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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 21, 2020 7:12:16 GMT -7
Good gravy! For a guitar whose coveted "prime" spans only 6 years of production, there sure are a lot of little distinctions to take into account when trying to find the right recreation/reissue for me.
Let's forget about the first "we're still figuring this out" 1958 production year; and let's also dispense of 1965 onward, where most enthusiasts dismiss them altogether. So, between '59 and '64—again, just six freaking years—you have:
Chunky neck. Then it goes skinny. Then chunky again? Mickey-Mouse ears or pointed horns? Dots or small blocks? Long pickguard or short? Mostly stoptail. But wait, there's Bigsby! WTF with those nylon saddles?
For the record, yes I do know which of the above specs roughly correlate to which production years, and I understand which of them a true-to-spec '63, for instance, would be expected to have, etc. But holy hell... so cosmetically different over just 6 years! And 2 of those don't even include the unmistakably classic cherry red!
</rant>
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Post by Seńor Verde on Jun 21, 2020 8:15:03 GMT -7
It might have to be a compromise for you, or you could stray from those reissue years. I have 2x 2017 ES-335 and the necks are between slim-taoer and the big ones. They sound great, are lightweight, play well and look great. Since they're block inlays, I put reflector knobs on them so they look more 60's. Granted, the reissues do sound a little different, but I'm comletely happy with my 2017's.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 21, 2020 9:42:14 GMT -7
Here's some ES335 porn for you Mark: 1965 ES 335 12 String Eric Clapton ES 335 1965 ES 335 6 string with Bigsby
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Post by doctorice on Jun 21, 2020 10:02:21 GMT -7
Here's some ES335 porn for you Mark: 1965 ES 335 12 String Eric Clapton ES 335 1965 ES 335 6 string with Bigsby Isn't illegal to post this in most states, Mike?
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Post by Ridgeback on Jun 21, 2020 10:05:15 GMT -7
That's quite a trio. Love the case.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 21, 2020 11:23:59 GMT -7
Here's some ES335 porn for you Mark: 1965 ES 335 12 String Eric Clapton ES 335 1965 ES 335 6 string with Bigsby I remember two of those three, Mike--that 12-string is just . I think Eric might've had it right with the '64 model (stop-tail bridge and small-block inlays); but the neck, especially on Gibsons, is a big variable for me. Gotta get out there and try my hands on a few... which never seemed that easy before a global pandemic, let alone now.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 21, 2020 11:36:17 GMT -7
Here's some ES335 porn for you Mark: 1965 ES 335 12 String Eric Clapton ES 335 1965 ES 335 6 string with Bigsby I remember two of those three, Mike--that 12-string is just . I think Eric might've had it right with the '64 model (stop-tail bridge and small-block inlays); but the neck, especially on Gibsons, is a big variable for me. Gotta get out there and try my hands on a few... which never seemed that easy before a global pandemic, let alone now. You're welcome to come try them out
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Post by sharkboy on Jun 21, 2020 12:07:05 GMT -7
I lucked out, I think, but it still took some time to fall in love with it. I spoke with Greg Koch some before buying it online. Mine is (IIRC,) a 2013 ‘63 reissue. Mouse ears, what I think is a thin (front to back) neck, block inlays, burstbuckers.
I liked the neck first. Arguably my favorite between all of my guitars, but that’s not a huge driver these days, as I can navigate a fatter neck just fine. I still kept switching back to my 336 and Ric 650c because they sounded so good alone. Then, as it turns out, the characteristics (honk, for lack of a better term) of the bb pickups allowed it to stick out in a denser mix. It has, almost reluctantly, become my go-to humbucker guitar.
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Post by helmi on Jun 21, 2020 13:17:16 GMT -7
Just go with a Heritage and be done with it! lol
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2020 14:51:29 GMT -7
I'm real happy with my '59 RI. It's got the classic '59 neck--not super chunky, not super skinny--neck pickup is killer, VOS specs. Dave's somehow had a batch of them to sell as used, but mine was untouched--brand new, basically. Also, the new Original Collection 335s look pretty sharp, and they're not crazy overpriced.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Jun 21, 2020 17:00:50 GMT -7
I love my 58 VOS. Just feels right to me.
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Post by Russell B on Jun 22, 2020 5:22:07 GMT -7
I've become very fond of 335 style guitars. I bought an ES 339 a couple of years ago and I love that guitar. Earlier this year I bought 2 Heritage H-535s. They are great and cost less than Gibsons. I not saying to not get a Gibson. I'm saying that Heritage could be a great alternative. Here are my 535s.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 22, 2020 6:11:26 GMT -7
Beautiful guitars (and amps!), Russell. I'm just now noticing the jack placement--or rather, the lack thereof--on the Heritages compared where it normally always was on the 335. I'm guessing it's down on the edge, Tele-style, where it's likely safer anyway.
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Post by Russell B on Jun 22, 2020 10:35:12 GMT -7
Beautiful guitars (and amps!), Russell. I'm just now noticing the jack placement--or rather, the lack thereof--on the Heritages compared where it normally always was on the 335. I'm guessing it's down on the edge, Tele-style, where it's likely safer anyway. Yep. They are on the edge, but not recessed like a Tele. Think jacks on a Les Paul. I use angled jacks on my cables. They work very well.
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Post by Andy 67 on Jun 23, 2020 14:40:56 GMT -7
I keep growing my love for 335s since I could get a hold on a long-coveted ES 335 Rich Robinson, based on a ‘63 ( no Mickey Mouse ears, small block inlays, Bisgsby, ‘Custom Made’ plaque, reflector knobs, double ring tuners, short pickguard, thin neck profile), and loaded with Burstbuckers. I replaced the caps (it had Black Beauties, but I don’t know if they were fake ones) with PiO Jensens. It is the best guitar I have,bar none. Then I got a 2019 335 with P90s , with Mickey Mouse ears and a thick maple neck. Not really bonding with her so far (got it in February), but my tendonitis hasn’t helped either. I’m thinking pf having the neck shaped after the Robinson’s... photos.app.goo.gl/ayDqFnjWMJrsdSqQ9Nice 12 string you got there, Jaguarguy (Mike)!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2020 6:57:24 GMT -7
Since we're doing pictures, here's my '59 RI (it's a 2019). I love the burst, and the touch of figure in the top. Does it have Mickey Mouse ears? I have no idea. It's a tad on the heavy side and probably needs straplocks if I'm going to gig it, but everything about the build quality, fit and finish is excellent.
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Post by Ridgeback on Jun 24, 2020 7:04:36 GMT -7
It probably doesn't fit Mark's intent but it is a reissue. This 83 Dot Reissue is the 335 that I have kept the longest. I'm not sure what model year reissue it is supposed to be. I suspect that I won't run into one I like better unless I splurge on a Collings I35 lc down the road and that will almost certainly have a Bigsby.
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Post by LT on Jun 24, 2020 9:19:28 GMT -7
I'll add to the fun. There are some NICE 335's in this thread! Here's mine that I've owned since it was new. Next year it'll be 50 years old. Man I'm old!
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Post by Andy 67 on Jun 24, 2020 14:56:07 GMT -7
It probably doesn't fit Mark's intent but it is a reissue. This 83 Dot Reissue is the 335 that I have kept the longest. I'm not sure what model year reissue it is supposed to be. I suspect that I won't run into one I like better unless I splurge on a Collings I35 lc down the road and that will almost certainly have a Bigsby. Looks like a 59 with short pickguard, but if you like how it sounds... who cares? Tons of tone!!!
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 24, 2020 15:20:32 GMT -7
It probably doesn't fit Mark's intent but it is a reissue. This 83 Dot Reissue is the 335 that I have kept the longest. I'm not sure what model year reissue it is supposed to be. I suspect that I won't run into one I like better unless I splurge on a Collings I35 lc down the road and that will almost certainly have a Bigsby. Looks like a 59 with short pickguard, but if you like how it sounds... who cares? Tons of tone!!! Good eye, Andy! And yes... really "who cares" as long as it does what you need and/or speaks to you musically. That natural/clear finish isn't super common but it's nice just the same.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jun 24, 2020 15:22:13 GMT -7
Since we're doing pictures, here's my '59 RI (it's a 2019). I love the burst, and the touch of figure in the top. Does it have Mickey Mouse ears? I have no idea. It's a tad on the heavy side and probably needs straplocks if I'm going to gig it, but everything about the build quality, fit and finish is excellent. Jon, that's a beautiful finish! Am I detecting even a glow of red in that sunburst? You don't typically see that color come through in Gibsons (although you see it a lot in Fender's 3-color Strat sunburst). It's like you got the best of both "burst" and "cherry" worlds!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2020 16:14:57 GMT -7
Since we're doing pictures, here's my '59 RI (it's a 2019). I love the burst, and the touch of figure in the top. Does it have Mickey Mouse ears? I have no idea. It's a tad on the heavy side and probably needs straplocks if I'm going to gig it, but everything about the build quality, fit and finish is excellent. Jon, that's a beautiful finish! Am I detecting even a glow of red in that sunburst? You don't typically see that color come through in Gibsons (although you see it a lot in Fender's 3-color Strat sunburst). It's like you got the best of both "burst" and "cherry" worlds! Hey Mark! Yeah, I think that's a very apt description.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 27, 2020 7:31:27 GMT -7
Some beautiful guitars here! I have a 2010 335 Gibson Dot RI that is nice, but the Heritage H-535 I bought in January blows it away. I took a chance knowing I could return it with the Heritage. I had heard so many positive comments about them that I rolled the dice and came out with a real winner. I've heard that the recent Heritage builds are really consistent and I love mine.
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