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335 help

MattD1960

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Mar 17, 2009
Messages
749
been looking for a 335 whats a good used price to pay on one, i dont need the historic, id like a good USA made 335 but i feel like 2000 for one is just a bit much and thats the going rate on craigs list up here in New England, is that really the best i can do?
 

Don

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Dec 1, 2001
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5,732
Would you consider a used Heritage 535? That might be where I'm headed. My problem is that a really don't like the neck ona regular 335 and I can't afford more than that. It seems that I see different neck profiles on 535s and they seem to sell for about $500 less than a similar 335.
 

MattD1960

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Mar 17, 2009
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749
i found one for 1750 and i am seriously considering it, i want a gibson the heritage leaves me still needing something
 

bizzwriter

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Oct 23, 2002
Messages
975
i found one for 1750 and i am seriously considering it, i want a gibson the heritage leaves me still needing something

The Gibson ES-335 "satin" USA-built guitars seem to be going for around $1,500 used on ebay. I think someone said you can buff them out to a nice shine. Check out these sold ones:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-ES-3...r-/281128055577?pt=Guitar&hash=item417489b319

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-ES-335-Satin-w-case-/261279665622?pt=Guitar&hash=item3cd57b4dd6
 

jazzrat

New member
Joined
Sep 5, 2006
Messages
19
I'd say $2K is about the going rate. If you can possibly swing 2.5K. The "Fat Neck if you can find one is superb....absolutely love mine. I am one of those who had a "Satin" and buffed it out. Nice guitar but mine was the un-bound version and in the end it did not feel right. I recently played a new satin that was bound....meh...sounded fine but it just felt dry and ...well unfinished.
There is a blonde Fat Neck at The Gear Page right now. $2500. Killer guitar.
 

Don

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Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
I saw that one. Unfortunately, I can't swing it. I'd have to sell my '59 ES-225TD to buy an ES-335. It seems a shame to sell a vintage Gibson to buy a recent one, but the fully hollow 225 doesn't suit me as much as I had hoped.
 

Guitar Whiskey

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Aug 10, 2006
Messages
2,757
Get a Gibson ES333; great bang for the buck. Built from ~2001 to 2004 I think. They can be had for $1000-1300.
 

jb_abides

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Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,274
Everyone needs a 335. Better to save a little longer and get a good one that speaks to you. So $2k+ is the market bearing point. :salude
 

tonyj

Member
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Feb 11, 2010
Messages
384
Get a Gibson ES333; great bang for the buck. Built from ~2001 to 2004 I think. They can be had for $1000-1300.

An ES333 is a great way to go - if you can find one! I believe 2005 was their final year of manufacture.

Same size, materials and build as an ES335. Minor differences ..... the headstock sports a silkscreen 'Gibson' logo (so its not MOP, does it matter?). It arrived 'new' in a non hard shell case (so buy a 'used' HSC, exactly the same as for a 335). It has no pickguard (one can easily be fitted), and it has original 490/498 p'ups, rather than '57 Classics. Some folks may like them and if not, go change 'em. Under $500 to do everything, including p'ups of your choice. Used '57 Classics are not hard to find and aren't usually over expensive,

On the plus side, the thin satin coat of the 333 is regarded by many players as a better 'tone' finish than the high gloss finish of many 335s, and the rear control cavity is a major plus for any electric guitar; allowing easier access for any future changes that may need to be done. The ES335 is harder to work on as it just does not have a removable access cover.

Once you have the guitar where you want it with the '57 Classics installed, or as in my case the highly regarded Lollar 'Low wind' Imperials, you are in business - and have saved a bunch of dough!

I own a 1999 '59 ES335 reissue (over $2k used) - a great guitar BTW.

I also own a 2004 ES333 with the Lollar Imperials installed that I bought recently in 'mint' condition with an SKB HSC. Total price used? - under $1.5k. This is an amazing guitar also, and is equal to or better than many ES335 I have seen and heard.

ba4615af-c5ec-410f-bf4a-3ee4ff137605.jpg
 

ZZ Not

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
744
Another vote for the ES-333. I had mine buffed out, put in some Seth Lovers, and added bits and pieces I liked for not a whole lot of money and it is one of my favorite guitars.

 

Don

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Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
I could go for that! What's the neck like?
 

buckaroo

Formerly Tweedguy
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
938
......id like a good USA made 335 but i feel like 2000 for one is just a bit much......is that really the best i can do?


My perspective is that it is not uncommon to find USA made (non historic) 335 models from the mid-late 1980's and 1990's, for "around the lower-mid $2000-ish price", from various sellers including dealers.

If 2k is a bit much right now, then all that means is that you are almost there and just save or sell a bit more to get what you really want.

Of course, there is often a low priced good deal around the corner if you are looking in the right place at the right time.....but until you find that you live in the market of the common deal.
 

Minibucker

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Jan 12, 2003
Messages
6,372
My perspective is that it is not uncommon to find USA made (non historic) 335 models from the mid-late 1980's and 1990's, for "around the lower-mid $2000-ish price", from various sellers including dealers.

If 2k is a bit much right now, then all that means is that you are almost there and just save or sell a bit more to get what you really want.

Of course, there is often a low priced good deal around the corner if you are looking in the right place at the right time.....but until you find that you live in the market of the common deal.

+100
 

tonyj

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2010
Messages
384
My perspective is that it is not uncommon to find USA made (non historic) 335 models from the mid-late 1980's and 1990's, for "around the lower-mid $2000-ish price", from various sellers including dealers.

If 2k is a bit much right now, then all that means is that you are almost there and just save or sell a bit more to get what you really want.

Of course, there is often a low priced good deal around the corner if you are looking in the right place at the right time.....but until you find that you live in the market of the common deal.

Too true tweedguy, but no matter whichever guitar (car, watch, camera etc.) you wish to buy, there is always another one, just a few tantalizing dollars away, yet just out of your reach .... the ultimate one that might well be worth saving a little longer for ..... and so it goes on. We've all been there!

The ES333 is not the absolute best guitar of its type in the world, but then neither is the 335. They are both however, extremely good and highly respected guitars of their type, and are arguably so similar to each other that the price being asked or paid for 'used' examples of either one, is worth some consideration.

The problem first of all, may be in finding a 333 that you really like, as from my own experience, they are not the easiest guitar to find. Having said that, I looked at, noodled on and thoroughly checked out many 335s before I found the one that answered most of my questions. ....and sure, there are quite a few 'cheapies' to be had. There are usually good reasons for this.

Leave all your doors open, whatever it is you wish to buy. You'll know when the time has come to make a serious offer.
 
L

loufed52

Guest
If you can find a nice ES-333 I would rather have that than a satin ES-335.
I got this one and changed the pickups/pots/caps/knobs/tailpiece and added a pickguard.
It's got a little more finish than the typical ES-333 too.

DCP_0589.jpg
 

Don

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Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
That's very nice!

I did the same thing to an older made in Korea Hamer Echotone. It's a much better guitar than you'd think and I've got less than $400 into it (including a set up used Seth Lover pickups that I paid $110 for) if you don't consider the cost of the used parts from my parts drawer!
 

MattD1960

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Mar 17, 2009
Messages
749
i am really thinking the 333 is the way to go now i just gotta find one
 

Guitar Whiskey

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Aug 10, 2006
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2,757
Here's my 2001 I sold last year for $1100 with Gibson HSC. Really great sounding and playing ES (when I had the Rolph 57 Pretenders in it; the stock pickups are crap), all stock except for a set of burstbuckers, light weight tailpiece and Gibson pickguard with Gibson mounting bracket. I never buffed it out, but the neck was esentially buffed from playing it. It was perfect with no scratches or nicks. Neck was about like a oversized R0.

 
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