Budget 335?

[Squint]

dice... hmmm... in gold definitely.

I just go for the plain ebony as it doesn't bother with the tone.
See how thay look on my Electra in a post above and that might help you decide.

[jazzrat]

Jazzrat, that Ibanez looks real nice, too, but it's only got 'regular' f-holes!

Ooops sorry Tom, didn't know non-standard F-holes where one of the criteria in your quest.

[nrand]

To answer the question it depends on whether you want to buy new or used. IMO if you can find a good used hollowbody that has not been abused it will have had time to settle in and mature.

I have what many would consider to be an 'el cheapo' 1974 MIJ Epiphone EA 250 but it is 36 years old and the build quality is really starting to become evident. The Electonics are beginning to show signsd of age but the body and neck are still tight and flawless - electronics can be replaced. The guitar - shown here on another thread here cost me $500 + postage - add two P 90s and a new wiring harness I have basically a new vintage guitar for under $800.

Those made with cheaper timber components, glues and resins will start to feel and sound cheap in time - and the jury is still out on the imports coming in from China at present - they are so quickly made - we won't know for ten years at least if these are any good.

I personally would buy a good used guitar - or pay the extra money for a top line current guitar - it depends on your budget.

[Jazzophobe]

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

I think I want a budget 335-style guitar - $600-$800 max. (Well, what I really want is a Sadowsky Semi-Hollow, but that's another story!) Any suggestions? Used is perfectly acceptable. Thanks!

I've got an Epi Dot that I run through a Seymour Duncan pickup booster and it sounds fantastic!

[mongrel]

I just satisfied my 335-type Jones this afternoon after I got tired of reading all the "which semi hollow?" posts, Ebay and Craigslist. Epi Dot made by Samick in 1999 in natural finish and nice, hardly played condition. Now comes the "which mods?" phase. First will be the set of Chromes sitting in a drawer for months. Maybe a trapeze tailpiece, a Casino rig should fit. The set of nickel covered Phat Cats has been idle for a couple of years.

[Blue_Jazz]

If your buying a new one Ill go for Lucille Epiphone version, otherwise a good search on Ebay. Good luck

[Tom Karol]

Thanks, everyone, for the additional suggestions, but I already got one - see posts #20 & #25! I put new strings on it (D'Aquisto nickel-steel roundwound .011 - .048 with an .018 plain 3rd) last night and fine-tuned the set-up, and it's really quite wonderful!

[Tom Karol]

Neo-classic jazz settings update - Neck PU for solo(s), neck and bridge together for comping (new strings, Henriksen's EQ set flat):
Neck Vol 7, Neck Tone 5, Bridge Vol 2, Bridge Tone 5.
Weird - but I'm lovin' it!