using because 99% of their sound comes from their abilities. I agree that the way a guitar feels to a player makes a difference and there are some sizes/shapes/variations that just feel better or have some feature that is helpful (some combination of pickup options/whammy bars, scalloped frets, etc...) so there is room for many of the variations to be useful. Rhett is a really good player and he would sound great playing the cheapest Squier. He might be more inspired using his ES335, but we all would still like what he plays.
At high volume, the differences become much more apparent. The 335 will resonate much more.
The LP has more of that treble shrill to me. Just like when I've seen LP vs SG videos, IDK what it is, but the LP just has that extra bite in the high end to me.
Just the story of your dad driving you up to Nashville to pick out a guitar would have been enough.
My parents bought me a fender stratocaster for my 18th birthday, later when i bought other guitars for myself almost all of them have been strat/super strats.
triledink - That's too bad!
Gotta get another new flavor of guitars ! Tele, Les Paul special double cut p90's are awesome ! Semi hollow bodies are great too !
Love the heartfelt story of your history with this beautiful instrument.
A guitar from your dad is just a special gift. Unfortunately I never had the bug to play until my dad passed away and I inherited his guitars. Now I play at least an hour or two everyday. There are many days where I wish he was still here so we could talk guitars face to face, but I know he was thrilled when I started playing and very happy when I bought my first Gibson. I have an Epiphone 335 and it’s a fantastic guitar. Great video as always Rhett, God Bless!!
I'm brand-new when it comes to guitar so I really liked all the guitar comparisons and gear reviews,thanks bro
Late 50s- early 60s 335s arent called "burst killers" for nothing. I never played a burst. However, I did have the opportunity to play an old 335 (I believe it was a 1960, but I'm not entirely sure), and just... wow... I have never forgotten about that guitar, and I'm more of a SG/ Les Paul guy. Speaking as an SG lover, the 335 was probably the best sounding, playing, and looking guitar I've ever played
I'm 6'4" tall and own just about every major high end version of a popular model guitar. And indeed my 335 (which looks like yours btw) is comfort supreme!!! The sound is full and extremely versatile! Though I'm hard rock guy, I steer towards blues with my 335. Marriage made in heaven. The LP I own looks like a mandolin on my tall body, plus it's awkward . I never bonded with it. The Strat is another that has great comfort. But my baby go-to guitar is also the 335. Do you know the story of Ted Nugent who was gifted a Fender to try out at his house. He plugged it into his amp and after experimenting with it he instantly hated it literally took it off and threw it across the room at his sliding door window breaking the glass. Dude is crazy but he made a definitive statement that the 335 is ONLY one. LOL!....btw, I graduated HS Valedictorian and was admitted to several elite colleges and all my Dad did for me is put me to work in his warehouse moving boxes that beautiful summer! "You'll take it and you'll like it!" And still college sucked. Boring! Mechanical/non-creative. I wish i could have swayed to music school at that age! YOLO and NOT to always listen to ambitious parents (learning this lesson 20 years later of MY life!)....Your Dad is a fucking Rock Star, btw....bust out the waterworks on that heartfelt story! Whew!
I’m a beginner guitarist. I’ve played piano my entire life and have been picking up guitar very quickly. I’m looking to buy my first electric guitar. I love playing mostly indie alternative/rock like Mac demarco kinda music. I have no clue what guitars I should consider really. I have a lot of money saved and was wondering if you’d recommend a telecaster or Gibson. I think the ES-335 is beautiful, but I feel like I see many indie artists playing fenders. Thanks for any advice you can provide
I was watching this with some interest until you started playing the Don't Take Me Alive solos. That's when I really started listening. Man you are GOOD!
Huge semi-hollow body fan since childhood. My first electric was a Harmony Rocket, and I’ve just loved the sound and the body style ever since. Today, I have a 335, a 339, and a ‘92 347, as well as a LP (a Franken-Paul I put together using a Gibson high-performance body I picked up from stratosphereparts), a Strat and a Tele. With the exception of the LP, all of them are stock. And of all of them, the 339 is my go-to guitar. Love semi-hollow bodies! Thanks for the vid!
ps Les paul came up with "the log" by having a hollow body epiphone cut in half and inserting a block of pine in the center.. gibson dismissed this idea, then they "came up with this design"(revisiting the original dismissed idea, Les Paul is King.. god bless him for his innovations. just giving credit where credit is due.
I also trusted my guts and bought a Plaintop 1991 gibson les paul standard in vintage sunburst where many of my friends and family just asked: Why this one? there are so many more beautiful examples like this guitar.... Am playing it for over a year now and I'm never gonna give it away... Until the end.
Good wood era.
kangham aye it really is, that thing screams....
FINALLY he says it! I’ve owned them all, modded them all and at then end of the day... a 335 is all you need! 😉
please don't tell my wife until I get my next one.
I totally agree with you about the Gibson ES 335, Rhett. I'm only an amateur guitarist, but I do own 2 Gibson guitars. My 1st one was bought by my Grandpa for me way back in 1976 when I was 21 and learning to play with my brother, sister and niece. That girl is an ES 330. Over the years she developed a problem in her electronics. I never wanted to ship her off to be fixed, but she still means the world to me.
Now, I recently bought myself another Gibson which I absolutely love! She's an ES 2018 figured aquamarine in mint condition that sounds awesome! Not a scratch or mar on her. It's my dream guitar and I am a 65 yr old 5'2" female. The size doesn't bother me at all. Thanks for the great review and the background on your sweet guitar.
My #1 guitar that I play most of the time is my Ibanez AF195 Hollowbody. I love it so much.
Rhett you need to explain the facial hair situation you had on college.
it was a regrettable look, for sure.
Rhett what about a video of your entire guitar collection?
Nobody needs to explain the facial hair situation they had in college
I love this man but he looks like a muppet
That's when he went by his Christian name, Jebediah.
the 335 is the only gibson i've ever really wanted
I believe he's playing Footprints at the beginning, in case anyone else is agonising over that.
I have played my Epiphone Dot since 2001. It has gotten me through college ensembles, orchestra pits, church music, jazz and blues band and worship leading and still gives me what I need every week. It’s not a Gibson, but the slim neck does it all with great comfort. Though she is a bit heavy, I still love her.
Thanks for the video, Rhett. You enhanced my appreciation for my gear.
I was lent a 335 for a week when in high school back in the 70's. I've wanted one ever since. A few years ago I was able to land a 2018 Memphis-made natural figured ES 335. I'm in love with it. Definitely a different beast from my Les Paul but complimentary. If I were to suggest only 3 guitars for life it would be a 335, a Tele and an OM acoustic. You could do it all.
Your "very hard not cringe" is another man's "I'll never be that good". (I'm not revealing his identity but his name rhymes with 'cars'). Keep up the good work. 🤘
yeah, I don't get it at all...y was it considered bad? it was quite cool imo
Right hahah.
I love my 335. As you mentioned, Gibson was a eensy, teensy little bit above budget lol. So i got the Epiphone dot. Love the sounds and tones i can get out of it and the sustain is unbelievable. My only problem is being able to play some of the "chrunchier" rock. I can't get a good chugga chugga out of it. Could be my amp too tho. But i do love my 335. Oh yeah, im 6'7".
I bought an Epi 335 dot used, lefty, the previous owner had installed a Seymour Duncan pick up on bridge position, with that…it does chuga chuga I also have an Epi Casino with P90s, that’s another story,
lmao what does you being 6’7 have to do with the guitar
@@marcosaenz4719 who knows lol. I must have thought it relevant at the time. Did you watch all of the video? I can't remember. Mayne he said something about the size of the body. That is an excellent question tho lol.
@@allenwilliams630 actually yeah my bad lol. i replied to you in the middle of the video and then a few minutes later he mentions how the guitar is really big and that’s he 6’3 so that makes it the perfect shape for him.
Recently I've spent some time in music store playing different Strats.
You know, I want to be funky and play like Tomo Fujita
Fenders were suprisingly not in my taste. They seemed harsh and blunt
Silversky blew me away but it's price could sink me down with all my belongings
After this whole exploration I grabbed some PRS SE Hollow body with two humbuckers
It really felt like home to me
Guess deep inside I'm still "Gibson" kinda guy
Now I'm looking for perfect pickups to go along with my es175 styled hollow body :v
I love your story about your 335! So Special! Great video.
Bought a '61 Les Paul Jr a few months back and its changed my life. Its my number 1. Never thought I could do so much with a single p90.
Always loved all the tones alex lifeson got out of his 355
And some fine tones they are!