Gibson ES-350 Shred

**DB's Jazz Guitar Blog** · 02-01-2020, 04:57 PM

One day left to make up my mind about the 350. Never ever have I considered such an expensive instrument. Remember I could get an L5 for the same price. Pfffff. Would probably make more sense if you consider my current stable (ES guitars and not a single carved instrument).

But Tal is to blame for my 350 hunkering ... Ever since I heard those drummerless 50s trio recordings of his.

Time for some shredding. One of my favourite tunes.

DB

**deacon Mark** · 02-01-2020, 05:23 PM

So now I want to hear you shred the same tune on an L5 then maybe I will tell you the L5 is the way to go. Frankly I know you like the tal sound and that is the laminate. Tal's sound and lines on his good stuff in the 50's is about the best you can get. I wonder how Tal would have sounded had he played and L5.

When you say you can get an L5 for the same price then my mind begins to think......................L5

**DB's Jazz Guitar Blog** · 02-01-2020, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

So now I want to hear you shred the same tune on an L5 then maybe I will tell you the L5 is the way to go. Frankly I know you like the tal sound and that is the laminate. Tal's sound and lines on his good stuff in the 50's is about the best you can get. I wonder how Tal would have sounded had he played and L5.

When you say you can get an L5 for the same price then my mind begins to think......................L5

It is true. But it would be a run of the mill 90s L5 or so. Not a vintage instrument. Well, I'd probably sound not much different on an L5 anyway! I once demoed a Wesmo and it was just me.

But when my mind begins to thunk it wants a 350. O sorry, you said "think."

DB

**DB's Jazz Guitar Blog** · 02-01-2020, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by deacon Mark

I wonder how Tal would have sounded had he played and L5.

By the way. Tal never liked the L5. I read somewhere that he wanted a real "working man's guitar" and not a fancy one. Lol. What a guy.

DB

**silverfoxx** · 02-01-2020, 05:52 PM

Dick,
If it was my dilemma, I would choose the 350, the reasoning is that
an L5 is going to be an easier find . The 350 is a rare bird indeed
and if it's a lifetime's ambition. too good to pass up . I would be
reluctant to part with my Tal Farlow, for the same reasons Vinny
and you have given. To confuse matters further I have an L5CT
which is only a hairsbreadth away from a L5CEs or Wesmo,
having reluctantly disposed of the last two mentioned.
I need medical help to overcome the GAS , LOL

**Mark M.** · 02-01-2020, 06:43 PM

That guitar fits you like a glove, Dick!

**gitman** · 02-01-2020, 07:34 PM

The expense will soon be forgotten and you will have so much fun and enjoyment with that old girl - Go for it. Life is too short....

**vinnyv1k** · 02-01-2020, 07:55 PM

Enablers.....we love thinning the billfold of others...LOL. The wife will be telling Dick to stop tossing and turning all night. Those sleepless decision nights.

**floatingpickup** · 02-01-2020, 09:06 PM

You need to buy that guitar.
Keith

**Doctor Jeff** · 02-01-2020, 10:27 PM

Nice playing and NICE TONE. Tone to die for...

**mr. beaumont** · 02-01-2020, 10:46 PM

I'd rather have a 350 than an L5, any day.

**Woody Sound** · 02-02-2020, 12:18 AM

Holy s*** Dick, that's awesome stuff. If I may digress from guitar talk for this post, see this.

**Woody Sound** · 02-02-2020, 12:31 AM

I have to agree with what a few others have said. A nice 350 (especially the 3-knob model) is very hard to come by.

**oldane** · 02-02-2020, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by DB's Jazz Guitar Blog

But Tal is to blame for my 350 hunkering ... Ever since I heard those drummerless 50s trio recordings of his[/video]

Tal was a never resting tinkerer and on his 350, the P90 in the neck position was replaced by a CC. That said, I don't know if it meant a great sound difference. To my ears, Tals sound from that period was first of all a product of well worn nickel flatwound strings, the laminated guitar body - and Tals touch of course.

**silverfoxx** · 02-02-2020, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

Holy s*** Dick, that's awesome stuff. If I may digress from guitar talk for this post, see this.

Thanks for posting this clip Woody, I play this almost daily in my car going to and fro
Buddy Rich is just sensational , the solos from the horns sublime, so much energy.
can you say the year of the recording please ?

**vintagelove** · 02-02-2020, 04:29 PM

Well, the guitar sounds like a million bucks, I can say that.

**Doctor Jeff** · 02-02-2020, 05:41 PM

If I hadn't seen and heard the 300, I would say this guitar is THE ONE. But it's kind of like comparing Betty to Veronica, or Ginger to MaryAnne. Why not both??

Anyway, I would consider this a holy grail guitar FOR ME, I really would. I'm not worthy of it though...

**EllenGtrGrl** · 02-02-2020, 08:25 PM

Like in your other threads, that is one great sounding guitar! Hearing you rip it up on the '350 is depressing me!

After watching your vid, I wanna pull out my Heritage H535 sooo badly, and start going to town on that guitar, but I've had a sore left hand for the past week, and playing yesterday (both practicing, and performing) with a local church band hasn't helped matters in that regard. I just hope I'm not starting to get arthritis in my left hand, like many longtime guitar players (I've been playing for 41 years) get.

Ellen