70s Gallan ES-335

**Jonah** · 07-19-2016, 03:45 AM

I saw an add and want to go and check it - the price is decent... the seller says it's from 1970s

Any ideas on what is it?

**Boston Joe** · 07-19-2016, 09:33 AM

Probably a "lawsuit era" Gibson clone.

**jads57** · 07-19-2016, 11:59 AM

Need a Picture?

**Jonah** · 07-19-2016, 12:43 PM

Need a Picture?

This is the one the seller mailed to me.. he says it's Japan from 1970's...
tomorrow I'll go and see the guitar...
the price he wants is equal to used Ibanes AS93 in perfect condition with hard case (I am saying this because today I checked this AS93)...

**jads57** · 07-19-2016, 11:52 PM

Inlays are not correct for a real Gibson. Also the thumbweels on the bridge look incorrect and the toggle switch never came w/ a plastic ring. Possibly a Greco brand ES-335

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 03:30 AM

Thank you for comments jads57...

I am not really worried about accuracy in appearance... if guitar plays and feels well - why not?

Which could be more important - he says that neck is bolted like on Fenders... I think Gibsons were never like this?

I was just curious about pickups... the seller says it's original (though I cannot say why he is so sure .. he is difinitely not the first owner).

But in case they are original.. what pickups they used to install those days on these clone... ?

Thanks again for comments

**LtKojak** · 07-20-2016, 04:28 AM

Originally Posted by Jonah

that neck is bolted like on Fenders... pickups... the seller says it's original

If the guitar really is from the '70s, these two reasons alone would make me pass.

HTH,

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 04:35 AM

Well... if it were 'blind' on-line deal... I would not even think

But he takes no money for trying)))

I just want to find as much info as possible before it

**Thumpalumpacus** · 07-20-2016, 04:36 AM

The bolt-neck would make it an automatic passover for me. If I'm playing a semi- or full hollow (or acoustic, for that matter), I want a set neck. On a guitar which relies in part or in whole on acoustic resonance, I want the neck more fully in contact -- assuming the neck is of good wood.

I picked up my almost-new AS-93 last year for $350, pristine condition, and set neck. Shop around a little, you can do better, I think.

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 04:38 AM

I picked up my almost-new AS-93 last year for $350, pristine condition, and set neck. Shop around a little, you can do better, I think.

Thanks
This afternoon I go to check used AS-93 that looks in perfect condition...

**Thumpalumpacus** · 07-20-2016, 04:40 AM

Happy hunting!

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 08:06 AM

I am already back)

Very nice guitar... feels very smooth and comfortable to play.

As I said I tried the new one in the shop recently... was also good but sounded muddy amplified (AHC pickups)...

This one sounds very nice - definitely you can hear it's Super 58... and after that you can even read it on the pickups 'S58'
Looks like new. Made in China - but I think today all Ibanez of this level are chinese? At least no quality issues I noticed... very well done.

Thomann hard case...

the guy wants usd 500 ... to be true it's a reasonable price for local market.
In the shop the price is usd 800 without any cases or bags...
Booking on-line from Europe or US or Japan means delivery costs and some unpredicatability on quality

What's important for me is comfortability and acceptable sound...

**BigMikeinNJ** · 07-20-2016, 08:25 AM

I would definitely go with the Chinese made Ibanez. Set neck, decent build, amazing fret work, forget the Gallan... And later if you really want to hear your guitar scream and cry, drop in some Seth Lovers or Classic 57s or Dimarzio 36th Anniversarys... But go with that Ibanez...

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 08:49 AM

I would definitely go with the Chinese made Ibanez. Set neck, decent build, amazing fret work, forget the Gallan... And later if you really want to hear your guitar scream and cry, drop in some Seth Lovers or Classic 57s or Dimarzio 36th Anniversarys... But go with that Ibanez...

Thank you!

**Jonah** · 07-20-2016, 04:47 PM

I checked .. I already decided on going for used Ibanez - AS93 with Super58 pickups that I tried in the afternoon... but Gallan was not too far from so I just dropped by...

I did not like it... the body looks quite cool... but the knobs the bridge are obviously changes recently and to me - they cheapest stuff available for it...

The neck is bolted (pretty roughly) and it's thick - feels more like classical guitar neck... and I did not like how it looks like... probably it was substituted too..

The guy did not have an amp at home and the guitar was connected to computer... maybe I am wrong but to me it's difficult to get how the pups sound this way...

So that is it.