335 Style guitars

BobD · #1 11-09-2010, 02:53 PM

So I was thinking that a 335 style guitar would be my next guitar. In particular I was thinking of a Yamaha AS2200 but while they are on the Yamaha website they don't seem to be on any site for purchase. What gives? Is the 2200 not in production anymore?

What are some other good 335 style guitars besides an actual ES-335? I was thinking maybe the ES-339 would be a possibility but what are the more affordable "good" guitars out there than going Gibson?

mambosun · #2 11-09-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobD

So I was thinking that a 335 style guitar would be my next guitar. In particular I was thinking of a Yamaha AS2200 but while they are on the Yamaha website they don't seem to be on any site for purchase. What gives? Is the 2200 not in production anymore?

What are some other good 335 style guitars besides an actual ES-335? I was thinking maybe the ES-339 would be a possibility but what are the more affordable "good" guitars out there than going Gibson?

Depending on your budget.
I would personally recommend an Ibanez AS120 you should be able to find at around 800€ in the second hand market.
Very good guitar in terms of fit and finishing, playability, sound...
Good luck

backliner · #3 11-09-2010, 05:16 PM

+1 on Ibanez. There is a range of models that are 335 style. They all seem good to me.

I had a Washburn HB-30 that was really good too. Very cheap on the used market. The stock pickups were even surprisingly good.

Flat · #4 11-09-2010, 06:31 PM

You can get a used Heritage H535 for about $1000 to $1300. If that falls within your budget, it's pretty hard to beat, imho.

mongrel · #5 11-09-2010, 07:23 PM

I've got two. An original early '60's ES 355 with PAF's and a'99 Samick made Epiphone Dot (the one with the "Gibson" truss rod cover). Both play very well and, although I prefer PAF's and an ebony neck, the Dot gets me 95% where I want to go with about 400 times less investment. And I don't get paranoid that a vacuum cleaner or dog will knock it off its stand.

RonD · #6 11-09-2010, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobD

So I was thinking that a 335 style guitar would be my next guitar. In particular I was thinking of a Yamaha AS2200 but while they are on the Yamaha website they don't seem to be on any site for purchase. What gives? Is the 2200 not in production anymore?

What are some other good 335 style guitars besides an actual ES-335? I was thinking maybe the ES-339 would be a possibility but what are the more affordable "good" guitars out there than going Gibson?

Yamaha seems to be going through yet another change in direction. A buddy of mine is trying to buy one of their solid bodies, that's still on all their websites, but can't be found new anywhere.

I just tried one of the offshore Hamer semi's that played great and is quite reasonable. @ $650.

hurricanebob · #7 11-09-2010, 11:31 PM

On a similar note, does anyone have any experience with either Washburn or Epiphone? I'm looking at an Epi Sheraton II, and am wondering whether it's possible to spend less than $500 (used) and still get something worth playing, or whether I should save up and get an Eastman for around $1300.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #8 11-09-2010, 11:56 PM

On the cheaper end of things does anyone have an opinion about Agile guitars? They're mainly known for their shredders, but they make all kinds of crazy models like 7-string Teles and 30" scale Jazzmasters. Here is a 335-type guitar. $400. Agile AS-1000 Black Cherry Flame at RondoMusic.com

RoyaleT · #9 11-10-2010, 07:10 AM

Some friends have initially bought them to pracrice repair work on, found that after a good setup they were nice little players for the money. They were Strat and Tele knock-offs, not semis. A couple were Agiles and one of the Douglases. If you could find a used one it could very well be classified as a steal.

Tom Karol · #10 11-10-2010, 08:32 AM

There are lots of very playable options for well under $1K, particularly if you're willing to spend an additional $40 for a pro setup after purchase:
Yamaha, Washburn, Crafter, Ibanez, Epiphone, Hamer imports ... I'm sure there's more.

X-500 · #11 11-10-2010, 09:47 PM

BobD,

This has been discussed, so you might find this previous post helpful. Good luck!

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...le-guitar.html

Tom Karol · #12 11-11-2010, 06:18 AM

BobD - Here's a couple more old threads (mine) to peruse:

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...get-335-a.html

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guita...rth-price.html

helios · #13 11-11-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobD

So I was thinking that a 335 style guitar would be my next guitar. In particular I was thinking of a Yamaha AS2200 but while they are on the Yamaha website they don't seem to be on any site for purchase. What gives? Is the 2200 not in production anymore?

What are some other good 335 style guitars besides an actual ES-335? I was thinking maybe the ES-339 would be a possibility but what are the more affordable "good" guitars out there than going Gibson?

I ordered my SA2200 a few years ago from a local music store-it took a couple of weeks to arrive from the distributor. I've NEVER seen one on display in any store. They do appaear on Ebay (not infrequently).
I did change the pickups however, and I do like it. Cheers!

neilshane · #14 11-11-2010, 02:24 PM

What about a Gibson es 333?

hank · #15 11-14-2010, 07:53 AM

Obviously, there are a lot of good choices for 335 styled guitars. Recently, I decided to sell my '06 335 in favor of my '09 339. I really prefer the bigger neck of the 339 and, mostly, its body size. Tonally, the 339 has a bit more Les Paul in it. I was able to dial in the 335 sound with my tone knob.

Good luck.

barrymclark · #16 11-14-2010, 11:27 AM

+1 on the Heritage H535