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Is the Gibson 335 The Best Guitar Ever Made?

Red Rogue

Active member
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
166
Definitely a versatile guitar. I also think that it suits a Strat Player more than a Les Paul.
The only bug with the 345 is the influence on tone with the Varitone on 1 and the weight of the system.
 

crashbelt

Active member
Joined
Apr 10, 2016
Messages
103
Definitely a versatile guitar. I also think that it suits a Strat Player more than a Les Paul.
The only bug with the 345 is the influence on tone with the Varitone on 1 and the weight of the system.
Mine's had the varitonectomy. Saves weight and tone-sucking.
 

Curious Mike

Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2019
Messages
78
Ooooooooohhhhhh!!!!!

HELL yeah!!!!

I’ve owned several other hollow electrics over the years, experimenting when I stumbled across one at a decent price.

Different brands.
Trying to find something with big single coils that might replicate the ES-330.
I’ve sold them all.

I’ve had several 330s in my hand over the years, very nice but pricey.
Each time, I decided against it and kept my wallet in my pocket.

The prices on them keep going up and up and up…
I got really lucky finding my 330, I was still in high school, a buddy was in legal trouble and needed money for a lawyer. He offered me his 67 for 100 bucks! Wish I could have come up with enough to also buy his Rickenbacker....
 

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
I'm a dyed in the wool Les Paul player.

My love for that model is only matched by the privilege I've had over the decades to play many of the ES's.

One of the best guitars to ever be tucked under my arm...a 59 ES345...a magical guitar owned by one of my best pals, a magical geezer.

Yodlo3h (1).jpg

Similarly, a 1960 ES330, with a voice like an angel...I literally couldn't put this guitar down...again owned by the same geezer.

6s2HWo7.jpg

Marvellous, life affirming guitars.
 

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Crikey Paul there's some sonic goodness in those two for sure...........and I love P90s.
When I had the opportunity to get my mits on some (maybe 3) local 335s I was too young to know(15/16 or so) and didn't push the issue..........since then I've not seen any NZ boys using them, only one, and each time I catch up with him(every 10 years maybe) I say 'how's your 335 Gray' and comes the reply 'oh I'll never let that one go Steve'.
He's got a lovely cherry '65........ block inlay with trapeze tailpiece.
 

ourmaninthenorth

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2009
Messages
7,119
From the same cache Steve, a 1965 ES335...forgive the photography, I'm a bloody lost cause with any camera.

vKc2612l.jpg


khzPND8l.jpg
 

Steve Craw

Formerly Lefty Elmo
Joined
Sep 9, 2004
Messages
5,294
I played my first lefty ES-345 ten years ago, and heard "The Voice Of God". I was fortunate to finally buy one in June 2019. She's a 1964 that it's first owner had ordered with his name inlaid into the fingerboard. That board was removed and replaced with the stock style prior to it hitting the market and my purchase. Digging into the first owner lead down a rabbit-hole to uncover as much history as possible. Too much to post, but here is the original owner, Jimmy Fey with his band, "The Unknowns". Pic was taken on April 28th, 1968 at The Kiel Opera House in St. Louis, the band was the opener for Cream that night.
lefty  64  es 345 a.jpglefty  64 es 345 aa.jpg
 

Revelation

New member
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
7
I would say its the most versatile Gibson guitar and my 2021 335 is right now my favorite guitar over my Les Paul, Stratocaster and Tele.
 

Big Daddy Class

Active member
Joined
Jan 11, 2020
Messages
136
I think we need to define "best". Best for what? I certainly think it is the single most versatile guitar of all time. And likely would be my pick if I could only have 1 guitar. I think to say "best" you have to define the style, genre, etc.
 

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
After playing 64+ years and in bands 63+ years, with all the guitars I've owned, I played Gibson since the beginning. I really thinned the herd recently but have a 60th R9 and just ordered a M2M Murphy Lab '59 355. My wait time is 10-12 months. This won't be my first 3X5, and I've had them all in the semi-solid body range from Gibson, but I'm extremely excited about it.

I came to feel that these two types of guitars, which can be very close in sound when needed, are the two most important guitars I've owned over the years.
 

GotTheSilver

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2007
Messages
2,433
I think we need to define "best". Best for what? I certainly think it is the single most versatile guitar of all time. And likely would be my pick if I could only have 1 guitar. I think to say "best" you have to define the style, genre, etc.
Define "best"? You are over thinking things, my man. The 335 is the best guitar ever! Period! All that needs to be said! :p
 
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