Gibson 335 alternatives

[teleforumnoob]

Yamaha, Guild, Gretsch, all make fine semis.and of course Collins.
A little over you budget but check out a Gretsch Panther if you get the chance.

 

[studio1087]

You can find Gibson Midtowns used for $750-$1000 depending on the Midtown model. I've have mine for about 8 months and it's one of the nicest electric guitars that I've owned. Any of my friends who have played it start looking for one.

I wonder if these hurt 335 sales. They made them for 2 years or so and dumped the model.

(image removed)

(image removed)

 

[jimmyv723]

I've played Gibson, Epiphone, Heritage and Ibanez semi-hollows, for the past 40 years. I've now switched to PRS semi-hollows. The Zach Myers that I own is a light one, 6.5 lbs, and sounds like a semi ($500). The 8 pounders, sound more like a Les Pual. My S2 Singlecut semi-hollow was was $995, used, and is the best semi-hollow that I have owned.

image removed

image removed

Those SE Zach Myers are such great guitars and feel so much more expensive than they are. I've got one in the green as well as a Gibson 339 and they're two of my favorites. Was able to get killer deals on both and currently trying to figure out what pickups to upgrade the Myers to. The stock ones are actually pretty damn good but a couple of the pots are acting up and was planning on making it a really versatile guitar with the Jimmy Page wiring setup and a piezo bridge upgrade anyway so going to start with the pickups/electronics first.

I'm planning on adding something else to the collection here soon since it's 20 years this year since I started playing. I'm trying to add guitars that check the boxes of what I don;t currently have but there's an S2 Singlecut I was looking at. There are so many great options out there right now that it makes it tough to decide but it's nice having so many choices even at lower price points with great quality too.

 

[dogmeat]

Hamer Echotone, made in Korea, very good quality, sounds good as is, sounds killer with the real Seymour Duncans. doesn't take a back seat to anybody

 

[greebo830]

I love my semi's

2002 Sheraton II


2013 1962 "50th Anniversary" Sheraton


2008 Vintage AV-3H (discontinued then rereleased as Fret King Elise)


1989 Washburn HB-50 (From what I can gather a very limited production run - 200 in total with only 80 in cherry)


Both the Vintage and the Washburn bodies are carved from a block of mahogany then have a maple cap applied. The Washburn is about the same size as a 339 but with wider horns.

A size comparison picture showing size difference between Epi ES-335 Pro, Washburn HB-50 & Ibanez AF-95.

 

[Straydogger]

My Ibanez AS73. I added Gibson Classic 57/57+ pickups. No more need for a Gibson 335. Not at their prices anyway.

 

[Obsessed]

Just for grins, I remember seeing this vid. It might help you decide:

 

[bsman]

I was able to score a new Guild Starfire IV Newark Street (MIK) for $750 and have zero regrets.

 

[DHart]

Epiphone really does have some outstanding guitars for unbelievable low prices these days. I've been prejudiced against non-USA (especially China made) for many years until a couple of years ago when I wanted a 335-type, but didn't like the large size. I discovered the Epi ES-339 Pro P90... not much larger than a Strat, but with 335-like qualities. Some samples were better than others, but I quickly found one that knocked my socks off and bought it.

Since then Ive added a Gibson ES-339 (I like the 339 size more than the 335 size) and honestly, I prefer my Epi ES-339 to my Gibson ES-339!

Size comparison... 339 on the left, 335 on the right

Here's my Epi ES-339 Pro P90, alongside Gibson Les Paul Special and PRS SE Semi-Hollow.

You owe it to yourself to check out the Epis... some samples may not be as nice right off than others, so play 'em... you'll find some that are stellar - play great AND sound great too!

My Epi ES-339 Pro P90 was on sale for about $370 or so. What a deal! I paid about 4x that for my Gibson ES-339 and I like the Epi version BETTER (bound neck, wider neck, great action, awesome tone).

 

[voodooblues]

Epiphone really does have some outstanding guitars for unbelievable low prices these days. I've been prejudiced against non-USA (especially China made) for many years until a couple of years ago when I wanted a 335-type, but didn't like the large size. I discovered the Epi ES-339 Pro P90... not much larger than a Strat, but with 335-like qualities. Some samples were better than others, but I quickly found one that knocked my socks off and bought it.

Since then Ive added a Gibson ES-339 (I like the 339 size more than the 335 size) and honestly, I prefer my Epi ES-339 to my Gibson ES-339!

Size comparison... 339 on the left, 335 on the right

Here's my Epi ES-339 Pro P90, alongside Gibson Les Paul Special and PRS SE Semi-Hollow.

You owe it to yourself to check out the Epis... some samples may not be as nice right off than others, so play 'em... you'll find some that are stellar - play great AND sound great too!

My Epi ES-339 Pro P90 was on sale for about $370 or so. What a deal! I paid about 4x that for my Gibson ES-339 and I like the Epi version BETTER (bound neck, wider neck, great action, awesome tone).

I dig that PRS

 

[DHart]

I dig that PRS

Here’s a better look at it. I changed the P90 covers to black. I bought it used from a pawn shop, cleaned it up (filthy fretboard), and it turned out to be a surprisingly excellent guitar! Plays great with awesome P90 tones! Comfortable compact size. Resonant when unplugged. Very lightweight.

 

[jayyj]

I have a 1977 Electra that cost about £700. It was made by Matsumoku who also made the Epiphone antipodes of that era. There's not really anything to mark it as inferior to a Gibson of the same vintage - I have a few Gibson ESs and still find plenty of use for the Electra.

There was an MIJ Sheraton on UK Ebsy for a couple of months - sadly just sold - for £849. That would have been a good deal for an Matsumoku guitar.

I can also recommend keeping an eye out for a used Eastman T386 - they're not that common in the UK but the price new is £989 so if one does turn up it should be in budget. They're for my money the best new 335 types without getting into Epii Elitist territory.

Here's the Electra alongside my '79 ES355.

 

[Tone Eee]

I haven't seen anyone mention Hagstrom Vikings yet, but they're a fantastic instrument, both the Asian ones of late and the Swedish vintage models.
And if you don't mind MIK guitars, the Agile AS series is top notch. I've got a 12 string that is beautiful and a real treat to play.
I did the scratch plate but the stock one was just fine.

 

[goddardo]

Thanks for all the info guys. It's really appreciated. I've noticed a couple of suggestions for the Gibson midtown. There is a custom just across town from me for £750 but I'm a bit put off by the flat top. I guess I need to get over there and take a look. Also on the lower end of the scale, a work mate is bringing his epiphone pearl white dot royale 335 in on Monday so I'll be checking that out too .. I reckon if I were to sell a couple of seldom used guitars and throw that into the pot, I'd be able to stretch to a Gibson 335, but there's been some great alternatives mentioned here....I'm drawn to Eastwood and peerless to mention two.. Anyway, no rush I'll just keep an eye out... Cheers guys

 

[Blueshound51]

You should really check out the epiphone line.
The 335 & 339 are worthy candidates.
1st time I ever went to buy strings & came out with a guitar.
I bought the es335 pro & love it.
Only down side so far is the plastic nut, replacing with tusque
Pick ups sound great, paid about $450 or so, but saw it for $329 on sale

 

[goddardo]

Is that the one with block markers and binding.? I really like the look of that one

 

[Bristlehound]

Cort Source?

image removed

 

[Blueshound51]

Is that the one with block markers and binding.? I really like the look of that one

Yes and at that price I don’t have to be extra careful with it

 

[imwjl]

The Collings SoCo 16s will be priced about same as a Gibson 335 and is a superior instrument. My SoCo 16 sounds more like an associate's 1960 ES-335 than all the modern Memphis and custom shop models I tried. The pickups on the modern Gibson's are hot or overdriven compared to my associate's old guitar.

 

[ebb soul]

This, comes in at about $700