Cheaper alternatives to Gibson ES335 and Ibanez AS200

**aniss1001** · 01-10-2012, 10:55 PM

For those of us who can't afford neither what would be a tolerable alternative? And what would it lack compared to the two mentioned?

**Alder Statesman** · 01-10-2012, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by aniss1001

For those of us who can't afford neither what would be a tolerable alternative? And what would it lack compared to the two mentioned?

Check out the Epiphone Ultra-339. A nice Asian copy. Even if you upgrade the pick ups, your are $100's ahead.

**FatJeff** · 01-11-2012, 12:17 AM

I believe Heritage makes an excellent 335-type guitar for substantially less than a "real" Gibson: Heritage Guitar, Inc. of Kalamazoo - Semi Hollow Body - H 535 Remember, these are the guys who used to build actual Gibsons back in the day, and they have the same factory in Kalamazoo that Gibson used to be located in. I've heard nothing but great things about Heritage.

**Flat** · 01-11-2012, 02:15 AM

Double down on the Heritage. If you can swing $1200, you can get sometimes find a Heritage 535 on eBay. Great guitar, tremendous value.

(Actually, I just checked and prices on eBay seem to be running a bit higher than when I bought mine a couple years ago for $1150. More like $1600.)

I also like older Tokai 335 clones (circa 1980 or so). Not easy to find, but they can be great deals, imho.

What's your budget? A used Heritage 535 is a whole lot less than a new Gibson ES-335, but it still ain't cheap.

**mambosun** · 01-11-2012, 04:31 AM

Originally Posted by aniss1001

For those of us who can't afford neither what would be a tolerable alternative? And what would it lack compared to the two mentioned?

I just can recommend the Ibanez AS120, the smaller sister of the AS200, and which is one of my regular guitar.
It should be relatively cheap on the second hand market.

**Retroman1969** · 01-11-2012, 05:11 AM

Not knowing what price range you're looking for, I'll give the three cheapest, yet still halfway decent alternatives...

Oscar Schmidt Delta King ($200-300)

Epiphone Dot ($300-400)

Hagstrom Viking ($500-600)

If you can swing it though, the Heritage is probably going to be one of your best quality alternatives.

**Tom Karol** · 01-11-2012, 09:16 AM

New: Crafter SEG480;
Used: Guild Starfire,
Yamaha SA-2000,
Heritage 535, Prospect Std.
Almost forgot: Check out the various thin-lines from Eastman and Peerless if they're available in Argentina.

**zigzag** · 01-11-2012, 09:50 AM

Heard very good things about Jay Tursers.

**cosmic gumbo** · 01-11-2012, 11:27 AM

Washburn HB35

**dmorash** · 01-11-2012, 11:53 AM

Gibson ES 333. If you need the Gibson flavour. The stock pickups are too hot for jazz imo. I replaced mine with Gibson 57 classics. All in all, I think I paid in the neighborhood of $1100. Great option if you can find one.

Ibanez artstars are cool and even more affordable. I had one which was supposedly made in Japan although most are Korean. It was maybe not quite as much personality as the Gibson, but basically was just as good. The German made Verythins are very cool although I found the one I had (a Classic) was a little bit of a bright voice for jazz.

**newsense** · 01-11-2012, 06:10 PM

As a cheaper alternative to the AS200, how about the AS103 - same pickups as the AS200, but without the John Scofield label and hence a lot less money. Build quality is excelent. Lower priced versions (AS93 and 73) have inferior pickups. I had a 93 and upgraded the pickups, then sold it, which of course I now regret.

**Rich724** · 01-11-2012, 09:14 PM

I have an AS83 but upgraded the pickups to Seymour Duncan JBs, 500 ohm pots, new nut. Its now my go to guitar. All for about $600.

**Hammertone** · 01-12-2012, 05:53 AM

What a surprise that I would suggest this:

Hofner Verythin Special:

**aniss1001** · 01-13-2012, 01:45 PM

Hey thanks a lot guys. You really helped me out and gave me something to think about and look out for.

I tried a Viking yesterday. It seems reallly nice actually. Best alternative I've tried so far. Unfortunately WAAAAAY out of my price range.

As I have mentioned elsewhere I live in Argentina and here buying stuff like that is way more expensive than in other countries. So here the Viking costs a grueling us$1100

So that is out of the question for.

I also tried the Oscar Schmidt. They go for around us$400 here. It seemed very low quality to me. The sound was horrible. But the one I tried had some very old 0.09 strings. So maybe with decent strings, pots, pickups, etc. it would be OK?! Dunno? ANYONE has played one of these?

I DID find something unexpected too. A Cort Source (UB) for around us$580. Pretty much the same as the Epiphone Dot, but it seemed way better to me. But it's hard to say for me. It depends on amp, strings, pickups (that are probably gonna be changed anyway) and I have no experience with hollowbodies.

Ah also saw some cheaper Ibanez AS73 and such. Didn't try them yet.

Anyway thanks again and all input about the Epi Dot, Oscar Schmidt, Cort, Ibanezes and semi-hollows in that range is still very welcome.

**kris** · 01-13-2012, 03:08 PM

Ibanez As-200 is a great guitar....no alternative for profesionals.

**aniss1001** · 01-13-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by kris

Ibanez As-200 is a great guitar....no alternative for profesionals.

Hmm ... sorry I don't quite understand your point ?

**Retroman1969** · 01-13-2012, 10:40 PM

I owned the Oscar Shmidt for a short time, but it was back when I was getting started, so I can't honestly tell you how it was because I wouldn't have known what to look for back then. I remember it looked fairly well made, but with cheap electronics. When I changed from the awful-sounding thin strings to flatwounds in .12-.52 it improved the sound and playability quite a bit.
Sold it when I decided I wanted a full depth hollow-body.
The Epiphone Dot may be your best bet for the price. I've had several Epiphone products and have been impressed with them as far as the quality and features you get for the money.
Love the Viking too, but they are indeed at the upper end of this price class.
I Have no experience with the Ibanez or Cort, but they're worth checking out if you can get your hands on them. I hear good things around the net on both of them.

**Funkwire** · 01-13-2012, 10:48 PM

I had an Oscar Schmidt Delta King for a short time. Didn't like the bolt-on neck or hot pickups. Pickups can be changed, but the bolt-on neck made it impossible to play past the 15th fret. I'm not one of these guys who needs to get all the way up to the 22nd fret, but I just didn't care for that limitation.

I would second looking for a used Washburn HB35. The resale value isn't great on them, but they're good guitars. I have a 1988 that was made in Japan and is a great semi-hollow.

Epi Dots are good, in my experience. So are the Ibanez Artcores. I've been impressed with the Cort guitars I've played lately.

**kris** · 01-14-2012, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by aniss1001

Hmm ... sorry I don't quite understand your point ?

I think Ibanez As-200 /1981-83/ is realy great guitar.
It is like hand made instrument.
I tried differtent semi-hollows but always back to my old Ibanez.

**Jazz_175** · 01-15-2012, 03:40 PM

I'd like to know how much is a Gibson 335 in Argentina.
You should also consider the Yamaha sa2200, which is a great guitar.
Anyway my suggestion is different:
If you don't really need a guitar right now, save your money until you can afford a 335. Then try several guitars at different shops and buy the one you like.

**aniss1001** · 01-16-2012, 02:03 AM

The Gibson ES-335-dot goes for around us$ 4200-4700 here it seems... Other particular models I dunno...

But I'm not one of those who think it has to be Gibson. I'd be more than happy with the Hagstrom I tried the other day. It didn't feel inferior to a Gibson. Atleast to me. With some new pickups it would be an awesome guitar. But as I said that one goes for us$1100 here.

But yes I think I will forget about buying a hollowbody for now and upgrade my tele instead....