Let's talk ES-335

[monark]

I like my old "Epiphone by Gibson" Sheraton alright, but I'm getting close to ready to throw down for a Gibson 335. In the course of my research/compulsive GAS, I've come across a lot of differing opinions about what vintage is or isn't worth the money...

I'm definitely not looking to spend more than $3k, under $2k would be better. I was chatting with the dude I bought my JBL 10"s from the other day, and he said the following:


"- Don't even consider one from the '80s. There was a fire at the factory and all the guitars were made with uncured wood and not only do they play like crap but they actually smell bad.
- The reissues coming out now are lackluster at best, including the custom shop ones. For the money, they're not worth it.
- The only 335s worth owning are the 60s ones and of course they're crazy $$"


Does anyone have any experience with the reissues? Do the 70s ones have the same narrow nut neck that i hate on 70s SG's? What's the smart buy for a 335?

[Orang Goreng]

I like my old "Epiphone by Gibson" Sheraton alright,

Sorry, I have absolutelky no useful info to give you. However, is that epi one of those with "by gibson" inlaid in faux pearl in the headstock? I used to own one of those, but never took any pics. If you have any, could you post some for sake of my nostalgia? Thanks!

[idiotbear]

- The only 335s worth owning are the 60s ones and of course they're crazy $$"

I really doubt that the bit in bold is true. Sweeping statements like that are so rarely accurate - we've had some interesting discussions on here about vintageophilia and the various crazinesses surrounding it. Find some and play them!

[shadowplay]

[url=http://What's%20the%20smart%20buy%20for%20a%20335?]What's the smart buy for a 335?[/url]

If you want 60's then it's worth looking at a Guild Starfire III, IV, V or VI. Sorry if this seems flippant but the Guild's a bargain, whereas the Gibsons not worth the extra.  Guild not so prone to headstock trauma either.  If they did a single coil starfire i'd buy one tomorrow, the green ones are gorgeous.  I've only played 60's ones but I own a 70's Guild acoustic and it's way tidier than a 70's Gibson.

[monark]

Right, the guy's whole spiel smacked of guitar snob douchery. I can't even find anytihing about the Gibson factory fire except vague mentions of a small roof fire in Kalamazoo in the early 70s... I'm just wondering if anyone here has any more specific, credible advice based on their own experience.

Of course I would love to find a great player and snap it up based on getting my hands on it, the problem is that here in new york, the shops are just really expensive compared to what you can get on ebay and private sale, and affordable 335s don't seem to pop up on CL very often, so i might have to go ebay.

[monark]

I like my old "Epiphone by Gibson" Sheraton alright,

Sorry, I have absolutelky no useful info to give you. However, is that epi one of those with "by gibson" inlaid in faux pearl in the headstock? I used to own one of those, but never took any pics. If you have any, could you post some for sake of my nostalgia? Thanks!

It is in fact one of those - I don't have any good pics of it at the moment but I need to take pics of a lot of my gear so when I do that I'll post it. Do you know anything about them? Like if they were MIJ, things like that?

[monark]

[url=http://What's%20the%20smart%20buy%20for%20a%20335?]What's the smart buy for a 335?[/url]

If you want 60's then it's worth looking at a Guild Starfire III, IV, V or VI. Sorry if this seems flippant but the Guild's a bargain, whereas the Gibsons not worth the extra.  Guild not so prone to headstock trauma either.  If they did a single coil starfire i'd buy one tomorrow, the green ones are gorgeous.  I've only played 60's ones but I own a 70's Guild acoustic and it's way tidier than a 70's Gibson.

Yeah, I've been thinking that myself - I have a '73 Guild S-100 that outshines any SG I've played, so maybe I'll get a Starfire IV. Do you have any advice on what is a good price to pay for a late 60s vs the 90s reissue SF-4?

[Orang Goreng]

It is in fact one of those - I don't have any good pics of it at the moment but I need to take pics of a lot of my gear so when I do that I'll post it. Do you know anything about them? Like if they were MIJ, things like that?

Unfortunately I know very little about them, but IIRC mine had a "made in Korea" sticker. I may have totally made that up though, I sold it ages ago. What I do vividly remember is that the shop where I bought it had an original blue comp mustang for roughly the same price (around $3-400 I guess), and I chose the epi because I hated those stripes (and always wanted a semi)   :-\  . Ah, the nineties...

[shadowplay]

Hard to say as you are in the US and i'm UK.  Much cheaper over your way, last I looked ok 60's Starfires were $900+, nice ones up to $1500 and mint condition green ones over $2000.  My Starfire owning pal paid £750/$1500 for a lovely red 67 V.  Single cut III's are the cheapest and IMHO the nicest aesthetically.

[Ursoluno]

Yeah, I've been thinking that myself - I have a '73 Guild S-100 that outshines any SG I've played, so maybe I'll get a Starfire IV. Do you have any advice on what is a good price to pay for a late 60s vs the 90s reissue SF-4?

Pun intended?

If so, well done.

[Soochdaddy]

Yeah, I've been thinking that myself - I have a '73 Guild S-100 that outshines any SG I've played, so maybe I'll get a Starfire IV. Do you have any advice on what is a good price to pay for a late 60s vs the 90s reissue SF-4?

Pun intended?

If so, well done.

Thought that myself when I saw it... I wonder of Thaiyl was still playing/recording with the Guild at the time of Badmotorfinger...?

[Jay]

[url=http://What's%20the%20smart%20buy%20for%20a%20335?]What's the smart buy for a 335?[/url]

If you want 60's then it's worth looking at a Guild Starfire III, IV, V or VI. Sorry if this seems flippant but the Guild's a bargain, whereas the Gibsons not worth the extra.  Guild not so prone to headstock trauma either.  If they did a single coil starfire i'd buy one tomorrow, the green ones are gorgeous.  I've only played 60's ones but I own a 70's Guild acoustic and it's way tidier than a 70's Gibson.

The Starfire III is not like a 335 at all since it's not blocked.  Not sure about the other Guild's but there would be a pretty large difference in tone and feel between a full hollow like the Guild (or a 330) and a semi-hollow like the 335.

[flatfiver]

Yeah, the Starfire IVs, Vs, and IVs are all very 335-like.  Initially they had a "harp" trapeze tailpiece, but later on into the 70s and early 80s they started doing stop-bars.  I haven't been watching them too closely, but it seems like a good vintage 60s/70s SFIV is going to run you about $1500-$2000.

I think newer reissue Gibsons can be good, but you have to try a few to get a feel for what you like.  Some of them are just meh, some are great.  I think you're right in your assessment: the guy's whole spiel smacked of guitar snob douchery.

[Mr. Peabody]

I found this while nosing around:
http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/guildStarfire.php

Any other ES-335 knock-offs people can recommend?

[Ursoluno]

Yeah, I've been thinking that myself - I have a '73 Guild S-100 that outshines any SG I've played, so maybe I'll get a Starfire IV. Do you have any advice on what is a good price to pay for a late 60s vs the 90s reissue SF-4?

Pun intended?

If so, well done.

Thought that myself when I saw it... I wonder of Thaiyl was still playing/recording with the Guild at the time of Badmotorfinger...?

Without a doubt.  "Badmotorfinger" was all Guild S-100/Les Paul Custom/Firebird into Peavey amps, if I'm not mistaken.