I got a used 2008 335 for an amazing price in Ice Tea burst. During a period of overwhelming imposter syndrome, I sold it. For years I had so much regret as 335 prices creeped up. While visiting our daughter in another town we had some time to kill I visited a Long & McQuade music store while my spouse waited in the car. I played the most amazing gloss Cherry dot 335 before returning to the car. I told my wife about it and she said I should go for it. It’s a forever guitar.
gave my son my beautiful 72, bought an indigo blue. I first heard the blues in 1967 , met BB King in 1972 and was hooked. Thanks for this video again. Your channel is terrific.
Proud owner of 335 here and I have used it for all sorts, The Kink Fletcher demo at 5:15 into at Fender combo perfectly exemplifies that these two are made for each other - rich thick and clear and snappy all at once.
Thank you Keith, I was hoping you would cover this instrument. The 335 was my first real, quality guitar. My dad surprised me with it when I turned 16 after I had been taking lessons for 8 years (I started when I was 8 years old). He felt it looked like I was going to stick with the guitar (which I obviously did) and he saw it in the window of a music store offered as a used guitar. It was traded in by a navy man who needed the money. It came complete with the case and I acquired it in around 1970 and appeared to have hardly been played. It was my only guitar until it was stolen from a gig I did in NYC in 1976, I am still heartbroken, especially since I have no chance of ever replacing it with one from the same vintage.
Sitting here playing my 1967 Gibson ES 330 and thoroughly enjoying your video, I love your short histories! I own a few guitars including a couple other Gibson's, but it's my favorite to just pick up and play, sounds great plugged in with the P-90s, but it also sounds wonderful just acoustically. It's the guitar I've owned the longest, traded a 72 strat for it in 1978 and never regretted it.
As a recently-confirmed 335-type fanboi, I cannot like this video enough. I've seen the first "Short History" on these and am thrilled to watch the 4K update. Thanks for all you do, Keith. 👍
In February 1967 I went to Sam Ash Brooklyn with my dad the sales person Mark talked me into buying a guild StarFire lV, A week later I couldn’t stand it anymore returned it and got my ES 335 for the unheard of price of $273.75 with a burgundy Lifton case. Sold many guitars since then but the 335 is still my favorite.
My favorite. I’ve lost 25 pounds. Maybe I will soon be able to play one out again. I gained weight and a 335 and 330 doesn’t hang right anymore and tilts down facing the floor. I like the way they talk back to the amp more than a pure solid body. Posted for the algorithm.
I can't argue with the four "Mt. Rushmore" electrics! Besides Carlton, Justin Hayward is a a 335 player I think of. His tone has always been understated, but absolutely perfect for the Moodies! Just an elegant, understated tone with feeling for days!
They're awesome. I just love their tone, and the versatility. I think the reason it goes on the list, along with Tele, Strat, Les Paul is that you'd want a hollow or semi-hollowbody. And if the Les Paul is humbucker, then you'd want a P90 335, or vice versa. Plus the fact that you can have a Bigsby 335, which gives you another tonal twist. I love Gretsch & Casino's too, but the 335 is arguably more versatile and the center-block makes it a little less troublesome in some uses ... so if you're making a shortlist, 335 is a shoe-in.
There was a Luther Dickinson signature 335 too! I had P-90s and the sunburst finish was modeled after the one on his dad, Jim Dickinson's ES-175, nicknamed "Jerry"
Keith - one you missed is the CS-356. I got mine in 2003 in natural after trying months to find a 335 I could love. It's a pimped out CS-336 with ebony fretboard, the block inlays, triple binding and "gold" hardware. Nice job once again! Thx ----
My first decent guitar was Epiphone's equivalent to the 335 before they started producing actual 335s, a Sheraton II Pro. I was fortunate to have gotten an especially good one, as my friend who has a custom shop 335 considers that Sheraton to be better-playing and better-sounding than his 10x more costly instrument. So, whoever is prompted to want a 335 from viewing this video but doesn't have Gibson-level funds, the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro is a more affordable and, in my example's instance, more-than-adequate alternative. Epiphone's 335 is also more affordable and, I suspect, adequate.
I was at a small guitar shop in '87 when I first saw one. The guy was giving lessons and asked me who my favorite jazz guitarists were. I said George Benson and Pat Metheny. He then said that Benson plays a lot of pentatonics, and that he and Metheny played 'pop', pronouncing the p in pop in a condescending way. He then said he was looking for advanced jazz students anyway, but asked if I was interested in buying a guitar: it was (what I just learned is) a red 1986 Studio ES-335. '$600', he said. It was the most beautiful guitar I'd seen in person, and I was tempted to ask to put it on layaway, but $600 was a lot of money for a high school student, and I felt that he insulted Benson and Metheny. So I didn't buy it, and instead went to a mall and bought for $200 the worst guitar ever made . Since then, I've owned one of each of the 'essential' guitars-except for an ES. I think this video is a sign from God to change that.
While I do not have an actual Gibson (or Epiphone) ES-335, the 2 guitars I do have that I gravitate towards most of the time are strongly inspired by it -- a recently acquired Heritage H-535 (my current favorite instrument) and a somewhat surprising but both satisfying and economical Schecter(!) Corsair hardtail. I love playing them and they scratch a persistent itch that my Strat, Tele, Les Paul, and PRSes do not. Someday if my budget allows I want to get my hands on a very nice Gibson ES-335.
I have a Casino Coupe, the poor man's ES-390. And an Epiphone Uptown Kat, an ES-390 sized single cut with Firebird pickups and an ebony fretboard. I would urge prospective buyers of a modern ES-335 or ES-330 to try the Eastman copies, the T59/v and T64/v. My best guitars.
The photo of Marshall’s shop in London, is actually the his shop in Bletchley ( about 50 miles away)where the factory was also moved to. I haunted it for a few teenage years!
I have a 92 epiphone SheratonII but it was too big for me so i went out to shop for a 339 but after playing a bunch i settled on the epiphone 339 . I liked the neck feel better and the ability to coil split. Thanks again for another great video.
Ok, don't stone me for this but- has anyone checked out these IYV guitars from Vietnam? I'm friends with a local pawn shop owner and he phones me up whenever new gear comes in so I can check it out, but I always tell him- "Don't call me because a squire or some solid-state cheapo practice amp shows up." And he knows what I mean, even understanding to the point that when a Classic Vibe showed up- he did call me, he gets the difference between inexpensive and cheap- which is rare for someone who doesn't play. So last week when he called and told me to come check out a semi-hollow, he would let me have for 150$- I knew something had to be up and went on over. It was a IYV made to look like a PRS with some CNC wound pickups on it. I didn't buy it, but i have to admit, it was really impressive for the cost. Thing is, I've always had my heart set on a 335 and if I buy a semi hollow it's going to be a real 335 or something like the Epiphone version. I've never played any of the PRS semi hollows, I might change my mind when I check one out, but I kind of doubt it, I don't like the piezo pickup system. The new Lerxst or whatever it's called- the one Alex Lifson helped design- way out of my reach financially, but that's what I would get if I could.
I've been a fan of this style guitar for years. Had am Epi Dot in Natural that turned into rent money, and I kicked myself for years until swapping an 80's MIJ Squier Strat for an Epiphone Sheraton and I am whole again. LOL! While I know Epi's ain't Gibby's they're the best I can afford, and if I'm honest, the most I will allow my non-pro level self to spend on one!
I hate to contradict you Keith as your content is always interesting and informative but Larry Carlton over the last couple of years has been using his Sire H7 signature model as his touring guitar. (If you look at some more recent TH-cam videos you will see.) I suppose it's one less thing to worry about when you're on the road. Many thanks I love 5ww and you have my deepest respect. Greetings from Scotland. 🙂
A friend's 335 I played almost 40 years ago is still the best and easiest to play guitar I've ever played. (I know, the verb play is there three times!)
mine is a Memphis '91 dot vintage burst. Easiest guitar to maintain throughout the seasons. Haven't needed to adjust relief (truss rod) or string height in like fifteen yrs. Who could ask for more
The semi hollow style is my favourite. My dream guitar is an ES355 with a figured top but those be damn expensive. At the moment I have a Vintage by JHS brand VSA555 which is a copy of the 355, extremely well made, plays and sounds like a dream, I even prefer it to my Les Paul Studio. As for how many guitars DO you need? For me its actually just a 355 and a Strat, I have the LP Studio but I could do without it, for my needs the semi hollow and my strat with a Seymore Duncan STK s7 single coil in the neck and a gibson P94 in the bridge covers pretty much everything
Wait, seems you said maple/poplar/maple ply top & back, but then Spruce as well? so a 4 layer laminate. Or a spruce carved cap on the laminate, top & back? Sorry rapid fire delivery there, it’s like I missed something?😀
Another absolutely fantastic history of a very popular guitar and brand. Thank you for putting it all in a very organized order and visual.
I got a used 2008 335 for an amazing price in Ice Tea burst. During a period of overwhelming imposter syndrome, I sold it. For years I had so much regret as 335 prices creeped up. While visiting our daughter in another town we had some time to kill I visited a Long & McQuade music store while my spouse waited in the car. I played the most amazing gloss Cherry dot 335 before returning to the car. I told my wife about it and she said I should go for it. It’s a forever guitar.
Don't break the trend Keith........because you haven't posted a disappointing video yet! As always, I truly enjoyed it.
This is the guitar I want!
gave my son my beautiful 72, bought an indigo blue. I first heard the blues in 1967 , met BB King in 1972 and was hooked. Thanks for this video again. Your channel is terrific.
I enjoy these guitar spotlight videos. They are a great way to increase my knowledge without homework.
A Tele, a Strat, A Les Paul, and an ES-335 for everything else. I could live with that! 🎈
My dad gave me his ‘68 335, it’s my favorite out of a dozen others that I own. Incredible instrument, the thing plays itself!
Great minds think alike. I just put out a video yesterday on why I think the 335 is so great. And why I prefer a 335 type to a Gibson! 😊
Proud owner of 335 here and I have used it for all sorts, The Kink Fletcher demo at 5:15 into at Fender combo perfectly exemplifies that these two are made for each other - rich thick and clear and snappy all at once.
Thank you Keith, I was hoping you would cover this instrument. The 335 was my first real, quality guitar. My dad surprised me with it when I turned 16 after I had been taking lessons for 8 years (I started when I was 8 years old). He felt it looked like I was going to stick with the guitar (which I obviously did) and he saw it in the window of a music store offered as a used guitar. It was traded in by a navy man who needed the money. It came complete with the case and I acquired it in around 1970 and appeared to have hardly been played.
It was my only guitar until it was stolen from a gig I did in NYC in 1976, I am still heartbroken, especially since I have no chance of ever replacing it with one from the same vintage.
Sitting here playing my 1967 Gibson ES 330 and thoroughly enjoying your video, I love your short histories! I own a few guitars including a couple other Gibson's, but it's my favorite to just pick up and play, sounds great plugged in with the P-90s, but it also sounds wonderful just acoustically. It's the guitar I've owned the longest, traded a 72 strat for it in 1978 and never regretted it.
As a recently-confirmed 335-type fanboi, I cannot like this video enough. I've seen the first "Short History" on these and am thrilled to watch the 4K update.
Thanks for all you do, Keith. 👍
In February 1967 I went to Sam Ash Brooklyn with my dad the sales person Mark talked me into buying a guild StarFire lV, A week later I couldn’t stand it anymore returned it and got my ES 335 for the unheard of price of $273.75 with a burgundy Lifton case. Sold many guitars since then but the 335 is still my favorite.
My favorite. I’ve lost 25 pounds. Maybe I will soon be able to play one out again. I gained weight and a 335 and 330 doesn’t hang right anymore and tilts down facing the floor. I like the way they talk back to the amp more than a pure solid body. Posted for the algorithm.
Fantastic video man, nice work~! Glad to see David and Kirk playing on here😊
I can't argue with the four "Mt. Rushmore" electrics! Besides Carlton, Justin Hayward is a a 335 player I think of. His tone has always been understated, but absolutely perfect for the Moodies! Just an elegant, understated tone with feeling for days!
They're awesome. I just love their tone, and the versatility. I think the reason it goes on the list, along with Tele, Strat, Les Paul is that you'd want a hollow or semi-hollowbody. And if the Les Paul is humbucker, then you'd want a P90 335, or vice versa. Plus the fact that you can have a Bigsby 335, which gives you another tonal twist. I love Gretsch & Casino's too, but the 335 is arguably more versatile and the center-block makes it a little less troublesome in some uses ... so if you're making a shortlist, 335 is a shoe-in.
There was a Luther Dickinson signature 335 too! I had P-90s and the sunburst finish was modeled after the one on his dad, Jim Dickinson's ES-175, nicknamed "Jerry"
Keith - one you missed is the CS-356. I got mine in 2003 in natural after trying months to find a 335 I could love. It's a pimped out CS-336 with ebony fretboard, the block inlays, triple binding and "gold" hardware. Nice job once again! Thx ----
My first decent guitar was Epiphone's equivalent to the 335 before they started producing actual 335s, a Sheraton II Pro. I was fortunate to have gotten an especially good one, as my friend who has a custom shop 335 considers that Sheraton to be better-playing and better-sounding than his 10x more costly instrument.
So, whoever is prompted to want a 335 from viewing this video but doesn't have Gibson-level funds, the Epiphone Sheraton II Pro is a more affordable and, in my example's instance, more-than-adequate alternative. Epiphone's 335 is also more affordable and, I suspect, adequate.
Great as always man!
ES-335 is a must have. The beard is rocking! lml Always a well done video. Thanks for the content.
⚓️ Thanks Keith 🌈
I knew a guy who had the most epic guitar collection ever. Over a hundred of the most iconic Fenders and Gibsons. The ES-335 was his #1.
I was at a small guitar shop in '87 when I first saw one. The guy was giving lessons and asked me who my favorite jazz guitarists were. I said George Benson and Pat Metheny. He then said that Benson plays a lot of pentatonics, and that he and Metheny played 'pop', pronouncing the p in pop in a condescending way. He then said he was looking for advanced jazz students anyway, but asked if I was interested in buying a guitar: it was (what I just learned is) a red 1986 Studio ES-335. '$600', he said. It was the most beautiful guitar I'd seen in person, and I was tempted to ask to put it on layaway, but $600 was a lot of money for a high school student, and I felt that he insulted Benson and Metheny. So I didn't buy it, and instead went to a mall and bought for $200 the worst guitar ever made .
Since then, I've owned one of each of the 'essential' guitars-except for an ES. I think this video is a sign from God to change that.
While I do not have an actual Gibson (or Epiphone) ES-335, the 2 guitars I do have that I gravitate towards most of the time are strongly inspired by it -- a recently acquired Heritage H-535 (my current favorite instrument) and a somewhat surprising but both satisfying and economical Schecter(!) Corsair hardtail. I love playing them and they scratch a persistent itch that my Strat, Tele, Les Paul, and PRSes do not. Someday if my budget allows I want to get my hands on a very nice Gibson ES-335.
Missed the notification... argh! Watchig in Rerun Mode!
Great vid FWW.
Aloha Keith! I hard a CS 335 natural finish in mid eighties. Only one of the four I'm missing.
I have a 00’s Japanese elitist Epiphone 335, one of my faves.
I have a Casino Coupe, the poor man's ES-390. And an Epiphone Uptown Kat, an ES-390 sized single cut with Firebird pickups and an ebony fretboard.
I would urge prospective buyers of a modern ES-335 or ES-330 to try the Eastman copies, the T59/v and T64/v. My best guitars.
The photo of Marshall’s shop in London, is actually the his shop in Bletchley ( about 50 miles away)where the factory was also moved to. I haunted it for a few teenage years!
Got into 335 style guitars because of Tom Delonge using those 333’s. 339’s are my favorite though since they’re sized closer to a Les Paul.
I have a 92 epiphone SheratonII but it was too big for me so i went out to shop for a 339 but after playing a bunch i settled on the epiphone 339 . I liked the neck feel better and the ability to coil split.
Thanks again for another great video.
My dream guitar! ❤
Another piece that has escaped my collection maybe not for long lol
Very interesting.👍👍
The 335 is Gibson’s most versatile guitar imo, like the Telecaster is for Fender. Those two guitars would get you 98% of the sound spectrum.
Totally. The 335 cleans are unmatched amongst humbuckers. Use it all the time for recording.
I played 58 335 in Carter Vintage in 2019. It was a sweet guitar. Only 45 grand back then
Ok, don't stone me for this but- has anyone checked out these IYV guitars from Vietnam? I'm friends with a local pawn shop owner and he phones me up whenever new gear comes in so I can check it out, but I always tell him- "Don't call me because a squire or some solid-state cheapo practice amp shows up." And he knows what I mean, even understanding to the point that when a Classic Vibe showed up- he did call me, he gets the difference between inexpensive and cheap- which is rare for someone who doesn't play. So last week when he called and told me to come check out a semi-hollow, he would let me have for 150$- I knew something had to be up and went on over. It was a IYV made to look like a PRS with some CNC wound pickups on it. I didn't buy it, but i have to admit, it was really impressive for the cost. Thing is, I've always had my heart set on a 335 and if I buy a semi hollow it's going to be a real 335 or something like the Epiphone version. I've never played any of the PRS semi hollows, I might change my mind when I check one out, but I kind of doubt it, I don't like the piezo pickup system. The new Lerxst or whatever it's called- the one Alex Lifson helped design- way out of my reach financially, but that's what I would get if I could.
I've been a fan of this style guitar for years. Had am Epi Dot in Natural that turned into rent money, and I kicked myself for years until swapping an 80's MIJ Squier Strat for an Epiphone Sheraton and I am whole again. LOL! While I know Epi's ain't Gibby's they're the best I can afford, and if I'm honest, the most I will allow my non-pro level self to spend on one!
I hate to contradict you Keith as your content is always interesting and informative but Larry Carlton over the last couple of years has been using his Sire H7 signature model as his touring guitar. (If you look at some more recent TH-cam videos you will see.) I suppose it's one less thing to worry about when you're on the road. Many thanks I love 5ww and you have my deepest respect. Greetings from Scotland. 🙂
I’ve seen that, you’re right. I think at home gigs you’d still get the 335.
A friend's 335 I played almost 40 years ago is still the best and easiest to play guitar I've ever played. (I know, the verb play is there three times!)
In some ways the 335 and the Epiphone Casino have a lot in common.
The 330 and the Casino, very similar.
You forgot one of the solid bodies from the 80s 335S Firebrand-standard, deluxe, and custom.
I'm mostly a Les Paul player..., but if I could only have one guitar, it would be a 335.
History of Greeny!!
I did that. Check the back catalog.
mine is a Memphis '91 dot vintage burst. Easiest guitar to maintain throughout the seasons. Haven't needed to adjust relief (truss rod) or string height in like fifteen yrs. Who could ask for more
☮☮☮ I Love These Videos ☮☮☮
I wish you'd do the story of (or at least mention) the Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion etc....
All of them
The semi hollow style is my favourite. My dream guitar is an ES355 with a figured top but those be damn expensive. At the moment I have a Vintage by JHS brand VSA555 which is a copy of the 355, extremely well made, plays and sounds like a dream, I even prefer it to my Les Paul Studio. As for how many guitars DO you need? For me its actually just a 355 and a Strat, I have the LP Studio but I could do without it, for my needs the semi hollow and my strat with a Seymore Duncan STK s7 single coil in the neck and a gibson P94 in the bridge covers pretty much everything
Let's not forget that Johnny rivers is a 335 player
Well I got it right, Only problem is mine are copies.
i would a 335 lefty please!
My 65 Trini Lopez has a neck with of one and 5/8’s
Wait, seems you said maple/poplar/maple ply top & back, but then Spruce as well? so a 4 layer laminate. Or a spruce carved cap on the laminate, top & back? Sorry rapid fire delivery there, it’s like I missed something?😀
Sorry, laminate. Spruce braces inside.
What’s different between this video and the last one you did on this topic?
That's weird, that the blonde would be more expensive than the sunburst?
I guess the paint and labour were free on the sunburst guitars!
They had to use the best looking wood for the naturals.
Probably my least favorite Gibson. "But as always", the quality of this research is top notch now I want one!
Mine was stolen. :(
Comment for Al Gore’s rhythm.
I have never liked the 335 look it just doesn’t appeal to me.
I have a strata caster telecaster Les Paul, but I just have never liked the look
Try a 339, all the goodness of a 335 without the jumbo size.
If I had to grab only one guitar and leave in an emergency, it would be my 335. I might need a bit of therapy to grieve the rest of them, though.
That's a boring Grandpa guitar!
If you're not playing a 32 fret Schecter with a floyd rose then you're not playing at all!