Lozz196 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Nice guitar, in the classic 335 colour, congrats. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 2 hours ago, Lozz196 said: Nice guitar, in the classic 335 colour, congrats. Cheers Lozz. I've been looking for one like this for ages, years even! Had to have a big neck, and the colour was equally important. Most cherry 335's are in a non translucent finish, really bright colours or have flamed tops - none of which seem right to me. This one is actually 'Antique red', with the grain visible through it. I have some Gibson reflector knobs on order as I'm not overly keen on the ones fitted, but apart from that it's pretty much spot on. All I need to do now is try and brush up my (limited) guitar chops, and find somewhere to play it loud! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LilyDalas Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 B.B. King’s beloved Lucille was a Gibson semi-hollow body ES-355. This Celebrity Guitar was named after a woman who sparked a club fire that nearly claimed the musician’s life. King had safely escaped the incident but his guitar was forgotten inside. When he realised that it was not with him, King rushed back into the collapsing establishment to save it. From then on all of King’s Gibsons bore the moniker “Lucille.” But despite this, guitar brand Gibson files for bankruptcy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baceface Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 I always wanted a 355 but have settled on one of the 1964 reissue ES345s that were among the last models made at the Memphis factory. I've been through a few ES-type guitars including decent quality Japanese Orville, Tokai and Yamaha SA2100 and 2200 models. I'm happy with the Gibson though. It's not the prettiest guitar and there's loads of dirty grain behind the 60s cherry finish. That said, I don't like flamed ESs and I've seen similar heavily grained tops on authentic 60s guitars. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Just seen this. Be interested in what y'all think! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 24 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Just seen this. Be interested in what y'all think! That I should take up guitar again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 34 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Just seen this. Be interested in what y'all think! Ooh, I’d like one of those. However, if his main reason for buying a particular model is because the logo is inlaid rather than silk screened, then getting out more is recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 I've got one of our guitarists taking along his ES-339 to rehearsal tonight (obviously sought his views on this to) and I'll try to remember to take my Washburn HB-35 along - be interested to see what he thinks of them in terms of tone and playability etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 49 minutes ago, Al Krow said: Just seen this. Be interested in what y'all think! Mmm, not sure. Like the basic design, but not a fan of 'wacky' colours or flame tops on guitars that don't suit them. Occasionally see Teles and Strats with them as well - urghhh! Gibson semis should IMHO be a bit more subdued perhaps - the ES 135 is more to my taste, less bling etc. 6 minutes ago, Al Krow said: I've got one of our guitarists taking along his ES-339 to rehearsal tonight (obviously sought his views on this to) and I'll try to remember to take my Washburn HB-35 along - be interested to see what he thinks of them in terms of tone and playability etc I like the 339 designs. Nearly bought one recently when I was searching for a 335, and they seem great quality (certainly the first ones anyway, haven't seen the more recent ones.) The Epiphone 339's are cracking VFM too, and have the very useful additional feature of coil tapping the humbuckers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 3 minutes ago, casapete said: Mmm, not sure. Like the basic design, but not a fan of 'wacky' colours or flame tops on guitars that don't suit them. Occasionally see Teles and Strats with them as well - urghhh! Gibson semis should IMHO be a bit more subdued perhaps - the ES 135 is more to my taste, less bling etc. Totally agree. I'd get one in a boring Lucille black if I was splashing out. 4 minutes ago, casapete said: I like the 339 designs. Nearly bought one recently when I was searching for a 335, and they seem great quality (certainly the first ones anyway, haven't seen the more recent ones.) The Epiphone 339's are cracking VFM too, and have the very useful additional feature of coil tapping the humbuckers. Agree with that too! Hope (for the sake of my wallet) that my HB-35 is not too obviously inferior tonight! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 (edited) 58 minutes ago, casapete said: Mmm, not sure. Like the basic design, but not a fan of 'wacky' colours or flame tops on guitars that don't suit them. Occasionally see Teles and Strats with them as well - urghhh! Gibson semis should IMHO be a bit more subdued perhaps - the ES 135 is more to my taste, less bling etc. Yeah, way too bling, but a good design. Edited August 1, 2019 by ezbass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 1 hour ago, casapete said: I like the 339 designs. Nearly bought one recently when I was searching for a 335, and they seem great quality (certainly the first ones anyway, haven't seen the more recent ones.) The Epiphone 339's are cracking VFM too, and have the very useful additional feature of coil tapping the humbuckers. I have the Epi Casino Coupé, which is the same size as the 339, great value and top tones, a little too reduced in size for me though (sticks in my ribs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baceface Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 2 hours ago, Al Krow said: Just seen this. Be interested in what y'all think! Despite being a shortarse, I'm not usually too keen on the downsized ES models. However, that 235 seems like a nice design. Would echo the sentiments about the colour and figured top but it sounds good to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 How about one of these finishes instead? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 (edited) I've mostly grown out of burst, but that black burst ES 235 is particularly lovely! IMO, YMMV... Edited August 1, 2019 by Al Krow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Better! Strange sunburst though, almost unburst!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Satisfied my unhealthy semi-acoustic urges with an Ibanez, cheap as chips, but souped up with a Gretsch bridge pickup, DiMarzio neck pickup (with covers), genuine ex-Gibson small head Klusons (after this pic) and £3.50 scratchplate of the 'bay 🙂 One day I will end up getting a Gretsch White Falcon... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 And a tasty little Vox amp to boot! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 2 hours ago, Al Krow said: And a tasty little Vox amp to boot! And nice wine 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 56 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said: And nice wine 🙂 Mmmm, Wolf Blass yellow label - good choice sir. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 Oh yes... my brother insisted I reverse wrap the stop tailpiece too when we swapped the tuners, for no good reason 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 1, 2019 Share Posted August 1, 2019 1 hour ago, casapete said: Mmmm, Wolf Blass yellow label - good choice sir. +1 ^^ So I took the HB 35 along and got our guitarist to put it through his paces at rehearsal tonight (50s / 60s set). Sounded a darn sight better than when I'm playing it - haha! His view was that a Gibson 335 would certainly be a bit better but not likely to be 5 or 6 times better and that the quality of Gibs has been very variable over the past decade. He also thinks the pups on the new ES 235 look really good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 I've been wanting a 335 or a 355 for as long as I've been playing guitar, which is more than half a lifetime. I've got the Epi Sheraton II in natural finish, which is a beautiful and well made piece of gear but it's not cured my GAS for the real deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 1 hour ago, Barking Spiders said: I've been wanting a 335 or a 355 for as long as I've been playing guitar, which is more than half a lifetime. I've got the Epi Sheraton II in natural finish, which is a beautiful and well made piece of gear but it's not cured my GAS for the real deal Same as me, seeing Chuck Berry with a red Gibson ES sealed my fate when I was about 14! Looked for a nice 335 for years, got a mid 60's sunburst one which was a) the wrong colour , and b) too slim in the neck department. Wish I still had it though, as 60's Gibson prices went crazy shortly after I sold it! Eventually got my red 335 Fat neck and love it. I did play a nice Eastman style 335 a while ago, and it was close to mine in all respects and a lot cheaper. Sunburst though, for me a Gibson 3 series looks best in red. Gibson did a great 58 dot reissue a couple of years ago, and Guitar Guitar were doing them for a silly reduced price but still only sunburst versions. Probably the best Gibson I played in the last few years was a 63 VOS 335 block reissue, around £4300 IIRC. Neck too slim for me ( and a lack of £4300...) meant it wasn't ideal, but did play and look fabulous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted August 7, 2020 Share Posted August 7, 2020 I owned an '80s built 335 some time ago. I was OK, but weighed a ton. My problem with Gibsons is the nitro finish they use, my left hand starts to stick to the neck where the cure hasn't gone off completely (I also had the same issue with a nitro necked PRS. Funnily enough, my old '63 P bass and current Rob Allen didn't/don't have this issue). I also had a Yammy SA2000 in the early '80s, a fantastic guitar and the only one that I really regret letting go (an absolute moment of madness). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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