The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary

View Poll Results: Which Gibson Should I Get

Voters
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  • ES330

    14 16.47%
  • ES335

    12 14.12%
  • ES175

    59 69.41%
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  1. #1

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    Hey everyone, I am looking at getting my first Gibson guitar. I’ve always been a Tele or strat guy, but now that I am playing more and more jazz and I am interested in the hollow-body sound, plus I’ve never owned a Gibson and want one. I really like Grant Green and have been drawn to getting the es330 (either the 59 or 64 reissue) just for the hero and tone factor. But, there are also the es335 and es175 to consider, which also have their own heroes and classic jazz vibe too. In your opinion, which is going to give me the best bang for the buck in terms of jazz guitar tone, something that will satisfy my electric jazz guitar GAS for good?

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  3. #2

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    Get the 175. Iconic for a reason.

  4. #3

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    The 175 will be the most different than your solid body. Might as well go all in.

  5. #4

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    ditto on the ES 175 choice for the reasons given above. However, if you're looking to also play other styles of music then you might find the ES 335 to be the most versatile. If you play fusion, R&B, blues, etc., this would be worth considering. I've never played in ES 330 so I can't offer an intelligent opinion on it. I'm not particularly attracted by Grant Green some music.

  6. #5
    I have considered the es175 for the reasons stated...it does seem to be the iconic guitar for jazz, the look, the players. However, I could see myself also wanting a guitar that could be used in more versatile situations, but really want to make sure I satisfy the jazz sound, look, etc... I do like the look of the thinner hollow body, but that doesn’t matter too much. Thanks for the replies!

  7. #6

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    The ES175 is way more versatile than people make you think. Blues, rock-a-billly, western swing, jazz, just about anything but death metal can be played on it just fine.

  8. #7

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    I have a 1968 Gibson ES 175D. I would sell it in a heart beat for what it is said to be worth and buy the Eastman (almost a copy).

  9. #8

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    ES-175... it’s got the sound. FULL STOP.

  10. #9
    I see the 175 has a strong lead...no love for the 330...

    Does the 175 commonly have the P90s or Humbuckers?

  11. #10

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    I have owned and played gigs with all the guitars you are considering. My first question would be: in what context will you be using the guitar?

    Will you be playing mostly at home or at low volume with small groups? The 175 will work. I know others will disagree, but if you use one for loud band work, you will probably find the size and shape to be awkward and, if you use overdrive, you will be fighting feedback. Coming from playing solid bodies, it will be very different.

    A 330 and a 335 look similar but are very different instruments in their construction. Either will be capable of good jazz tones, and will be more versatile than the 175 and more resistant to feedback. The 330 neck is set further into the body and will be more comfortable sitting down. The 335 might be better if you're going to venture into heavier sounds. (and it is heavier!)

    All 3 have 24 3/4 scale lengths. '50s 175s have P-90s. Newer ones have humbuckers. Most 330s have P-90s. 335s have humbuckers. Neck contours vary.

    Everybody here loves 175s and I do too, but I don't think I would reccomend one as a first Gibson. A 330 or 335 can do most of the same things, is more versatile, and will probably be easier to sell if you don't like it.

  12. #11

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    I'd get the 175, one of the most iconic and versatile jazz guitars around,a great way to get into traditional jazz playing.

  13. #12

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    My thinking goes in a different direction.

    First consideration is feedback. The 335 has a solid block and will resist feedback, probably to the point where you'll never think about it. But, the other two are hollow and will feedback much more easily. Obviously, there are ways to handle that and a lot of great jazz has been played on hollow guitars, but there are some great players who avoid hollow guitars for that reason. And, it's not just the guitar howling. It's also a more subtle reinforcement of low frequencies that can make a guitar sound muddy at high volume.

    Second is pickup type. You can get P90 or HB pickups (or any third party pu that fits). The P90s will be noisier, but sound great. This is another relevant decision point.

    Third is tone. Apparently, I'm in a small minority, but I'm not crazy about the tone of the HB 175. I liked the P90 better, at least, when Jim Hall played it. I find the 175 amplified tone to be sterile. Of course, it matters whose playing it, but, on average, I think the L5 is a much better sounding guitar.

    The 335 sounds good to me in the hands of players like Larry Carlton, BB King, Eric Clapton ... versatile and never sounds bad.

    I'd make the decision on the feedback issue if I was expecting to play loud.

  14. #13

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    I’ll second Lawson’s words on the ES-175. Make sure it’s the two pickup ES-175D for the most versatility. That will pretty much be the standard though, unless you are looking for a vintage guitar.

    That being said, I don’t think you can go wrong with an ES-330/Epiphone Casino.

  15. #14

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    Feedback issues at high volume on a 175 can be solved. Pat Metheney and Steve Howe are good examples.
    i agree that a 330 or 335 will deliver a nice jazz sound - but you won’t get the “ thunk” of a 175

  16. #15

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    If you prefer a guitar with P90s, but decide that you would prefer a semi-hollow for feedback resistance, Gibson recently did a run of ES-335s with P90s. The one that I have played is outstanding.

  17. #16

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    In terms of the OP: Get the Gibson ES-175, and don't look back. As stringswinger has said so often and so truly, a 175 is all the jazz guitar you'll ever need.
    Last edited by citizenk74; 06-01-2019 at 03:30 PM. Reason: word

  18. #17

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    I have had all three and prefer the 175 by a mile. One guitar that is missing from your choice is the Les Paul (my jazz preference in a Les Paul is for a Standard/Studio). I prefer a Les Paul for jazz to a 335 or 330.

    And the 175 truly is all the jazz guitar that a jazz guitarist will ever need.

  19. #18

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    Don't underestimate the ergonomics.
    If you come from Tele/Strat world, the boby thickness and body width of the ES175 will drive you to a complete new world. Make sure that you can feel comfortable with such a body.
    IMO, an ES-339 is the best choice you can do
    As I am already covered in this field, from your list, I'd choose the ES-330.

    But, just a question : has it to be a Gibson ?
    So many other choices.

  20. #19
    It looks like they stopped making the Memphis custom 175...would require buying used

  21. #20

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    Regarding the 330, I played one of the newer reissues a couple of years ago. I thought it sounded great -- better than all the 335's I was jonesing after -- but the neck was a baseball bat and the frets were tiny. That part I didn't like so much.

  22. #21

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    Of the three Gibsons you have chosen the Es 175 is probably the
    best for Jazz, but why not widen your choice? If you can acquire
    one, a Tal Farlow or an L4CES are very good options, of course
    if it is in your price range, a L5CES, or Wes Montgomery are hard
    to beat.

  23. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by silverfoxx
    Of the three Gibsons you have chosen the Es 175 is probably the
    best for Jazz, but why not widen your choice? If you can acquire
    one, a Tal Farlow or an L4CES are very good options, of course
    if it is in your price range, a L5CES, or Wes Montgomery are hard
    to beat.

    In in my opinion, if it has to be a Gibson you should strongly consider a Tal Farlow. Several Tal owners on this forum who can attest to its fantastic jazz tone and playability. As I recall it is not quite as thick as the 175 and has a distinctive look that many find very attractive.

  24. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by Vanzant
    I really like Grant Green and have been drawn to getting the es330 (either the 59 or 64 reissue) just for the hero and tone factor. But, there are also the es335 and es175 ... which is going to ... satisfy my electric jazz guitar GAS for good?
    Short answer: you'll likely end up with more than one Gibson electric, so perhaps the better question is, which one should I buy first? As others have said, the ES-175 is the iconic jazz tool. But given your penchant for Grant Green, it may be inspirational to have a guitar similar to one he played. For you the ES-330 may be the ticket.

    If you can swing it, play them all before you buy them. It's going to be more difficult to do that with the ES-175, because they are out of production. But if you keep your eyes and ears open, one will pop up on locally and you can go play it. You won't regret buying the 175. But you may still want the 330 just to get close to Grant's tone.

  25. #24
    Yeah, this is sort of where I was leaning, and the 330 would be easier to get...

  26. #25

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    The ES-275, in all its variants, deserves a look-see.

    Not that I would pay the asking but silverfoxx mentioned the L-4CES and there's one here: RARE! Gibson L-4 CES HSL4 Master Model Singed By James Hutchins 2004 Wine Red - Lovies Guitars .

    NB I don't know if James Hutchins actually built it but he was the Custom Shop Sup at the time and did the final inspection. Hutch may have picked most of the wood for the archtop guitars though.