The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
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  1. #1

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    I found this interesting, the history of the Gibson ES-335


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    The Jazz Guitar Chord Dictionary
     
  3. #2

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    One this I wish was included: going back and forth between stop and trapeze tailpiece. Wasn't mentioned at all.

  4. #3

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    first 335's were stop tailpiece...tho quickly joined by the t designation...bigsby trem!!...the trapeze was last to the party...

    trapeze gives most acoustic like resonance...then bigsby..

    stop tailpiece...is all wood and strings..

    all nice!!


    cheers

  5. #4

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    There's a book about the history of the Gibson ES-335, can't remember author Adrian Ingram?
    Interesting how the proscess of building one was changed throughout the time at Gibson. Mostly cost cuttng measures when Norlin took over.

  6. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
    One this I wish was included: going back and forth between stop and trapeze tailpiece. Wasn't mentioned at all.
    My '64 (?) ES-345TDSV sports a trapeze tailpiece and patent-sticker gold-plated pickups. She's my sweet li'l angel... and the stereo VariTone gets plenty of use!

  7. #6

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    Thanks very interesting
    I had a block neck 63 one time
    It really sang from about the 7th fret up .....
    like smooth and bluesy ....
    not my thing , but great anyway

    The small actual hollow body 390 looks interesting
    like a small 330 ,
    they put mini hums on it tho
    damn they had to ......

  8. #7

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    Well done. That video is kinda making me jones for a 335...

    The 335 sure seems to be popular now with the alt-rock, alt-country and jam band scenes.

    I had a 335 guitar—Epiphone Dot. I found it too bright, and not so ergonomic. I like the idea of the guitar though. My current main axe is a 135–more comfortable body for me, and more resonant with the balsa wood block.

    If I ever went back to a 335 style I’d look at the Sheraton.

  9. #8

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    Watced that the other day. 335 is my favourite style of guitar. Re: the book: forget about the one by A.Ingram - there's more info available on the net than you'll find in the book but the one by Tony Bacon is excellent.

  10. #9

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    The best parts of the vid are the seeing the large number of players who have or have owned and played the 335.The 335 (and the other 33x semi models) are not substantially "better" (IMO and some might say if at all) than those from other makers but there is something "elusive" about them.

    Others may be more nicely appointed, balance better, and be more attractively priced, so why the 335? I can't exactly say but I've had one on and off (mostly on) since the 60's and always will.

  11. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Lobomov
    The 390 had a life span of 2 or 3 production years before being retired. But just wanted to say that the last model came with p90s instead of mini-humbuckers. Kinda always regretted not buying one of those
    There was an Epiphone version, too, eh? Sounds like a good value to me.

    EDIT: there is a ES-339 Pro: Epiphone ES-339 PRO (Don't no the diff from a 390)



    Comes in a P-90 version:



    There's also a down-sided Casino, the Casino Coupe


  12. #11

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    From strictly a functional poi t of view the Epiphone imports are a great deal especially used $ wise.
    I just hate the neck pitch being a bit steep as well as the poly finish.

  13. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by jads57
    There's a book about the history of the Gibson ES-335, can't remember author Adrian Ingram?
    Yes, I have that. And there's another one too.

    https://www.amazon.com/Gibson-335-It.../dp/1574241451

    https://www.amazon.com/Gibson-335-Gu.../dp/1495001520

  14. #13

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    My main guitar, and the one I'll never sell is my 335. It's a '64 with a Bigsby and is by far the best electric I've ever owned.

    For those interested in vintage 335s, this site has everything you'd ever want to know:The Gibson ES-335

  15. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilpy
    My main guitar, and the one I'll never sell is my 335. It's a '64 with a Bigsby and is by far the best electric I've ever owned.

    For those interested in vintage 335s, this site has everything you'd ever want to know:The Gibson ES-335
    Oh but his prices! <gasp>

  16. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
    There was an Epiphone version, too, eh? Sounds like a good value to me.

    EDIT: there is a ES-339 Pro: Epiphone ES-339 PRO (Don't no the diff from a 390)
    There's also a down-sided Casino, the Casino Coupe
    thanks Big , but those are all centre block guitars ....
    It was the hollow 390 I was interested in
    I'm guessing the p90 Es 390 would be very cool ...

  17. #16

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    Greetings... It's possible I first heard about this video on an old post on this forum, but here's a link to a "Doug and Pat Show" episode about ES 335s from 2013. I can't remember exactly what all they go over, but I recall it being an interesting video. It will make more sense to, or perhaps annoy more, those of you who know a lot about these guitars! But I enjoyed it...



    Take care,
    ---Mike

  18. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilpy
    My main guitar, and the one I'll never sell is my 335. It's a '64 with a Bigsby and is by far the best electric I've ever owned.

    For those interested in vintage 335s, this site has everything you'd ever want to know:The Gibson ES-335
    Yes. Charlie and his site are quite informative. His prices reflect the market for vintage pieces.

  19. #18

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    Quote Originally Posted by D'Aquisto Fan
    Yes. Charlie and his site are quite informative. His prices reflect the market for vintage pieces.
    $80,000.00 for a Stratocaster? And I thought things were getting crazy on the Sunday morning political shows!

    While I generally think people have the right to do what they want with their earnings if it doesn't harm others, that's kinda obscene.

  20. #19

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    Woody, I certainly wouldn't pay that kinda dough even if I had it, but it's probably not obscene if someone does. Supply and demand and all.
    300-500K for a burst seems pretty high too, but someone's buyin 'em.

    It's interesting that rare vintage archtops never reach that stratosphere (stratocaster stratosphere? hey, I should copyright that) considering how much more materials and labor go into archtops

    Even the top of the heap archtops like a blonde cutaway DA or DQ NYer or Stromberg Master 400s don't top 100k.
    But people are more willing to plunk down that kinda $ for a custom painted plank. Supply and demand.

    Anyway, back to the 335 discussion..

  21. #20

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    Quote Originally Posted by pingu
    thanks Big , but those are all centre block guitars ....
    It was the hollow 390 I was interested in
    I'm guessing the p90 Es 390 would be very cool ...
    Even the Casino Coupe?

  22. #21

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    Quote Originally Posted by MjBobolink
    Greetings... It's possible I first heard about this video on an old post on this forum, but here's a link to a "Doug and Pat Show" episode about ES 335s from 2013. I can't remember exactly what all they go over, but I recall it being an interesting video. It will make more sense to, or perhaps annoy more, those of you who know a lot about these guitars! But I enjoyed it...



    Take care,
    ---Mike
    Regarding that sweet '59 in the front position - that's "woman tone"!

  23. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles
    Even the Casino Coupe?
    You are correct. The Epi Casino and Casino Coupe do not have a full center block.

  24. #23
    Thanks for sharing MG, I hadn't seen that yet.

  25. #24

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    So if I understood it correctly (I can't be bothered to listen to it again), ES 335 wasn't a conception of a divinely inspired brilliant luthier, it was a top level executive decision by someone who likely never built a guitar. "Yeah, throw a wood block in there, it'll stop the feedback but still sort of sound like an archtop."
    It makes sense that it happened this way, I don't think an archtop builder would put a solid block inside a guitar they build in a million years.

  26. #25

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tal_175
    So if I understood it correctly (I can't be bothered to listen to it again), ES 335 wasn't a conception of a divinely inspired brilliant luthier, it was a top level executive decision by someone who likely never built a guitar. "Yeah, throw a wood block in there, it'll stop the feedback but still sort of sound like an archtop."
    It makes sense that it happened this way, I don't think an archtop builder would put a solid block inside a guitar they build in a million years.
    I agree it makes sense. Artists are not always ideal at executing their designs or solving problems. Unfortunately they often have a high opinion of what they are doing. Frank Lloyd Wright being one example...