Seventy Seven ExRubato - Inexpensive ES-330 style alternative

**jim777** · 10-21-2016, 10:38 AM

Hey everybody

I was window shopping on youtube and saw a fantastic Seventy Seven ExRubato being played by some young Japanese artist (with great well rounded chops), and it looked like a 330 clone (except for the neck join). It was not a fancy guitar by any means, but it sounded just fantastic. I was wondering if anyone was aware of any other guitars out there that might be similar?
This is it actually:

So, probably as much 335 (neck joins at 19th, not 17th fret) as 330 (hollow, P90's) but that's what I'm thinking about at the moment. Hollow with humbuckers I can work with as I can swap them out for phat cats or something similar, but I'd like to have that upper fret access for when I feel like hitting the dirt pedal and leaning to the noisy loud side

I'd also like to keep the budget in the 800-1200 area as I have other stuff I want to grab as well.

Needless to say the Epi Casinos won't fill this bill unfortunately due to the lack of upper fret access. I don't think Seventy Seven does hollow in the 335 shape anymore, and none of their current offerings are P90 either.

thanks in advance

**GNAPPI** · 10-21-2016, 11:25 AM

I guess I do 't understand, the 330 AND Casino join at the 17th fret.

Unless you can find an ES330L (19th fret joined) which are for the most part pretty uncommon and pricey you may have to "settle" for a 335.

TH · 10-21-2016, 11:37 AM

Epi Casino is very much kin but the necks are narrower if my memory serves me right.
David

**neatomic** · 10-21-2016, 11:52 AM

try finding an inspired by lennon epi casino..its a cut above the standard and a cut below the elitist...has original casino spec and wider full neck

cheers

**jim777** · 10-21-2016, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I guess I do 't understand, the 330 AND Casino join at the 17th fret.

Unless you can find an ES330L (19th fret joined) which are for the most part pretty uncommon and pricey you may have to "settle" for a 335.

I didn't do a great job of wording that, agreed. Let me try again:

I'm looking for a 330 like guitar that has the neck join the guitar at the 19th fret, like the Seventy Seven in the video. I'm not looking for a Casino type guitar or a Gibson 330 with the neck joining at the 17th.

I likely will have to get a 335 type and just put some P90s in it, but I thought I would ask first if anyone knew of a maker other than Gibson that made something like a 330 body with a 335 neck on it.

**Jabberwocky** · 10-21-2016, 01:37 PM

290082

290081

**Jabberwocky** · 10-21-2016, 01:40 PM

290162

**Jabberwocky** · 10-21-2016, 01:44 PM

EXRUBATO-HOLLOW - SeventySeven Guitars Official Site

Good luck finding a used one.

https://www.musicland.co.jp/store/ca...l/shibuya/6021

**jim777** · 10-21-2016, 01:49 PM

Yeah, the Exrubato Hollow seems the only one out there. The three above, while great looking, all join the body at the 17th fret. That was the reason I got rid of my '62 330 back in the 80's so I want to avoid that now. I know a guy at Ishibashi, maybe I'll just ask him to keep an eye out for a hollow Exrubato for me.

**Little Jay** · 10-21-2016, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

I guess I do 't understand, the 330 AND Casino join at the 17th fret.

Unless you can find an ES330L (19th fret joined) which are for the most part pretty uncommon and pricey you may have to "settle" for a 335.

Actually, they join at the 16th fret :-) (sorry for wanting to be mr Knowitall

Untill 2005 or so all Asian copies joined at the 17th fret indeed, but to my delight they have corrected that now!

**jim777** · 10-21-2016, 02:24 PM

I like SG like access if at all possible lol

**pingu** · 10-21-2016, 02:40 PM

Ibanez ASR70 ?

**Little Jay** · 10-21-2016, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by jim777

I like SG like access if at all possible lol

Then ES-330L it has to be! I think they still go for a lot less than the older 330s, so they can be considered a cheaper alternative?

**jim777** · 10-21-2016, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by pingu

Ibanez ASR70 ?

Yeah, that's why I posted this thread

Thanks Pingu!

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Then ES-330L it has to be! I think they still go for a lot less than the older 330s, so they can be considered a cheaper alternative?

I will keep an eye out for one, absolutely. Thanks

**whiskey02** · 10-21-2016, 08:56 PM

No personal experience with one but I've read very positive things about the Hamer import 335 style guitar.

**feet** · 10-22-2016, 05:25 AM

The only other company I can think of that makes casinos incorrectly �� is heritage. Not much cheaper though, unless you can get your hands on a used one. I forget the model number- 530, maybe?

**Little Jay** · 10-23-2016, 01:39 PM

I think Peerless also has an ES-330/Casino model (the brand Peerless, not a Peerless-made Casino).

And the brand Vintage makes an ES-330 copy: http://www.jhs.co.uk/brands/vintage/...ntage-sunburst

But they are not for OP, since they have neck joints at the 17th/16th fret.....

**jim777** · 10-23-2016, 04:14 PM

That heritage looks close to perfect, thanks

A bit more than I want to spend, but i will see if I can find one to play.

**mad dog** · 10-23-2016, 04:22 PM

It is the Heritage 530. Much like the ES-330L. Looks like a 335 with P90s, but of course is not. I played one for a bit before I got the H525. Very nice instrument. Sounds a bit different than the 330. I doubt you'd find one in your stated price range, but it sure is a worthy alternative to the pricier Gibson ES-330L reissue.

MD

**jim777** · 10-24-2016, 12:45 PM

I found an ASr70 for 400 so I bought it. I'll give that a whirl, and if I like it I may upgrade to the Heritage H530, or I may just go with a center block 335 style after all. I wanted one of each, but at that price I can always flip it if I don't like it or upgrade if I like the style but not the guitar. With any luck, it'll be fine as is but we'll see!

**Little Jay** · 10-25-2016, 06:36 AM

Cool! Do post a review!

**jim777** · 10-25-2016, 08:44 AM

Absolutely, and thanks again everyone for all the help and options

Originally Posted by mad dog

It is the Heritage 530. Much like the ES-330L. Looks like a 335 with P90s, but of course is not. I played one for a bit before I got the H525. Very nice instrument. Sounds a bit different than the 330. I doubt you'd find one in your stated price range, but it sure is a worthy alternative to the pricier Gibson ES-330L reissue.

MD

The H-525 is quite a looker! There are so many nice guitars out there, it's a great time to be a player.

**pingu** · 10-25-2016, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by jim777

I found an ASr70 for 400 so I bought it. I'll give that a whirl, and if I like it I may upgrade to the Heritage H530, or I may just go with a center block 335 style after all. I wanted one of each, but at that price I can always flip it if I don't like it or upgrade if I like the style but not the guitar. With any luck, it'll be fine as is but we'll see!

yeah let us know what you think of the ASR 70
how loud is it acoustically for example ?
its a looker for sure

**sgosnell** · 10-25-2016, 11:45 AM

Thinline T186MX ? Eastman Guitars

This appears to join at the 19th fret, and would be a nice upgrade. Carved solid top and back. Not cheap, but you may be able to find a used one for a lot less. I got a T145 for $900 used, and I really like it.

**jim777** · 10-25-2016, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

Thinline T186MX ? Eastman Guitars

This appears to join at the 19th fret, and would be a nice upgrade. Carved solid top and back. Not cheap, but you may be able to find a used one for a lot less. I got a T145 for $900 used, and I really like it.

Is that a hollow body though? I don't know that I see the point of a carved top on a semi-hollow, but it doesn't call out hollow on that page.