You've showed two of the best brands that for some reason always fly under everyone's radar. Yamaha always delivers weigh above the price point, no matter what line you choose - acoustic or electric. Quality is always outstanding . Gretsch has been the same way. I'm a Gretsch player (and Yamaha) and I am a proud owner of a Japanese built Gretsch Country Gentleman - unbelievable quality. You chose two of the best reasons to not buy into the headstock label hype.
You're dead right,I find the Yamaha SA2200 far superior to a 335 at half the price,the finish is something Gibson has never matched,all the fittings are excellent quality unlike the junk parts Gibson use.
You are spot on Bob, on the whole the best guitars are now made in Japan. I would love a black Yamaha SG1000 and one of the new mid range Revstar's with p90's.
Bag on lad! I have a SA1200S and it's as good as any Gibson. Some nice features and most of all tone for frickin days. Wish Yamaha would reissue some of their older more affordable semis tho.... They only offer the 2200 atm and while not as expensive as a 335 it's still out of reach for some. Revstar are filling some of that void tho and they are also quality quality instruments!
yeah, and honestly Gretsch has amazing heritage and history, they just haven not kept production in the USA like the big G. So, in that regard it's nothing to be ashamed of haha.
The Yamaha SA-2200s are great guitars. I own both a 2010 Gibson ES-335 figured top and a Yamaha SA-220. The Yamaha is a better playing guitar than my 335. It’s also got an ebony fingerboard, a super comfortable neck than can get lower action and the Alnico V pickups sound great. A very overlooked guitar. And of course the Gretsch is always a great value.
I have the Gretsch G5622 and it's super comfortable to play. The neck is very similar in feel to a 335 (I've only tried the Epiphone 335) but if you like LP 60's necks then this is an easy transition. The Gretsch Streamliner is also a great budget choice.
I got a Gretsch Jr model so it's a little bit smaller and thinner. It's so comfortable I never want to play another guitar. This is the guitar I want to spend the rest of my life with.
I've had 4 Gibson 335/355's, and this Yamaha. I'd rate the Yamaha and my final 355 as heads and shoulders above the other three 335s (2001 figured dot, 2013 figured dot, 2014 '59 Historic). Really the Yamaha is incredible. The sound is ALMOST the same but I'd say the Yam is just tiny bit cleaner, for jazz perhaps, while the Gib is a tiny bit warmer. That said, that's with the same amp settings. Just tweak mid's by +1 or so and the sound is probably the same. Playability and quality of assembly is better than my old 335's, and the same as my current 355. I've had 50+ guitars and this is one of only 2-3 I've ever felt like I have to "spread the word on." Didn't hurt that I bought it used mint in Japan for a grand...
I have all of the Gibson guitars. You have listed different years, but very similar lineup, wanting to add this one to my collection. Truthfully, I love my Gibson guitars, but there is no doubt the level of frustration with some of the tuning stability issues no matter how many times I have it set up corrected without drilling the damn thing I don’t think it’ll ever change truly lol I have almost stopped taking them on stage thinking about ordering this guitar. I even thought about ordering a used Yamaha just to check it out first, I have heard they are great guitars and after 40 years have never purchased one. I even thought if I’ve purchased one I would switch the pick ups out do not know how hard the Yamaha is to work on, but I certainly know how frustrating the 335s are I would love to hear any further opinions, but it looks like all the comments give the Yamaha a thumbs up. It looks like the major difference here because the sycamore they’re using. Is this a breed of maple there are 200 and some odd different breeds of maple sycamore in this particular sycamore case happens to be a maple cousin either way fantastic guitar fantastic demo love the jazz sound this gets That seems to me better than the Gibson, although the Gibson might have a little more darkness in the growl territory thanks guys I think I’m finally convinced on buying a Yamaha as hesitant as I was. Thanks.
Just received my RevStar last week…not a hollow body obviously, but maybe the best guitar I’ve ever played…the p-90s sound incredible and what you get for $800 is ridiculous…steel frets, killer satin neck…I bought the merlot red one. My Tele’s and LPs are going to be getting very dusty…can’t see myself putting this thing down anytime soon
Both nice guitars, but the Gretch really sirprised me! I did not expect such a warm and smooth tone! The Gretch is now on my list to check out. Thanks!
The Broadtron pickups on this model are much more similar to a current Gibson style humbucker than most of the pickups in the Gretsch line. They still have some of the signature Gretsch clarity and chime though. So if this is the Gretsch sound that you like, maybe try to find other models using Broadtron pickups.
I have a couple of Gretsch guitars, and a couple of Guild electrics. All are very good sounding play very well, and are quite versatile. My Gretsch G-5422-12 is a 12 string electric I will never get rid of.
I picked up an Ibanez AS73FM-TAF a year and a half ago, and the hardware is high quality, and the only advice on changing pickups was not to rush into doing that, since the instrument sounds so balanced, it's about like the Toyota trucks I've experienced. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" (Apologies to AMD, The Car Care Nut channel for using that old chestnut.)
@@charlesbranch4120 I had a 2004 AS73, and I agree, its sound was balanced and very versatile, and it played superbly. But it was a very heavy guitar, so I sold it. I now have an Epiphone 339, which is excellent. I can't compare its sound against the Ibanez, but I don't think it needs new pickups. And it's small and light.
I really liked the Gretsch electromatic. I would like to get one but I'm torn since I feel like if I'm getting a Gretsch it should have a bigsby but I'm a beginner and it would be wasted on me anyway. The guild Starfire 4 and Epiphone Sheraton are also on my radar. Great video And comparison.
I have owned an Epiphone Sheraton II for 13 yrs(Korean) made and it’s my favorite guitar. The Gibson 335 can’t touch it value wise. The new ones are around $800. But try to get a used one made between 2010 and 2015. The Korean models are superior to the Chinese or Indonesian models. Good luck
I have a Starfire IV and a Manhattan Special (d'Armand pickups), both are very nice instruments, sound great and play very well. Also a G-5420T, a G5422-12 (12 string), and a G 5220 Jet. All play very well and arrived well set up and ready to go. You can get a lot more guitar for your money if you look in the 800-1400 buck range for manufacturers other than Gibson.
I wish you guys would’ve put in Ibanez as well. They have the highest quality semi hollows in a reasonable price point. I really think they’re underrated within the Semi Hollow Jazz/ Blues guitars.
The Yamaha SA2200 is better than a Gibson 335. Here in England I was struggling to find one as they were selling fast on the used market, so I bought a Heritage H555 used, which ironically is extremely rare over here. Get a Yamaha SA2200, you will not regret it.
What about the Epiphone inspired by Gibson ES-335? It is comparable to the Grtesch in terms of price and with a proper setup, it can get you the vibe of the Gibson for a lot less money. Is it a Gibson, nope, but it is also 25% of the cost and in my experience, it is quite a good guitar.
Been looking at the SA2200 but they retail for over 3k here in Aus. I got one of those gretschs in a wild Bristol Fog finish for under 1k a few years back and whenever I play with the boys they think it's a high end guitar. It absolutely sings. Frets needed a bit of work but it plays so nice I struggle playing much else.
Great playing and great guitars! I was originally looking to get an ES335 but saw the Broadkaster Jr in Cadillac green and fell in love immediately. Really happy with it
@@dustinglass I really like it! Sounds great clean and overdriven. Feels great too. I'm probably the wrong person to ask about the tuning stability though. Mine lives outside of the case on a stand in my room. I do have to tune it each time I play it, and it does feel like the strings catch a bit on the nut, but a good setup should be able to fix that. I've just never taken it to get setup.
Great vid, although SA2200s are usually harder to find than 335s! Took me awhile to find one and they seem to sell so fast, but I have one arriving tomorrow.
Been eyeing one myself as well but have heard by some people that the pickups are on the hotter side of things whereas i'm a fan of low output pickups. Don't know if I should go for it or save up for a 335. What do you think of yours?
@@adrianr2312 They're fantastic guitars and I wouldn't consider the p'ups hot. You can always swap them out for some lower output ones, which is what I plan to do. I have a set of Bare Knuckle Stormy Mondays I might try in it.
@@daveowens Thanks for the insight! Lower output is the way to go. My biggest desire for the pickups is clarity so as long as they deliver on that, I'd be more than happy with the stock ones. Good choice on the bare knuckles! Cheers
@@adrianr2312 I agree and I hope an SA2200 is what you’re after! I’ve owned many semi-hollows over the years, including multiple variations of the Gibson types, and the SA2200 is right up there.
Good vid, Cooper. Been looking for this kind of thing and this is further food for thought. Wasn't previously considering a Yamaha, but MIJ is going to be quality. Price is a little punchy though. Grestch was where I originally started looking, but would prefer something built outside of China or Indonesia. Been trying to find a Starfire IV, but struggling to find a decent dealer where I am in Canada.
The SA2200 is so close to the ES that you would have trouble in a blind test. That Gretsch, though - wow. I don't even consider that in the same family as an ES or the SA. One other ES option would be the Epiphone Sheraton II. Very, very close cousin of the ES (but better looking in my eyes) and well under $1,000.
My two favourite guitar brands, I've got a Gretsch Streamliner and a Yamaha Accoustic, both great playing guitars, and both of them together cost less than one Gibson.
Nice demo Thanks. As at 7:46 when you switch pickups I still hear that switch click through the amp everytime. When are the manufacturers going to install silent switches. It's been a pet peeve of mine since the seventies. This happens on so many new guitars at any price. I know it's a very small amount of DC current that is sent to ground when switched but jeez we went to the moon and back in 1969! How about putting a simple little super quality capacitor across the leads to take the DC hit so that the tone does not suffer. Scratching my head.
yamahas are always a great buy it seems. their classical guitars are noticiably better than any others in the price range of around 600... even their cheaper ones are amazing...
I have the Gretsch g5622T with the Bigsby, love it, my other electric is a telecaster and they complement each other well. I wanted the vibrato. I also looked at a Guild Starfire V - the Guilds are another good option here but they're almost impossible to find in a shop to try in person. I love Yamaha, my buddy has a midrange Revstar and it's absolutely gorgeous. I'd buy a Yamaha anything in a heartbeat.
Hey Cooper, great stuff, always appreciate info on Yamaha, especially anything made in Japan. BTW, I don't see a link to the podcast in the description...
The thing is. The Yamaha SA has big frets. Most player prefer medium jumbo to jumbo frets. The frets on modern Gibsons are tiny. You can’t even spec Jumbo frets in the Custom Shop. So I’d probably buy the Yamaha anyway.
@@AlamoMusic Can you do a comparison between the Starfire 12 and the 5422-12? Not many options for an electric 12 string that can compare with those 2.
Still to pricey for me I'll stay with a Sheraton and my epiphone es 335 with Seymour Duncan pickups in it for under $1,000 a piece I paid for them. Yup that is my budget. As for the Yamaha is concerned.
I really wish that Yamaha would either revise that full-name logo on their guitars to something more elegant or use their round logo as they already do on their classical and Revstar guitars.
I'm sure they're keeping it around since the Super Axe (SA) series has been around for 45ish years. At least they still don't say Super Axe on the headstock, lol
What's a good used price on SA2200? I'm thinking 1400 would be a good price. I see some listed for that. Yamaha will have the precision making it worth paying up.
You are right about the FGX5. I had my store order me two. By surprise they came in quick (last year.) Before I could put a dime down on the second (like a week late) they sold the second. So, I bought something I ended up not liking (an acoustic) Sent that back. I think I get the SA2200. I am stuck with my store but I could have them call you about these "B" stock items? I have a Roadhouse strat and it is a great versatile guitar. A guy also needs a semi-hollow. OH, is the Yamaha AC5R comparable in tone to the FGX5, just a smaller body with a cutaway? I feel safe sticking with Yamaha for this price range.
@@timclaus8313 Thanks I look. "My store" likes to sell Gretsch. I don't think they ever sold a SA2200. I am going for the sound not looks,price,ease of playing (as you probably know strats are nice tucked in well balanced guitars.) I accept that a semi-hollow is going to be a bit more guitar hanging from my neck.
@@danr5105 Well, they are lighter without the Bigsby, lol... For someone like me that plays a lot of acoustic guitars, the semi and hollow bodies may feel more natural than a Les Paul or Strat style guitar.
Hey Cooper .. Is it true that there can be a massive difference between the Gibson 335s .. I know no two guitars are the same but with the 335s I read that you should really try them out in a shop before buying because they can sound so different.. Hello from Ireland 🇮🇪
epiphone, sire , tokai , eart , gretch , yamaha , ibanez , harley benton ect. ect. , all make bugdet ES 335's , so sorry , but you can't find one is utter nonsens .
