‘56 Les Paul or ‘59 335?

[MarcB]

In my opinion.. given your style of playing and sound.. the 335 will give you all you need in the studio and live.

I personally own three 335s (one is a 345 without the varitone) and all with flat wound 10s and for the jazzy warm tones the 335 is the winner.. which can also achieve the blues/rock tones too when pushed..

yes the size of the guitar can be cumbersome to start with.. but this soon dissipates into a world of creamy tones, which will not disappoint.

 

[dwagar]

If the 335 has the original pickups, I would say go for it.

 

[McCarthy]

If the 335 has the original pickups, I would say go for it.

Yes, original pickups. Both guitars are 100% original but the 335 has the typical replacement tuners as the originals disintegrated.

Difficult choice as I think both guitars are very prime examples of their respective years and abilities. Great weights and neck shapes - I can’t say anything particularly negative about either.

The ‘56 is more comfortable for me to play overall because of the body size. I suppose it all comes down to which one just sounds and plays better but not sure I’ll be able to find much difference there, either. Weight on the LP is 8lbs 11oz and the 335 is 9lbs.

If I could afford both I would grab the pair.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

I'm a huge P90 lover, but in this case I personally would go for the 335 myself and replace the stock bridge with a roller bridge for tuning stability. It's a non-invasive mod, and makes a Bigsby infinitely more usable on a practical level. Simply save the OG bridge incase you ever plan on selling it. My other reasoning is that a '50s sunburst 335 with a factory Bigsby is a rare and beautiful bird, whereas there are a good amount of stock LP Goldtops out there on the market, and if down the road you regret your choice you can always flip the 335 (possibly at a profit) to fund the purchase of another Goldtop that comes up for sale.

As someone who started on a Strat and a Les Paul adjusting to the larger body of a 335 type guitar did not take me long at all, and I love Bigsby equipped semi-hollow and hollow body guitars. I've had a Hagstrom Viking Tremar (335 type), and currently own an Eastman T64V (330 type)..But as a Bigsby fanatic if you intend to use the vibrato I definitely recommend a roller bridge. The difference in tuning stability is night and day imho.

However, if tuning stability is imperative to you for recording purposes, and you are not willing to replace the bridge, then I would go with the Les Paul. A P90 equipped Lester is capable of some beautiful jazz and early R&B/rock tones. It might not have the same air in the tones as a 335, but it will sound so good you won't be missing much.

If you want the best of both worlds and then some, then hold off and search out a vintage ES330 to get both the P90 and full hollowbody mojo going. I would take a vintage Bigsby equipped 330 over either of the choices you are currently looking at.

 

[charliechitlins]

PAFs FTW

 

[garywright]

I find a 335 to be very comfortable, actually more comfortable than a Les Paul ..maybe your just used to a smaller bodied guitar but in time would adapt to it ?..but that LP goldtop sure is a looker ..would love to see a pic of the 335

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

...would love to see a pic of the 335

Seconded.

 

[McCarthy]

I will try to get a pic of the 335 - it is what you would expect, ‘59 sunburst w/ bigsby and in nice shape so nothing crazy in terms of blemishes, etc. Just some finish cracking and an occasionally small ding. A bit nicer condition than the ‘56 LP. It’s a looker.

Longterm I don’t think the body shape will bother me entirely, I’ve owned Gibson archtops and a few 330/345/335/355 models before, mostly reissues but I did once own a ‘59 355. The issue for me is I record a lot and I just find that, while the 335 body shape doesn’t bother me so much standing, it does feel a bit awkward to me when seated. I can probably get over that…

I really appreciate all your input thus far so thank you. I’m afraid this thread is actually making it harder to decide, not easier!

 

[McCarthy]

sorry double post…

 

[jimmi]

56 Lester, no question.

If it were a 52 or 54 LP, I'd lean the other way.

Not me. I love the wrap tail P90 guitars.

 

[Hiwatts-n-Gibsons]

Not me. I love the wrap tail P90 guitars.

The Black Beauty P90/A5 Staple Les Paul Custom is my favorite guitar ever.

 

[AA00475Bassman]

335 hands down

​

 

[gmann]

335 but then again I already have ‘56 Junior.

 

[Xpensive Wino]

I will try to get a pic of the 335 - it is what you would expect, ‘59 sunburst w/ bigsby and in nice shape so nothing crazy in terms of blemishes, etc. Just some finish cracking and an occasionally small ding. A bit nicer condition than the ‘56 LP. It’s a looker.

Longterm I don’t think the body shape will bother me entirely, I’ve owned Gibson archtops and a few 330/345/335/355 models before, mostly reissues but I did once own a ‘59 355. The issue for me is I record a lot and I just find that, while the 335 body shape doesn’t bother me so much standing, it does feel a bit awkward to me when seated. I can probably get over that…

I really appreciate all your input thus far so thank you. I’m afraid this thread is actually making it harder to decide, not easier!

Bigsby? Nah.

Get the Les Paul.

 

[McCarthy]

The Black Beauty P90/A5 Staple Les Paul Custom is my favorite guitar ever.

I love these as well but am aiming for a Gibson with a rosewood board this time around as I have a similar thing with ebony on another guitar. But, yeah - fantastic guitars.

 

[McCarthy]

Dealer shot of the 335…

 

[McCarthy]

Glamour shot of the LP just to be fair…

 

[McCarthy]

OK I’ve made up my mind, will post my thoughts here when I get a few minutes…

 

[McCarthy]

ack double post again, sorry.

 

[Frutiger]

Ooh, is that the 56 that Clem has?

Personally I'd probably go for the 335 too, just going by the kind of music you play and what you want from the guitar sonically. I think PAFs will give you that more than P90s. Both guitars look amazing, so neither choice will be terrible.