Good Years / Bad Years for Gibson? Specifically for 3x5 Semis?

[rhythmjones]

The Memphis stuff doesn't have the same QC issues as the Gibson USA stuff.

[Danny W.]

I've owned and gigged with ES-355 guitars from the '60's, '70's, '80's, & '90's. All of them were good guitars, but there were differences in features and attention to detail that makes me prefer Gibsons from '94 or later. These things matter a lot to some players, not at all to others. I haven't played anything newer than '05, though.

Danny W.

[jim777]

The Memphis stuff doesn't have the same QC issues as the Gibson USA stuff.

So, between a "Memphis 335" and a "Nashville 335", generally speaking the Memphis is the one to play first?

[ThatRhythmMan]

So, between a "Memphis 335" and a "Nashville 335", generally speaking the Memphis is the one to play first?

After the advent of Gibson Memphis, wouldn't a Nashville made 335 be a custom shop build? I have several Nashville Custom Shop built archtops and they are all amazing in every way.

My only 335 is the Rusty Anderson signature (made in Memphis). I love that guitar too. I had another Memphis made 335 and a Memphis 355. Both of those were pretty average for playability/feel IMO, but both sounded fantastic. The 335 could really wail on rock stuff.

Getting back on topic, I thought that Nashville 335s were generally held in higher regard than Memphis. Doesn't Gibson normally price them higher?

[Drumbler]

Any Gibson is a good year.

Are any of us really that picky?

[jim777]

Any Gibson is a good year.

Are any of us really that picky?

I have, hand to heart, cut fingers on the frets of brand new Les Pauls in the last few years because the frets hung over the sides of the fretboard. Honestly, outside of this forum I have not heard a good word about Gibson quality in over a decade. I assumed they spent more time and effort on the archtops (and I've very pleased to see that's the case, I would love a 275), but I assumed that about the crazy high priced Les Pauls as well until I tried a few. Conversely, I've heard a lot of buzz about how Fender really picked up their game for their American Standard series around 2012, and I hadn't heard anything like that about Gibson.

[jads57]

Newer Custom Shop Nashville ES-335 are wonderful, but Memphis has finally caught up them in last year or so!

[Encinitastubes]

This page has a wealth of information and the author is pretty responsive to questions. I have a '73 335 that is great, but it is an era that is generally panned. Early '80s and Nashville Custom Shops have great reputations, as do the '50 and '60s guitars at much higher prices.

The Gibson ES-335

[ThatRhythmMan]

This page has a wealth of information and the author is pretty responsive to questions. I have a '73 335 that is great, but it is an era that is generally panned. Early '80s and Nashville Custom Shops have great reputations, as do the '50 and '60s guitars at much higher prices.

The Gibson ES-335

I PM'd you about something unrelated.