good 335 copies/builders?

[GEISHA]

My vote goes to Vester, one of the best, really:

[loopy reed]

The Korean-made Epiphone Rivieras are amazing guitars. You should be able to find one on eBay for less than 600 bucks pretty easily. I have one, bought it as a 2nd from Musician's Friend in '01. Only complaint is the pickups...they work, they sound good enough, but the guitar would really sing with a better set of pickups. Fit and finish is wonderful. It's as close to a 335 as you can get in that price range while staying in the Gibson family. I can't stress enough how good these guitars are.

[Shepherd]

Got this for $150 brand new. Threw in a set of 57 classics and wow.

[furrfurrfurr]

Shepherd, what is that?

[ye olde fretmonkey]

There are some great Japanese ones from the 70s and 80s...Westbury, Vantage, Daion and Electra all made great 335 style guitars for awhile.

I'd love to have a Heritage 535 if I had a couple of grand just lying around...

[Shepherd]

Originally Posted by furrfurrfurr

Shepherd, what is that?

You know at that price its a made in China or was it Korea, cant remember but apparently they have the largest guitar factory in the world. It's a S101 EH124 from America Sejung Corp in Ontario CA. The finish and build quality is flawless but the electrics are a bit cheesy. I hate the mini pots. I got it from an ebay store less than a year ago but there are lots of dealers in the US.

http://www.sejungusa.com/PagesGuitar.../EHI24_05.html
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r.../335+Copy/10/1

[tjalla]

This thread has gone decidedly low budget compared to the first reply

[ye olde fretmonkey]

hey, I never see any of those 80s Japanese ones for a low-budget price anymore

[numeric]

Just so you know, an Epiphone Casino is not the same structure-wise as a 335. The 335 has a center block and hollow wings, whereas the Casino is fully hollow. An Epiphone equivalent to the 335 would be the Dot, or the Sheraton.

[furrfurrfurr]

Originally Posted by Shepherd

You know at that price its a made in China or was it Korea, cant remember but apparently they have the largest guitar factory in the world. It's a S101 EH124 from America Sejung Corp in Ontario CA. The finish and build quality is flawless but the electrics are a bit cheesy. I hate the mini pots. I got it from an ebay store less than a year ago but there are lots of dealers in the US.

http://www.sejungusa.com/PagesGuitar.../EHI24_05.html
http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r.../335+Copy/10/1

thank you, Sir

[Flat357]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

Not that this helps at all, but I have an amazing and very obscure 335 copy branded "J. Steele" that appears to have been made in Japan or maybe Korea in the late 70's early 80's. Can't find out much about it but it's a great guitar and a staple for me. Thought stock pickups were fine, I actually popped in some Seth Lovers and love this thing.



I guess this post is really more a veiled plea if anyone has ever heard of J. Steele before..... sorry to highjack


sd

http://www.usedprice.com/dropdown.ph...=&mfr_letter=J

http://www.usedprice.com/dropdown.ph...&increment=mfr

[telel6s]

Originally Posted by Jahmbie

Hofner Verythin Classic


A little different from the classic ES-335 (no center block, 1.25" body) but a great playing guitar under $3K new.

Last year I bought one of these German-made Hofners on eBay just based on reviews. They very next day I was in a store that had a used one on the rack and had a great time playing it for a half hour or so. Great sounding pickups and tone controls; very comfortable and beautifully finished. Unfortunately, the one I bought got lost by FedEx (luckily the seller was very cool and refunded my money even before he got his back from FedEx).

I'm now waiting on an Epi Dot w/Bigsby. Should be here Friday or Monday.

[Folk music]

How much would you want for it??

[Folk music]

How much do you want for it?

[HOBBSTER01]

Played a Peavey JF-1 and forgot all about the others.
Despite mixed reviews, this particular played off the rack better than most of the Gibson around it and for$299.00 to boot.

[Westerly Sunn]

These ain't cheap, but awfully nice for the price...



Eastman; This one a T186mx... 1600.00 ish...

[stantheman]

I was just in Claremont at a tiny Music Store and there was - of all things - a brand spanking new Jay Turser "335" in the window - and it looked real nice.
But I figured it'd play like doodoo.
I was wrong.

[1962guitargeek]

Originally Posted by PapaBeef

Check out the Hamer Echotones.
They're priced reasonably. And I was able to grab one with a case for around $370. a few years ago.
Honestly it plays & sounds as good as or better than any Gibson I've played for under
$2 Gs.
I also like that it has the jack on the side like a tele. So you don't need an angled plug.
But apparently Hamer has been building their imported guitars in a couple of different countries. And they also offer models with different pickups.
I believe mine was built in Korea. And it has the Dunkan Design Humbuckers, as opposed to the Hamer Humbuckers.
The build quality, fit & finish, playability & tone are beautiful. And I'd put it up against any semi hollowbody guitar under $2 grand.

+1 on the Hamer

I found a great MIC model in '06. Added a set of Rockfield pups and of course, a Bigsby. I've only played one Gibson 335, I'm not comparing them. I just have a great guitar for very low $$$..

Here it is waiting for new knobs...

[telepath]

Glad TG piped up with a Tokai, that was going to be my suggestion too.

[refin]

Hard to go wrong with a good Epi 335 Dot......lotsa bang for the buck.
I put some Classic '57s in mine and it is sweet.$250 with hardshell case.

[DaBender]

If you want a USA made custom quality 335-ish guitar that's not exactly a clone, I'd go with a Hamer Newport Pro.

[tboy]

I had an Epi Sheraton that was one of the smoothest playing guitars I've ever owned. About 6 years ago, a guy offered me way too much for it and I let it go, a move that I still regret.

[Don Wiklund]

With Gibson 335's going off at +- $3K these might be worth considering.

1. If you can find an 80's Ibanez AS100 for a reasonable price and in decent condition grab it. I've got an 82 Ibanez AM205 (shrunk down 335) that stands up to any 335 I've ever played and actually has far superior craftsmanship than the new Gibsons.

2. If you can't find an old one take a look at a new Ibanez JSM100 (John Schofield Model). About $2400.00 but in MHO a way higher quality guitar than the new Gibsons and has far more goodies, flamed maple top back and sides, ebony finger board, pearl and abalone inlays, gold hardware, bound neck and head stock etc. These guitars are made by Ibanez Japan and are said to have the legendary quality of the old 70's and 80's models.

Just some thoughts. Hope they help

[jwj4856]

I have a Peavey JF 2 EXP which is a very nice guitar for around $300, was going to change pickups but decided it sounded right with what came on it.

[Fogboundturtle]

http://www.rondomusic.com/as1000bch.html


375$

Edit : you can also look at the as-820. I found this pretty good video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-MorE5Q9Ww

[1977CJ5]

I have an early 70's Gibson ES 345, and a 1989 Gibson ES 335. But... I also have these two beauties from Japan, a 1978 Ibanez Artist and an early 80's Yamaha SA2000. I can honestly say, the Gibsons have nothing on these. Yes, I love my Gibsons, but I like these just as much. More in some ways...

[guitarman823]

I've got a great 90's Ibanez AS80. Plays smooth and clean, has the super 58 pups, same as the Scofield model.

Here's a couple ebay links that might interest you:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-Artstar-A...item1c0dfcfe5e
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ibanez-Semi-Holl...item3a4c4c0d77

[Sea Level]

The Epi Elitist '63 Dot is a great 335 style guitar. I love mine. Great value although only found on used market these days.