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

[jumpnblues]

There are so many great sounding, great playing, and well built non-Gibson, ES335 based guitars. I can't afford a Gibson version for now so I'm looking for alternatives.

So what are your recommendations? I've checked out some Youtube videos of the latest ES335 versions such as the Sire H7 Larry Carlton endorsed guitar. There are also the Inspired By Gibson, Epiphone ES335 based guitars and similar models from Ibanez, D'Angelico, Eastman (a little more pricey), Gretsch, and Guild. Anyone here own any of the non-Gibson ES335 based guitars? What are your preferences?

[AllanAllen]

Can’t go wrong with Epiphone.

[darkwaters]

I’d get one of those new Epi IBG Dots and call it a day.

[jim777]

At the moment, an AS-200. I'd like to get a Tokai ES though

[marcwhy]

Hey Jump,
Are you actually in the market for a semi, or just curious? If the former, it would be helpful to give your budget; there are many nice 335-like models out there, and like every other gear item, they range from a little to a lot!
Thx!

[Klatu]

At the moment, an AS-200. I'd like to get a Tokai ES though

I haven't played any modern AS200s, but the vintage ones are outstanding. In fact, if resale were not an issue, I'd probably choose one over a Gibson.

[rpjazzguitar]

I have a Comins GCS-1 which I like very much. My main guitar. I think these sell for around $1600 or $1700 new.

I also had a D'Angelico EXDC, 2009 MIK, which is also a good guitar (designed by Bill Comins too, as I understand it). The EXDC sounds a little darker and is a bit less comfortable to hold, although that would vary from player to player. New ones are well under $1000, I think.

[hotpepper01]

There are a lot of lookalikes out there that are not too bad in both sound and playability. The first that come to my mind are the Epi Dots. I have had a couple as well as the Sheraton. They are value for the money, sure, but no where in the region of a real Gibby 335. One guitar that stood out for me was an Ibanez 2467 from 1977. That came very close also in terms of responsiveness. I really loved that one.

[John A.]

There are so many great sounding, great playing, and well built non-Gibson, ES335 based guitars. I can't afford a Gibson version for now so I'm looking for alternatives.

So what are your recommendations? I've checked out some Youtube videos of the latest ES335 versions such as the Sire H7 Larry Carlton endorsed guitar. There are also the Inspired By Gibson, Epiphone ES335 based guitars and similar models from Ibanez, D'Angelico, Eastman (a little more pricey), Gretsch, and Guild. Anyone here own any of the non-Gibson ES335 based guitars? What are your preferences?

This is one of the most frequently discussed questions here (if not the most). It would be a good idea to do a search on the topic because there is already a great deal of information here. [BTW, the site's search feature doesn't really work very well, but if you enter the search terms directly into google followed by " site: jazzguitar.be" you'll et a lot of results.

I have a Comins GCS-1 which I like very much. My main guitar. I think these sell for around $1600 or $1700 new.

I also had a D'Angelico EXDC, 2009 MIK, which is also a good guitar (designed by Bill Comins too, as I understand it). The EXDC sounds a little darker and is a bit less comfortable to hold, although that would vary from player to player. New ones are well under $1000, I think.

I have a MIK EX-DC as well (which I believe is from 2005). There's more than one version of this model -- the earliest of them (2005-ish to 2009-ish) are not the ones designed by Comins. Those came later (2014-ish IIIRC), but the differences are superficial (headstock shapes are a little different; flame maple veneered top on the Comins, vs spruce veneered top on the older ones). New ones are over ~$1700; they're the same as the "Comins-designed" ones, except they have different pickups. There's a cheaper series that's made in Indonesia' those are the ones that are about $700. FWIW, I tried one, and IMO MIK ones strike me as much better instruments that sound and play a lot better.

[Shay]

I'm a big fan of the old Guild Starfire IV. I currently have 2 of them. One is a 1968 and the other is from 1980. Although I think they're priced similarly to a 335 they're so much better imo..If you're looking on something cheaper I would probably go with the Peerless hardtail. Great guitar.

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[Christian Miller]

Tbh I’m not seeing much in it between an Epi and Gibson. I can afford the Gibson but I’m wondering if that’s kind of silly given how gorgeous and great sounding the Epi Dots are (although I’m far from decided on what I want to get as my next guitar, I might just save up more money.)

[rpjazzguitar]

Th

I have a MIK EX-DC as well (which I believe is from 2005). There's more than one version of this model -- the earliest of them (2005-ish to 2009-ish) are not the ones designed by Comins. Those came later (2014-ish IIIRC), but the differences are superficial (headstock shapes are a little different; flame maple veneered top on the Comins, vs spruce veneered top on the older ones). New ones are over ~$1700; they're the same as the "Comins-designed" ones, except they have different pickups. There's a cheaper series that's made in Indonesia' those are the ones that are about $700. FWIW, I tried one, and IMO MIK ones strike me as much better instruments that sound and play a lot better.

Thanks for this info.

I heard about a D'A "blowout" on line. I think, around 2009, but I might be off a few years. Bought it by mail from DA for about $700.

The best thing about it was that the high E had a pure tone all the way up the neck -- no fizz or plink. After some years of regular use, that changed and no amount of luthiery brought it back. Negatives were a miscut nut slot and a bad hinge on the case.

Can't recall when I first heard that Bill Comins designed it.

Before I bought the GCS-1 I recall him saying that it was not the same thing as the EXDC.

[mad dog]

A couple years ago my buddy was looking for an alternative to the current Gibson 335s. Had owned one and not been greatly impressed. I found him a used Epiphone Elitist '63 ES-335. That one did impress both of us. I swapped in Seth Lovers, to my taste far better than the stock epi made '57 classics. It sounds and feels not far from some really good vintage 335s I've spent time with.

My buddy is playing strictly archtop and tele these days, will be letting the Epi go soon. If you have any interest, send me an IM.

[Jimmy Mack]

Good cross section of honest replies echoing attitudes. Great question OP!

I think I have been most impressed by 335's throughout my listening life, in good hands of course. Though I never owned one - I always went for something else when purchase time came. Can't say why. But I did fall for an ES 150 back in 1972. That one didn't last long, I shoulda bought a 335.

Up to date: I did fall for (and purchase) an Epi Lucille, an Epi Casino '61 RI, an Epi 339 Pro P90, and an EPI ES 335 Pro.

I'm not so much "pro" Epiphone, it's just that - when I walked into Guitar Center, and they had these guitars there, they were so great, I couldn't leave them there. They satisfied every itch. I am very particular about guitars and I did not have to buy them.

So check them out when you can. With all the options out there, you DO have to play them, or you may miss some outstanding guitars. And that's extremely true esp. if you DO want to spend more $$$ on a Gibson.

Best of luck and ,,,enjoy the hunt!

[guitarcarver]

The heritage H535 is a great instrument. They can be had used at a decent price.

[Spook410]

Collings. Don't have one. Not going to spend that much. But yea. Collings.

[Woody Sound]

ES-335 Alternatives: 13 Under $1300 | Reverb News

[Gitterbug]

Yamaha SA-2200

[itsmyname]

I got a sheraton II from the 90's, it doesn't cost a lot; sounds good but I think I should change the pickups to make it better.

[Shay]

Speaking of old Starfires. Here is a great deal. And he's even willing to negotiate. Half a price from 335 and you get an awesome vintage American semi hollow...best of all worlds...

Guild StarFire IV 1985 Red Guild StarFire IV 1985 Red | Private | Reverb

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[Woody Sound]

Then there are these bad boys. 335 meets Jazzmaster.

2013 Fender Modern Player Starcaster | Empire Guitars | Reverb

[burchyk]

Guild Starfires can be really nice, although they have their own thing going on, bit clearer than the 335. Preferred 90s US made one to the modern Korean iterations but that was some time ago. I've got a Korean T50 Slim (fully hollow) which has a lovely slender neck profile and the fret work that feels better than it should at this price point. Hardware on the Korean made ones can be so-so. One more gotcha - the pickups routes are different to common humbuckers or P90s so watch out if you are into pickup swaps.

Got an Epi Dot Studio for 250, did a lot of work on including SS frets, now a great practice tool. Watch out for fret wear, they seem to be somewhat soft.

Tried a few Eastmans and they are really nice. Recommend checking them out if that's your budget. If you can try a used one next to a new one to see how they tend to open up after a few years. The necks can be maple / ebony not mahogany / rosewood like the Gibsons, which has it's effect on the sound, but there is nothing inferior about that combo (after all if L5 are like that...).

D'Angelicos - tried a few from the Excel series and thought they were great, but didn't care for Premier at all.

Tried a few Tokais but they felt a bit plastic / dead, don't remember if it was top of the range or not.

[Phil59]

The heritage H535 is a great instrument. They can be had used at a decent price.

A few months ago, I bought a used Heritage H535. The build quality is top-notch and the SD Seth Lovers sound great. It is far superior to two Gibson ES-335s I had back in the day. Those were totally different from each other.

[ooglybong]

I own three semis that I really like (besides my original '65 ES335 that I bought back in the day by saving paper route money for a year! lol).
So, in no particular order here—besides my mood at the moment...

Comins GCS-ES. (OK... it's a single-cut but still essentially a 335-type build besides that) Really a fabulous guitar, IMO.
Ibanez AM205. Kind of a smaller 335 (think ES339). Also wow.
Vox Virage, double-cut. A really cool concept, between its ergonomic body design and unique pickup system. (Be sure to look it up. IIRC, I've posted info and photos here in the past, so just do a search.)
I once saw John Abercrombie use only his single-cut Virage during a small gig in Woodstock back in 2011.

FYI, the last two models are out-of-production and, in my experience, they will be pretty difficult to find. The Virage can also be found in its single-cut version, and I do come across those online every now and then. Good luck.

As far as I know, all three of these guitars should be priced below $2k (certainly the Comins), so all should be priced below an ES-335. Of course, with 'Covid prices' and OOP collectibility, who knows anymore.

Hope this helps.

[ronjazz]

I like my new Gretsch 5422, although it's closer to a 330 than 335. For me, the blacktop Filtertrons have more character and versatility than the Gibson humbuckers.