Re: Gibson ES-335 for $1200-something ! (...new...)
I don't really have anything against this guitar, though the lack of dual controls would bother me. But hey--a lot of guys out there play guitars with just a single volume knob, so...to each his own.
I can see the appeal--especially at the "open box" price, but it's not something I would buy myself. I'm more of a traditionalist, I like the standard version of the 335 with the bound neck and full-gloss body. These are great guitars; so usable for so many types of music. I seem to be playing my 335s a lot more these days than my Les Pauls.
I think Gibson does great work on their "bread and butter" guitars, less so on many of their "budget" models. If I were looking in this price range, I would consider one of the upper end Ibanez semi-hollows; the Eastmans, and the D'Angelicos. I sometimes see used Heritage 535s in this price range, and they are about as Gibson as you can get, without it being a Gibson-labelled guitar. In my area used 335s go for around $2K, with the satin and 333 models around $1200-1500.
If you can do with something other than the 335 shape, there are semi-hollows all over the marketplace; from G&L's ASAT and Legacy semis, PRS SEs, Hamer Artists and Echotones, Gretsch, Rics, Hagstrom,...even the Epi Sheraton, Riviera and Casinos; and many, many others. I think with this Gibson Studio 335, if you've looked at the other options and done your homework, and you like the aesthetics of the Studio and the rest of the guitar works for you (neck, pickups controls, etc.)...heck, why not?
One other thing. I for one, am not opposed to buying a Gibson guitar with a broken headstock. I own three of the them and bought them for pennies on the dollars, including my two Les Paul Supremes and my 2012 Vintage Sunburst Flame Top 335. (And this 335 might be the best of the three 335s I own!) It depends of course, on the price, and maybe most importantly--the break and the quality of the repair. The key is getting one where, a) The neck wasn't shattered into several pieces; and b) The break should not have gone through or damaged the headstock faceplate. (Look for finish creases.) In the case of faceplate damage, it's fine if it was repaired properly with a new faceplate and refinished, but if it is still visible, it was probably a shoddy repair job done on the cheap...not what I'm looking for. Mine were all "good breaks" and professionally repaired and refinished, with no tuning, intonation, or stability issues. Mine are all beautiful guitars, bought at rock-bottom prices--a total win-win. They probably will never be high value, vintage collectibles because most guys will pass them up, but for me they have become great working guitars and a pleasure to own. So if you run across one, don't automatically run away. Examine it carefully, and bargain hard if it is something you really want. It's a buyers' market for these guitars, and if you're careful (and a little bit lucky!) you can get a great guitar for a great price.
Good luck!
Bill
