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‘56 Les Paul or ‘59 335?

McCarthy

McCarthy

Active member
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
140
Frutiger said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yes, and long story short I’ve bought the ‘56! Will give my reasons shortly….
 
McCarthy

McCarthy

Active member
Joined
Sep 30, 2015
Messages
140
Hiwatts-n-Gibsons said:
Ahhh, not a factory Bigsby then. Hmmmm?

That makes me more tempted to go with the Lester tbt. I love Bigsbys and semi-hollowa, but also am not so much into guitars hacked to add them. Otoh that burst is utter perfection.
Click to expand...
Yeah, so - a few additional things I found out about the 335 - not an OG Bigsby and the case, though period correct, was also a replacement.

Regardless of that the 335 was an excellent guitar but I went with the Les Paul for a few particular reasons:

1. It was a better sounding guitar to me than the ‘59 335 (and I also a/b’d it with a very nice ‘63 335). One thing I learned here with being able to compare the two models is that I really just prefer the sound of the P90s to the PAFs.

2. The ‘56 is straight and original except for a very professional refret in period-correct wire, which I quite like the size of as well.

3. This particular ‘56 LP has a very well-balanced set of P90s, both read 8k and the tone and volume controls are nicely responsive.

4. I preferred the middle position on the LP by far. Both pickups together is quite magical and I didn’t feel the same about the 335s.

5. I actually prefer the quicker attack and dynamics of the goldtop for jazz and pop - the 335s attack was a bit soft in comparison which put less accent on the fundamental and was less responsive to my style of playing (rhythm and melodic lines being important to me). The LP felt more nimble and livelier, while still sounding warm and smokey when needed.

6. Jazz chords and dissonant harmonies on the LP were more articulate and sounded more ‘in tune’ for lack of a better description.

7. I found the LP to be as versatile as the 335, not really any less so.

8. People will probably want to kill me for saying this but I found the PAFs to be a bit sterile and ‘flat’ in terms of eq and dynamics. At least when compared with this particular ’56 LP.

Perhaps this particular ‘56 is just a great one but I really fell in love with it and I think it will serve me very well. NGD forthcoming….

A huge and sincere thank you to everyone who contributed, even though I ignored most of the advice and bought the LP 👍 😂
 
Last edited:
Hiwatts-n-Gibsons

Hiwatts-n-Gibsons

Well-known member
Joined
May 10, 2024
Messages
848
McCarthy said:
Yeah, so - a few additional things I found out about the 335 - not an OG Bigsby and the case, though period correct, was also a replacement.

Regardless of that the 335 was an excellent guitar but I went with the Les Paul for a few particular reasons:

1. It was a better sounding guitar to me than the ‘59 335 (and I also a/b’d it with a very nice ‘63 335). One thing I learned here with being able to compare the two models is that I really just prefer the sound of the P90s to the PAFs.

2. The ‘56 is straight and original except for a very professional refret in period-correct wire, which I quite like the size of as well.

3. This particular ‘56 LP has a very well-balanced set of P90s, both read 8k and the tone and volume controls are nicely responsive.

4. I preferred the middle position on the LP by far. Both pickups together is quite magical and I didn’t feel the same about the 335s.

5. I actually prefer the quicker attack and dynamics of the goldtop for jazz and pop - the 335s attack was a bit soft in comparison which put less accent on the fundamental and was less responsive to my style of playing (rhythm and melodic lines being important to me). The LP felt more nimble and livelier, while still sounding warm and smokey when needed.

6. Jazz chords and dissonant harmonies on the LP were more articulate and sounded more ‘in tune’ for lack of a better description.

7. I found the LP to be as versatile as the 335, not really any less so.

8. People will probably want to kill me for saying this but I found the PAFs to be a bit sterile and ‘flat’ in terms of eq and dynamics. At least when compared with this particular ’56 LP.

Perhaps this particular ‘56 is just a great one but I really fell in love with it and I think it will serve me very well. NGD forthcoming….

A huge and sincere thank you to everyone who contributed, even though I ignored most of the advice and bought the LP 👍 😂
Click to expand...
We speak the same love language. 👍

I demurred from saying this earlier, but had I personally gotten the 335 I would immediately replace the neck pickup with a TV Jones T Armond, and the bridge with a HB sized P90.
 
MarcB

MarcB

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2023
Messages
1,554
McCarthy said:
Yeah, so - a few additional things I found out about the 335 - not an OG Bigsby and the case, though period correct, was also a replacement.

Regardless of that the 335 was an excellent guitar but I went with the Les Paul for a few particular reasons:

1. It was a better sounding guitar to me than the ‘59 335 (and I also a/b’d it with a very nice ‘63 335). One thing I learned here with being able to compare the two models is that I really just prefer the sound of the P90s to the PAFs.

2. The ‘56 is straight and original except for a very professional refret in period-correct wire, which I quite like the size of as well.

3. This particular ‘56 LP has a very well-balanced set of P90s, both read 8k and the tone and volume controls are nicely responsive.

4. I preferred the middle position on the LP by far. Both pickups together is quite magical and I didn’t feel the same about the 335s.

5. I actually prefer the quicker attack and dynamics of the goldtop for jazz and pop - the 335s attack was a bit soft in comparison which put less accent on the fundamental and was less responsive to my style of playing (rhythm and melodic lines being important to me). The LP felt more nimble and livelier, while still sounding warm and smokey when needed.

6. Jazz chords and dissonant harmonies on the LP were more articulate and sounded more ‘in tune’ for lack of a better description.

7. I found the LP to be as versatile as the 335, not really any less so.

8. People will probably want to kill me for saying this but I found the PAFs to be a bit sterile and ‘flat’ in terms of eq and dynamics. At least when compared with this particular ’56 LP.

Perhaps this particular ‘56 is just a great one but I really fell in love with it and I think it will serve me very well. NGD forthcoming….

A huge and sincere thank you to everyone who contributed, even though I ignored most of the advice and bought the LP 👍 😂
Click to expand...
Expert tone level unlocked..
 
Xpensive Wino

Xpensive Wino

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2012
Messages
7,199
McCarthy said:
Glamour shot of the LP just to be fair…

View attachment 27855
Click to expand...
iu
 
J

Joe's Vintage Guitars

New member
Joined
Oct 29, 2024
Messages
7
McCarthy said:
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?
Click to expand...
That’s a tough decision, and I get why you’re torn. The '56 Les Paul is solid and compact, great if you prefer a guitar that feels closer to your body. On the other hand, the '59 335 with the Bigsby has a more open, resonant sound, though it does come with a larger body. If the size has bothered you in the past, it’s something to keep in mind. Either way, both guitars bring something special to the table.
 
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