To all the 335 players on this forum.

[JST1789]

I'm taking a trip to some guitar stores this week for vacation and gonna try to play some 335's. Specifically, the Gibson brand. What are your thoughts on the 335 in playability and sound/tone? Some say they have a very warm sound. Others say they have a open and airy sound.

 

[smitty_p]

I don't have a 335, but I do have a Washburn HB30, which is sort of a 335 copy. You can see it in my gallery. It is VERY playable. Not quite as effortless as an SG, but easier than a Les Paul. I've put Seymour Duncan '59's in it and it sounds great.

I really like a semi-hollow guitar. Without a semi-hollow guitar in my lineup, I'd really feel like there was an empty spot in my collection.

I would not try to stereotype the tone. You can get a wide variety of sounds from them. Some players have a preconceived notion of what they are "for" and don't try to get other sounds. Don't be afraid to experiment. I go from jazzy tones all the way to hard rock.

Good luck and have fun looking. Be sure and post up some pictures when/if you get one!

 

[JST1789]

I don't have a 335, but I do have a Washburn HB30, which is sort of a 335 copy. You can see it in my gallery. It is VERY playable. Not quite as effortless as an SG, but easier than a Les Paul. I've put Seymour Duncan '59's in it and it sounds great.

I really like a semi-hollow guitar. Without a semi-hollow guitar in my lineup, I'd really feel like there was an empty spot in my collection.

I would not try to stereotype the tone. You can get a wide variety of sounds from them. Some players have a preconceived notion of what they are "for" and don't try to get other sounds. Don't be afraid to experiment. I go from jazzy tones all the way to hard rock.

Good luck and have fun looking. Be sure and post up some pictures when/if you get one!

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Mr. Happy]

Yup... I've got an Epi Sheraton 1962 Ann. that I bought a few weeks ago.
To tell you the truth, I cannot believe that I didn't get one of these earlier!!.

They DO sound more "Full" to me (that's beacouse of the Semi-hollow body), bu It's not as fast as an SG or LP could be, nothing to worry though.

Anyways I've been using it to play simple, clean songs all the way to Fuzz Rock / Hard Rock territory!

 

[JST1789]

Yup... I've got an Epi Sheraton 1962 Ann. that I bought a few weeks ago.
To tell you the truth, I cannot believe that I didn't get one of these earlier!!.

They DO sound more "Full" to me (that's beacouse of the Semi-hollow body), bu It's not as fast as an SG or LP could be, nothing to worry though.

Anyways I've been using it to play simple, clean songs all the way to Fuzz Rock / Hard Rock territory!

What do you mean when you say not as fast as an SG or LP?

 

[Moose]

I read Keith Richard’s auto-biography where he notes his gratitude to Chuck Berry and watched "Hail Rock and Roll". I then read a review were it said: ‘One day a Gibson 335 is going to say to you “Hey look over here!”’. And then the 335 said "Hey look over here!" to me.

I like thin necks and lighter guitars ie. not too much over 9 lbs. So the 1960 was the model for me.

The guitar is sound is not as aggressive as an LP or SG. The semi-acoustic body mellows it out quite a bit. It can howl on the bridge pickup but it just doesn't seem right. Rock or blues is more it's kinda thing. The neck pickup has far more definition than any of my other solid body humbucker guitars although maybe I don't play it with as much distortion.

The 335 sounds so great!

 

[JohnP]

I’ve got an ES-335 TD with a stop tailpiece and a ’60s slim taper neck.

The 335 maple laminate body is built around a chunky maple center block – a bright tone wood. In the bridge position the 335 also gets very bright. (Some of the world famous 335 players are also known for very bright signature tones.)

In neck position it’s darker, but not that far away from my SG or my LP.
Like any guitar model there are differences between individual guitars. Some are brighter than others. Obviously this is also a matter of pickups and electronics. A traditional 335 has PAFs, 500K pots, 50th wiring and vintage caps – a huge part in the tone making.

I think it’s fair to say that most people expect the 335 to sound warm and Jazzy because it looks like a jazz box. But I think that a 335 with a stop tailpiece has much more in common with any solid body than the hollowbodies it resembles. On the other hand a 335 with a Trapeze tailpiece has a warmer sound, closer to a traditional Jazz guitar.

 

[Tobacco Worm]

I've had a '68 ES335 and a '90 ES335 and both were wonderful instruments and played like they were crafted to fit just me. Sadly they're gone, but now there's an Epi Dot Deluxe sitting in a case here that's as close to those old 335's that's its unnatural! The fit and the finish are great and the tone and playability are 100% to my taste. Sure I can play the neck P/U and get some creamy jazz stuff, but again I can jump to the bridge and step on a RAT and wail like a madman and the instrument just keeps on giving and never lets up. Don't let the semi-hollow bit fool you. It's a guitar that can go from twangy country to good solid rock and then beyond if you so desire. Metal is not out of the question either. A most versitile instrument either in the Gibson form or the Epiphone form with the Dot or the Sheraton. They can, and will, do it all.

Wade

 

[Mr. Happy]

What do you mean when you say not as fast as an SG or LP?

Meaning: Action is not as low, nor as fast as in my SG or LP.
Either way I can play "normally" on the guitar without restraints, it's just feels like it's got "heavier" action (cause it does).

 

[smitty_p]

Meaning: Action is not as low, nor as fast as in my SG or LP.
Either way I can play "normally" on the guitar without restraints, it's just feels like it's got "heavier" action (cause it does).

Interesting. On my Washburn the action is very much like my Les Paul. The neck is a little thinner, too. But it doesn't feel whippy. It's a fairly fast neck, though not as much so as a superstrat, or similar guitar.

Tobacco Worm is right about the huge range of tone. A few weeks ago, I brought it to rehearsal, and our band leader said, "I see you brought your throwback guitar." Well, I stomped on my effects and went into the intro for Crazy Train, followed by Rock Me Like a Hurricane.

"Throwback" guitar, indeed! My semi-hollow doesn't like stereotypes!

 

[Mr. Happy]

Maybe It's just Sheratons... I tried both the regular Sheraton II and the L.E. 1962 Sheraton and the Sheraton II had and even fatter neck and even slower action than with the 1962 Sheraton...

Don't know what to say, It's not like I can't play fast, but i sure have to put more effort to it.

 

[dbb]

335's are among the most versatile of all guitars. Period.

 

[oldrockfan]

I really dig the 335s. I had wanted one ever since the band I was in back in college when the lead guitarist had a 60s 335 that was just the coolest guitar. I never could afford a Gibson 335 till about 10 years ago when I sold off all the low to mid price guitars I had accumulated over a couple decades and used that money to buy my dream 335. It is probably the one guitar I have that I just enjoy looking at! I also enjoy playing it unplugged. Just a cool guitar in every way. Now so I don't sound like a guitar snob or anything... I also love the epiphone casinos. I think they are another option for true hollow body sound and even the new made in china ones sound good to me.

 

[JohnForeman]

I'm taking a trip to some guitar stores this week for vacation and gonna try to play some 335's. Specifically, the Gibson brand. What are your thoughts on the 335 in playability and sound/tone? Some say they have a very warm sound. Others say they have a open and airy sound.

When you play the one, you will know it's the one! I have a '91. I love it. It fits right in with my LP, SG and Strat. I play them all, i love them all.

 

[Sootio]

ORF has a pic of his 335 on here. It's pretty stunning.

 

[oldrockfan]

thanks sootio, I looked at dozens of 335s before I bought mine. When I saw it... I tried it and it was just the "one".

 

[oldrockfan]

here is a pic of my 335. Took me a long time to find it but once I spotted it... I knew I was the "one"

 

[mdubya]

Maybe It's just Sheratons... I tried both the regular Sheraton II and the L.E. 1962 Sheraton and the Sheraton II had and even fatter neck and even slower action than with the 1962 Sheraton...

Don't know what to say, It's not like I can't play fast, but i sure have to put more effort to it.

My Sheraton II, 1997, Korean made, has a big fat neck, too. Technically, it is a 60's slim taper, but it is wide with big chunky shoulders and takes some getting used to. I like it. I don't love it like I would if it was rounded with less shoulder, but it does give the guitar a substantial feel.

To the OP, a 335 I played in a store still stands out as possibly the best sounding guitar I have ever played. It wasn't too special either, a satin model without binding. It had a nice round neck and sweet, warm toned 57 Classic pickups.

I put 57's in my Sheraton with 500 K pots. The 57 Classic + is almost too much in the Sheraton. I have had to lower it to melllow it out and it sounds pretty daggone good these days.

As the others have said, these are really versatile, well rounded guitars. They can go from country to rock-a-billy to sweet soul music to hard rock, and back. Add in jazz and blues, too.

I love the feel of these big bodied guitars. They are too big for some, but I love it.

One of these days, I will get a real deal Gibson 335. For now, the Sheraton will have to do (and it does fine ).

 

[WSchaferJR]

My 335 is one of the easiest playing guitars I've ever had. It sounds great, but is brighter and more open then a Les Paul to my ear. Here's mine:

 

[IommiSG]

I have an '83 Custom Shop with Tim Shaw's, I've had 335/45's since I began playing in the 70's.

It growls like most Gibsons, but airy is a good description as well, works really well for arpeggiated chords, very good note definition even at relatively high gain levels. It's bright without being spikey.

The body shape and size has always well suited me, I'm 6'2" and it rests on my hip well.

The neck is very 'fast', the action is low. You can play anything on a 335. Find the one you bond with and it'll be a keeper.