Gibson NGD (sort of)

[JamesAM]

I had this exact guitar and loved it. Only reason I sold it was to fund my dream acoustic (it went to a fellow tdpri member who I hope still enjoys it!) I was worried about Gibson qc, but no issues at all. Great fit and finish.

I loved the pickups to be honest. They had a bit more sparkle than usual for pafs, and I think they sounded pretty darn close to real t-tops. They sounded transcendent through a marshall 18w. I thought they were great Gibson style pickups. Only thing is I’m not sure if they’re potted? Let us know how they sound with a lot of gain if that’s what you’re into.

Loved the neck too. The satin finish is a huge benefit to me on the neck, and the shape was darn near perfect. You got yourself a great guitar, enjoy it!

 

[steve1961]

I had a 1987 ES335 in blonde, I thought it sounded pretty good although I did have a mid 70's Fender pro reverb at the time. I joined a band and the singer had a Hohner 335 copy and asked if he could have a go. He plugged it into his amp and .... it sounded exactly the same as his guitar. I was gutted, but I soon realsied that it wasn't as good as guitar as I thought it was. I've played others that were loads better and don't miss it at all.

 

[BostonTeleGuy]

Hard to beat a 335. Its one of the few guitars I never considered getting rid of. Super warm but can rock like crazy also.

 

[Tone Quest]

Congrats on the new ES335. Great choice!

 

[fenderchamp]

I wasnt sure why the lovers arent squeely where theyre unpotted, but its just what ive noticed. I dont run a super trebley rig so its not an excess of treble either. Also, i did swap the screws, i always assumed that was the magnet, guess not. I looked it up and people said the kind of steel and length of the pole pieces use can change the sound. No covers removed, and it had the squeels before hand. Not sure if the t types are potted, cant find that info online.

If you bought the guitar new, and the bridge pickup is potted and it is squealy and you aren't doing something crazy like playing through a cranked up marshall super-lead in a closet or...<insert ridiculous thing here> it might be a faulty pickup and perhaps the dealer can get a new pickup for it for you from Gibson.

I'm curious, did you replace the neck pickup because of the squeals as well?

I think the first place I heard about those pickups was Chicago Music Exchange using them in their special run SG's.

 

[Galen1960]

Hey yall! last week i was out and went to a sam ash (not many guitar stores close to my house, nearest one is like 25 mins away). went in to try some guitars as i had time to burn, but didnt plan on buying anything, as im trying to downsize a bit and dont have a ton of money atm. but you all know how it goes, the second guitar i tried was a 2022 gibson es335 satin dot that i fell in love with. ive played an epiphone 335 before but this was way better. tried a casino and sg, both were back on the rack within 10 minutes and i was back on the 335. long story short, i have a 3 year payment plan that let me bring it home, sounds and plays even better with my rig and perfered strings.

I am really happy for you. That's how I like to downsize.

 

[Maguchi]

Hey yall! last week i was out and went to a sam ash (not many guitar stores close to my house, nearest one is like 25 mins away). went in to try some guitars as i had time to burn, but didnt plan on buying anything, as im trying to downsize a bit and dont have a ton of money atm. but you all know how it goes, the second guitar i tried was a 2022 gibson es335 satin dot that i fell in love with. ive played an epiphone 335 before but this was way better. tried a casino and sg, both were back on the rack within 10 minutes and i was back on the 335. long story short, i have a 3 year payment plan that let me bring it home, sounds and plays even better with my rig and perfered strings.

There's no reason to avoid using the tone control on the bridge pickup, I've played Gibsons for quite a few years, and I set my amp for a good neck tone, and never hesitate to roll down knob on the bridge. Most players I know do the same.

^^^Ditto. I owned a couple of Epiphone Sheraton's before. I finally decided to spring for a real Gibby ES-335. And it is just such a better feeling and sounding guitar. The neck and frets are just so much smoother and the body and neck really resonates in your hand compared to the less expensive semi-hollows.

I've never felt the need to change pickups in any of the Gibsons I've had. They're pretty much great pickups stock out of the box. I gotta agree with Paul G. on the tone controls. Most Gibson players I've talked to have the tone control on the neck pickup almost all the way up and the tone control between 3/4 to 1/2 up on the bridge pickup. Also depends on the amp, and if you're playing with a lot of volume (not gain) or not. However it should be quite possible to find a very good sound for most styles of music with stock Gibson humbuckers.

 

[Terrygh1949]

Hey yall! last week i was out and went to a sam ash (not many guitar stores close to my house, nearest one is like 25 mins away). went in to try some guitars as i had time to burn, but didnt plan on buying anything, as im trying to downsize a bit and dont have a ton of money atm. but you all know how it goes, the second guitar i tried was a 2022 gibson es335 satin dot that i fell in love with. ive played an epiphone 335 before but this was way better. tried a casino and sg, both were back on the rack within 10 minutes and i was back on the 335. long story short, i have a 3 year payment plan that let me bring it home, sounds and plays even better with my rig and perfered strings.

1989 es335 belonged to my cousin. He passed last year and left it to me. He played it in a few bands he was in for a few years. It's a beautiful guitar with a hardshell case. It's one guitar that will be left to my Son. I have played it a few times and, it plays and sounds awesome! Thought you might like to see it.

 

[JBurton]

Destroyerrock, likely there were some valid reasons for holding off a new purchase. But only you know what is doable. A competent player ought to have a good factory es335 in their collection. You done good.

 

[zeke54]

Love that tobacco burst , looks fantastic , I'll bet it sounds great . Every 335 I've played was a special moment . In March I got a settlement check from my old employer , on my birthday ! I had been watching this SG for a couple months so it ended up being my birthday gift to myself . It's an SG Special reissue , P90 pups , really nice . Hey , enjoy your new Gibby by all means !