Gibson ES-335 VS Les Paul | Why I Prefer the ES-335 

Well done video, thank you. The 335 seemed to me to have more 3-dimensional depth and sounded more detailed, wider; LP sounded harder, narrower. I loved them both. This comparison shows that great playing by the artist is what matters more than anything else.

For me discovering the Es 339 was a game changer. It is absolutely perfect with its combination of a 335 shape, semi hollow construction with a les paul size. I also do play my LP when I want to achieve more focused, percussive sound, but 339 is richier, having more highs, more lows and even mids.

Both guitars are very close in sound but I do think the 335 is a little more versatile. I play both on the same gig sometimes. Love them.

Wow, absolutely loved the opening Les Paul tones...and your playing. After 40+ years with a '78 Les Paul, going to give a 335 a go. Thanks!

I do everything on mine , I love how easy it it to play, as far as the board and neck go, easy access to the high frets , the way it sits on my lap for hours on end , and versatility, I play WORSHIP , BLUES JAZZ and METAL on mine. Great Video! 👊🏼

I went to buy a VOS R9 today at a local shop. Then I saw they also got a ES-355 for about the same price. Both mint, used but like new. I left with nothing but another set of decisions to make. Ill probably get the 355 as Ive got enough good LPs already. Nice video!

I definitely would like a 335!

I hear the Es-335 sound to be fuller; but still, I love playing my LP.

I had a Heritage H535 and H150 (the 335 and Les Paul equivalents) at one point, both with Seymour Duncan 59 pickups. I ended up selling the H150 because I preferred the double-cut and the balance of the 535 and I just couldn't hear enough difference in tone between the two instruments. The similar tone meant I'd almost always go for the more comfortable 535, and the 150 was just too nice of an instrument to stay in its case.

Are both guitars using the same amp settings? I ask because it makes the LP sound harsh. It really doesn’t have to be. Also is everything on the LP at 10? I tend to roll my volume back to 7-8 and tone between 4-5 which gives a nice 335 like low gain tone. All of that being said, I absolutely love the 335 tone 😊

ABR bridge vs Nashville bridge as well, Different pickups, magnets, Cover pickups vs uncovered. These things alone make a considerable difference. Ones a Custom shop one's a USA? I have both and the Les Paul fits me like a glove, 335 not so much.

The alnico 5s are going to give the les paul more output. The alnico 3s in the 335 are going to give it less bite and snarl. If they had the same pickups they would sound pretty similar although id give the 335 the edge.

As a Les Paul man also, I’ve literally just been jamming on a 335 and now I’m questioning my entire reality…like, it’s the sound I’ve been chasing for years. Damn.

Either way, they are pretty versatile, great-sounding guitar styles. Count yourself fortunate if you have a great Gibson (or other brand of the two styles) that you’re always inspired to play. I have a few of each style. I’m not sure I have a preference. Sometimes the choice just comes down to: I haven’t played one of them in a while, or the strings on one are fresher then the others, or I need to change the strings so I’ll do that and then play it a lot. I don’t think my choices are inherently about the quality or uniqueness of a Les Paul style guitar and it’s sound versus an ES semi hollow type and it’s sound. It’s usually much more functional a choice than that. Enjoy the playing- whatever you choose.

The old argument that an alnico 2-3 has less "power" than alnico 4-5 is a little misleading. The number of winds play a huge part in the voice and output of a pickup. I can test either pickup with a multimeter, and stock pickups are very close in resistance. Where the 335 shines is articulation and overtones. Love the LP, but a 335 can cover way more ground. If you're using a 335 with alnico 2-3's, go into a clean Boost/pre amp before the pedalboard or amp. The difference further disappears. What really blew my mind was using the JHS Colourbox then into my Deluxe Reverb. The mic picks up far more difference than the amp alone. It tends to shine through a mix where before it sat in the middle or behind if using the neck pickup. It also a much warmer sound than DI'ing straight into a Neve. So, yeah. The 335 is an awesome tool, just not a cheap one.

Love them both

the 335 has a little compression that make single notes a bit special compared with solid guitars... especially at low gains... I think this why jazz musicians prefer semi hollow guitars

I prefer the 335 after years of thinking I loved the lp (strats and teles actually are my go to, just me, they feel like home) I discovered I don't find the lp comfortable not only that but I discovered I mostly liked the lp as much as I did cause ya know... it's the lp I mean come on its like one of THE guitars out there. I started playing the 335 and several other hollow bodies due to the feeling that while I love fenders... sometimes you need that humbucker with short scale neck tone. So i searched. Having departed from my love for prs a year or so prior and gravitating to gibson I began searching for the hb style guitars that agreed with ME. I first noticed the sg is a preference over the lp which surprised me. Then while trying hollowbody guitars and semi hollow I figured what the heck I'll try a 335 it's a little big but I do like the 339 but the 339 didn't seem "hollow enough" (if that's a thing.. due to its smaller body compared to the 335) so I tried the 335 and I did love it (that's probably my slight bb king influence showing through. The only thing about it I was not a fan of was the cutaway high up is a bit cramped but I've made do with it.

My R0 Les Paul has Alnico 2's so it is very mellow. I play Jazz and as you know, Les Pauls were designed to be Jazz guitars. I want to like 335's but my main complaint is they aren't comfortable to play. You might find the 335 to be comfortable to play but it doesn't look that way.

True. But! If you want to shredding on high gain you need Paul. Just not “look good” on the 335 the high gain music.

That's a gorgeous LP!

I own actually a Custom Shop R8 Les Paul that has underwound Custom Buckers and a Gibson ES-345 USA line with the T-type pickups in it. I am surprised how they can sound similar in certain ways both woody tone on clean and bell like tones. I still love my R8 the most but my ES-345 is telling me really? Lol. I love them both.

Love both....

yeah the pickups are not the entire factor. 335 are very bright compared to les paul usually

Well, what you are describing is just your personal taste. Both are great and both are simply different from each other. And what you are missing out upon here, is that the Les Paul has a much more defined attack. You can have a softer attack with a Les Paul by varying your playing style, but you will never have such a defined attack with a 335.

Phew… didn’t see much wrong with the playing here on either! Very nice!

LP's are like bowling balls with necks.

Tasteful playing, man! Just want you to know the good news of the Gospel. The bad news is that you and I (everyone) are sinners. And since God is Holy He doesn’t put up with sin. So sin leads to hell. The good news is God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins on the cross. This means Jesus paid the debt we owed but couldn’t pay. So if one repents and places faith (trust) in Jesus Christ they can be assured of heaven. I love you and so does God.