Teach me about 335s, please.

I have a Heritage H-535, the sister company’s version of the original. Iconic & very versatile guitars, capable of great tone...their size is probably the big detractor for many. My guitar has a goldtop finish & factory Bigsby.

https://heritageguitars.com/pages/h-535

 

Firstly, 335s are one of those designs where they vary a lot in character, even within similar models. I tend to break them down into three categories: 335s that are very sweet and well suited to jazz and low gain blues, 335s that have a little growl to them that suit blues and classic rock, and 335s that think they're Les Pauls and do the indie and hard rock end of things.

Then there's the family models. The 335 is the standard version, the 345 adds a bit more binding and inlay and an extra six position tone control (vintage ones are stereo as well) and the 355 adds an ebony board, lots more bling and usually a vibrato (many also having the varitone and stereo wiring). The 330 is fully hollow with P90s. There have been a bunch more of them, but those four are the classics. With the modern ones there's not much difference between the main three aside from cosmetics - 355s usually seem to be at the rockier end of the spectrum, which might be the ebony board adding a little snap, but who knows... maybe they just look a bit more rock and roll and it deceives the ears!

Historically 335 neck profiles changed significantly over the years. Original '61s were generally about the slimmest front to back that a vintage 335 is likely to be. The reissues try to be in line with how they would have been originally, so broadly speaking of the recent reissues a 58 is huge, a 59 big, a 61 slim, a 63 medium and a 68 medium but narrow at the nut. The non reissues tend to narrow it down either to 50s being 59ish or 60s being somewhere between 61 and 63. My favourite is the 63 - I have a couple of original '65 Gibsons with that profile and it feels perfect to me.

Weight varies a lot in 335s, generally from a little under 8lb to pushing 10lb. If weight is important to you, remember to ask.

I'm not a great believer in particular recent years being special - I think there's more variation from one guitar to the next than there is one year to the next unless we're talking the various eras of Gibson as a company (in the 60s 335 specs changed every couple of years, so the year makes a big difference. I preferred it when there were less options and I'm nowhere close to keeping up with every variant of the 335 they make nowadays, but they seem to be generally nice guitars they're making today. The 90s stuff always seems good value and very consistent. If you go as early as 80s people are starting to try to ask a premium because 'vintage' but I'm not sure they're massively better than 90s ones. 70s and earlier is a whole other conversation with huge differences in design as you work backwards.

Last thought... 335s are amazing. Best design ever, even if I do say that on a Telecaster forum!

 

If cost is a consideration, a used made in USA Guild would be much cheaper, and every bit as good of a guitar. I sold my nice 335 after I got a SF; I much preferred the Guild. 335’s vary a lot; they run from OK to mind blowing.
If you find a great one, they’re worth every penny.

 

See any Elitist and Historic Epiphones?

Google Epiphone Elite / Elitist 63' ES-335 DOT as one suggestion.

 

Ive had various 335's, Guild Starfires, etc. All great guitars, but they paled in comparison to my 1981 Ibanez AS200.... The forerunner of your JS 10. Unless you got a dog JS 10, stay where you are bro!

 

I vote for the heritage 535, but I don't how many of them might show up in your area. it's as good as a 335, but usually less expensive. I owned a 335 for awhile and I like the heritage much better.

 

Heritage 535

You're welcome!

 

Play a lot of them. Of all guitars out there, 335's vary the most in just about every category. Tone, feel, build quality, fit and finish. Lots of dogs out there. When you find one, grab it and run!

 

Don't loose sight of the plain old Memphis DOT Reissue. I was looking at between eight and eleven examples from the DOT to Historics. What finally got my vote was a DOT Reissue with a '60s slim taper neck profile. There were bright ones, dark ones, hard ones, and the one I chose was a sweet one with that '60s slim taper neck profile and '57 Classics pickups. It has become my main squeeze in the studio.



Bob

 

Eastman.

Your welcome.

 

The Heritage connection is that when Gibson was shutting down a factory, a group of the long time Gibson builders who were losing their jobs started Heritage and build in a smaller shop now. Might be off a bit on the details, but overall they are great and might even be called "better than Gibson" Gibson's.

As far as what you can find in your area and the wide price range that goes from too darn expensive to expensive but worth it; you might consider buying one that you love but had the huge neck, and then pay a good luthier to shave the neck to your favorite profile.

If you're finding prices between 2000 and 5000, that leaves a good chunk of cash to get the neck shaved perfectly on a guitar you love except for the neck.

Just a thought and you would need to have a good luthier nearby.
Not a just guitar tech.

 

You might want to check out the Yamaha SA2200. Superb Japanese build quality and appointments comparable to Gibsons ES355. $2K to $2.5K new.

 

This. I agree wholeheartedly. I have a Dot Reissue on hold right now. Tried a lot of different 335s and the large flat backed necks are not for me. Too heavy and less resonant. The thinner neck dots are the money. Some of the more ornate versions, while collectors desire them, are not the most giving sonically.

I had a friend just sit and listen while I tried a couple of 335s, DAngelico models, Epiphone Dot, and a few Gretsch. When I hit the first chord of the 335 RI Dot, he said, "That's the one". I agreed.

 

+1. If you can find one in good shape the vintage Ibanez semis are incredible. I've got a 1983 AM205 which is basically the forerunner of Gibsons ES339. Used can be had from $1500 to $2000 and the new reissue goes for $2300.

 

great guitar..every time i see this i think of Mr. 335..Larry Carlton

 

I agree with the dud factor other guys have experienced. There are just so many 335-like guitars today, and most I pick up just lay there like a dud. But, when you grab a live one it barks like a dog and squeals like a pig.

 

That's a beauty.

You see, this "golden ticket" approach has always ruffled my feathers. Play umpteen guitars and maybe, just maybe. you'll find the holy grail. How about some consistency in production? I realize these are handmade instruments, but if it's that much of an arduous task to find one I like, I don't care to bother. The entire premise has always seemed ridiculous to me. Just me give a Squier and call it a day. I'd have a dependable guitar and money left in my pocket. Had to vent, now get off my lawn.

I had a Heritage Prospect (little 535) and it was very nice. Heritage guitars on the market are rare, however. They are creeping up in price too.