Your Preferred ES-335 Based (Non-Gibson) Guitar

[Little Jay]

I've owned 3 semi-hollows in my life, two were 335 style and a Hofner Verythin.

I've sold them all. They ain't for me. Or maybe I need a real 335...oh boy.

I played my ES-333 (less ornate 335 for half the price) for many years and I still think it’s a great guitar that I won’t easily part with, especially for more pop, rock and blues styles (although it can really convincingly do jazz as well), but:
- it’s heavy
- it has a different response and handling than a hollowbody (duh!) which is fine as long as you don’t try to get that type of sound and response out of it…

Now an ES-330 has the best of both worlds….. maybe you need a real 330

[mr. beaumont]

I played my ES-333 (less ornate 335 for half the price) for many years and I still think it’s a great guitar that I won’t easily part with, especially for more pop, rock and blues styles (although it can really convincingly do jazz as well), but:
- it’s heavy
- it has a different response and handling than a hollowbody (duh!) which is fine as long as you don’t try to get that type of sound and response out of it…

Now an ES-330 has the best of both worlds….. maybe you need a real 330

As possibly one of the biggest Grant Green aficionados alive, I've always intentionally avoided them, as to not be too big of a rip off fanboy.

But I'd love one. Or even just a Casino.

[John A.]

I've owned 3 semi-hollows in my life, two were 335 style and a Hofner Verythin.

I've sold them all. They ain't for me. Or maybe I need a real 335...oh boy.

You seem more like a Heritage 535 kinda guy.

[mr. beaumont]

You seem more like a Heritage 535 kinda guy.

Did Heritage ever do a double cut thin full hollow like a 330.

My wallet just said "PLEASE DON'T GOOGLE."

[Little Jay]

Did Heritage ever do a double cut thin full hollow like a 330.

My wallet just said "PLEASE DON'T GOOGLE."

Yes they did……. The 530





But a Casino is a lot cheaper…..

Or the Stanford Thinline 30 for around $1100 (don't know about availability in the US though):

[Ronstuff]

I recently picked up this guitar: A 1981 Yamaha SA2000S.
The S is for solid Spruce top. It's quite a thick top.
I'm really liking it! I still have an Ibanez JSM10 that is a very bright guitar, love the neck on it.
Here's a clip I did a few weeks ago with the Yamaha.
Recorded with the Line Out of a Quilter Superblock US.
Those fully hollow semis look nice, I always like trying out Casinos in music stores. So light, the Yamaha is super heavy!

[smallie_stalker]

Frankly all of the ones you mentioned would be a good purchase IMO. I have played a couple of the Yamaha models and one D'Angelico over the years but never ended up purchasing them.

Currently I own the Epiphone Dot version. It is a fantastic guitar for the money. I've owned several Gibson 335 and 330 models and this Epi plays easily as well. I wouldn't go so far as to say it sounds as good as my late 60's and early 70's Gibson models did, but with a little investment I believe I could get it close.

Just my $.02

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[Old Guitar Player]

Other than a Fender Thinline telly in the1970's,
and a Gibson ES-175 in the 1980's, this is the only
semi-acoustic electric guitar I've ever owned.

When I compared it with an ES-335 it had a VERY
similar jazz tone, with a teeny bit more drive
(probably due to the Seymour Duncan Hot Rods).

[Little Jay]

The Stanford Crossroad 35 is another interesting option. They go for around $1200 overhere.
Maple neck, thin nitro finish.

[Flat]

My Heritage 535 with Duncan Seth Lovers. Honestly, I wouldn't trade it for most 335s (which I mean as a compliment to the 535, and not a slam on any 335.)

[Old Guitar Player]

My Heritage 535 with Duncan Seth Lovers. Honestly, I wouldn't trade it for most 335s (which I mean as a compliment to the 535, and not a slam on any 335.)

I remember when Gibson relocated, and several of their best craftsmen started-up Heritage
(near the old Gibson facility in Kalamazoo). I would imagine your Heritage 535 is AT LEAST EQUAL
in quality to any of the current Nashville Gibson ES-335's. Plus Seth Lovers too, Cool!
Enjoy, it looks really beautiful too!

[Little Jay]

I remember when Gibson relocated, and several of their best craftsmen started-up Heritage
(near the old Gibson facility in Kalamazoo). I would imagine your Heritage 535 is AT LEAST EQUAL
in quality to any of the current Nashville Gibson ES-335's. Plus Seth Lovers too, Cool!
Enjoy, it looks really beautiful too!

This always makes me wonder what equipment stayed behind in the original factory. Apparently not the original body molds and clamping rigs, because the shape of the 535 body is slightly different with a bit wider waist and differently shaped horns. (Not a big deal, just an observation…)

[Flat]

I wonder if Heritage felt compelled to tweak the body shape just a bit for legal reasons, to avoid trademark issues or whatever? Or for design preference reasons?

Gibson apparently changed the shape of the "ears" or "horns" a few times over the decades. Apparently some body mold wore out at one point. Maybe Marvin Lamb and the other Heritage guys preferred a certain shape? Or maybe they wanted to cut to reflect their own style preferences? The shape of my 535 doesn't look like an exact match to any of these shapes--does it? (I guess I like the 1960 shape best, but I'm actually not even sure of my own preferences. I probably like best whatever I saw last.)

The Gibson ES-335 >> Blog Archive >> M-I-C-K-E-Y…Why? Because we like you. M-O-U-S-E

[Old Guitar Player]

I wonder if Heritage felt compelled to tweak the body shape just a bit for legal reasons, to avoid trademark issues or whatever? Or for design preference reasons?

Gibson apparently changed the shape of the "ears" or "horns" a few times over the decades. Apparently some body mold wore out at one point. Maybe Marvin Lamb and the other Heritage guys preferred a certain shape? Or maybe they wanted to cut to reflect their own style preferences? The shape of my 535 doesn't look like an exact match to any of these shapes--does it? (I guess I like the 1960 shape best, but I'm actually not even sure of my own preferences. I probably like best whatever I saw last.)

The Gibson ES-335 >> Blog Archive >> M-I-C-K-E-Y…Why? Because we like you. M-O-U-S-E

Since they are also operating out of the USA, I'm guessing Heritage made slight
changes to avoid any potential legal issues. Especially since Gibson is not "shy"
about defending themselves (and pursuing relief) in the courtroom.

[DonEsteban]

Yamaha SA2200

I already owned:

Ibanez AS 93
Ibanez AS 73
Ibanez AS 103
Ibanez AGS (small body)
D'Angelico Excel SS (small body, still have it)

Ibanez AM93 (small body)
Ibanez AM205 Original 82 or 83 (small body)
Another AM205, but the new edition.

All AM guitars (15") lack depth in tone, were too mid rangy and kind of thin for me, obviously you need the 16" to develop good bass. Unfortunately, because the 80's AM205 was the most comfortable guitar I ever had.

Ibanez JSM10 (Chinese Scofield, the only Ibanez I didn't like the neck on, too fat).
Gretch Electromatic (I hated the Bigsby)

In the end, I chose the Yamaha because of the sound. It's rounder, less harsh in the highs. All Ibanez guitars had something "harsh" in the tone - not unpleasant, but different. Someday I'll probably get me an additional AS200 to have both sounds.
Or maybe not... :-)

[Christian Miller]

Yamahas always seem underrated

[garybaldy]

I've tried a Gibson at a gig but I couldn't stop the feedback. I've tried an Epi dot which was heavy and very much like a piece of carpentry.
I have 2 korean made 335 style guitars by Vester. Both MOD 700s I believe. They are superb.

[Sleeko]

Yamahas always seem underrated

Yes I was just thinking that as well.

[blille]

I went through this journey not too long ago. In the short list I had the Sheraton (both normal on a budget and Elitist), the Yamahas and the Heritage 535. I ended up with a used 535 that came with Seth Lovers and couldn’t be happier. Great instrument, amazing value.




This is a good video on the Sheraton:

I was disappointed by the D’Angelicos I tried but it may have been bad luck.

[classict1]

Yeah Don exactly how I feel!!! The SA2200 has such a nice tone. Love the vintage coloring on yours.

[Greywolf]

then there's my Cherry Custom Shop CS 356 ..carved top , billet mahogany body routed to shape..
the semi hollow LP Custom.

[Paulie2]

I just have a regular Memphis 335 from the 2010's that works just fine for me, but the nicest 335 style I have ever seen in person is the discontinued Benedetto GA-35. My former teacher has one and it is just stunning.



Autumnburst GA-35 | Benedetto Guitars

[oldHaus]

Mine is an Ibanez AS73. The Artcore model with the lightning bolt on the headstock. I paid about 10% of what you would pay for a Gibson. That said, I had the tuners replaced for Grovers, like you might find on a Gibson. I also got a set of Gibson Classic 57 pickups that are not installed yet. I'm trying to make it sound a bit more like my Gibson 175 that has a Classic 57 in the neck. I've had this guitar for more than 10 years, and it has often been my one main guitar. I don't think my Ibanez feels much like a Gibson, maybe more like an Epiphone. A pal of mine has the same model Ibanez, but older. His is lighter and I think feels more like how a Gibson might feel. Another pal has the Eastman (T386 ?). Again, it's lighter, and perhaps feels a little closer to a Gibson. That friend upgraded the neck pickup, and it now sounds really good.

I think the Ibanez are probably the cheapest and best value going. Mine is fairly plain and lacking a bit of nuance, so I'm making little upgrades here and there. But it is so incredibly solid and reliable. I have thought of getting another one, just because they can be had used for dirt cheap. If this one was ever stolen I would buy another one for sure. But I would get the oldest one I could find, since the older models seem to have that much more quality and nuance to them.

[Old Guitar Player]

[QUOTE/] "The next two semi-hollows I dearly love are my Heritage H-535 and H-555. To me they are what Gibson should have made but didn't. Heritage uses solid rims along with the traditional laminate top and back. As with the two Ibanez semi's, the input jack is on the rim, my preferred location and out of harms way. (I once damaged the top of a short-lived Ibanez LR10 when I inadvertently whacked the guitar cord!). The LR10 had a slim neck profile, so it had to go.

In all the many years of playing, I've never owned an ES-335. However, recently a buddy of mine put up his ES-355 Lucille for sale...and I hope to possess it in the near future. In addition to being a huge BB King fan, I've always wanted a 355 since as a kid pouring over the Gibson Guitar Catalogues of the 60's and 70's.

Oh, and the ES355 Lucille has the input jack right where I like it...on the rim, of course!" [/QUOTE]

"In reference to guitars with the jack on the top..."
In 1976 I worked for a music store who sold high-end Ibanez guitars. I special ordered a particular Ibanez (Alembic style neck through body), koa capped, solid body electric with the jack on the top. On my first gig with it, I strapped up while accidentally stepping on the cord, ripping a 3" piece of Koa cap off the top (revealing the control cavity and leaving a 3" hole)! I had been using an Ernie Ball cable (which had extra large jacks with built-in mute switches) which were the "IN" thing back then. Of course, I had it patched/repaired and later had the guitar refinished Black, but it was never the same. I have never purchased another guitar with the jack on the top!

Attached picture: Left, recently patched (notice the size of that plug in the re-located jack, and the obvious patch job on top): Right (1 year later), after refinishing in jet black, and upgrading the fingerboard (Cloud inlays, an Ebony board and Jumbo Frets) & adding Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups with splitters. I kept that guitar for another 10 years or so...

[ARGewirtz]

Seems like a good time to make a pitch for my recently acquired 1978 Ibanez 2630. I replaced the pups, installed a new pickguard, and applied some guitar polish to an already well preserved body, otherwise all else is original and as good as new (or better!). How does it stack up against all the other fine guitars previously mentioned? I have no idea but it sure feels and sounds good to me .