NTMGD - ES 335 Content

dvadneau

New member
New (To Me) Guitar Day!!

I had been looking for a guitar and asked you guys about a couple of Les Pauls (Platinum vs Swamp Ash). Turns out I don't like Swamp Ash guitars (sound-wise - it played very well).

I saw a guitar on ebay and couldn't resist bidding.

1991 Gibson ES 335 Studio in Oxblood!

Maple body, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, dot inlays, cream binding on the body and none on the neck, 57 Classics (still need to verify).

I didn't catch on to the Studio part of that and assumed the bidding would be out of my price range. After shipping, taxes, and UPS brokerage fees (don't get me started!), I paid more than this thing is probably worth on paper.

However, after tuning it up and doing a very quick intonation fix it sounds awesome! I haven't really dug into it yet, since it just arrived today and I didn't get a chance to try it until the family went to bed. Semi-hollows are loud.

The action's a little high, but it still plays pretty smooth. I don't like really low action since I hit the strings fairly hard, but this is a little much.

There is checking on the finish - both front and back. You can really see it in the photo of the back. It's actually hard to photograph. Depending on the angle sometimes you can see through the paint. It's translucent but you have to find the angle. With daylight coming through the window this afternoon I didn't even see it, but tonight with just the room lights I can make out the mahogany neck, and the maple of the body. The photos actually show pretty well - better than I could see in person. The flash hit just right for these photos. Other photos I took are actually very dark. Photos with the flash were sometimes darker than without.

Without (much) further blabbering...

2-piece top?
es335_3.jpg


The case came with it. Apparently from 1968. Latches all work. Looks beat up but generally good, except for some tape at the bottom edges. The liner is shedding, which looks bad on this colour of guitar. The case also looks like it was made for a deeper-bodied guitar as the 335's neck touches before the back.
es335_1.jpg


Bookmatched top?
es335_2.jpg


es335_4.jpg


This nut seems to be smooth so far. I thought it would need immediate attention.
es335_5.jpg


You can see the checking of the finish near the edges, but it's like that throughout the top and back. Hard to see unless light reflects at certain angles.
es335_6.jpg


The mahogany through the finish.
es335_7.jpg


I still need to see what this sounds like in a band setting, so next Tuesday I should get a good idea of whether or not it'll make the cut - pretty sure at this point.

The ****ty part is that I need to sell 2 of my guitars to justify this, both financially and maritally ;) It think this'll have the balls and playability to beat out my LP. I don't really want to give that up, but something's got to go.
 
Re: NTMGD - ES 335 Content

Sweet! I dig the meat and potatoes vibe. I hope it works out for you. 335s are some of the most comfortable guitars around. Just remember to keep your fretting fingers pulled in or you can literally bust your knuckles sliding up to the highest frets. It's a bit cramped up there!
 
Re: NTMGD - ES 335 Content

Thanks guys.

Sweet! I dig the meat and potatoes vibe. I hope it works out for you. 335s are some of the most comfortable guitars around. Just remember to keep your fretting fingers pulled in or you can literally bust your knuckles sliding up to the highest frets. It's a bit cramped up there!

Yeah, I really like the more basic look.

I don't play too high up, maybe the 19th fret at times. Nothing too wild for sure - but thanks for the advice.

I can't compare the sound difference with a traditional 335 with f-holes, but I'm guessing some of the mid-range emphasis I'm hearing is due to the lack of f-holes.

I'm so frickin' excited to try this at band volume! :headbang:
 
Re: NTMGD - ES 335 Content

Great guitars those 335's. I have one from 85. It is my favorite humbucking guitar. 335's are laminated bodies not solid maple. In some cases that are laminated with poplar. This is not a band thing. Laminated semi hollows will resist squealing. A 335 when played with high volume & high gain can squeal. You need to be conscious of volume and gain. Whenever possible I I like using a 20ft. chord so I can stand far enough away from the amp to avoid this. Either way its a great guitar good luck with it!
 
Re: NTMGD - ES 335 Content

That's one of the nicest modern Gibson semi-hollows I've ever seen! Congratulations.
 
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