Been holding out for a 335...

G

Gdntoneguitars

New member
I've been selling off parts and gear for a little while now, breaking even for the most part from what I'd invested in it, in hopes of getting an ES335. I figure, it'll take the better part of $2000-2500 to get one new, and that's stock.

I just got the new carvin catalog, and I was checking out the SH550, which seems to be a comparable model in design. 2 humbuckers, 25" scale, stop bridge. That's kind of where the comparisons end.

For the stock model, it's $1500. They currently have 50% off all the options too, so to get it with a birdseye fretboard, sunburst finish, abalone inlays, quilted maple top, and solid chambered mahogany body, it'd still be just under $2000. I've never been a fan of Gibson, just from my personal experiences of what they were putting out in the 80's and 90's, but I love the 335 sound to play my blues tunes on.

Anybody have any experience with a custom built Carvin piece, particularly a semi-hollow electric? Am I crazy in seeing the dollar signs here (for what I'm getting) when I know the tone I'm after?
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Howdy,

Carvin's have a good reputation. Re-sale value is another matter. Have you investigated Heritage? Also, Yamaha's SA 2200 is well regarded. It would appear that you have plenty for a Heritage 535. Visit Wolfe guitars' website, is my suggestion. (Big Heritage dealer)

Eggman
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

The the options you're looking at (chambered body, maple fingerboard, etc) Im not sure how close to a 335 it'll sound when it's done and as well made as Carvin guitars are their pickups are still so so at best IMHO not to mention resale on Carvin gutars is a long running joke...

I would say look into the Yamaha mentioned above, Heritage or Guild...even lesser dollar guitars like lower line Yamaha's, Schecter and Ibanez make some great low budget 335 style guitars right now.

Another option (maybe the best one) is to buy used...there are used 335's all over right now for great prices...the market is pretty soft right now for the most part so take advantage and get a great guitar.
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Gdntoneguitars said:
I've been selling off parts and gear for a little while now, breaking even for the most part from what I'd invested in it, in hopes of getting an ES335. I figure, it'll take the better part of $2000-2500 to get one new, and that's stock.

I just got the new carvin catalog, and I was checking out the SH550, which seems to be a comparable model in design. 2 humbuckers, 25" scale, stop bridge. That's kind of where the comparisons end.

For the stock model, it's $1500. They currently have 50% off all the options too, so to get it with a birdseye fretboard, sunburst finish, abalone inlays, quilted maple top, and solid chambered mahogany body, it'd still be just under $2000. I've never been a fan of Gibson, just from my personal experiences of what they were putting out in the 80's and 90's, but I love the 335 sound to play my blues tunes on.

Anybody have any experience with a custom built Carvin piece, particularly a semi-hollow electric? Am I crazy in seeing the dollar signs here (for what I'm getting) when I know the tone I'm after?
Click to expand...

You get a lot of bang for the buck with Carvin! They are flawless guitars and super precision made. The strings perfectly run down the fretboard with the proper clearance to the edges of the neck. The saddles are tight together. The select AAA wood is second to none! The pickups IMO are very good. They do not have blasting loudness, but are great on tone!
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

I got the feeling that I'd be biting the bullet so to speak with buying Carvin gear, as an investment at least. It'd pretty much have to be a custom made keeper.

That said, I do think the used market for a 335 is a good way to go, just have to be more patient than I probably am to hold out and eventually get exactly what I want. I have long thought that a Maple fretboard on a 335 (to brighten it up, but still offer a warm jazzy tone) would be a great option, and that's something I liked about the Carvin options.

I'll have to look at some of Yamaha models you've mentioned. I have stayed away from them as a whole, but not for any particular reason. I guess it's the name, and the same reason I stayed away from Gibson.
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

eggman said:
Carvin's have a good reputation. Have you investigated Heritage? It would appear that you have plenty for a Heritage 535.
Click to expand...

+1. I'd be happy with either one of them. There's also Epi Elitist Sheratons and Dot 335's (made in Japan with Gibson PU's). All these are less expensive than a new Gibson 335, and the quality is as good (maybe better in some cases).
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Keep holding out until you have a late model Gibson Memphis Custom Shop ES-335, which all the new ones are.

Don't waste your time and money on anything less. Trust me on this one. Gibson wrote the book on this guitar, and the ones they're making now are the best ones I've ever picked up. I bought a 2007, and after owning 130 guitars, I know exactly what I'm talking about. The Memphis 335's are some of the greatest guitars ever made. I love mine so much that I've barely touched my other guitars for 1 year, and those guitars are nice ones. This new 335 is pure magic. You aren't going to get that from Washburn, Epiphone, or Carvin. You just won't. Repeat after me.....Only a Gibson is Good Enough. Keep saying it till you're holding your new Gibson ES-335.
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Howdy,

Gearjonser: If there's something you want to say, just come on out and say it!
;)
Eggman
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

"Repeat after me.....Only a Gibson is Good Enough. Keep saying it till you're holding your new Gibson ES-335."
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What makes it the Gibson Memphis line? I think I might have to sell off a couple amps and another guitar or two to make room for that. Aren't the 'memphis' custom series along the $3500-$4k price tag?

That's what I want, just trying to be as patient as I can be to get myself there. On that note, anybody looking for a Peavey 5150 (head or combo) or a Laney VC30 combo???
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Hold out for the 335. You won't regret it. Its one of the guitars that you will always want to have.
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Gearjoneser said:
Repeat after me.....Only a Gibson is Good Enough. Keep saying it till you're holding your new Gibson ES-335.
Click to expand...

Some of us have been repeating that for a while already, and will continue to repeat that for a long time to come... possibly indefinitely. ;) I want one of the plain top 60s block inlay 335s so bad I can taste it.

Gdntoneguitars said:
What makes it the Gibson Memphis line? I think I might have to sell off a couple amps and another guitar or two to make room for that. Aren't the 'memphis' custom series along the $3500-$4k price tag?
Click to expand...

I was under the impression all of the archtops, including the ES line, were out of the Memphis shop. I really wish I had time to go there when I was in Memphis a coupe years ago.
 
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Re: Been holding out for a 335...

No....the new 335's are around $2700 new, and if you can find a blueslawyer listing one for a good price, jump on it. You should be able to find a minty used one for around $2000. It's the best money you'll ever spend, because you'll love the guitar.

At first, I wasn't sure if a 60's neck was what I wanted, but now that my hands are used to it, I love that profile. I wish all the 335's were 50's necks, but they aren't. A standard 335 dot neck has a rounded 60's neck, and they play incredibly. I think the 50's neck on that guitar is a special order.
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

This guitar is in the top 3 of the best guitars I've ever owned. I consider it my Stradivarius.

3351.jpg

ES335back.jpg

3355.jpg
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

+1

I've been playing my ES 335 for almost a year now and it is quickly becoming my #1 fav... The tones are just dreamy... Not sure if you'd get that same tone and feel out of another guitar. As always, play as many as you can. I'm sure the Gibson will not dissapoint....
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Buy a Epiphone and change the pups to Seymour Duncan pups.

Cheaper and sound and plays great
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Stratman said:
Buy a Epiphone and change the pups to Seymour Duncan pups.
Cheaper and sound and plays great
Click to expand...

It'll do but I've not yet played an Epi that could really compare to a Gibson...

If you want to go the low buck route Washburn and Ibanez are the ticket if you can go mid-grade the older Yamahas or maybe an Edwards are the ticket but none of these guitars will be as top noth as a good Gibson...just FWIW.

I'd take the advise from Joe and run with it...
 
Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Gdntoneguitars said:
I'll have to look at some of Yamaha models you've mentioned. I have stayed away from them as a whole, but not for any particular reason. I guess it's the name, and the same reason I stayed away from Gibson.
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Yamaha have been making musical instruments for a very long time - there's a reason why their logo is made up of 3 tuning forks. There is no reason why their name should evoke any bad feelings where guitars are concerned.

As for the link you made to Gibson, if I were the Yamaha CEO I would feel absolutely horrified that anyone thought the company's quality control was that inconsistent.

I have an SA2200 and it's one of the nicest guitars I have. Give one a try, but never for a minute should you think you've bought any less of an instrument.
 
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Re: Been holding out for a 335...

Gearjoneser said:
This guitar is in the top 3 of the best guitars I've ever owned. I consider it my Stradivarius.

3351.jpg

ES335back.jpg

3355.jpg
Click to expand...
D@mnit! Now I've got GAS all over again
Thanks a heap GJ. :smash:
 
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