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Gibson ES-330 VOS Custom Shop.
Im not a fan of 335's at all but I thought I would have a pop at this, since it is actually a hollow body, not a semi.
I've only had it for a couple of hours but initially, impressions are good.
The guitar is feather light and still to me 'surprisingly' light for a Gibson. Its acoustic tone is very good and plugged in, it seems to be very very versatile. It can bark and quack, like a good tele and it can also play bop very convincingly. It doesn't have the dull sound I associate with semis. Imo it out does the Gibson HR fusion on every level.
The paint job is good. it seems there are almost 3 colours. It is a tobacco burst but I see, 'tea' or 'caramel' in there too with is really nice.
They haven't gone over board with the relic'ing either. Some have complained they even scratched up the pick guards but all thats been done here, is just slightly dulled lacquer.
The woods are nice enough, although the front is a little plain. The back is nice (good touch with the grain and 2 piece) and even the rims have some nice figuring. The neck is quite chunky but not too bad, you feel like you've got hold of something but it doesn't get in the way. I have usually been against chunky necks but recently I've been happy to use both types.
So all in all, it's quite a remarkable guitar and I'm glad I got it. I would say that this is probably the most versatile Gibson I have played, a previous title I had bestowed on the ES350T.
I'm sure 335 purists would say "Ahh its no good cause it feeds back at volume" well yes that might be true but just turn it down a bit and hear all the wonderful tones this guitar makes.
If you want woody smokey blues, to searing leads back down to mellow warm bop, this is currently the best choice I can think of.
If I was keeping it, I would have no issues playing this guitar on a regular basis.
Im going to give it a 9-10 and 8-10 if I was buying new. Not much guitar for £2,500 but under that, a definite 'double' thumbs up.
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08-07-2014 10:51 AM
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NOW! That, there, is a guitar! You have given me some major GAS this morning.
Get yourself some early, Blue Note Grant Green records and listen to the ES-330 testify.
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Looks great. I just got the 1964 Reissue 345, which is a very beautiful guitar. A lot of good Gibson ES-3xx guitars out there just now.
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Very nice .....
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Great! You found a Gibson that agrees with you...
I got this in 2011 before they dropped it: EXRUBATO-HOLLOW - SeventySeven Guitars Official Site . Yeah, with humbuckers.
I paid the equivalent of $1800 plus shipping and tax, directly from a shop in Japan. P90s were an option but I can always get a Gibson 330 for that
Last edited by Jabberwocky; 08-07-2014 at 12:50 PM.
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Its got Devon-Georges trade-mark flower on it!
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Very, very nice!
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Nice guitar !
Hollow + P90, like my ol'125 !
Congrats !
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Hi GB,
I'm glad someone else likes the ES330 '59 reissue, I bought mine
last year ( Faded Cherry ) it took me a while to accustom to the
neck ,but as you say it is not uncomfortable. It sounds very good
through the Mambo .I agree about it's versatility too.
It is extremely light for a Gibson , certainly compared to a 335 or
355 both of which are too heavy for me. IMHO this is a" sleeper", and
currently underrated until perhaps one or two eminent players latch on
to it. I will keep mine although I have too many excellent instruments
but it's cos I am a magpie.
kind regards
Silverfoxx
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Lol indeed.
Originally Posted by bananafist
Its got Devon-Georges trade-mark flower on it!
I see thats his calling card is it? I am going to remove it but took some pics first.
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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Great! You found a Gibson that agrees with you...
I got this in 2011 before they dropped it: EXRUBATO-HOLLOW - SeventySeven Guitars Official Site . Yeah, with humbuckers.
I paid the equivalent of $1800 plus shipping and tax, directly from a shop in Japan. P90s were an option but I can always get a Gibson 330 for that
Yeh but mines got 'Gibson' on the headstock so its like, WAY better than yours
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Originally Posted by silverfoxx
Yeh I'de never thought of one before, probably because I didn't know they existed.
I've had other 'Fusion' guitars and this one is one of the better.
I frankly don't see why they made the HR fusion and the PM signature, when they already had this.
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Happy NGD...MORE PIX! Originally Posted by GoergeBenson
I had a Japanese dealer tell me it is very common for older (20 years or more) guitars in Japan to smell like smoke due to smoking, or mildew due to humidity. What a bummer, as I see good buys, but I'll never go there again. Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
Great! You found a Gibson that agrees with you...
I got this in 2011 before they dropped it: EXRUBATO-HOLLOW - SeventySeven Guitars Official Site . Yeah, with humbuckers.
I paid the equivalent of $1800 plus shipping and tax, directly from a shop in Japan. P90s were an option but I can always get a Gibson 330 for that
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I have the Exrubato P90 version. I took the Pepsi challenge with an epi elitist casino and couldn't decide what tone I preferred so I took the seventy seven because I prefer a more beefy neck. As for the smell - it doesn't usually come into my decision process but I can let you know in twenty years if it smells like an old jazz club.
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Doggone...Gibson is doing some great things with the VOS guitars. They really do look like the Gibsons of yesteryear. The company is paying attention to things with the VOS line. The ES-175 and ES-330 guitars seriously look like 50s/60s guitars. The weights are right, too. Looks like they have the right patterns/jigs, etc.
This is nice to see.
GB, please keep us informed as to the all-important TONE of your new acquisition.
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looks pro-style. Like!
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Hi Phil, Originally Posted by Phil in London
you are quite right , these VOS 330's ( and 175.s ) are very good
mine is faded Cherry with aged yellowed binding identical with originals
I had a used 1959 original 335 and although the 330 is a different animal
i now prefer it to 335/345/355;s its tone is good, plenty of bite if you want
and can produce that authentic "Grant Green tone " if thats your bag.
Now where did I put my Bert Weeden Play in a Day book?
kind regards
Silverfoxx
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Congrats!
I have a 330L VOS that's I really enjoy. It's very versatile!
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Fine video there, GB! Lovely sound, and cool playing. You look happy!
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"Historically correct" Mickey Mouse. Nice aged faded patina. Love the tone. Now I have gas.
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High Rob, Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Sorry thats not me, I should have clarified when posting the video.
But yes he is having fun.
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Ah, OK.
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Beautiful, congratulations!
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Hi Rob,
The player in the video ( ES330 VOS ) is Gregor Hilden of
Greggs Guitars ,USA. just for info.
Silverfoxx
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