Gibson Tal Farlow vs ES-350T

[silverfoxx]

I completely concur with Vinny, having had both also, I moved on the Es350T but kept my Tal
which coincidentally is the same finish as depicted here ( i have btw had three TF's a wine & blonde
previously) IMHO they are the ideal purchase if the price of an L5ces is prohibitive, tone wise they
are a good comparison, and as JD will also attest they are not prone to feedback in "live " situations.

[silverfoxx]

Jabbs,
Very well spotted with your keen eye , on the difference between
the waist configuration between the 2010 and 1994 TF's at Dave's
Also interesting to note that Humbucker cased P90's will drop in to
them. I have contemplated having possibly a Lollar CC' in the neck
and maybe a P90 in the bridge position ? I would appreciate your
views on that please.

[vinlander]

Tal Farlow '94 - Dave's Guitar Shop

Note the tighter waist of the '94 TF.

Very interesting Jab, strange they changed the specs only for 1994 it seems, because on the 1993 (first year of RI I assume) they had a normal waist like the '60s and 1995 on
Gibson Tal Farlow 1993 Amber Burst | Dirk Witte Vintage | Reverb

[GNAPPI]

Well I wish it was that easy. I would have to sell my 1971 ES 335 TDW to finance my new acquisition. My pristine condition 335 looks almost like factory new w/o dings and dongs, almost untouched and extremely well well cared. Not sure if I can advertise it for sale or trade in this group.

What makes you feel like you couldn't try to sell your 335 here? Lots of us have 335's.

[Rim Shot]

I'm new to this forum. I realized that there is a sales section only by now.

[GNAPPI]

Thanks for your input guys. I still remain in favor of the Guitars I mentioned. Like the rounded lower bout over the sharp florentine bout.

What a polite way of saying: "STAY ON TOPIC!!!"

[Max405]

Rim Shot,
Seriously, You absolutely can not go wrong with a Tal Farlow.
What a guitar.
Joe D

[Rim Shot]

Now I'm totally convinced that the TF is a wonderful guitar. Of the two offerings in particular, a 350T and the Tal Farlow the TF sure is the better quality and fancier guitar. I'll have to test ride it though because I have never gigged a guitar of this thickness. The 350T is much like a 335 I assume which would be perfect. Sometimes it's just a half inch that makes a huge difference.
It's a 6 hours drive so nothing that I could check out within the next days.

P.S. When I first noticed the mandolin like scroll I thought it was cheesy, but after quite a short time I think this is way cool and goes nicely w. the western art in the country and R&R circus. Think of a Tal Farlow at the Porter Wagoneer Show. ha ha ha, I know most of you guys are jazz lovers but to me the TF fits into the country genre too.

[vinnyv1k]

Yo ! Henry J listen up. Make a limited run of a reissue 1951 3 knob ES350 and they will fly off the shelf. Trust me.

[silverfoxx]

I'm new to this forum. I realized that there is a sales section only by now.

Hi Rim Shot, welcome to the best forum on then net.
Just ask a question, there is always
Someone here who will resolve a sensible
one.
Suggest that you post a pic of the 335 with
A reasonable asking price, state the area in
which you reside and wait for enquiries.

[Woody Sound]

Then again, there are these:

[Max405]

Rim Shot,
I don't play out much anymore, but when I do, My Tal comes with me. Last summer I did a bunch of outdoor jobs with it with a drummer and Piano player and I can tell you without question, having a "strong" guitar like this makes you feel invincible.
The Tal Farlow is a heavy Guitar. So keep that in mind if you are performing while standing for long periods of time. The body depth is comfortable. In fact its actually perfect.
Good Luck. Let us know how you fare.
Joe D

Now I'm totally convinced that the TF is a wonderful guitar. Of the two offerings, a 350T and the Tal Farlow the TF sure is the better quality and fancier guitar. I'll have to test ride it though because I have never gigged a guitar of this thickness. The 350T is much like a 335 I assume which would be perfect. Sometimes it's just a half inch that makes a huge difference.
It's a 6 hours drive so nothing that I could check out within the next days.

P.S. When I first noticed the mandolin like scroll I thought it was cheesy, but after quite a short time I think this is way cool and goes nicely w. the western art in the country and R&R circus. Think of a Tal Farlow at the Porter Wagoneer Show. ha ha ha, I know most of you guys are jazz lovers but to me the TF fits into the country genre too.

[Greentone]

The TF really is an almost perfect gigging jazz guitar. For my money, these days, when it comes down to choosing a guitar for on-stage jazz, something like the Tal is _right there_.

If Gibson would reissue an ES-350 with the early 1950s setup, i.e., one or two P90s, three knobs, in sunburst or natural, game over. That would be my hands-down choice. However, Gibson would probably charge a small fortune for this guitar, so it would still be the Tal Farlow.

(As it happens, however, I play a Heritage Super Eagle, which is a lot like a Tal--only 18" across the lower bout. The body size doesn't bother me in the least. I have both 17" and 18" archtops and with the 3" body depth of the SE I don't notice the 18" bout except when I look at the case standing next to the 17" cases. Now, the SE is carved, which makes it sound a bit "woodier" compared with the Tal--a bit closer to Burrell than Farlow.)

[Flat]

I used to think the faux-scroll on a Farlow wigged me out too much. After I saw this pic, I realized it was really the pickguard that was stabbing my aesthetic eye. Or maybe the two in combination.

(By the way, did Gibson ever make a TF without the scroll?)

I recently saw this pic of a gorgeous TF with the pick guard removed. I think the guitar is a reissue, but I don't know.

Removing the pickguard really changes the whole look of the instrument, doesn't it?

Either way, ain't this one sweet?

[Woody Sound]

I used to think the faux-scroll on a Farlow wigged me out too much.

(By the way, did Gibson ever make a TF without the scroll?)

Sort of:

[vinnyv1k]

The Tal Farlow model is the only signature model from the 60's that is still around. Tal obviously came up with something that is very right.

[MacGringo]

Have you considered some less expensive alternatives such as the Epiphone ES-295? I played one of these in a rockabilly band and it did the trick very nicely. Although I did upgrade the pickups to Lollar P-90s since I found the stock (Peerless factory installed) PUs a tad harsh. I believe the newer ones are sold with Gibson P-90s??

[Jabberwocky]

Hello silverfoxx,

The Lollar CC in a humbucker casing would work rather well in the TF. I base this observation on my limited time with a Collings Eastside LC. My preference would be for a Vintage Vibe HCC though as Pete Biltof winds it with 38 ga AWS wire if you want it, and a choice of magnets; Alnico 2 or 3 would be my choice.

It is a readily reversible modification that will do no harm to the value of the TF.

[vinlander]

(By the way, did Gibson ever make a TF without the scroll?)

I am aware of at least one as per the website of Jim Bastian, it is featured a little down the page
The Gibson Barney Kessel Pages (part 6)

[silverfoxx]

Hello silverfoxx,

The Lollar CC in a humbucker casing would work rather well in the TF. I base this observation on my limited time with a Collings Eastside LC. My preference would be for a Vintage Vibe HCC though as Pete Biltof winds it with 38 ga AWS wire if you want it, and a choice of magnets; Alnico 2 or 3 would be my choice.

It is a readily reversible modification that will do no harm to the value of the TF.

Thank you for the rapid reply Jabber, it is just the germ of an idea at the moment
but I needed to check out the feasibility of it,
SF

[Rim Shot]

Yo ! Henry J listen up. Make a limited run of a reissue 1951 3 knob ES350 and they will fly off the shelf. Trust me.

I second that. Sign me in please

[Rim Shot]

Hi Rim Shot, welcome to the best forum on then net.
Just ask a question, there is always
Someone here who will resolve a sensible
one.
Suggest that you post a pic of the 335 with
A reasonable asking price, state the area in
which you reside and wait for enquiries.

Thank you for the nice reception. Really appreciated. I already learned some in this short time. Very enjoyable forum.
Yes, I'll have to make me some better shots of my 335 within next week or so. I took it out yesterday and I assure it doesn't feel that good having to let go a perfect guitar. Plays like butter w. a super low action on a never touched, truss rod, fretboard and original frets. I'm probably going to a jam this night and will take her with me. I usually play may bread and butter Tele but now I got a fever.

[Rim Shot]

Then again, there are these:

I was thinking about one of these a few weeks ago and since I live in a big city full of guitars I even took a test ride on one of these. I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping for a more thicker neck profile. The LP sized width at the nut is great though. The room was less than perfect for testing guitars so I can't really comment on how it sounds under normal room conditions. On that particular day it felt a bit ice picking relative to what I was expecting t would sound like. Also didn't like the smaller size and the dye they had put on the top to make the flames stand out more. Gave it kind of a cheesy China box look. However I think it's an interesting guitar and sure makes a lot of sense for many people, just not for me.
And then, like I said the band and me is a bunch of vintage style lovers. No Schaller style tuners allowed

[Rim Shot]

Have you considered some less expensive alternatives such as the Epiphone ES-295? I played one of these in a rockabilly band and it did the trick very nicely. Although I did upgrade the pickups to Lollar P-90s since I found the stock (Peerless factory installed) PUs a tad harsh. I believe the newer ones are sold with Gibson P-90s??

Yes, I did consider on the cheapo Gretsch Electromatic w. D'Armond pickups. But the narrow string spacing especially at the bridge and the slim neck profile just isn't for me.

As for the 295, it sure is a killer guitar, love the position of the neck pickup. But then, I'm not not much in favor of the edgy florentine cutaway. I love the idea of playing a guitar that is not very common too.

[plasticpigeon]

Why was there never a long scale es350T? I plan to make an es350 replica at some time!