Gear used: Yamaha Sa2200 Gibson Custom es 335 Mesa Boogie Caliber 50 Alesis Nanoverb Video quality is poor (my webcam is getting really old :-), new one on the way)
I’ve owned several 335s, and 355s over the years. I’ve bonded with my Yamaha SA2200 in a way I’ve never with any 335, or 355 for that matter. I love the Gibson tradition, and legacy. The ‘63 ES 330 I owned in music school was outstanding, as well as my ‘66 335. Gibson still makes great instruments, but every single recent model I’ve had was rife with issues like fingerboard swelling, poorly positioned TOM bridges. Really nice playing on both of these instruments!
It’s August 2020. I wanted a 335 for so much of the last 25 years. Changed my mind when I began watching demonstrations such as this one. The SA2000 and 2200 are tempting me hard.
For the clean comparisons, I think the Gibson is a little smoother. I feel like I'm listening to a jazz record. The Yamaha sounds a little more aggressive with more bite. I prefer the smoother sound. :) Clean comparisons: Gibson 0:18 Yamaha 1:02 Gibson 1:42 Yamaha 2:32
Wonderful playing. This video helped me understand the qualities of each instrument. The problem for me is can’t get both guitars in my hands to decide for my self. Hearing them is one thing but how does the neck feel etc. Ordering either based solely on videos scares the hell out of me. One of these or an Ibanez will be my retirement guitar. All the best from Victoria, Canada.
@@TheHumbuckerboy the sa2200 has a neck profile that has a slim c profile and the high quality mahogany and ebony board feel rock solid to play, I would think the gibson is less modern in it's yamaha counterpart and not as easy to play.The yamaha is an major improvement on the gibson design
Hi from Arizona....I really wanted....want a 335 but I've watched your channel for a while now and I was able get a Yamaha sa2200. Great guitar! I am no where close to your skill level...you're a master! The Yamaha is a very cool guitar! Thanks for sharing with us.
The Gibbo does have a warmer sweet tone to it but for my money I prefer the bright sparkle that the Yammie gives and its clever versatility in pick up control.
The yamadawg is an excellent instrument but the 335 has its thing. Imitated but never duplicated. They are two totally different instruments with their own thing. Good video and comparison and excellent playing.
Very nice playing. This is the best (and fairest) kind of gear video. No bullshit blah blah blah, and you play the same pieces on both guitars while running them through same amp. Well done all around.
Good review. The es 335 is warmer to my ear. I prefer. But the yamaha sounds really great, is cheaper, and a better finish. Between 2000€ and 3000€, i'd prefer to go with a yamaha or ibanez. But my dream guitar remains a 335 reissue 64'. Those guitars have something.
When the vid started I thought, yeah this guy can play OK. Nek minute 7:40.... Oh well, I'm really happy for him. No really I am. Great playing man, and yeah, the Yami sounds more present more HiFi. Don't know it that's better as much as it is different but I know which one I'd buy in a heart beat. You can always De Fi and save your self a couple of grand.
I have the yamaha sa2000 and all I can say is this guitar takes me to places I have never been before and inspires me to out play myself. I also have a Gibson 335 but It does not take me to new frontiers like the yamaha.
Excellent video. I've been trying to work out how these guitars compare to each other. Hearing them side by side, I can hear that the Gibson guitar produces a much better clean sound on the neck pickup, which as a jazz player is of most relevance to me.
Great playing! I play clean, mostly jazz these days. I'd stick some heavy flat wounds on either of those guitars and be happy. However, that ES-335 has got that sound though, hasn't it?
Fantastic playing!!! :) so clean and beautiful!!! Do you use alternate picking or economy picking when you play those fast runs around minute 6:44? Thanks
Many years ago I had a bit of cash for a semi acoustic. Could have bought a 335. I decided to try all the big guys. Gibson 335, Ibanez John Scofield and the Yamaha SA2200. I was shocked how the SA2200 surpassed the 335 in just about all aspect of quality. The John Scofield was a close second. I have been the proud owner of a SA2200 since.
I have SA2000 and have played few 335s, Yamaha is definitely smoother & warmer whereas Gibson is open & raw sounding! I will go with Gibson for any non jazz genre!! Loved the playing man 🤘
I think you hit the nail on the head. I recently went to Mom's Music in Louisville and played a new figured 335 and an SA2200 side by side. The SA2200 would definitely appeal to a jazz cat. It is smooth as silk, especially the neck pickup. It sounded like a big box guitar for sure. The 335 was more woody sounding and responded to a gain pedal much better. Rather than "better or worse" it was more "apples and oranges". SA2200 - $2099. Figured 335 - $3799. Fit and finish on both were excellent. The neck on the SA2200 was very slim, which I like.
Very cool demo, nice playing. The Yamaha is far better than the Gibson. But the Gibson have the historical vintage touch. I need the Yamaha. And what about AS prestige from Ibanez, or as93 which is less expensive (600€) ?
Morning coffee here.. “thank you” for another great performance. I was reading your replies while listening and you mentioned alternate and legato picking. Could you possibly suggest an exercise that I could do to help me with coordination between my left and right hand. Your pick to string attack is so smooth which makes me wonder if your using the rounded end opposed to the pointed. I hope you can understand what I’m referring to here. By the way I ordered the Bogner La Grange pedal after watching your demo yesterday. Peace
Nikolay Karageorgiev Good morning Nikolay, I just wanted to let you know that the exercise and the fact I can slow it down has really been a great tool. Last night I watched a few more Vids of yours and discovered your FB page. What I could see by your pictures is that Bulgaria is a beautiful place to live and play music. I liked “Darth Vader Cat” by the way. Do you ever make appearances in the USA? I would entertain the idea if you haven’t already done so. I’d like to think I could see you play someday in person. Thank you once again for sharing your time and talent. Peace
It shows from the vid and the comments what a fantastic job Yamaha has done with this guitar. Japanese made Yamaha's are definitely top shelf. I've been looking at buying either a Yamaha or a Gibson 335/339 for years and keep going back to the Yamaha.
Thanks, yes, I still have it, I like to play blues with it and I do like the look of it, but If I have to choose which one to keep, I would go with the Yamaha! Cheers!
I think most other semi hollows are more articulate than the 335...in fact In EVERY video I've seen the other guitar is airier, articulate and more transparent. And the non 335 guitar appears to have much more attention to detail and better construction. Nevertheless, I just feel the tone of the 335 is exactly what I'm looking for, especially those '57 classics! The fuller, rounder tone is ticket for me. I don't even really want to buy a Gibson but looks like I will.
@@topografer the Heritage looks like a very nice unit! I fight with the 335 a bit too because I am a Strat player and the 335 is a bit "unwieldy" but whenever I A/B it against an alternative it's tone slays the comp
Izdrasti Nikolay! Great playing man! Can I ask what the neck profile of the Yamaha is like? Is it a slim tapered neck or fatter? I have a Yamaha SG1000 and it has a '59 profile neck which I love as I have big hands and I am hoping that the SA2200 is also fatter. Merci! ;) Greetings from Budapest!
They both sound great but I tended to prefer the Yamaha clean and the Gibson crunch but I think the Yam is hotter and therefore just needs to be tweaked a bit for a better defined crunch. Typical insane quality of craftsmanship of MIJ Yamahas and a perfectly balanced tone, just like their acoustics. Been watching a few of these and own a nice Ibanez AS153 but I'm coveting the SA2200 and making the move. The ibanez neck just cant be dialed in it seems for me. I bought an LL16D about a year ago after a lot of research and testing. Quality for price is unbelievable and I'm sold now on Yamaha value. It started for me 15 years ago with a MIJ Epiphone Sheraton Elite. That guitar literally played itself. I didnt know until then you could make a guitar so smooth and easy to play. I stupidly sold it when I had a lot of guitars and needed the cash for a newer obsession. I wasnt a fan of the mini humbucker either but still the most wonderful playing thing I have every had. To this day still. I want that back.
both sound great, what is your opinion of the two as the owner of both? Do you have a favourite and why ? To my ears the yamaha sounds a bit brighter and a slightly harder attack but other than that fairly similar. The Yam wins hands down on aesthetic beauty...and i know they have flawless build quality whereas Gibson are hit n miss. Both seem great guitars though and you can't go wrong with a good example of either IMO.
Hello! I like Yamaha more for playing jazz related stuff, the tone and the attack are more consistent throughout the fretboard. 335 is better for blues and rock related things, at least in my opinion, due to its characteristic woody sound. Both are very good
Both great guitars in their own right my personal taste would be the 335, sounds fuller IMO, Yamaha a bit brighter or richer in tone. Maybe a little hotter too.
If only they'd offer other colours for the Yamaha, especially a cherry , I would for sure get one. Inl definitivelly like it, the split coil feature is awesome. But I dont like the looks. At all 😐😕
I own and play a ES-335, but I remember the SA2200 I played a couple decades ago and I still think the Yamaha was better. Time for me to man up and buy one.
I really like both. Would pick the Yamaha for playing with more drive. The 335 is great for blues. But in my opinion Yamaha has better price/quality ratio. Cheers
+Nikolay Karageorgiev Hi Nikolay, thanks for this video! im a big fan of your playing ! Do you know what model is the Es335? at least the pickups? Im between the yamaha and the 335, both around the same price used! Any opinions in terms of playability? fret size and FB radius is different in both i believe. Thanks in advance, Keep up the great work! PD: i´d love to see you playing a tele, just saying :)
What do you mean, you tried em changed em and then realised they weren't all that different? I'm currently weighing up between a modern 335 Gibson and a Yamaha and leaning towards that Yamaha atm
Guys I play acoustic but. I finally want an electric. Mainly Yamaha's and Martins for me. Should I pick this one, I don't gig, just for fun. I know I don't really need a guitar this good but I just hate buying junk.
just my 2k for it, es 's the old ones can be very good (can be) the new ones ok , but the craftsman are long gone. carved maple tops etc. sa's good constant quality ,my choice yamaha, and i dont care for reactions
The Gibson is maybe just the tiniest bit warmer, but I think the Yamaha is better for articulation, especially on the neck.There's a pick attack to the 2200 which the warm Gibson just doesn't have.However, I understand for 2016, Gibson have changed the tone capacitor to a 0.15 which should brighten the sound a wee bit.The fat vocal bridge tones are great one either instrument and are so similar.I think it boils down to whether you wish to invest in the heritage and coolness of owning a Gibson or the meticulously built Yamaha.I WAS going to buy a Gibson.I'm not now.
I was having the same dilemma, but the more I read about the SA 2200, the more I love it. The attention to quality and detail is rediculous, and you get push push coil tapping. I'm buying it
A Gibson is still a Gibson, in all it’s simplicity. Very, very well playing also 👌🏼. I also have have a ES 335 and an Ibanez AS100 I bought in ‘79 at the age of 15. The Ibanez does the trick also, maybe better. But a Gibson “s still a Gibson. So if you want a Gibson for a long time..., don’t spent your money on something else. It will haunt you...😈
I sat many times in a large guitar shop over a year playing several Gibson ES 335s and Yamaha SA 2200s and kept coming back to the Japanese custom shop 2200 on quality, tone and value for money. It's great seeing the 2200 in more videos by a top drawer player like Nikolay Karageorgiev than Gibsons. For the price of one 335, or especially a single mid-price Les Paul, I bought an SA2200 AND a Japanese Pro Revstar chambered solid body, with a few hundred left over for a downpayment on a Yamaha Helix floor modeller. The Revstar competes on a level field with a Les Paul at 1/3 the price, and is an SG killer hands down. Watch any video by Matteo Mancuso and you'll have a conversion experience. Three years later I see Gibson as akin to Range Rovers -- 25% vehicle, 75% vanity.
Hmmm. Lots of comments arguing that the Yammie is the better guitar. To my ear, it has a brittleness, a slight spiky quality to the cleans while the Gibson is more round and wholesome sounding. The dirty tones in the Yammie might benefit a little from this but the cleans are where it's at man.
I hear the difference side by side. If I didn't have that comparison I might think the Yamaha was a great guitar. If you don't know better, you don't know better. The sa2200 has way too much mud going on for my taste. In a band setting that 335 is going to shine big time. Great art isn't about cost savings and it never has been! Artist care about results not economics. We don't go into it for the money.
The Yamaha doesn't have stock pick ups thus this comparison doesn't mean anything. It's like saying your testing a '62 strat that has lace sensors. That wouldn't make any sense either!
Hi and thanks for your comment! yes you are absolutely right, it's just showing the difference between my guitars, not Sa2200 and ES335 in general! Cheers
If you were going to take the Yamaha onto a world stage or national television broadcast, only you and the guys you were playing with would be able to distinguish it from the Gibson.
Great playing ! As usual copies look and sound close but never like the real deal Why buy copies (which buy the way should be illegal as Ibanez, Yamaha ... are just thieves who stole genuine inventions) ? Save money get a real Made in USA Gibson or Fender they look, sound and play better but most of all they carry the sound from the past and and the present the sounds from songs we all grew up with or refer to as the best music made ... Now if you're broke or can't invest yes buy a copy but buy the cheaper ones don't waste your money on those they just lose value
I’ve owned several 335s, and 355s over the years. I’ve bonded with my Yamaha SA2200 in a way I’ve never with any 335, or 355 for that matter.
I love the Gibson tradition, and legacy. The ‘63 ES 330 I owned in music school was outstanding, as well as my ‘66 335. Gibson still makes great instruments, but every single recent model I’ve had was rife with issues like fingerboard swelling, poorly positioned TOM bridges. Really nice playing on both of these instruments!
It’s August 2020. I wanted a 335 for so much of the last 25 years. Changed my mind when I began watching demonstrations such as this one. The SA2000 and 2200 are tempting me hard.
Wonderful ! every time I listen to your playing I realise your mastery of the guitar from jazz to rock
Very useful ! Thank you for this concise comparaison, but overall sounding demo !
For the clean comparisons, I think the Gibson is a little smoother. I feel like I'm listening to a jazz record. The Yamaha sounds a little more aggressive with more bite. I prefer the smoother sound. :)
Clean comparisons:
Gibson 0:18
Yamaha 1:02
Gibson 1:42
Yamaha 2:32
I have the sa2200 and its a work of art. Sounds out of this world,feels like a million dollar in hand and looks like a beautiful machine.
Excellent review! No chatter, just playing. 👍
Wonderful playing. This video helped me understand the qualities of each instrument. The problem for me is can’t get both guitars in my hands to decide for my self. Hearing them is one thing but how does the neck feel etc. Ordering either based solely on videos scares the hell out of me. One of these or an Ibanez will be my retirement guitar. All the best from Victoria, Canada.
Have a Yamaha 1988 SA 2100 for sale in Vancouver.
the Yamaha sa2200 is one of the best guitars in the world at any price level
absolutely!!!
IbaneZ as200 may be too
Would the Yamaha have a chunkier neck than this Es335 ?
@@TheHumbuckerboy the sa2200 has a neck profile that has a slim c profile and the high quality mahogany and ebony board feel rock solid to play, I would think the gibson is less modern in it's yamaha counterpart and not as easy to play.The yamaha is an major improvement on the gibson design
Some day I will own a Gibson ES 335! Thanks for posting. Hopefully its as magical as the one your playing.
wow great playing too just brought the yamaha ...im a big 335 fan but i thought the Yamaha stood up very well in your hands
Hi from Arizona....I really wanted....want a 335 but I've watched your channel for a while now and I was able get a Yamaha sa2200. Great guitar!
I am no where close to your skill level...you're a master! The Yamaha is a very cool guitar! Thanks for sharing with us.
+guitarlos g-los Thank you!
Brilliant. One of the best comparison videos I've ever seen, and the playing was stellar. Bitchin' chops, man. I love my SA2200!
The Gibbo does have a warmer sweet tone to it but for my money I prefer the bright sparkle that the Yammie gives and its clever versatility in pick up control.
The yamadawg is an excellent instrument but the 335 has its thing. Imitated but never duplicated. They are two totally different instruments with their own thing. Good video and comparison and excellent playing.
Great playing. I have the Yamaha. It's a beautiful thing!
Very nice playing.
This is the best (and fairest) kind of gear video. No bullshit blah blah blah, and you play the same pieces on both guitars while running them through same amp.
Well done all around.
Thanks a lot 🙏
there are no bad yamaha instruments… never seen in 38 years of playing … in every pricerange always amazing quality…
Both sound awesome, which is saying a lot for the Yamaha!
The Yamaha sounds better for distorted tones here. Clean sounds...The Gibson sounds warmer.
Let me say what excellent guitar playing, great demo of two great guitars.
Jason Ross Thanks
Mr Personality! Fabulous guitar playing.
Beautiful playing. I love it.
Good review. The es 335 is warmer to my ear. I prefer. But the yamaha sounds really great, is cheaper, and a better finish. Between 2000€ and 3000€, i'd prefer to go with a yamaha or ibanez.
But my dream guitar remains a 335 reissue 64'. Those guitars have something.
The Yamaha is overall brighter sounding - I'd say more articulate than the 335.
When the vid started I thought, yeah this guy can play OK. Nek minute 7:40.... Oh well, I'm really happy for him. No really I am. Great playing man, and yeah, the Yami sounds more present more HiFi. Don't know it that's better as much as it is different but I know which one I'd buy in a heart beat. You can always De Fi and save your self a couple of grand.
I have the yamaha sa2000 and all I can say is this guitar takes me to places I have never been before and inspires me to out play myself. I also have a Gibson 335 but It does not take me to new frontiers like the yamaha.
Excellent video. I've been trying to work out how these guitars compare to each other. Hearing them side by side, I can hear that the Gibson guitar produces a much better clean sound on the neck pickup, which as a jazz player is of most relevance to me.
Great playing! I play clean, mostly jazz these days. I'd stick some heavy flat wounds on either of those guitars and be happy. However, that ES-335 has got that sound though, hasn't it?
smooth playing man. Great!
Thanks!
Very interesting ! Thanks !
Fantastic playing!!! :) so clean and beautiful!!! Do you use alternate picking or economy picking when you play those fast runs around minute 6:44? Thanks
Thanks, I play mostly alternate and some legato! Cheers!
excellent playing your amazing
My my 🙈 it’s a difficult one ……. But the Yamaha sa2200 is the one. I bet it’s less than half the price. Great video thanks.
killing it
Yamaha hands down !!! Btw, what amp are you using? .
Excelente playing
Great video!
Thank you.
Many years ago I had a bit of cash for a semi acoustic. Could have bought a 335. I decided to try all the big guys. Gibson 335, Ibanez John Scofield and the Yamaha SA2200. I was shocked how the SA2200 surpassed the 335 in just about all aspect of quality. The John Scofield was a close second. I have been the proud owner of a SA2200 since.
Yeah that's probably why Larry Carlton plays a 335 because the Yamaha surpasses the Gibson
@@videomusic1381 you think Larry Carlton plays a regular run-of-the-mill 335.
@@videomusic1381 larry now plays Sire lol
@@Mojojojoe lol ye. The comment didn't age well
I have SA2000 and have played few 335s, Yamaha is definitely smoother & warmer whereas Gibson is open & raw sounding!
I will go with Gibson for any non jazz genre!!
Loved the playing man 🤘
I think you hit the nail on the head. I recently went to Mom's Music in Louisville and played a new figured 335 and an SA2200 side by side. The SA2200 would definitely appeal to a jazz cat. It is smooth as silk, especially the neck pickup. It sounded like a big box guitar for sure. The 335 was more woody sounding and responded to a gain pedal much better. Rather than "better or worse" it was more "apples and oranges". SA2200 - $2099. Figured 335 - $3799. Fit and finish on both were excellent. The neck on the SA2200 was very slim, which I like.
Very cool demo, nice playing. The Yamaha is far better than the Gibson. But the Gibson have the historical vintage touch. I need the Yamaha. And what about AS prestige from Ibanez, or as93 which is less expensive (600€) ?
ES335 seems to have better volume control. You could dial in the distortion gradually whereas the Yamaha went too quickly from clean to crunch.
Morning coffee here.. “thank you” for another great performance. I was reading your replies while listening and you mentioned alternate and legato picking. Could you possibly suggest an exercise that I could do to help me with coordination between my left and right hand. Your pick to string attack is so smooth which makes me wonder if your using the rounded end opposed to the pointed. I hope you can understand what I’m referring to here. By the way I ordered the Bogner La Grange pedal after watching your demo yesterday. Peace
Hi, there is a warm up example th-cam.com/video/33gEDV3YcRs/w-d-xo.html I play stuff like that in order to make my right hand to pick properly! Cheers
Nikolay Karageorgiev Thank you so much.
Nikolay Karageorgiev Good morning Nikolay, I just wanted to let you know that the exercise and the fact I can slow it down has really been a great tool. Last night I watched a few more Vids of yours and discovered your FB page. What I could see by your pictures is that Bulgaria is a beautiful place to live and play music. I liked “Darth Vader Cat” by the way.
Do you ever make appearances in the USA? I would entertain the idea if you haven’t already done so. I’d like to think I could see you play someday in person. Thank you once again for sharing your time and talent. Peace
It shows from the vid and the comments what a fantastic job Yamaha has done with this guitar. Japanese made Yamaha's are definitely top shelf.
I've been looking at buying either a Yamaha or a Gibson 335/339 for years and keep going back to the Yamaha.
Great playing! I enjoyed that. Nice clean tone on both guitars. Yamaha has a fatter tone, better than es335 in my opinion.
Thanks a lot!
So Nikolay, excellent playing and very nice vid, but I'd like to hear your thoughts too. Are you keeping the Gibson? If so what do you like about it?
Thanks, yes, I still have it, I like to play blues with it and I do like the look of it, but If I have to choose which one to keep, I would go with the Yamaha! Cheers!
Mad skillz!
I think most other semi hollows are more articulate than the 335...in fact In EVERY video I've seen the other guitar is airier, articulate and more transparent. And the non 335 guitar appears to have much more attention to detail and better construction. Nevertheless, I just feel the tone of the 335 is exactly what I'm looking for, especially those '57 classics! The fuller, rounder tone is ticket for me. I don't even really want to buy a Gibson but looks like I will.
Spot on comment. What did you do then?
@@topografer LOL, did buy the 335, studio version.
@@paullazarus790 great! Went with a heritage 535. But it's kind of eating me
@@topografer the Heritage looks like a very nice unit! I fight with the 335 a bit too because I am a Strat player and the 335 is a bit "unwieldy" but whenever I A/B it against an alternative it's tone slays the comp
I just bought a nice used sa2200 with a Gator case. Get one as the prices are going up!
who do you think is more comfortable? and closer to the wires with the nut ??
Izdrasti Nikolay! Great playing man! Can I ask what the neck profile of the Yamaha is like? Is it a slim tapered neck or fatter? I have a Yamaha SG1000 and it has a '59 profile neck which I love as I have big hands and I am hoping that the SA2200 is also fatter. Merci! ;) Greetings from Budapest!
Thanks a lot! Its not a slim taper, but also not quite as fat as 59, somewhere in between, i would say! Quite comfortable though! Cheers!
@@NikolayKarageorgiev Thanks for the info man! Cheers!
Wow!! You are a monster player! Excellent👏👏👏
Thanks a lot
Hey Nikolay you are an awesome player! What is your take on the two guitars? To me the 335 sounds a little more open.
Yes it does, but I prefer the Yamaha in general, at least for jazzy stuff! Cheers
They both sound great but I tended to prefer the Yamaha clean and the Gibson crunch but I think the Yam is hotter and therefore just needs to be tweaked a bit for a better defined crunch. Typical insane quality of craftsmanship of MIJ Yamahas and a perfectly balanced tone, just like their acoustics. Been watching a few of these and own a nice Ibanez AS153 but I'm coveting the SA2200 and making the move. The ibanez neck just cant be dialed in it seems for me. I bought an LL16D about a year ago after a lot of research and testing. Quality for price is unbelievable and I'm sold now on Yamaha value. It started for me 15 years ago with a MIJ Epiphone Sheraton Elite. That guitar literally played itself. I didnt know until then you could make a guitar so smooth and easy to play. I stupidly sold it when I had a lot of guitars and needed the cash for a newer obsession. I wasnt a fan of the mini humbucker either but still the most wonderful playing thing I have every had. To this day still. I want that back.
Great playing👍what strings you using
Thank you, 12s, but dont remember the brand!.Cheers!
great playing but how do the guitars feel?
both sound great, what is your opinion of the two as the owner of both? Do you have a favourite and why ? To my ears the yamaha sounds a bit brighter and a slightly harder attack but other than that fairly similar. The Yam wins hands down on aesthetic beauty...and i know they have flawless build quality whereas Gibson are hit n miss. Both seem great guitars though and you can't go wrong with a good example of either IMO.
Hello! I like Yamaha more for playing jazz related stuff, the tone and the attack are more consistent throughout the fretboard. 335 is better for blues and rock related things, at least in my opinion, due to its characteristic woody sound. Both are very good
thanks - appreciate it
Both great guitars in their own right my personal taste would be the 335, sounds fuller IMO, Yamaha a bit brighter or richer in tone. Maybe a little hotter too.
I agree, both a great, but I like the Yamaha more! Cheers!
Both very nice. With a little préférence for thé Yamaha
If only they'd offer other colours for the Yamaha, especially a cherry , I would for sure get one. Inl definitivelly like it, the split coil feature is awesome. But I dont like the looks. At all 😐😕
From what I hear here, I'd go for the Gibson. I'd probably go for the Gibson because of the feel too.
Can I respectfully ask, How can you choose the Gibson "feel" over the Yamaha? Do you have both guitars as well.? Not trolling, just asking.
Both are great guitars, but the Yamaha just feels nicer to play and is better value for your bucks.
I own and play a ES-335, but I remember the SA2200 I played a couple decades ago and I still think the Yamaha was better. Time for me to man up and buy one.
Brother has some serious skills, am I right ?
Which one would you prefer to play.I had a 335 but couldnt get on with it.Always fancied a SA2200 though?
I really like both. Would pick the Yamaha for playing with more drive. The 335 is great for blues. But in my opinion Yamaha has better price/quality ratio. Cheers
+Nikolay Karageorgiev thanks Nikolay I agree 👍
+Nikolay Karageorgiev Hi Nikolay, thanks for this video! im a big fan of your playing !
Do you know what model is the Es335? at least the pickups?
Im between the yamaha and the 335, both around the same price used!
Any opinions in terms of playability? fret size and FB radius is different in both i believe.
Thanks in advance, Keep up the great work!
PD: i´d love to see you playing a tele, just saying :)
+Santiago Ruiz Thanks a lot, its a Memphis Custom ES335, the pickups are Classic 57. Cheers
Dude got chops!
Hey man you're a sick player, does that Yamaha have the stock pickups or have you changed them?
+Bren Croll Thank you, the pickups are Gibson 490, 498. Nothing wrong with the originals though, I just didn't know it at the time! Cheers!
What do you mean, you tried em changed em and then realised they weren't all that different? I'm currently weighing up between a modern 335 Gibson and a Yamaha and leaning towards that Yamaha atm
Thank you. What are the production years of these guitars?
Can't tell which is gibson and which is copy. For most, the red was better buy subtle creamy edge. But I doubt I could pass a blind test
I have both, but prefer the SA2200. I’m always fighting neck rise with the 335, and get tired of fighting the guitar.
Guys I play acoustic but. I finally want an electric. Mainly Yamaha's and Martins for me. Should I pick this one, I don't gig, just for fun. I know I don't really need a guitar this good but I just hate buying junk.
I have the first as 2000 from the 70s. It's a fat neck and sounds stupid good
just my 2k for it, es 's the old ones can be very good (can be) the new ones ok , but the craftsman are long gone. carved maple tops etc.
sa's good constant quality ,my choice yamaha, and i dont care for reactions
The ES 335 never had a carved top or solid wood they have always been laminated maple. These days they are maple/poplar/maple.
Do u have original song , u have a soul of larry carlton
Are those the same size, width and weight ?
In general, yes
The Gibson sounds way better to me but I think I would be happy with either
The Gibson is maybe just the tiniest bit warmer, but I think the Yamaha is better for articulation, especially on the neck.There's a pick attack to the 2200 which the warm Gibson just doesn't have.However, I understand for 2016, Gibson have changed the tone capacitor to a 0.15 which should brighten the sound a wee bit.The fat vocal bridge tones are great one either instrument and are so similar.I think it boils down to whether you wish to invest in the heritage and coolness of owning a Gibson or the meticulously built Yamaha.I WAS going to buy a Gibson.I'm not now.
Thanks, I got both :-) Cheers!
I was having the same dilemma, but the more I read about the SA 2200, the more I love it. The attention to quality and detail is rediculous, and you get push push coil tapping. I'm buying it
Yamaha hands down
A Gibson is still a Gibson, in all it’s simplicity. Very, very well playing also 👌🏼. I also have have a ES 335 and an Ibanez AS100 I bought in ‘79 at the age of 15. The Ibanez does the trick also, maybe better. But a Gibson “s still a Gibson. So if you want a Gibson for a long time..., don’t spent your money on something else. It will haunt you...😈
I sat many times in a large guitar shop over a year playing several Gibson ES 335s and Yamaha SA 2200s and kept coming back to the Japanese custom shop 2200 on quality, tone and value for money. It's great seeing the 2200 in more videos by a top drawer player like Nikolay Karageorgiev than Gibsons. For the price of one 335, or especially a single mid-price Les Paul, I bought an SA2200 AND a Japanese Pro Revstar chambered solid body, with a few hundred left over for a downpayment on a Yamaha Helix floor modeller. The Revstar competes on a level field with a Les Paul at 1/3 the price, and is an SG killer hands down. Watch any video by Matteo Mancuso and you'll have a conversion experience. Three years later I see Gibson as akin to Range Rovers -- 25% vehicle, 75% vanity.
@@ub59 Yep, many guitars will do the trick these days. In the end I wanted a Gibson 335 when I could affort one.
Hmmm. Lots of comments arguing that the Yammie is the better guitar. To my ear, it has a brittleness, a slight spiky quality to the cleans while the Gibson is more round and wholesome sounding. The dirty tones in the Yammie might benefit a little from this but the cleans are where it's at man.
I Like 335 better! IT`s got warmer tone, but for the price i think I’ll go with sa2200
I hear the difference side by side. If I didn't have that comparison I might think the Yamaha was a great guitar.
If you don't know better, you don't know better. The sa2200 has way too much mud going on for my taste. In a band setting that 335 is going to shine big time. Great art isn't about cost savings and it never has been! Artist care about results not economics. We don't go into it for the money.
The Yamaha doesn't have stock pick ups thus this comparison doesn't mean anything. It's like saying your testing a '62 strat that has lace sensors. That wouldn't make any sense either!
Hi and thanks for your comment! yes you are absolutely right, it's just showing the difference between my guitars, not Sa2200 and ES335 in general! Cheers
Difficult to decide between
02:12
02:59
Difference would be 2.12 is noticeably warmer.
Can't really tell which one is "better."
Yeah, they're both amazing in the hands of someone who can actually play. I would save the cash and get the Yamaha because I can't play.
Yamaha all the way better guitar
Yamaha is top 👏😎👍😍
ES-335’s great! But YAMAHA copy well
My ears are shaved Gibson
やはりヤマハは凄い
If you were going to take the Yamaha onto a world stage or national television broadcast, only you and the guys you were playing with would be able to distinguish it from the Gibson.
The Gibson in my ears sounds better.
YAMAHA is winner !
Yamaha takes it fer sure altho the box is okay
*Gibson = more creamy, jazzy sound.*
Just like with every Gibson vs non Gibson video. The gibson sounda more gibson
Gibson of course. Yamaha is a motor bike!
When you hear Gibby arrogance, head straight for the Yamaha.
Great playing !
As usual copies look and sound close but never like the real deal
Why buy copies (which buy the way should be illegal as Ibanez, Yamaha ... are just thieves who stole genuine inventions) ?
Save money get a real Made in USA Gibson or Fender they look, sound and play better but most of all they carry the sound from the past and and the present the sounds from songs we all grew up with or refer to as the best music made ...
Now if you're broke or can't invest yes buy a copy but buy the cheaper ones don't waste your money on those they just lose value
They’ve all been priced way out of anybody’s budget, and the more recent ones are not dependable in terms of quality.
dont fool yourselves gibson is the winner
Yamaha S.A.2200 I ❤️mine🎸🔥🎸
Yamaha takes it fer sure altho the box is okay