I Didn't Expect Epiphone to Do This Model! | 2023 Epi Jim James Owl ES-335 70s Walnut Review
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- Опубліковано 8 чер 2024
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I Didn't Expect Epiphone to Do This Model! | The Epi Jim James ES-335 70s Walnut guitar was released in 2023 as a follow-up to the really successful 2021 Gibson version. I really love animal-influenced guitars so these cool Owl 335s making a come back in the epiphone format seemed cool to me. All the important features are here, Owl case, Owl headstock and peace truss rod cover. The only thing I don't feel they did well was the finish came out a bit too dark, but that is personal preference. I hate to say it but... this epi might even sound better than the Gibson in a blind test!
At launch, these didn't seem to gather as much attention as the Gibson version - but I was pleasantly surprised by it!
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:11 - About the Jim James Releases / Unboxing
0:59 - What Did It Get Right?
1:55 - Case Comparison
2:56 - Inside Look / Specs
7:15 - Clean Tones
8:47 - Dirty Tones
10:06 - Epiphone / Gibson Comparison
10:51 - Final Thoughts
11:58 - What to Watch Next!
🎞️ Videos Mentioned:
0:17 2021 Gibson Jim James My Morning Jacket Signature ES-335 70s Walnut
• The Owl Guitar Is Here...
6:18 2020 Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Black Beauty
• These Were All Suppose...
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Do you like the lighter or darker brown hue?
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Lighter you see more wood grain👍
Lighter
I like them both. The Epi sounds great.
Lighter
Having worked in the communications industry I've seen that " peace " symbol used regularly. It was always on a metal tag or plate affixed to utility poles.
Thank you! My son and I watched the video and he lost his mind. This was my first NGD purchase and could not have been happier with the review. Great experience. Thank you Gary and Grady
Great sounding and looking guitar. Thanks for allowing Trogly to review it. Hope you enjoy it. Cheers
Congrats! I thought this sounded better than the Gibson version compared to
Pickups sound great! I like the darker wood myself. Different strokes!!
Sounds great!
That finish will look nice under BRIGHT stage lights!
I also like the lighter Gibson finish but beside that it sounded amazing to the point I forgot about the dark color! Great review as always. Thanks again!
Welcome back everyone!
We mist you🎉😊
Ahhhhhhhh!!!! 🎉 I can’t believe it’s you! It’s been so long!!!
I got one of these about 3 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. Mine is dark also, but it plays as good as my Gibsons and the pickups are pretty impressive. In my opinion it is a steal for $900. These are under the radar so they should be available. If you are looking for a 335, you won't be disappointed, and you won't need a second mortgage.
Pfffft... Nowadays the price of a Gibson ES-335 is barely enough for a deposit in the hood. Sorry lol, I've been house hunting lately and your comment struck a chord in me. A financially frustrated one to be exact.
Just bought mine a few minutes ago. Lol I love the es335 but I’ve always preferred thin necks so when I heard this model had it… I HAD TO try it out
MMJ has been my favorite band for years. I'm glad Jim got some brand recognition. Next they need to give Carl a signature ebony LP with a Bigsby and p94 in the neck.
I, within the last year, bought 3 CV Squiers. A jazzmaster; jaguar and a mustang. They are all very well put together. Smooth fret-ends, working tremelo systems and great sounding!!!
Good for Epiphone!!!
One of these days, seeing how some budget guitar builders have stepped up their game, the only folks buying Gibsons and high-end Fenders, ect. may only be well to do folks or collectors.
There's no longer a need to spend thousands on a fantastic sounding and playing "guitar".
Sounds really good. As good as the Gibson to me, and for the price... I'd take the Epi any day.
The Epiphone/Gibson sound comparison you did was excellent! The Epiphone is very nice but OMG that finish is dark - almost ebony like! That particular Laurel fretboard is very nice looking. It seems to be hit and miss/luck of the draw with respect to how good a fretboard you're getting with an Epiphone. Absolutely love those tuners!
had a 71 ES-345 stereo walnut stolen......this made me cry
That, (1974 ES-335 Gibson) was my first electric guitar and it was a let down. But, it wasn't their fault, it was a music shop that convinced my dad that Altec Lancing's speakers where better than Fender speakers and a Twin Reverb and I sounded like a sitar. 40 years Later I learned that when shopping in a music store. Cheers
Epi is making some really great stuff of late.
That's a great damn guitar, I want one! I think this is the closest Epiphone I've seen to the Gibson model, I really like it.
This beats the Gibson, sorry.
@@I-Libertine I totally agree
@@I-Libertine not if you adjust the pickups and actually know how to setup a guitar
@@michaelpacinus242 You're right of course I guess I'll spend a little extra to buy the Gibson and then spend a little bit of extra time setting it up.
@@I-Libertine or the other option I’m making you aware of is buying the epi and still needing to potentially adjust your pickups to your ears
I just realized epiphone doesn’t scrape the binding on the TOP of the guitar like Gibson, only the sides. That to me makes a huge difference in the look of the guitar from straight on and is one of the reasons the Gibsons look better IMO
Yes! And also binding is slightly thinner on the Epi.
Dang side by side the Epiphone sounds better!! Surprised anyone?? 😂
Agreed and yes I'm surprised. Both.
Same. I didn’t expect to but I much preferred the Epiphone pickups. Took me by surprise and makes me question how much value I put into “brand name” pickups.
Trogly never adjusts his pickups so idk
@@michaelpacinus242 Pick up height would account for a difference in volume. There really wasn’t much difference in volume, Better, maybe more complex tone from the Epiphone.
Hard to tell, Trogs isn’t the greatest of players and isn’t known to dial in a tone. All pickups are different and have a different sweet spot. Too many variables, like with all guitars, to say one sounds better than the other.
Great vid! Presume the finish is dark to soften any inconsistencies / patching in the wood grain. No issues at this price point. Nice.
I think the darker finish on the Epiphone looks incredible compared to the Gibson, so it just comes down to personal taste. Epiphone have done an amazing job here.
That sounds amazing!!!
Indeed
Why buy the Gibson version?
Because it's made in the 🇺🇸...by well paid free people 🤷and better materials and craftsmanship 🫡
One of the best sounding guitars I've ever heard you review weird how it sounded better than the gibson
Nah, not that weird. Trogly doesn’t know how to setup pickups-or anything beyond pretty basic shit tbh
A Gibson Owl ! Dove, Humming Bird, Firebird, Owl, Nighthawk, Corvus, Raven, Byrdland
I would hate to have recently bought a Gibson semi-hollowbody and then saw this video.
Literally bought a Vintage vsa in walnut the other day… love it.
Shame, if they would have kept it a little lighter I would have been in.
All the examples I’ve seen are pretty dark. Good video
Oh wow Epiphone did a fantastic job with this one. Only $899? Tempting. So very very tempting
I like the dark of this Epi Jim James 335, over the lighter Gibson stain.
Neck was the biggest difference. Middle and bridge was close to same
Maybe the epiphany will fade some over time? And BTW the white owl is RUSH's logo, Jim James!!!
I liked the Epiphone version and thought it stood up well against the Gibson. Thanks Trogly
Woot woot Trogly's guitars 🎸 🙌
You made the podium for today and earned a Bronze Medal.
I have a question! Which one do you prefer between Epi ubukata 355(ver.2) and this one...?
The bridge pickups on the Epi and the Gibby sound incredibly close, and the Epi's neck pickup is darker and fuller sounding. Nothing wrong with that.
Hi, great review, after seeing it I bought it too, what string gauge did you use for this type of guitar? 010, 011, 012?
What height did you set the pickups at for the Epiphone?
That sounds beautiful!
My best SG is a Korean Epiphone. ( I own two Gibson SG’s)A few years ago I had my choice between two Epi ES-175’s. One was Korean one was made in China. I bought the Korean built one. I think I paid $335.
Congratulations on a beautiful and damn good sounding 🎸
Love it aside from the finish being too dark…don’t know why they did that.
I though it was just my ES-335 case. Mine has a couple latches that don't line up. My 2003 ES-335 case ) older Custom Shop) is way better! Come on Gibson. When you spend that much for a CS guitar you expect a better case...
Yep, that's why I have no problem with Epiphone. You go eppi.
I like it sounds good to me. Very nice guitar 😊😊
Nugent tones remind me of his Byrdland days. I like the lighter brown of the Gibson’s. I like my inspired by Gibson Blueberry figured ES 335 also.
I have the Blueberry Burst too ....great guitar !!!
@@toddflowers8052I played the figured ice tea one at Guitar Center and I was impressed with the neck profile! Of course I've played on a bunch of Epiphones and I gotta say once properly set up this particular model feels just as nice as the Gibson.
I must be one of the few that doesn't mind laurel so much. The latest example I just got being on the Epi Faded Pelham Blue SG Special with wrap tail (heavily influenced by another UA-camr and wonderful Englishman that's a major SG aficionado/collector) and it has a surprisingly smooth and evenly grained laurel board on it with a great neck, level frets all the way down, great P90 Pros and CTS pots with Orange Drops. Plays and sounds like a dream. With the wrap tail, it really rings like a bell with resonance and has no defects anywhere. No upgrades needed, but which I fully expected, at a mere $449.
I love everything about modern Epiphone with the exception of the indian laurel fretboard. It's too porous and I can feel it when bending strings. My Standard 60's LP has it and I've only played the guitar once. Black walnut would've been a smoother answer to this.
The balance and clarity of those pickups is pretty nice. With a good EQ pedal you could do a LOT wit them.
I like the dark better if you catch the light right the grain shows fine looks like QC is better than the overpriced Explorer from yesterday thanks Gary for letting us check out your new Guitar 👍
I’m digging the sound from this guitar
I'm pleasantly pleased that Epiphone puts out such a beautiful and well playing guitar for a mere $988. I bought a used older Epiphone fofr $450, it's in pretty good shape but I wish I'd held off and spent a bet more on a this guitar. Well done Austin, you've definitely motivated me to buy a new Epiphone. I'd like to buy a Gibson and if I buy one you've convinced me to buy a Custom and that is way out of my budget so for now I'll be satisfied and happy with buying Epiphones. The Epiphone definitely has brighter tones whereas the Gibson is warmer sounding. Thank you Austin, take care.
From the playing demo I actually prefer the Epiphone all around ftom single note solo to chord playing. Just sounds more brilliant to me. The Gibson sounds a tad shallow. On a 335 I want to feel like I could dive deep in notes and the clarity is amazing.
I love that dark brown colour on a es335.
I had an Epi Riviera in that finish many years back, (well a bit lighter than that.) and it was my #1 guitar to pick up daily,
and I did several gigs with it, and it was easily as good as any Gibson 335, I regrettably had to sell it to raise money for my
emigration from the U.K to where I am now, (Ireland) and I often miss it.
Epiphone`s are great affordable guitars, and I`ve had several since the Riviera, and plan to get another one next year.
Sounds good.
Myself I prefer the dark finish reminds me of the blood ox do they make this in a Lefty?
Hey, the Epiphone pickups are a lot better now They actually sound like they’re in the ballpark of a PAF. They used to be so muddy and flabby sounding. I actually liked them more than the pickups in the Gibson.
I really gotta try and get my hands on one of these. Have always wanted a 335. This thing is nuts for the price 🤘🤘and of course my wife love's owls so maybe she'll let me get one 😉
I got the standard 50s style Epi vintage burst version a year or two ago and it's flawless with a wonderful chunky neck with perfectly done frets and the pickups sound great. Very impressive for under $600, so this is well worth it having a case.
The bass tone is excellent!🔈🎸 Great dirty tones!
How do everyone?!
That light streak down the fretboard looks nice. I have to agree lighter would have been better just because so beautiful and you dont see them in that color ever
It's called silk screened ,as far as the owl on the Gibsons case,but you still rock trogly. 🤣👍
I’m impressed
Another great job by Epiphone. Of course Gibson is on a whole different level, but I respect Epiphone more. They may sacrifice some of the niceties for price savings, but Epiphone does SO much more with what they’ve got. Gibson too often over charges and under performs. I do NOT respect that.
If they could have duplicated the the lighter finish I would snag one of those up right away
We need a Epiphone Buckethead signature!!!
Lovely guitar and it sounds excellent.
That guitar sound badass
Good sounding guitar! 👍
this thing sounds fantastic.
I might actually order one. hmmmm
p/ups sound great
FYI that looks more like 5ply, most epiphones are made like that. Three really thin ones and the two in between are thicker. Now, whether that's poplar or just thicker maple, or maybe just maple with the grain set to 90º compared to the other three layers, which would explain the color difference, who knows...
Epiphone has really come a long ways
Nice guitar, shame its so dark! It almost looks black unless you catch the light right.
Stain is too dark, it looks black on camera.
I'm really surprised it's so dark, normally Epi's are brighter or more vivid than the Gibsons...seems to be a great player & value!
Im very impressed by this model. I like it a lot.
I played this guitar at Guitar Center and it has a similar neck profile as an Korean made Epiphone, very thin!
Trogly , please demo an Eastman 486. We need to see and hear your take
Far from needing another instrument at all, let alone another Epiphone model, let alone another semi-hollow (as much as this one rocks), I'm going to repeat something that I have put in to previous comments. The best part was when you kicked on the dirt, Trogly. Not remotely enough rock guitar players use both overdrive and semi-hollow instruments like this one. The ones I can name include Ted Nugent, Alvin Lee, Brian May and Paul McCartney. I've been trying to demonstrate how well it can be done for years now.
Agreed on all points. I got to see Alvin Lee use his infamous ES (peace sign stickers, etc) years ago in the early 2000's (I think) at the Fillmore and he absolutely shredded it with some lovely over driven tones. And I too simply can't squeeze in another guitar, but likely will GAS soon enough for something that will make its way in.
I can dig it, @Cataclysmic Converter . It's May 2023, and I am painstakingly aiming to make '23 the year I kick GAS in the a**. No telling if I will let it kick me back next year, but I'm set on not getting any equipment this one.
The model that I have to quench my thirst for my own ES-type guitar is a 1980 Yamaha SA-2000. If I didn't remember consciously that's what it is, I could probably fool myself into thinking I had an actual ES-335 or 345. I made sure to include it on several deep cracks from my last solo record, *Another Game to Play.*
@@ericbgordon1575 It's a hard habit to kick. I said the same thing in January and have already added 4 to the herd 😆. Nothing extravagant, but sometimes I just can't pass up great deals no matter what. Those Yamaha SA-2000's from that era are insanely good with impeccable builds and I kick myself all the time for selling the 2 that slipped through my hands. A wine red and sunburst model. AND an archtop AE-1200S I let go of. What was I thinking!
Try to get one of them back, @@cataclysmicconverter. Mine is wine red,and it's awesome!
how about Oasis? their whole sound when they broke through was based on cranked epiphone sheratons and rivieras - and the sound was huge, tracks like aquiesce, the swamp song and all the esrly stuff
This thing is awesome
yeee
Well done, you earned a Silver Medal
I just purchased one, and I thought that the finish was also dark.other than that, I am happy with my purchase.
Fly by night!?!?? Owl on the case.
Right?!
My first thought before he opened the case was "Rush, Fly By Night"!
And I could hear Alex strumming those opening chords.
@@Stephen_M. I believe in some of Alex Lifesons guitar collection,I think he had something like this in his collection. I believe it's in the fly by night video or anthem video.
@@rogercardenas111 I just recognized it as the album cover. (Old guy here, saw them all the way back in the fall of 1980 for the first time). They were so friggen tight it was insane!
@@Stephen_M. cool I didn't get see them until the 1985-1986 Power Windows tour. Ever since then I've seen every tour from that point.
@@Stephen_M. I saw them on the Hemispheres and Moving Pictures tours and was blown away. Flashpots and all during 2112. Saxon was the warm up band for both. The more recent Clockwork Angels concert video is an amazing show, too.
Didn't know there's Gibson version 😅. Gotta watch that version first, then! Come back soon!
Definitely got that ‘70s BROWN right. I wonder if it’s just the difference between a thin nitro finish on the Gibson and a thick poly finish on the Epiphone.
Would love to see the Epi ‘Wino’!! Please don’t make me do a NGD! Lol
Looks like they forgot the walnut on the walnut model. Finish looks far too dark...
those Gibson pickups sound weak next to that Epiphone
Whats the first riff that he plays?
I got a red one
Your Insta post was just pics of the Gibson one.
Not bad at all!
👍
Greetings Andy
@@sgt.grinch3299 Hi ya Sgt
Great guitar for the money id not pay Gibsons price for the difference to be honest
Wow. That epiphone sounds better than the Gibson in my opinion
Epiphone finishes are the draw back thick finishes kill resonance
Helllloooo guys
I think the Epiphone is a much more attractive guitar. Good job!
Kg
You just won the wallmart award for the very first comment you are absolutely amazing 🍪 🍪 🍪
@@rondobondo6600 Thank you RONDO! 😃
Congratulations on climbing to the summit of the Mole Hill and earning a Gold Medal Scott.
Looks like another black 335 copy!