The Gibson ES-335: A Short History 

I was lucky enough, that in 2018, my uncle called me to ask me if I would give his guitar a new home. He has arthritis, in his hands and fingers, and cannot play it anymore. He told me that he had given it to an 18 year old kid, at his church, a year ago, but that he brought it back to him saying "I'm gonna get a real guitar." All I can say is "Thank God for ignorance!" I told my uncle I'd be more than happy to give his guitar a new home and that it would never be neglected. That's how I got my 1964 Gibson ES335TDC with a Maestro Vibrola Tremolo and I still absolutely love it. It's cherry and has it's dings but sings like a bird. I have no idea what it's worth but it's priceless to me. Thanks for letting me share.

Your channel is like the PBS of guitar history. Factual, well told, and your voice is mesmerizing.

When you said ‘the reason everyone wanted a 335’ I went ‘yep, Marty McFly in Back to the Future’ and you said ‘Eric Clapton’ and that made more sense.

When in 1978 I saw John McLaughlin playing live in São Paulo/Brazil with a Walnut 345 (which I didn't even know and thought was a 335!), I decided that one day I would have one of those beautiful Gibsons! I played professionally for many years, until before I was 30 I had to stop, with a lot of pain caused by tendonitis and fibromyalgia. But I continued to cherish the dream of having a 335, and when I turned 50 I received from my wife the greatest gift of my life, my 1997 Sunburst Dot 335!

I bought mine because of Alex Lifeson, the variety of tones he had between 74 and 81, through 8 records was astounding.

A Gretch, a Gibson ES335, and a Les Paul are all you need - unless you are Jimi Hendrix, then, you need a strat.

Keith, I must admit that after viewing the "The Gibson ES-335: A Short History", multiple times, I was bitten by the Gibson ES-335 bug and bought a Gibson Exclusives ES-335 Dot in Gloss Olive Drab. It was purchased directly from Gibson and delivered in ABSOLUTELY PERFECT condition with zero blemishes. Playing it is a totally new experience when compared to a Gibson Les Paul Standard or any American Fender Stratocasters. I must say that It is one of the easiest playing and most beautiful guitars having ever passed through my hands. It is now my daily "go to" guitar to play. I cannot thank you enough for the hard work you put into producing these videos. You are one amazing dude!

Back when I was about 10 I watched Back To The Future and saw Marty Mcfly rockin' Johnny B. Good on a cherry red Gibson! I told myself then one day I'd have a guitar like that. It took several decades but I finally have a cherry red lefty Epiphone Dot, and then also acquired a tobacco burst Sheraton ii. Love the 335 body style guitars!

Hey and don't forget one thing about the 335 Keith ; The Gibson ES335 is a beautiful instrument to behold ; It is an absolute Work of Art. Thanks for the fascinating Short History of the 335. Love your channel.

I've owned a lot of guitars, but nothing compares to my ES-335 figured top in antique walnut for me. Great video.

I'm building my own version of the ES-335! From a kit, sure, but so much fun! I'm doing a cherry red Clapton Cream clone... but its a dot fret board. I did make my own orange label for inside the f-hole, and found the Krishna stamp online. I'll be attempting a pearl inlay on a slab of ebony for the headstock. I got Grover tuning machines, and a bone nut. Upgraded the switch to a Switchcraft, with the correct cream tip. The resistances on the humbuckers interest me at 7.5k for the neck and 15.5 at the bridge, so I'll try them before spending extra on them. The pots are within spec, and resistance is linear. I'll be keeping those. The kit also didn't come with a pickguard, so I got a reproduction. I also got a two screw trussrod cover, with "custom" engraved. I also upgraded the bridge to a roller. Very timely video! Thank you sir!

Keith, another great video. As a recent proud owner of a Memphis Studio 335, it was refreshing to hear the history of the 335 as only you can do so well. Also, I would love to hear "The voice of the five-watt world" on a podcase such as Spotify. I find myself downloading your video and playing them in my car while I do an hour commute each way. And for me, I rather listen to things about music than the latest politic. Your videos seem to be the right length and dose to keep the drive moving. Thank you for what you do. You and Mr. Beato, as well as Reth Shull, keep me on the world. I call it 15 minutes of Theory, vlogging, and Five-watt world.

I also have to believe that Les Paul's "Log" was part of the inspiration for the ES-335.

What a great video. I found your channel a couple months ago and have been watching the recommended videos as they come up. I've been an Alex Lifeson fan since my high school years. In 1982 I was in the Army living in Alabama and I shopped at a music store in Anniston. I walked in one day and they had a beautiful 1975, Natural ES 335 that I fell in love with. Someone had traded it in on a Les Paul. I've had it since then and it still plays beautifully. The model is ES 335 TD, with a trapeze tailpiece and a coil tap switch. It has gold colored hardware hot humbuckers and black hat control knobs. It's traveled with me from AL to AZ to HI to ID and has weathered all of the journey. The tone from the pickups is unreal and I could overdrive them for metal or turn them back for smooth ballads. The hardshell case with red cushioning has stayed intact and the wood still smells fresh. I learned early to care for the wood and fretboard and it plays extremely smooth. Hopefully I'll be able to pass it down to a young prodigy when I'm to old to play. Thanks again for the great video. David

These are the most comprehensive guitar history videos I have seen yet. No details are left out. I had a Green Univox 335. It was stunning.

I got rid of my 335 because Keith said to downsize.

Your guitar and equipment videos are some of the most well researched and best videos on the subject I have ever seen. I do not play well, but I find your narrative to be both thought provoking and engaging on the subject. Thank you for all you do for the community.

What a thorough, professional and well laid out video. Thanks, made my morning!

I just got my first (and last!) ES 335 today. It's possibly the most beautiful thing I own. You & Rhett convinced me I had to try one.

Alex Lifeson and of course BB are the reasons I want to try a 335... I must go practice now and stop dreaming of these now

Fascinating documentary, as always, Keith. But each time I listen to one of those narratives of the countless changes - sometimes great, sometimes horrible - that major manufacturers go through over the years, I understand why custom-built handmade instruments are a far superior choice. Sure, they cost more. But you get precisely what you want and need: not what some marketing bozo dictated.

After Les Paul invented 'The Log', he attached the sides of an archtop to make it look and be held like a guitar. At the time, Gibson was not interested. Interesting how the ES-335 body style is uncannily close to this early electric.

What a great history of a beloved line of guitars. I truly love the versatility and playability of my ES-339. Great to know it’s full lineage. Thank you, Keith!

Keith, I don’t know exactly where it fits into the logistics of the timeline, but also worth mentioning in the double-cut lineage of ES-335 shaped guitars is the late-1960s introduction of the ES-150 DC, essentially a full body depth, fully hollow 16-inch archtop like a fat, block-inlay ES-330, but with humbuckers and a master volume on the lower cutaway horn. I have a nearly immaculate ‘69 in walnut brown. The other option being blonde. The hardware is chrome, black witch hat knobs, trapeze tailpiece, plastic tulip tuners, Tune-o-matic bridge with nylon saddles to help tame feedback, and that impossibly narrow nut. If you see a picture of a walnut 335, it looks the same from the front, but no center block, and about 3-1/2 inches thick. An absolutely killer guitar with fantastic snarling pickups that really roar. I think it was produced less than 10 years, and neither jazzers, bluesers, or rockers embraced it. But today at about $3,000 for a late ‘60s laminate hollow-body, it’s a really great and somewhat affordable entry into the lofty realm of vintage Gibson archtops.

One of my most favorite guitars I’ve ever owned is a 60s Hagstrom Viking with a Bigsby style tremolo. I loved the 6 on a side tuners, light weight and the “feel”. There’s something very intimate about that body shape. I sold it and later tried to replace the guitar with a ‘56 Gibson 225 but it just wasn’t the same. I was hoping you’d cover the Epiphone Dot, a great budget version of the 335. Otherwise, great video as always Keith.

It was sometime around 1985, that I was watching a t.v show and noticed Carl Wilson of The Beach Boys playing a Gibson ES 335. Complete with a Bigsby tremolo and natural finish. I was in awe. This was the most beautiful electric guitar I had ever seen and it was at that point, I knew I would have to own one but I wouldn't even come close until many years later. -Carl Wilson: December 21, 1946 - February 6, 1998 February 6, 1998 would deliver yet another devastating blow to the band when Carl Wilson, another one of the Wilson brothers and founders of the group would lose his battle with cancer. Carl was the glue that held the band together. Often assuming the role of leader of the group when Brian was unable to. Carl had an excellent voice. It has often been said that he had the voice of an angel and was a very talented guitarist as well. It has been reported that late in Carl's career that he would have to sit during the bands concerts but would stand long enough to sing God Only Knows. Fast forward several years and I was now grown and ready to purchase my own ES 335. Through countless hours of research, I opted for the less expensive Epiphone ES 335 in a natural finish. It was through my research that I learned of the many different artists from several genres that had a ES 335 in their arsenal. I also learned of the guitars versatility. This guitar sounds good whether you are playing country, rock, rhythm and blues, rhythm or lead and it's just a real joy to play. I visited a local guitar store to take one on a test run and it did not disappoint. The store did not, however, have one in a natural finish. So after confirming all the great things I had read about a ES 335, I preordered the guitar in September of 2019 and had to wait patiently for Gibson Epiphone to hand craft my own ES 335 pro limited edition. Regularly scheduled to ship out February 14, 2020. Much to my surprise, my guitar would ship out earlier than scheduled and I received my ES 335 on February 5, 2020. One day before the anniversary of Carl Wilsons death. As with any semi hollow body or hollow body guitar, I always allow my new guitars to acclimate 24hrs. In doing so, this put me striking my first chord on my new ES 335, on February 6, 2020. Exactly 22 years, to the day, since Carl Wilson's death. I have since replaced the stock pickguard to the short Gibson style pickguard. Added a U.S. made Bigsby B7 and a black rhythm treble washer under the toggle switch. I now have my dream ES 335 and couldn't be more happier.

I love mine, lt'll never leave me. It's a tobacco sunburst with a coil tap. The coil tap makes it so versatile. Just love it.

Awesome history - thanks so much. I'd love to hear what Five Watt World has to say about the new Fender Tone Master solid state amps some day. And if you're ever really bored and want to discuss one of my personal favorite Gibson guitars a video on the ES-137 Custom would be watched by me (and maybe only me, unfortunately).

I purchased a walnut 335 at Manny’s in NYC August, 1979 that I still use today. I got this guitar because of two of my guitar heroes, Chuck Berry and Dave Edmunds. Keep on Rockin’!

I always think of Alvin Lee at Woodstock doing I'm going home, what a great tone! I don't think he ever used another guitar.

I have loved Les Paul's, Strat's, and Tele's my whole life. Although I know a bit about those guitars I knew absolutely nothing about the 335. On January 1, 2020 after watching this superb video I now know a bit about these beauties. Thanks for a well done video. I just subscribed to your channel. Now since you are responsible for this video, can I count on you to explain to my wife why I will now be needing yet another guitar?

Another excellent and well researched video. I am guessing that a history of the SG or perhaps the Jazzmaster is next? In any event, I look forward to your next video.

Interesting how the case in 58 is 400$ in todays dollars. So really my 335 at 3k with case is effectively about the same price as the original.

I've wanted an ES-335 since the early 1970's and finally got to full fill my wish this year. Bought a 2019 figured in sunset burst, it plays fantastic and the sound of the MHS humbuckers is the best I've ever heard. So clear and clean, note articulation and sustain sound fantastic through my new Fender Princeton Reverb 12" Jensen speaker. Life is good.

Great vid again! WIn the seventies there was also the ES325 with a big plastic control plate like the SGs of that time, and mini humbuckers. And more interesting: The ES320 with single coils and a tele style control panel.

Showing the price comparison from then and now gives me chest pain. I guess that's why have and love my Epiphone Dot 335! PEACE 💀👽🎸🎶🎵

you're killing me. i want one so bad.

Got my dad's 1960 Gibson ES330 with a Bigsby vibrato. I think he wanted the hollow body, but he always did want the humbucking pickups, so in the late 80, he put the pickups out of a Ibanez Les Paul copy of mine in there. After I inherited it, I found the P90s and put them back in. It could use a refretting, but it's fun to play, has a real thin, easy to play neck, takes distortion well. Like the narrator often points out, it's a very versatile guitar for playing lots of different kinds of music. Good thorough video.

Great story for me since I’m considering an ES series guitar as the first real electric in my collection. Well researched and nicely edited with all the right photos - well done!

Thanks for the shout out. Love this series.

I truly appreciate you taking time to provide a definitive history of one of my favorite Guitars and My favorite Brand of all time. No one can beat Gibson for me. I am a Gibson Guy. I had a 1968 335. I bought it in the Early 70s when I was a young teenager. Had it until about 10 years ago when it was stolen from me. God will restore me. However, love the story. I learned a lot that is important to me. One of the most important things about Gibson Guitars from the 50s and 60s is that, they were all hand made with special love and amazing passion in the Original Factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In the early 70s, before Guitar Center Took Over, my friends and I use to spend hours at Don Weirs Music City in San Francisco sorting through guitars, looking at necks up through the light, listening to the sound, reviewing the en-lays, body, etc for the perfect guitar for each of us. Each Guitar had its own character. Each of us wanted a certain sound. When one found the one that they liked, they would do everything to keep that Guitar for life. The sound only gets better with age. These guitars welcomed you and embraced you like a new parent. Thank you for the history. It's as genuine as the Original Gibson line itself.

Got a Grote copy 335 and I love it. Never being able to afford a Gibson.....Ibanez was largely what I ended up with (but a LOT of Conrad's were in there). My Grote 335 took over when I got it. Great Guitar. I think I got lucky. Poor man, but Luther was more than a hobby. Any great neighborhood players begged me to sell or trade my customized guitars. I never budged. So I'm not really a slouch. Love your work.

Keith, As always Great Work. Please Keep on Keeping On!

ES 335 Classic! I owned four at one time. I just sold a Rusty Anderson ES 335. Now I am down to Two!

Thank you FWW I gave up drinking beer saved all my money and finally got my ES335 and I have to say this is one awesome instrument. Needless to say I played every day after work in the middle of the night. Every chance I get Oh, by the way i’m still running dry, and feeling good 👍🏽 Rock ‘n’ roll brother thanks for the video. God bless.

I love these Five Watt World videos; however, it just occurred to me that these videos add fuel to my gear addiction. Well played, sir!

I love all the old guitars too including the es335.

Thank you so much for another great video, great detail and honest natural narrative, you have the gift. And my 335 story is that I feel in love with it when I attended a Clapton Concert at the LA Forum for his tour “Nothing but the Blues” as he played “Some Day After a While” ooh that tone.. I’ll never forget that evening, next day I when to Guitar Center at Sunset Boulevard but I just could not afford it, instead I got a Fender Blues Deluxe and 40th anniversary Stratocaster with a gig-bag ($850 for all). After some years and a couple of tries I bought a CS336FT (not the one with the snake head headstock, I believe that one was the ES336_ ES for Electric Spanish and the one with the regular headstock the CS for Custom Shop), but still is different from the 335, on May of this year I finally bought me a ES335 Figured TDN 2019, for the Memphis Factory. I’m very happy with my 335, and I have to recognize that I’m guilty of buying guitars and tube amps, and some effects not much of them if I can, I like it as straight as possible, not all the time. I’m always waiting for your next video. Thanks a lot!

I have SG, LP but my favourite is my ES-355. It's the Joe Bonamassa Ltd Ed Epiphone ES-355. This thing is so perfect for me in spec, playability, style and beauty. My dream is to one day have enough money to commission a Gibson Custom Shop recreation of that original guitar Gibson made for his Three Kings tour.

Everybody got all that? lol. Whew, my head's still spinning. 335s have a been a bit of a mystery to me, a friend owned a black late 70's TD (I think), had the TP6 bridge and the extra toggle switch on the treble side bout. I don't remember how much I liked it back then (early 80s), I wasnt much of a player, but I know he kicks himself for selling or trading it in. Always saying what a great guitar it was. Cool and very informative video, thank you for making it.

I have an '83 Yamaha Sa1200S The S stands for solid top (spruce). What incredible workmanship!!!

I bought a new 335 sunburst from Sweetwater about 4 years ago… love that guitar… 57 humbuckers, neck feels like a baseball bat… thing plays like an animal. Great tone

I play bass in a Tom Petty tribute band, and one of our guitar players has an ES-135 which I call Big Red. He usually plays his black Les Paul Custom, but I'm always pestering him to play his ES-135. It's got that raunchy, ballsy sound that I love!

Thanks for all you do. I love these !

I always wanted a 335. For me it was the sound and not so much any player, although I was amazed that Lifeson was able to get that much sound out of what I considered to be a very non-rock guitar as a younger me. At 54 I was able to buy a 335. I got one used and it was still very expensive but I caught one a little cheaper than the normal used expensive. It was well worth it and I love everything about it. None of my other guitars sound like the 335 so it fills a gap as well.

Great to see this again. Another ES-335 fan was EVH. I remember an interview in the early '80s where he said "I could fly on those". Also probably influenced by EC. Ha, use of one stage or studio was shot down apparently by DLR,,,"Get some shades or switch guitars..." a semi nod to Roy Orbison.

I bought mine 30 years ago 1968 cherry red so I could play without an amplifier, sold all my other guitars (Les Paul Custom, Strat, SG) but kept this one. Still love playing it like an acoustic. But sometimes I play with people so I plug in the "electric Spanish" guitar - never knew any of the history.Thanks. I will never sell it. Still learning of course.

ES 333 and the Vegas would have been smart to have spoken about , Nice video

I have 5 and an acoustic. A Kramer Beretta, an LP type, a '99 American Standard Strat, a jimi hendrix style strat- reverse headstock, and a Mexican tele

An iconic guitar used by many of the greats. I loved the sound of Clapton's 335 in Cream and on his solo album From The Cradle and subsequent tour. His tone with the 335 may be my favorite guitar tone ever. Pure bliss if you ask me. Great video as always. I learn something new every time. I have looked at these guitars a few times but have never found one that felt just right. I need to check them out again.

My favourite guitar ... within this family the keys were the round “Mickey Mouse ears” and generous archtop ... the perfect marriage of electric and archtop legacy of the traditional archtop acoustic. Favourite colour 4 me - port wine ... all class

I watched this video earlier this morning no my TV, so I had to find it on my computer. I really have no desire to play an Electric guitar, though I have had a few over the years, including a gold Les Paul that just sort of fell into my hands. I didn't realize that Eric Clapton played a ES335 but that is cool, I just assumed that He played a Strat on almost everything he did, like so many. I marvel at the work of BB King, He got so much out of so few notes. So began my fascination with hollow body Electrics. I was pleased to hear that Larry Carlton plays one., how cool is that? I am a big Steely Dan fan, a mixture of Rock, Jazz and blues all rolled into one, I marvel at the complexity of everything they do. I would love to have one but There are some things I need to learn before I pick up such a beauty. so its my carrot at the end of the string. I like the idea of a Semi Hollow body because it can do so much, for now, it's me and my acoustic which I dearly love. Thanks for another great video.

My first electric guitar back in 81 still have it. ES 335

Ted McCarty: I came up with the idea Les Paul's log created in 1940: riiiiiight.

What about the Paul Jackson, Jr. model? The solid mahogany body has the all important belly cut. The compound radius Ed ebony fingerboard has parallelogram MOP inlays and the neck ends with a straight pulled headstock. The top is book matched flamed maple. Pickups are 57 Classics and the hardware is gold. The guitar just sings. Complex chords remain distinct and clear. Paul has since moved on to PRS. I met him at an Experience PRS event. He’s a wonderful man, and a true class act. I own several double cut away semi hollow guitars, including an über figured natural ES-335. I love them all, but that Paul Jackson, Jr. is a true standout.

I've seen this video before but was inspired to watch it again after watching Rhetts video on his own 335.

Great history on the 335 and extremely well made video. Informative, simple and professional, kudos !!!!

Thanks for this super-informative video. I now know 100 times more than I did before about 335s.

Thank you so much for this insightful video. Though the early 60's versions are classic, the slightly smaller neck of the newer ones are more comfortable to play. I just purchased a 2020 Figured 335 60's guitar and the quality control and sound of these new calibrated pickups are just wonderful. It can sound warm but with its brighter pickups the top end (when you add some distortion) cuts through better than the older warmer pickups. Consistency is much better today as well with CNC machines being used.

I have a Gibson es 335 td serial number 677124 walnut that my uncle used to play in clubs not to sure exactly how to tell the year of this but it really doesn't matter I absolutely love it and the rich sounds that come from it in the right hands. I don't know how to play guitar but I sure wish I could

Loved every minute of it!

Love the detailed history. You do an excellent job of researching and presenting the history of these great guitars! Thanks!

My first 335 was stolen, and so was my second one, so I bought a third. 335 is one of my favs.

for fear of going onnnnn, (as73) Alex once said he could write a song, just looking at the white 355. Loved the 'doc'. Just a kid slaying thru a trapeze 335 and a Marshall. "I don't need money, I don't need a car....I just want to play!!!"

Grreat Video. Thank you so much.

You've omitted The Rusty Anderson 335, which, IMHO, is the best recent 335 ever built! That limited run pioneered all of the features that were to come down the pike to be featured in the Historic line. Love my Rusty!

I've owned three 335's, and I now own a Hamer Echotone. The Hamer feature's a 25.5" scale board, bound 'f-holes', and an output jack on the rim, where it belongs. I've replaced the neck PU, the pots, the pickup selector switch, and the tuners. It's my gig guitar.

Excellently informative as always Keith. 335s are awesome, but the notion of them being “essential” is a trend (save maybe for studio guys, but again I’m talking essential). Les Paul, Strat, and Tele have been the complete three-item list for decades. We’ve all seen the escalation of Gibson semi-hollow popularity in the past few years as people want to be seen as someone playing something out of the ordinary.

Did I not see the Les Paul log 10 years earlier the same Idea solid down the front and hollow wings I think Les gets ripped off by Ted all the way down the line

wow, amazing! such a thorough job, i didn't put this much effort into my research papers in university, haha, but i never talked about my love of guitars. thank you for your work sir! awesome!

Thank you Keith, again, very interesting and informative!

Thanks for the amazing content🙏

Exactly the four I have, and my 5th is a Martin OM28V accoustic guitar.

Enjoyed your video on the 335. I have my own story, beginning in 1970. One of my fav guitar slinger's was a local player in S.E. Iowa named Ron DeWitte (Iowa Blues Hall of Fame inductee) who played an early 60's 355 mono. I always enjoyed his style and sound! He was one of my top 3 players in the world, including the famous guys too! I got my chance to simulate his gorgeous sound when a young man showed up at my door one day with a similar guitar slung over his shoulder (no case) wondering if I would be interested, since the music store down the street decided to pass, but thought he might check with me, as they knew I did a little buying and selling. In those days, I was poor, and had to sell one to buy another. I was working in a band and at a music store as a repair man at the young age of 20. Using my best pokerface, we worked out a deal, trading him my brand new Les Paul deluxe, minus the case, for his 1960 ES355TD Mono needing a fret job. I refretted the instrument right away and never looked back. Untill 73 when I got married and sold the instrument for $300 so I could buy bassinettes and things for the family. I got out of the band business and got a real job. Fast forward to 1984 when, after the divorce, I decided to take up my old hobby again, playing music. So began the search to find a guitar like I used to own. This began a futile arrangement, where I would buy a guitar, but after a short time, would lose interest, because it would not live up to my expectations of the ols 355 I used to have. But now, because I have an adult career as a Salesperson, and it's not necessary to sell one to get another, the guitars start piling up in the corner looking for that illusive magic I had in the past. Until that fateful day when I answered an ad in a local Pennysaver magazine touting a Gibson guitar, needs work. The lady that answered the phone said it was her husbands and he was at work. The more questions I asked her, the more familiar this guitar was sounding to my old guitar! When I got it back in the day, if you remember, I got it without a case, but being that I worked in a music store, I had access to cases, but Gibson cases were expensive, so I bought a Gretsch case instead for less. I asked the lady if it was in a Gretsch case and she said YES!! I told her that I sold that same guitar to her husband 11 years ago! She said she will never forget that day as it was her anniversary, and her husband had to drive into town 1st to but that guitar before they could go to dinner that night. So, obviously, she told me that she'd have her husband call me as soon as he got home, and that she would not sell it to anyone else. When he called me later, we commented on the extrordinary circumstances and settled on me buying it back at the same price I sold it for 11 years earlier! It probably goes without saying that I haven't let this one out of my sight since!

love my 1983 es-335 dot in antique natural😍

Really liked this video (nostalgic for me) but have never been to this channel before and stumbled onto it today (yes, just subscribed). Just like, as a young man in 1971, I stumbled onto a new unsold/unused 1968 walnut ES-335. I was in desperate need of a new guitar before heading overseas (USAF). I had just hocked my only guitar (not a Gibson) to get car fixed on way home before I "shipped out." When buying it I didn't even know or realize it was an (famous) ES-335 or what was the "preferred" color of one was back then (red it turns out - LOL). I loved, and still do, that dark walnut finish it's been all over the world with me and is my pride and joy out of my now many, way too many guitars ( again LOL) .

I bought a 1968 12-string 335 before vintage prices went crazy in the 1980s for $350. I can confirm the ridiculously narrow fretboard ... I have thin fingers but it took extra diligence to avoid muting neighboring strings. I sold it a few years later.

I'm trying to get an ES-335 tone from a cheap Epiphone Les Paul. Five Watt World history needed before experimenting!

The 335 has to be one the most successful guitars Gibson has produced, if not THE most successful, such a beautiful guitar, even as it progressed through the decades. I have an Ibanez copy with the bixby bridge and I love it, any chance of doing vids on Ibanez in the future? many thanks Keith.

I still think they look like Teddy Bear ears instead of mouse ears.

"Alexa, wake me up too heavy metal music." Like she listens to heavy metal? And while we're on the subject, today's music sucks. Thank you! I'm feeling much better now.

For me, it was the red 335 played by Justin Hayward, but I ended up with a late 80's sunburst dot neck.

One the iconic images of a 335 type Gibson is the picture of Lou Reed with one edge on, on the Transformer album. Although the Velvet Underground were (in)famous for the feedback drenched psychedelic rock sound, a lot of their quieter tracks featured a tone that must have been a 335 or similar. Certainly Reed continued playing a 335 style guitar up until the 1980's, alongside some of his more peculiar (that perspex one in particular) guitars. For a lot of "alternative rock" musicians, Lou Reed was the door to the semi solid body guitars made by Gibson.

Thank you for adding Lifeson.

The Gibson Memphis Custom Shop built a run of P90 equipped ES-335s with semi-matt finish in 2016. I bought a Cherry Red version from GuitarGuitar, in the UK, when they appeared. I had been hankering after an ES-335 for some time and love P90s, having 4 other guitars equipped with one or two P90s, including 2 Gibsons, a ‘full fat’ Les Paul and an SG.

I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you!

Great video, I own a 355 & a 356(which is more Les Paul-ish). The only History you didn’t really touch on & I think needed to be included, is how important “BritPop” was to the resurgence in popularity of the 335. Beginning with Johnny Marr in the 80’s, playing a Cherry 335 on Top of the Pops, which inspired Bernard Butler of Suede, soon followed by Noel Gallagher of Oasis. I would even argue it was the Number 1 guitar for 90’s British Guitar bands? 1. 335(355) 2. Tele’s 3. Les Paul 4. Stratocaster

Should add that Alex Lifeson was a huge ES guy. Not only did he have the 335 and 355 during the late 70s but he had a sunburst 345 (which he gave to a roadie for his birthday), a black 345 (to replace the sunburst one), a 369, and (though not an ES, still a semi) a Howard Roberts Fusion

I think the goal in the end is to advocate for reducing the stuff in our lives so we can improve our overall life experience. This is a cause that I fully endorse. But, after watching this wonderful video, I'm sitting here contemplating the purchase of a another guitar (Gibson ES style), and another amp for use at home from FYD Amps in my home state of Vermont. Ugh. :) Maybe I haven't hit bottom yet? All in all though, I enjoy your videos a great deal. Thank you for all the hard work.

My "everything else" would be a Rickenbacker 360, but I enjoyed this video. The 335 is definitely a great guitar.