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I have been thinking of buying an ES 335. I have only played one once and that was some time ago but I was very impressed. I have a couple of concerns though;
Would this be a good guitar with a medium gauge jazz string such as Chromes 11s or 12s. I have only ever seen the guitar used with light strings by bluesmen.
How would you rate this guitar as an allrounder ie, serious jazz ala Pass, Wes etc, weekend light R&R such as played at weedings etc.
I seem to recall that the 335 had a wider neck than that of say a 175 or the like, with a wider string spacing. Is this correct or is my memory failing me.
It is a 5 hour drive for me to get to the city and so I am doing as much research on a variety of guitars before I make the trip.
I may not get necessarily get a Gibson 335; I may well bet a good 335 style guitar from another maker.
What I am really looking for is a lifetime guitar. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Harry
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05-19-2008 11:19 PM
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Hi,
I've owned two 335's within the past year (gave one to my youngest son) and found them to be great all around guitars. I had 11's on them and they sounded good to my ears. The necks felt a little skinny to me (both slim tapers) but that's just my personal taste. Here's an example of how they sounded. Don't mind the playing, I'm just messing around at the station.
YouTube - Fireman Jam
I'm playing through a Peavey PA head into a 12" cab.
Hope this helps.Last edited by lkmuller; 05-20-2008 at 07:16 PM.
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I think 335s are great guitars, a bit too heavy for me, but very versatile. However, you aren't going to get JP or Wes sound out of one imo. You would be better off imo getting an ES175. Though you don't see them used in as many settings as a 335, you can do quite a bit with one.
Steve Howe did quite a bit with one in YES, and Ted Nugent does quite a bit with a Gibson Byrdland, somewhat of a cross between a 335 and 175. The guy I have studied with the past 6yrs played all kinds of rock in a cover band, including EVH with his 175 for several years before buying a solidbody.
Joe played a 175 and Ibanez's version of one, Wes started out on one before he went to the L5
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I have a Heritage 535 with P90s and I am very happy with it. I also have an Epiphone Casino that can get pretty jazzy at times. I bet you can find a 335 style guitar with the sound you are looking for, but don't be afraid to try everything in the store. My best "jazz guitar tone" comes from a Tele--ehh, works for me.
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I agree with that 100%. I just got a 165 a couple of months ago and absolutely love how it feels. Wish I had gotten a 175, but am gonna get one eventually, for sure.
Originally Posted by derek
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No need to. A 165 is the same guitar, unless you got the newer one with the floater in the neck rather than the humbucker. I have owned a 175 for 3 years now, and have never used it. Heck, I don't even know if it works. Originally Posted by lkmuller
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Yep, I have the one with the floating pickup. I do love the sound when I'm playing by myself, but when I'm playing out the sound seems a little thin to me. I'm gassing so bad for a natural 175. I'll be retiring in about a month, and my present to myself will be a 175. No matter what the wife says.
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I play both a telecaster and 335. while the tele has a rough feeling, the es-335 is much more to delicate to play. I have .12 gauge strings on it, but it doesn't like feel like that. I usually use 11's, but its neck makes it feel much lighter. Very fast neck.
The 335 is a really nice sounding guitar, which I approach quite different than my tele. I use it both for rock and jazz. It has a thick sound compared to the telecaster, but more air to it. I really like it.Last edited by C.A.JO.; 06-11-2008 at 04:20 AM.
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i think i wrote too fast.... many flaws:-) excuse my bad grammar:-)
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Me too Originally Posted by Harleyboy
335's have a solid block through the body so to my ears they basically sound the same as a solid body guitar... to my ears there's no difference between a 335 and a Les Paul. If you're going to get a 'jazzbox' you might as well go all out and get a proper hollow body guitar 
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I use my 335 on every gig I get. I play in a Christian Worship band sundays and it's hard rocking music to soft texturals, the 335 does it just fine, she can handle a lot of sound, great blues sound etc.
I use 13 guage strings on my 335. I don't have any issues with neck tension and it feels great, especially after I get the bugger set up again.... she needs it
The neck is pretty wide, but I prefer that as I don't feel like i'm grabbing a pencil when I play a chord.
I have been playing 335 style guitars for 8 years now without any real desire to switch style of instrument.
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I use a 175 for my jazz gigs, but am thinking of getting a 335 as the 175 feeds back and sometimes I can't even play the bottom E without it howling.
You mentioned you think the 335 may have wider neck n wider string spacing. I think that may be right as my 175 just seems to narrow with all my fingers scrunched up. I tried some 335's the other day and the neck did seem more comfortable.
I think Id be happier with a 335 - BUT! The 175 does have that quintessensial classic straight ahead jazz sound!
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Six year old thread....
But I love my ES-335 (actually an ES-333 turned into 335).
With 0.013s on it and a wooden pick I can even make it "ploc", really!
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335s (and most semis) sound much closer to the solid body side than the hollow body side. It's not really an "in between" sound.
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I keep waiting to meet the 335 of my dreams. First time I got serious about it a few years back, I came home with a Gibson Midtown Custom instead. Got the 335 gas again last year but came home with a Sheraton. I just couldn't justify the 6x price factor! I'm mean, $500 vs $3,000 better deliver a lot of mojo! But I got the 335 gas again this summer, came home with a Epiphone ES 175 premium! Go figure. I keep thinking a 335 must be the perfect guitar for me, but somehow I have yet to fall in love with "the one". Oh well, I've saved a pile O cash in the meantime
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335's sound great, but they sound to my ears more like a solid body than a hollow body. Check out the ES330, same size, but fully hollow. I would love to get one at some stage.
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Just sold my '63 335 , I needed the dough and I hadn't taken it out from under the bed for a few years Originally Posted by Longways to Go
I keep waiting to meet the 335 of my dreams. First time I got serious about it a few years back, I came home with a Gibson Midtown Custom instead. Got the 335 gas again last year but came home with a Sheraton. I just couldn't justify the 6x price factor! I'm mean, $500 vs $3,000 better deliver a lot of mojo! But I got the 335 gas again this summer, came home with a Epiphone ES 175 premium! Go figure. I keep thinking a 335 must be the perfect guitar for me, but somehow I have yet to fall in love with "the one". Oh well, I've saved a pile O cash in the meantime
I haven't played in loud blues bands for a while so it had to go .... oh well
I like to play a 175 type guitar these days
Is the Epi 175 premium nice ? any good acoustically ?
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I like 330's too -- except the chunky neck is just a bit much for me. But what a great resonant vibe! The epi 175 is super -- it's my new #1. My guitar instructor liked it so much, he got one too! I know how easy it is to get overly enthusiastic about new guitars, but my epi 175 is totally rockin' my boat
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Puzzling to me how a 335 style guitar with a solid block can sound the same as a Les Paul (solid body). I had a beautiful Gibson LP '57 Custom RI. I sold it when I got a $500 (on sale) Epiphone Lucille Not only did it have the same smart finish and trimmings, a bigger neck like my LP, less weight, and a lot more "air" and resonance. I was thrilled to be playing a semi-hollow again!
Nice for quietly playing at home! Amped or not.
I also use a Gibson L5 CES, and am thrilled by a Guild Starfire, totally hollow. Feedback has not been a problem.
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