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‘56 Les Paul or ‘59 335?

McCarthy

Active member
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
144
Impossible to decide but I’m currently choosing between two wonderful vintage Gibsons to add to my collection - a 1956 Les Paul or a 1959 335 w/ Bigsby (with factory-drilled bridge holes).

Both are in nice shape and original condition. I’ve always wanted to own both of these respective years and models, the only thing I am ‘worried’ about is the 335 body shape is quite large and sometimes it annoys me a bit. Wouldn’t stop me from buying this particular 335 but it’s the only negative I can come up with for either…

Any opinions on which way to go?
 

Señor Verde

Active member
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
645
Sounds like a silly question, but what color is the '335. I'd lean that way myself, but if it's blonde or red I'd go with the ES. I'm not as much of a fan of P-90 pickups. Although, probably the best sounding guitar I ever owned was an ES-330.
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,867
Impossible to decide but I’m currently choosing between two wonderful vintage Gibsons to add to my collection - a 1956 Les Paul or a 1959 335 w/ Bigsby (with factory-drilled bridge holes).

Both are in nice shape and original condition. I’ve always wanted to own both of these respective years and models, the only thing I am ‘worried’ about is the 335 body shape is quite large and sometimes it annoys me a bit. Wouldn’t stop me from buying this particular 335 but it’s the only negative I can come up with for either…

Any opinions on which way to go?
What does your collection consist of?
If you already have five or six P90 gold tops from the '50s, then maybe you don't need another?
Give us some background so that we can deliver some informed advice.
 

McCarthy

Active member
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
144
What does your collection consist of?
If you already have five or six P90 gold tops from the '50s, then maybe you don't need another?
Give us some background so that we can deliver some informed advice.

I don’t own any Gibson guitars, currently. I have a 1956 Strat, a few 60s Jazzmasters and my main guitar is a 1951 Telecaster.

I don’t have any guitars with p90s or humbuckers at the moment.

Style-wise, I play quite a bit of sophisti-pop (think Sade, Style Council, etc,) and also play quite clean to edge-of-clean (think Johnny Marr or Roddy Frame, Smiths or Aztec Camera) and I spend a fair amount of time in the studio and whatever guitar I choose it will primarily get used for recording. I am really looking for something that complements the Tele, I need something that drives the amp a bit more and can get a bit Jazzier and warmer than the Tele, which does a great job generally but isn’t quite as much in Gibson territory as I sometimes need it to be.

I tend to favor great dynamics and ‘sweetness’ over raw power or muscle in a guitar, if that makes sense. Not a rock guy in general, will mostly be using the cleaner tones from either guitar.
 
Last edited:

DutchRay

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Messages
879
I don’t own any Gibson guitars, currently. I have a 1956 Strat, a few 60s Jazzmasters and my main guitar is a 1951 Telecaster.

I don’t have any guitars with p90s or humbuckers at the moment.

Style-wise, I play quite a bit of sophisti-pop (think Sade, Style Council, etc,) and also play quite clean to edge-of-clean (think Johnny Marr or Roddy Frame, Smiths or Aztec Camera) and I spend a fair amount of time in the studio and whatever guitar I choose it will primarily get used for recording. I am really looking for something that complements the Tele, I need something that drives the amp a bit more and can get a bit Jazzier and warmer than the Tele, which does a great job generally but isn’t quite as much in Gibson territory as I sometimes need it to be.

I tend to favor great dynamics and ‘sweetness’ over raw power or muscle in a guitar, if that makes sense. Not a rock guy in general, will mostly be using the cleaner tones from either guitar.
If a Tele is your no.1, I'd go for the '56 Les Paul. It's a Tele on steriods and I bet you'll love it!
 
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