Gibson ES-330

**Woody Sound** · 11-19-2019, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by Greentone

However, the short-neck ones are the best!

That seems to be the consensus here, but why? Why not the longer neck?

Gibson ES-330-es-330-jpg

**Greentone** · 11-19-2019, 11:25 AM

I like the long-neck ES-330, too, but the "short-neck" variety places the frets exactly where they are when you play a Gibson archtop of, say, the ES-175 variety.

As a long-time owner of an ES-335 I can attest to the minor irritation of having the neck displaced approximately 2-3 frets leftward in your playing field. The feeling is sort of like sitting at a piano too far to the right. You, then, have to consciously think about where the notes are. You get used to it, but the ES-172/125/150/330(short-neck), etc., just feel "right." Everything is balanced and the notes just fall under your fingers.

**blille** · 11-19-2019, 11:38 AM

Don’t you think the tone is different as well?

**Greentone** · 11-19-2019, 11:41 AM

The tone _should_ be different with the different neck joint. However, what I always noticed was the smoother playability of the short neck 330.

**Little Jay** · 11-19-2019, 12:05 PM

I don't know what you mean by smoother playability exactly, but in theory the long neck should have a smoother (looser?) feel because the bridge being shifted towards the shoulders allows for more 'afterlength' of the strings after the bridge. But there are other factors of course and it's just that: theory. I do think the shortnecks are a bit better balanced as in you don't have to reach so far for the lower notes.

**Woody Sound** · 11-19-2019, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Greentone

I like the long-neck ES-330, too, but the "short-neck" variety places the frets exactly where they are when you play a Gibson archtop of, say, the ES-175 variety.

As a long-time owner of an ES-335 I can attest to the minor irritation of having the neck displaced approximately 2-3 frets leftward in your playing field. The feeling is sort of like sitting at a piano too far to the right. You, then, have to consciously think about where the notes are. You get used to it, but the ES-172/125/150/330(short-neck), etc., just feel "right." Everything is balanced and the notes just fall under your fingers.

I see, I thought you meant it was all about the sound. I agree that the shorter neck feels better.

**blille** · 11-19-2019, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I see, I thought you meant it was all about the sound. I agree that the shorter neck feels better.

The feel is different but my preference earlier came from tone as well. The problem with that is that I’ve never tested two identical guitars just with the joint difference.

**lammie200** · 11-19-2019, 05:23 PM

I have an ES-390 which I guess has a long neck and a short body. I am good.

**Zheul** · 11-19-2019, 06:29 PM

Thanks all, it is really existing to read you. I have sold my gb10 last Friday to get thé cash and buy that guitar ( should happen in the followings days) and i am wondering now which kind of string I will use. I don t know what was the grant green ‘s choice but I am thinking about thomastik 11-47 flat because I want to keep that mellow tone for traditional jazz.
What are you recommandations ?
As I want also use it with small overdrive for chorus is it the best choice ?

**Zheul** · 11-22-2019, 10:40 AM

Here we are ! I have just get my 1960 Gibson es-330 and I am so in love!! Pictures and comments will follow !

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**GNAPPI** · 11-26-2019, 07:30 AM

I don't get the dislike of the 330L or preference for the shorter neck. It (the 330L) has the same neck join as a 335 and I have yet to read a complaint about "reach" on a 335. For that matter, the standard 330 has the same neck join as a Les Paul and I have read some players complain the LP feels cramped. Maybe it's the weight difference between the 335 and 330L that makes the 335 neck join less noticeable?

**Zheul** · 12-02-2019, 06:45 AM

**Little Jay** · 12-02-2019, 08:03 AM

Zheul, I am jealous!Congratulations! Beautiful guitar, Grant Green vibes! Enjoy it in good health!

**Zheul** · 12-02-2019, 10:43 AM

Thanks Little Jay,
Thé guitar sounds so good. Especialy thé neck p90 which is really powerfull! I can play with thé tone to cover really différent kind of sounds from classic jazzy vibes or more percussive, roots / funky style.
Thé bridge pick up has less « woaw effect » but I am at the beginning of the story and need more time for exploration...a bit of overdrive maybe...
What is also funny is that I am so anthousiastic about the pure sound that I am thinking about selling most part of my pedals has they change the sound for something different from the perfection... Honey Moon !

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**george330td** · 12-06-2019, 04:37 AM

**george330td** · 12-06-2019, 04:46 AM

This is a perfect match, Gibson 330TD and Fender pro reverb; drums too is some old goodies.

they sound fantastic together and you don't need anything else thru the guitar and the amp; I bought in the '84 and the amp little bit late. If you find one try and buy it that's for the life. Good picking George

**Little Jay** · 12-06-2019, 05:18 AM

You guys got me more and more convinced I 'need' an ES-330.....

(Although my '77 Framus Caravelle comes pretty close:

;-)

Enjoy your 330s and let them inspire you!

**Zheul** · 12-07-2019, 06:34 PM

Thé Combination of Es330 with my vibrolux clone is so perfect .. but know I have to admit that I am a little bit disappointed with my dv mark LJ . I didn’t find the right setting.
In the past , with my gb 10 both amp were easily compatible but now , with round string, feeling is very different from fender s one to dv mark.
To much noisy trebles with LJ,
I use the LT for repetition and fender for concert I can join by car ...
I may go back to flat strings...

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**Little Jay** · 12-07-2019, 06:47 PM

For me it’s flatwound strings only....

But don’t be afraid to turn trebles down on your DV LJ! I notice a lot of guitarists feel it’s ‘wrong’ to turn down the trebles all the way, because somehow it’s counterintuitive.... but if it sounds better, hey why not? And while you’re at it: try turning the mids up all the way and see how you like that!

**Zheul** · 12-13-2019, 12:43 PM

Thanks for the tip little Jay, it is much more better. I have also put the LJ on the ground with a small angle and it sounds great. I am now considering a real tool as the standback ampstand to also tilt my vibrolux and improve the sound.
I will see as the last step a strings change with flat gauge.
Thanks

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**Doctor Jeff** · 12-13-2019, 02:03 PM

Beautiful guitars...you got me GASsing again...

(Not that I need any help...I am naturally GASsy...)

My BIL has a 1965 or so 335TD (with Bigsby) that he is selling on consignment--was at Willie's Guitars, now I think at Lavonne's in the Twin Cities area. He was asking ~$10,000 or so but it has been on sale for over a year. He is not in a hurry to sell. He bought the guitar when he was in high school and has kept it all these years in pristine condition. A real collector's guitar.

As an aside I know not everyone wants a Grant Green tone, but I assume he was using high-gauge flatwounds? Anyone know?

**guavajelly** · 12-14-2019, 05:16 AM

I have a Reissue '59 330 and I prefer the shorter neck just for comfort. On a 335 or similar the first frets are a bit far away. The downside is that playing above the 17th fret feels very uncomfortable. But honestly a guitar doesn't sound good up there anyway.
I've been going back and forth between flatwounds and roundwounds for some time since I got the guitar this spring. Love the brightness of the roundwounds but also the punchier tones of the flats – so these stay for now. I'm in a funky organ trio so the more punch, the better IMHO. We play the vintage Grant Green stuff as well as the more modern songs from Soulive and the New Mastersounds et al.
Funny enough I also have a GB10 which I also love (so I'm in hollowbody heaven). Made me a believer that body depth does indeed make a difference. How do you think the 330 and the GB compare? Decadent, luxurious questions ....

**guavajelly** · 12-14-2019, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by Zheul

I don t know what was the grant green ‘s choice but I am thinking about thomastik 11-47 flat because I want to keep that mellow tone for traditional jazz.
What are you recommandations ?
As I want also use it with small overdrive for chorus is it the best choice ?

I read somewhere that Grant green used a flatwound .014 set. Just try google to find out more. My 330 has D'Addario Chromes .012 for now. Feels very comfortable at home, with the band I thought I could use even bigger strings – tone is perfect but I could use a little stiffer feel to dig in even more. I'll try it when changing strings in a year or so ....

**Zheul** · 12-15-2019, 04:08 PM

Well, differences between GB10 and 330...
Unfortunately I had to sell my ibanez to buy the Gibson but what I can say:
1. The weight :The GB10 was too heavy for me and after 1h30 of playing my back hurts me. Now with the 330 it is crazy light and I feel more « free »
2. Thé acoustic sound: it is very strange but the unplugged 330 sounds much more warmer and fuller that the GB10 which sound a little bit « metallic «
3. The neck: 2 different worlds. I love both
3. The pick up: again two different worlds but I think the 330 is more versatile and allows to cover classic jazz and modern one with overdrive. I never really found a nice overdrive sound with the GB10. And I love the p90... there are crazy pick ups, much more alive that the ones on the GB10, more fat, less clean
4. Psychology : every time I had to present the GB10 I added : ok it is a great guitar but I am not a fan of Benson... with my 330 nothing to add
5.psychology 2. : the 330 is from 1960 and the GB10 from 2012. It is difficult for me to estimate the vintage impact on the sound if there is one, but my relation ship with my Gibson is so different , because it’s older than me and I have to respect « her »...
6. The look: I love both but I prefer now the roots look of the 330, kind of true Guitar without artefact ...
Julien

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**Joeontheguitar** · 12-28-2019, 07:28 AM

I'm still quite a noob in jazz, but I bought an Eastman T64 half a year ago for my Beatles tribute band. I didn't really like the MIC Casino, didn't really find a Casino Elitist and when I played the Eastman and a Gibson ES330 side to side, I actually preferred the sound and feel of the Eastman. The varnish finish is incredibly thin and does work for this type of guitar. Only downside is the relic thing they did. I think that's equally stupid as buying a new jeans with holes in it, but I guess you can't always get what you want...