Model 335 recommended D'Angelico, Ibanez, Seventy seven

[Max53]

Hi everyone, every now and then I read you always interesting for jazz but it's the first intervention, I played little jazz playing the whole first book A Modern Method For Guitar leavitt number 1...

I would like a 335 from one of these brands, noting that I already had a Sire H7 which I wasn't attached to also because it was too heavy (about 4kg). D'Angelico Premier DC well I'm not crazy about the Deco even if I prefer the 62cm Gibson scale, Ibanez good for the slim neck (I have small hands) but the aesthetics without particular interest, the slightly smaller body, the 58 pickups not really the best, the Exrubato are very similar to the Gibson 335, nice colors, slightly larger neck (22mm 1F, 24mm 12F) and often light weight (3.10-3.4kg), hard case but you can't try them, difficult to resell and ship back to Japan (from Europe).

What do you think about it? (sorry for the translated English)

[jazzshrink]

[marcwhy]

Welcome, Max!
For any "wanting gear" related questions, it always helps to know your budget. A 335-type guitar can range from $500 - 5000+ USD, so where are you sitting?

Happy hunting!

Marc

[Max53]

Hello thanks!

I already own some PRS CE 24 and Gibson SG 61 guitars, I have experience of other good mid-low range guitars like les paul tribute, Telecaster harley benton, G & L tribute stratocaster, , so the budget is around 600-1000 maximum. I see an Ibanez AS93FM-AYS or similar, a D'Angelico Premier DC - Dark Iced Tea Burst or similar and a Seventy Seven Guitars EXRUBATO-STD - ITB (Japane tune) or similar... for a 335 I would be in this range... maybe a D'angelico deluxe isn't worth it and not even an Ibanez JS10..

[wzpgsr]

Seventy Seven makes a great guitar (those actually made in Japan), but unless it's a custom build, the neck is likely not going to qualify as a thin neck.

[John A.]

Hello thanks!

I already own some PRS CE 24 and Gibson SG 61 guitars, I have experience of other good mid-low range guitars like les paul tribute, Telecaster harley benton, G & L tribute stratocaster, , so the budget is around 600-1000 maximum. I see an Ibanez AS93FM-AYS or similar, a D'Angelico Premier DC - Dark Iced Tea Burst or similar and a Seventy Seven Guitars EXRUBATO-STD - ITB (Japane tune) or similar... for a 335 I would be in this range... maybe a D'angelico deluxe isn't worth it and not even an Ibanez JS10..

My first suggestion is to spend time searching this site for the many, many threads about semi-hollows. It's best to do that from google because the site's search feature doesn't work well. So go to google and enter something like "semi-hollow $1000 site: jazzguitar.be" . Many threads will pop up, and you will get tons of ideas and opinions.

But there's a problem with what you're asking -- you can't really predict a 335-style guitar's weight according to the model or brand. Any model is going to come in a range of weights because the specific pieces of wood vary in density by a surprising amount. Whether you're talking Gibson, D'Angelico, Ibanez, whatever, they're all going to range roughly between 7 and 9 lbs. They only only way to be sure you're getting a 7lb one is to weigh it (or have the seller do that). So if the problem you had with the Sire is that it was too heavy, asking for recommendations by brand or model might not solve that problem.


Specifically regarding D'Angelico, the Premier DC's are not great (made in Indonesia). I would suggest looking at the EX (Excel) DC. Those can usually be found under $1000 used. I have one from 2005. These are spec'ed a little differently from the ones made from around 2011 on. They have laminated spruce tops and a fairly slim neck profile, whereas the later ones have lam maple tops and somewhat beefier necks (but still pretty slim). This one on Reverb is exactly like mine. The seller is asking $845 and accepting offers, which is a very good price (a steal if you the seller accepts a lower offer). IIRC, mine weighs a little under 8.5 Lbs. I am very happy with this guitar.

Another idea is to consider smaller body sizes. 339-style guitars in general will be range a pound or so lighter than 335 styles.

[Gitfiddler]

Check out the PRS Hollowbody II SE, and Epiphone 339 Pro.

[Jimmy Mack]

I feel for you! So many choices, and so much "internet" information, you could just give up!

So when you do give up, here is my advice on what to do:

1. Be less concerned about re-selling the guitar, and go play some guitars.
2. Find a guitar you like A LOT, and don't be too concerned with the weight (if that's OK for you)
3. You may be able to adapt to a bigger neck (once you like the guitar, and get used to it)
I don't have big hands and yet, the more I played larger necks, I became less comfortable with small or thin necks. Now I play a full size classical guitar, and the neck is large, but it's fine. Practice will help you get accustomed.
4. What to look for? I find particular favor with Epiphone models, the more recent ones. I have 4. They are very, very close to Gibsons. They have quite a few to check out. And when you find a good one, you'll know.
I bought a great one (on sale for under $400) and .....it is not one of the lo-end Epiphones. It is a 335 Pro. I wish the Gibsons that I owned previously did as much for me.
5. The main thing is to get out and try some if possible. If you must buy it online, get a good Epiphone but buy at a place where you can easily return it.

[Jimmy Mack]

I will see my buddy who works for D'Angelico tomorrow. They just came out with a new series of 335 types, less bling and better pickups. I played one and I was very impressed - it could have come home with me but was not for sale! I'll find out what the model is, and some specs.

[Max53]

Seventy Seven è un'ottima chitarra (quelle effettivamente realizzate in Giappone), ma a meno che non sia una costruzione personalizzata, il manico probabilmente non si qualificherà come manico sottile.

I'm talking about the Seventy Seven Exrubato with Japan tune (not made in Japan) their neck is approximately 21mm F1 and 24mm F12, practically the same as the Gibson 335 and the Sire H7, but slightly larger than the Ibanez and the D'Angelico. But all these necks are fine, if I can choose better Ibanez but I don't fixate on this aspect. I would look at the quality of the woods, playability, resaleability, pickups and other factors,

[Jabberwocky]

Edwards E-SA-125LTS. Still made in Japan today, I believe.

[Gitterbug]

My vote for Epi 339 Pro. A Swiss Army guitar, my main cab testing instrument. If you want to pay 3X, Yamaha SA2200.

[Max53]

Check out the PRS Hollowbody II SE, and Epiphone 339 Pro.

Thanks, but with PRS I already have a CE 24 semi hollow and I'm looking for the shape similar to the 335, while for the Epiphone I'm stuck due to negative experiences with my examples in the past (this doesn't mean that they are good guitars in the present)

[Max53]

Domani vedrò il mio amico che lavora per D'Angelico. Sono appena usciti con una nuova serie di 335 tipi, meno appariscenti e pickup migliori. Ne ho giocato uno e sono rimasto molto colpito: sarebbe potuto arrivare a casa con me ma non era in vendita! Scoprirò qual è il modello e alcune specifiche.

It would be interesting

[Max53]

I feel for you! So many choices, and so much "internet" information, you could just give up!

So when you do give up, here is my advice on what to do:

1. Be less concerned about re-selling the guitar, and go play some guitars.
2. Find a guitar you like A LOT, and don't be too concerned with the weight (if that's OK for you)
3. You may be able to adapt to a bigger neck (once you like the guitar, and get used to it)
I don't have big hands and yet, the more I played larger necks, I became less comfortable with small or thin necks. Now I play a full size classical guitar, and the neck is large, but it's fine. Practice will help you get accustomed.
4. What to look for? I find particular favor with Epiphone models, the more recent ones. I have 4. They are very, very close to Gibsons. They have quite a few to check out. And when you find a good one, you'll know.
I bought a great one (on sale for under $400) and .....it is not one of the lo-end Epiphones. It is a 335 Pro. I wish the Gibsons that I owned previously did as much for me.
5. The main thing is to get out and try some if possible. If you must buy it online, get a good Epiphone but buy at a place where you can easily return it.

I've understood for some time that I don't willingly pick up a guitar if it weighs too much except for a limited time, now that I'm no longer young I've become very rigid on this point, over 3.6-3.7 is no longer good I'm sorry , and I'm happy for those who don't worry about weight. I do my best to stay within a 3.1 to 3.6kg range. It works well with a 2.8kg Hollowbody guitar...

[Max53]

My vote for Epi 339 Pro. A Swiss Army guitar, my main cab testing instrument. If you want to pay 3X, Yamaha SA2200.

The Yamaha SA2200 is very beautiful and interesting but if I'm not mistaken it usually weighs a lot and even used costs a lot.

[Max53]

They tell me that some non-Japan Exrubato models weigh around 3.2 kg and it seems incredible to me, can I think that the cause of this is that they are better guitars (a better choice of woods)?

[stevus]

They tell me that some non-Japan Exrubato models weigh around 3.2 kg and it seems incredible to me, can I think that the cause of this is that they are better guitars (a better choice of woods)?

What exactly seems incredible to you? And better guitars than....?

[frabarmus]

Personally, I've never tried this guitar but I like the sound. Sounds like what you are looking for?

[Tal_175]

Do you have tonal preferences? Gibson ES335's have a very characteristic sound that you won't get with other makers other than Epiphone. I agree with Jimmy Mack that Epiphone 335's are basically identical in sound to the Gibson's. You get that very mid focused, slightly woody attack. Each brand have their own basic take on the 335 design with small variations between individual guitars. Ibanez's have a more balanced sound for example in my experience. I would first explore different takes on the design by different makers and worry about the weight when I'm picking an individual guitar from the preferred brand.

[Max53]

Do you have tonal preferences? Gibson ES335's have a very characteristic sound that you won't get with other makers other than Epiphone. I agree with Jimmy Mack that Epiphone 335's are basically identical in sound to the Gibson's. You get that very mid focused, slightly woody attack. Each brand have their own basic take on the 335 design with small variations between individual guitars. Ibanez's have a more balanced sound for example in my experience. I would first explore different takes on the design by different makers and worry about the weight when I'm picking an individual guitar from the preferred brand.

I prefer a tone more on the soft and warm side since it is a 335, the tighter, more defined and glassy-woody tone of the Gibson would still be fine, even if it is not very far from that of the Les Pauls, but given their cost I suit them also to other pickups, however in general preferring the Alnico II. Then the pickups can always be changed. As you rightly say I look at other factors such as the geometry of the strings on the neck, the weight, the shape of the body, and the neck.

[Max53]

I'm evaluating but it seems that 2 options remain: an Ibanez as93 in its various variations or an Exrubato tune japan like this or similar:


I have to say that I don't really like gold tuners on guitars and Ibanez have them.

[Max53]

Or if I also want this one but I don't know the weight, but I can ask the seller, I don't like the Deco very much, I like it less but it's a nice guitar:


PS: the seller claims that all these D'Angelico guitars weigh between 3.00kg and 3.2kg, honestly it seems strange to me...

[Max53]

the third is the Ibanez:

[Gitfiddler]

Have you checked out the three Ibanez Scofield models?

John Scofield | ARTISTS | Ibanez guitars