Gibson ES-335 - What years do you think have the best chance for good quality control

[AlsoRan]

I am concerned about purchasing a late model Gibson ES-335. With the economy the way it is, I kind of believe that manufacturer's are using the power of their computers to "engineer" their products to make costs as cheap as possible without sacrificing their reputation. I believe this to be true in most industries including guitar manufacturing, especially when you consider the CEOs' missions to keep stock prices and sales up.

I have read that to save money, they too are trimming their workforce and trying to employ cheaper less experienced luthiers with the hopes that the computer aided process will make up for experience.

Because of this and other opinions I have read (whether they are fact or fiction, I do not know), I truly wonder if I am not better off buying a Gibson ES-335 from the early 2000's or some other time.

What do you think? Used older model or brand new?

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

I am concerned about purchasing a late model Gibson ES-335. With the economy the way it is, I kind of believe that manufacturer's are using the power of their computers to "engineer" their products to make costs as cheap as possible without sacrificing their reputation. I believe this to be true in most industries including guitar manufacturing, especially when you consider the CEOs' missions to keep stock prices and sales up.

I have read that to save money, they too are trimming their workforce and trying to employ cheaper less experienced luthiers with the hopes that the computer aided process will make up for experience.

Because of this and other opinions I have read (whether they are fact or fiction, I do not know), I truly wonder if I am not better off buying a Gibson ES-335 from the early 2000's or some other time.

What do you think? Used older model or brand new?

What's your budget?

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by Patrick2

What's your budget?

Before I answer, I think I know where you are going to go Patrick, and that is to mention some of the great alternatives out there.

But man, I am focused on that Gibson. I know I should not be so stubborn, and should instead be looking for the best sounding guitar, but I confess I am into name brands when it comes to guitars. I know I sound pitiful but it is my vice.

But I am matruing as a guitarist and a person and am now at least open to alternatives that may sound as good or better, yet save me a few hundred dollars to spend on more important things.

Also, I am only going to buy something this expensive if I start gigging extensively. Maybe I will end up in a church choir or maybe in a Jazz group playing small gigs. But then and only then would I consider the step up. Through gigging, the guitar will pay for itself over time, and getting the Gibson will help with "branding" myself (assuming I can play well enough).

Getting back to your question, I could probably relent and pay $2,000.00 to $2,400.00 since the guitar would be a part of my "brand." (We all know that "branding" can result in increased revenue - ask the guy who sold the Pet Rocks back in the 70's!) I also assume there would be a corresponding increase in reliability and quality of sound.

What say you?

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

Before I answer, I think I know where you are going to go Patrick, and that is to mention some of the great alternatives out there.

But man, I am focused on that Gibson. I know I should not be so stubborn, and should instead be looking for the best sounding guitar, but I confess I am into name brands when it comes to guitars. I know I sound pitiful but it is my vice.

But I am matruing as a guitarist and a person and am now at least open to alternatives that may sound as good or better, yet save me a few hundred dollars to spend on more important things.

Also, I am only going to buy something this expensive if I start gigging extensively. Maybe I will end up in a church choir or maybe in a Jazz group playing small gigs. But then and only then would I consider the step up. Through gigging, the guitar will pay for itself over time, and getting the Gibson will help with "branding" myself (assuming I can play well enough).

Getting back to your question, I could probably relent and pay $2,000.00 to $2,400.00 since the guitar would be a part of my "brand." (We all know that "branding" can result in increased revenue - ask the guy who sold the Pet Rocks back in the 70's!) I also assume there would be a corresponding increase in reliability and quality of sound.

What say you?

Nope . .. you're wrong. But, I can see how you might have thought I was going to recommend the Heritage alternative to the Gibson ES335. I think everyone here on this forum knows that's just not my style. I was asking purely because there is a wide variance in pricing within the ES335 family. You're concerned about build quality. The ES335 came out in 1958. In those 54 years, the build quality has been sporadically great and sporadically poor. If your budget will tolerate the cost, a Nashville Custom Shop Historic Reissue is just about 99.5% certain to give you as good an ES335 as you could possibly buy. There are also some ES335 being built at the Memphis Gibson plant right now that are pretty damn good as well. I think it would be a mistake for you to shy away from any particular year . . . or favor any particular year. Play as many as you can get your hands on. Buy the one that speaks to you. But, if you can spend up to $2,400 as you say, you should be able to buy a really great ES335.

[zigzag]

I'm told that the 335s out of Nashville are of higher quality and also higher priced. I bought my 335 around 2006, and because of flaws (twisted neck and ridiculously bad neck binding among other issues), I settled on the third one. It was made in Memphis, as I believe the first two were.

[AlsoRan]

Sorry Pat.

I read your posts closely and I thought you would suggest not only your brand, but also others such as Peerless. I have seen you list several guitars that whetted my pallette.

You and zigzag I think have given me a solution. No buying Gibson ES-335s sight unseen (i.e.) off ebay unless it is one made in Memphis. I have read similar opinions all over the internet. Might be that Nashville gives you a better chance, just have to pay a little more.

And if I do buy sight unseen, make darn sure there is a good return policy so I can have to time try the guitar out.

I am a little afraid to buy used. I remember when one of my guitars fell off the stand and the headstock hit a coffee table. There did not seem to be any damage but I may have created a latent failure that will manifest itself over time. I would hate to sell it to someone and have that be the case.

Thanks for the info, folks!

[Patrick2]

Originally Posted by AlsoRan

Sorry Pat.

I read your posts closely and I thought you would suggest not only your brand, but also others such as Peerless. I have seen you list several guitars that whetted my pallette.

You and zigzag I think have given me a solution. No buying Gibson ES-335s sight unseen (i.e.) off ebay unless it is one made in Memphis. I have read similar opinions all over the internet. Might be that Nashville gives you a better chance, just have to pay a little more.

And if I do buy sight unseen, make darn sure there is a good return policy so I can have to time try the guitar out.

I am a little afraid to buy used. I remember when one of my guitars fell off the stand and the headstock hit a coffee table. There did not seem to be any damage but I may have created a latent failure that will manifest itself over time. I would hate to sell it to someone and have that be the case.

Thanks for the info, folks!

Hey man . . . no need for an apology. It's all good. Also, don't be too quick to shy away from buying used. Just enter into a good long dialog with the seller. Your gut instinct will guide you on whether to pursue a purchase on a previously owned instrument. Not all people are pricks. You just need to talk to them and get a good feel for them. I have a Nashville Custom Shop Historic Reissue Gibson 1963 block inlay ES335, figured top. Bought it pre owned. It's magnificent.

[AlsoRan]

Originally Posted by Patrick2

Hey man . . . no need for an apology. It's all good. Also, don't be too quick to shy away from buying used. Just enter into a good long dialog with the seller. Your gut instinct will guide you on whether to pursue a purchase on a previously owned instrument. Not all people are pricks. You just need to talk to them and get a good feel for them. I have a Nashville Custom Shop Historic Reissue Gibson 1963 block inlay ES335, figured top. Bought it pre owned. It's magnificent.

Thanks, Pat.

Oh, and that block inlay sure sounds nice!

[mattymel]

I've got a 2008 59' RI (Nashville) that's great. Love it.