Gibson ES-335 - You Should Probably Get One!! 

Hey guys I am loving all the comments about other guitars that are comparable to the 335. Thanks for watching! Please remember to like and subscribe, and stop by Spotify to listen to some music. open.spotify.com/artist/3GoaK66hG2Al2gf6ync58b?si=L7XJVS7aTCWMPUMLTpFD3Q&dl_branch=1

Love 335s. My first good guitar was bought when I was a sophomore in HS, a 1966 sparkling burgundy 335. I worked all summer at the county lake cutting grass and cleaning shelter houses to buy it. Sold it when I was in Vietnam, didn’t think I was going to make it home, gave the money to my mom and dad.

So much of a guitar is the setup!! Pick up height, action, intonation

guitar 2 did it for me , sounded best to my ears and was versatile in all styles ,nice chords ,warm sounding tone .

Just snagged a 2021 ES-345 for my 50th year on the planet! One of the best playing and sounding guitars I have ever played/owned.

My favorite part of the video was the drive to the guitar store...it was absolutely beautiful! Lost count how many times I rewound the video to rewatch and show my family. Lol, sorry, I was born, raised and lived in the same north Florida beach town my entire life. Oh yeah, the guitars were cool too.

It’s tough choice to pick one when all 3 sound so similar. If they were all priced the same, I’d take the one with the block inlays. I love block inlays. 🎶🎶🎶

Since a while ago RU-vid started recommending me your videos and I´m thankful for that, really good tase on these beauties. I bought a 2016 faded lightburst w/blocks back in 2017 in mint condition, one of the best buys I´ve ever done! got to love the 335s

I couldn’t tell the difference between Guitar 2&3, but they sounded better than the first. I have an Epiphone ES-335 that I’m very happy with, but would like to have the actual Gibson someday. They are very expensive….even used…but I’m sure it’ll hold its value.

If you're not a slave to the name on the headstock, consider the Eastman T59/V. I tried out all the 335s at my 3 local Guitar Centers and the Eastman was a better value in every case, which is why I bought it.

I had mostly played strats and then I picked up a 335 and fell in love. Just something about the size and how it sits next to the body makes it so comfortable to me (others will disagree). Still a strat guy but my 335 is like the treat I give myself hah For the record, I was really impressed w/ the inspired by Gibson Epiphone 335s. I've thought about buying one to take out and about. Satin > Gloss for me. I've just never been a big fan of gloss guitars and would sand them down back in the day hah

I’ve got a 2010 Epiphone Dot, and I love that little beastie! The trick with a 335 is to string it with 0.09s and top-wrap it. Plays like a dream!

I recently purchased the satin and it's my preference.

You can play anything on an ES-335. I thought the 2nd guitar sounded best

feel lucky to have an ‘89 ES-335. not about the age, but something magical I found on it 🔥

335's are excellent guitars. Mine is a 91' dot antique vintage burst (Nashville). At the time I paid 1,200$ new

The Gibson ES-335 is my dream guitar. All three sounds good and different. Personally as far as tone the satin one I'm leaning towards.

I bought a D’Angelico Premier DC about five years ago that looks almost exactly like the first 335 you played. Fantastic guitar, my first and only semi hollow. It’s killer.

I thought all three sounded awesome, but those first few notes on the satin just blew me away!

All three sounded essentially the same to my ears, but I really like the understated looks and feel of the satin model; I have the same vintage sunburst Gibson ES-335 and really dig on how it sounds/plays/feels.

There is a model between the satin and the figured called the 335. That is what I have. It has a high gloss finish but not the figured maple top. Still when you set up close it looks great. I have a cherry red à la the Clapton model. I love the sound and I’ve had it for a couple of years now. I play mostly classic rock, I hate to call 90s classic rock, country and blues. It fits well in all of those categories. Enjoy the heck out of it.

I thought that it seemed you got on with the 2nd one the best. Now that could be because by that time you were good and warmed up. But the perception at least was that you felt more comfortable with #2. I love the 335. Wish I could afford one. Good luck with your decision man. Peace

I liked #1, prolly bc it’s the prettiest. But for your style of playing, I like solid bodies, bc there’s more sustain, which creates continuity.

Over the years I've owned three 335's and four 330's, and i can tell you that you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by finding an Eastman guitar dealer. They're better guitars (all hand made) and less expensive. I like the T185 (15" body) or the T186 (16" body.)

Two of the best guitars I’ve have were hollow body guitars a Gretch and a Gibson ES 339. There is just something special about them. If anyone cares, my ears hear less bass on the ES339 vs my brothers 335. You connected better with 2 and 3 for some reason.

I bought a used 335 from 1995 in Hamburg. I love mine for sure.

Cant imagine not having a 335

I am fortunate to have a 1995 ES-335. One of my favs of all time.

I have an Epiphone ES-335 Pro and it is just a great guitar in every way. Most people think blues or jazz as soon as they see one and they will immediately play that kind of music much like people start chicken picking on a Tele. The 335 is incredibly versatile and can do any thing you want.

I like the small block inlays on a 335. So, I liked that one immediately! But I did like the sound of number 2. The gloss one.

I have a 2021 Gibson 335 60's Cherry figured. I love mine and I prefer it to my thicker Les Paul as it sounds great with more types of music. That open woody tone is so nice. The slightly larger neck is very comfortable to play.

That was some beautiful real estate you were driving through. I miss seeing that kind of terrain.

Nice playing. I am blessed to own a 1973 ES-355, and while it has had a lot of work done to it, I must say that it is a STELLAR guitar.

Heritage H-535. I own one. Much nicer flame maple too. Sustain for days. Tone ten steps above the Gibson 335. The Gibsons are nice. Heritage’s are great. IMHO.

I love the 335s - I grew up with a Sears 335-type my dad got for me, and I’ve found it’s just my favorite body type to play - but they’re SO expensive. I have two Epi’s that excellently fill that niche for me - the Emily Wolfe Sheraton Stealth and the 2021 B.B. King Lucille. I’m immensely happy with both. Maybe one day I’ll get a Gibson.

The ES-335 plays waaaay better than a Les Paul. It's melodically superior with far better playability. Once you play one you immediately understand why they cost $1300 more than the Lester.🙂

I liked 'em all but #2 sounded best to me.

# 1COLOR. HAD A ES125 FOR 40 YEARS

I just got my Sire H7 after waiting since last October for it to arrive. Purchased from Sweetwater. It was worth the wait. An amazing guitar made even more so considering the price. It slays. The gloss dot neck was the one here I would have gone with unless I was spending your money then the flame top would be the one, LOL.

They all sound about the same and good. Kinda was on my list also so a couple of years back I did some research and ended up buying a used 2017 Ibanez Artcore 73 with the Marcus King Red color finish for $300 with a super nice padded gig bag from a guy in Boiling Spring SC. An excellent guitar and very 335ish. The ones a bit older than 2017 don't have the newer and great sounding Classic Elite pickups. The neck and frets on this guitar are a breeze to play couldn't really be any better. Check one out you'll probably like although neck is thinner than a lot of guitars and it felt odd at first to me but I quickly adjusted to it and love it. As far as those Gibsons you played I like the finish and wood on the most expensive one the best of course. The other two that had so much black on them that I thought they looked like Mickey Mouse Ears. Nice demo Rich.

I'm a Casino player and if I bought a semi hollow I'd probably go for the Epiphone Sheraton II ....I played a Gibson es 335 a band mate had back in the day when I was playing a les paul....I love these...Gibsons just gain value so much more than other instruments that you can't go wrong with the Gibson...I'd go with the Satin one probably...I like dot necks

NICE SIDE BY SIDE! I've slways loved the ES-355 - ever since I saw CALAPTON in EDMONTON, ALBERTA, and then watched his Albert HALL concert!, - what a DYN-O-MITE blues box! I have an EPIPHONE EMPEROR JOE PASS in the same finish - but stil hankerin' for a '64 CHERRY BURST 335, just lime..! like!, like!-not "limey!" - dsmn spll-check! - - ol' Eric! - faor your test,...i've gotta say, the 2ND ONE, THE LACQUER FINISH TOBACCO BURST, just seemed to be a perfect extenion of your playing..this is probl'y totally subjective, and unscientific, but it seemed to have more soul! Thanks for the excellnt comparison, & cheers!

Seeing how I'm holding number 2 in my hands right now I guess I'd have to go with #1

Sounds awesome... Nice playing.

I like no3. When you find a good one all your other guitars feel like toys. They need looking after, you should'nt bash them about but a good 335 will keep on impressing you forever. They really do get better with age.

I like the more open sound of the second one best.

i picked up a epiphone custom shop 61 335 in mint condition for $350 plays like a dream

The first one based on looks, which is all that matters everything else being equal.

I don’t have a bunch of money and I’m only learning but I bought an Artist ES335 and put some Epiphone pickups in it, and man I love the thing. They’re such a beautiful guitar too, but my only criticism is the location of the strap button. I’m in the process of fixing it, but it is just so awkward. I have a Chinese SG that I swapped locations on and made it feel so much nicer, and my Artist LP button is in the correct spot and it’s just so much more comfortable.

My favorite guitar. Would love to own one in cherry

Love the finish on #3 but IMHO (and ears) #2 sounded the best and I own a Pelham blue 335

Figured, block inlays, all day, all year

Assuming you did nothing to the amp as you plugged in the different guitars, I would say that the second one (the gloss dot neck) was my favorite. They all sounded great, but the second one had that instant "aaahhhh" feeling. Not to be too demanding, but I'd love to see you do a similar video comparing a 335 to a 339.

Number two look and tone❤

#2 & 3 sounded tighter more towards treble, a lil..Either way thanks for the big casino demo wild man!

they are really beautiful guitars.. sound so great.. trying to save up.. taking me forever but hopefully have one someday...

I like the gloss with the blocks. All sound good ...I opted for a Heritage H 535 though

Great video! It would be really cool if you talked about how you dialed in those tones as well. I'd love to hear about the pickup settings you were using.

If the amp was set the same #1 seem to have hotter output, but they all sounded great - you may have played #2 and #3 softer. All are great sounding guitars!

I never got on with a 335. I bought a Custom Shop one and didn’t really like it. But, everyone said that I needed the Murphy Lab. So, I got the Murphy Lab one and still not a fan. I rather a Strat or Tele.

I prefer the 2nd one you played. On a funny note. What is in your front pockets, A bottle of Gatorade and a sub for after the demo?😉😀

The 1st one sounded the most alive and exciting to me. But I liked the looks of the 2nd best. I think the 3rd one sounded weak. Put me down for the 1st!

Your playing changed with the satin finish, something clicked. I'm still to find a playable Gibson straight off the shop hook in UK, do you USA guitar shops set up the guitars ?

I have a red cherry flame top Gibson 335 dot, from the year 2000 which is so lovely to play, and I have a 2017 Satin, same as you played, I think it sounds brighter and has more punchy pickups?

They all sound great but my edge would go to #2. Might just be the style of play on that guitar. I recently bought a Guild Starfire IV and it has filled my 335 type guitar role.

I've never had or played one but I always wanted one . I had the starcaster I think fender semi hollow it was not cool

I'd like to hear it next to the Epiphone ES-335, which seems to sound really close, but probably doesn't feel as good to play...?

All sounded good... 1st for me!

2nd one fo sho

Liked the first one the best.

Mighty fine pickin' kid!

I had a 67 es335 about 10 years ago, it was a closet classic that hadn’t been played in years. It just wasn’t for me sold it to guy thru the gearpage in Canada. I guess I’m just not a 335 guy 🤷🏻‍♂️

They're great looking guitars. I've only played the cheaper Epiphone versions. Owned an Epiphone casino for a little while, wish I'd kept it. I second the idea to check out some Ric 330s and 360s

I'd like to hear why Wolfgang Van Halen likes a 335 - he plays it so often - and if that one is one he got from his dad. Never seen anyone but Wolf tap on a 335.

always preferred epiphone's hollow/semihollows to gibson's. casino is my favorite hollow cuz of the p90s but if i wanted humbuckers i'd probably get a riviera

#2 is THE ONE

These all sound great, though I still prefer the Ric 330s over the ES 335s.

2nd one was my choice

What amp were you playing through? It sounds sublime!

They all sound great but I No 1 had a very cool vintage tone.

Personally? I would try out all the different brands to see what fits your ear. Your comfort zone. DeAngelico makes some fantastic copies as does Ibanez . John Schofield model. The door is open. Don’t close it.

Ice Tea with blocks on looks alone.

@ 2:24 SECS, I WANT THAT T-SHIRT WITH THE AMERICAN FLAG AND HEAD STOCK.

No mention of the years of production of these models? Or did I miss it?

I have the first 335 currently in this video. I have had about 4 in my life but the first 2 were pre-owned and had issues and burst buckers in both. The 3rd is the es 335 figured in this video which is absolutely ridiculous in feel and sound. And I had a jim james ltd for a month and had to sell it. I have had many epiphones and other copy trying to get me there and none of them come close in any possible way. They are just not the real deal. They are great clones but they are just not a real 335. I have a 93 Gibson bb king Lucille that blows them all away in my opinion haha. You can play jazz to metal on it I kid you not

Check out a Heritage H535 with Seth Lovers.

2nd one all day

Nothing like a big, cold, belly washer soda/soft drink/coke from the fountain!!!!!

I like the satin. I’ll tell you what else I like about these, you can gain 30 lbs and nobody can see it.

I worked for a vintage guitar dealer, played every guitar imaginable. Bought an Eastman, it’s equal to any Gibby.

Seems that the strings on no.3 are a little bit too low. The notes died of too quickly after you hit the strings.

I had one...58. I could not get on with it. So....telecaster it is.

#1

2

Between 2 or 3! More sustain and bass....

Number two had …. “It”

#2 all day long

How did you like compared to the Yamaha SA2200?

Gas is same price here in Tejas idkw!! Lol

Have you tried the Sire 335 yet,