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CS 336 ...your thoughts please?

joemags54

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May 17, 2011
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Great to see 336s get a mention... I love mine (won't bother posting a pic as it's more or less identical to captaincanada's up in the 2nd post... sweet looking axe, only thing is I took the pickgaurd off) - it certainly gets more playtime than any of the other guitars I have... And like everyone else I definitely think it has it's own thing going on, sounds quite unlike any other guitar I have. Here's a clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqoSFBfg_Rg

I like "airy" as a way to describe the tone... it's a nice way to put it...

One of my favorite tunes! Great job playing...
 

Edward

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Mar 7, 2006
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Update for any who may be interested: I got the guitar last night! :D

Sweet guit! Killer condition from the PO ...clearly this 02 had not seen much light. Action/setup was excellent: the PO had it plek'd, of which I've played plek'd guits and was completely unimpressed, but this was done by Glasser (in TN?) who's reputation is clearly deserved judging from this 336. Plays slick and fast, clean and consistent all the way up the neck.

Tone is brighter than I ever thought it would be. Brighter than my LPC, brighter than my Standard (marshallhead and 36th annivs), and seriously rivaling my Tele (ok, maybe not "seriously," but it is bright!). I'd have never guessed that. I've never played a 336, and played but never plugged 335s, and never owned Classic 57s. This 336 is decidedly bright but manageable, clear, and articulate as all get out. I just have to get used to rolling those tone knobs down, particularly the bridge pup. I'm no stranger to this on the LPs, but those I move a hair just to attenuate the upper edge; this 336's tone knobs gotta be worked lots. Not a bad thing, of course, just different. And if I may guess, adds to the tonal versatility of the guitar.

As for the size: perfect! I have an Ibanez AF full hollow, which is to say just like the ES175 or 139 where the lower bout is scarcely wider than a paul. This is what I like, and largely the reason I can't get along with ES guits. So this 336' shape is right on for anyone who is at home on pauls. Fret access is an interesting mixed bag, though: while I have better access than an LP to the uppermost frets, the space is tight as this CS' cutaway has the lower horn pretty close. Not a bunch of room there. Again, not a deal killer, just womething to adapt to.

I'm hoping to be able to steal some time today and work on pup and pole heights to dial it in to my liking, but overall, am really happy with it. Just thought I'd share. Rock on, all!
:salude

Edward
 
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eljayski

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Mar 10, 2010
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:2zone :applaude

good on ya, edward! the kool factor runs high for 336s. mine is very bright, too, if i want it so, but it's still unmistakably gibby sounding.

yours is gorgeous!
 

mmcquain

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Sep 21, 2005
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Tone is brighter than I ever thought it would be... and seriously rivaling my Tele (ok, maybe not "seriously," but it is bright!)...

Congrats on the guitar!!!! And yes, the bridge pickup in these can start to get into Tele range. I've said that ever since I got my 356 so I'm happy to hear somebody else feels similarly. Anyway, congrats again and I look forward to another tone report once you have a chance to dial it in to your particular liking. Oh, post some pics when you get a chance!
 

slidejules

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Jun 26, 2002
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Great stuff man, congrats. They are such sweet guitars and like you've noticed, the perfect size (for me at least... I sold my 335, was never comfortable with it!)... Enjoy and many happy gigs to you!!!!
 

Edward

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Mar 7, 2006
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Hey all,

Thanks for all the kind words, all. Really diggin this 336! As I dial in the pups/poles to the amp (I like to have the amp as the constant despite switching guitars), I again find it remarkable how bright and Tele-like this guitar is, relative to the Standard and LPC, of course.

I took it to rehearsal for kicks, and A/B'd with the LPC over the same tunes ...fun and very telling! Thinner, more transparent mids and upper mids; just more "open" sounding altogether. Where the LPC offered that "solid" tone, whether semi clean (I never play spanky cleans) or dirty, the 336 feels "airy." Which, BTW, I feel dumb using words like "solid" and "airy" for tone given the correlation to their obvious body styles I know, but I don't know how else to describe the thick, chunkiness of the LPC's timbre vs the 336 where it seems as if someone injected "air" in between all those notes ...yeah, dumb description but it's what I got right now :) )

The sonic differences are obvious, but nice: two markedlly different flavors that offer their own thing. FWIW, I knob-fiddled to try and get the 336's tone closer to the LPs (since so many I have read spoke of how the 336's construction lends itself closer to LPs than to all the laminates), and sure, it kinda cops LP timbre, but it really can't get there. When the gain is lower, it does better "LP," but as the gain goes up (whether pedals or the amp's OD channel ...I alternate between them depending), the 336s gets loose and flabby. Which is fine, of course; all part of what she is ...and isn't.

FWIW, before the 336 even arrived to me I was toying with the idea of it replacing my Standard since I figured the 336 can get close (and lets face it, recoup some funds,eh!). But now, I'don't think I can get myself to sell the Standard as I think I'd miss it too much, particularly since I found the 336 is more different than I had initially expected. Yet another reinforcement of "don't listen to everything you read on the net" as well as "don't sell one guit for another without living with them both for a while" --two things I've personally held on to because of post-seller's remorse.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share and drone, gents. It's been really nice getting acquainted with this 336, and I foresee myself getting to know her better with time and play.

BTW, given how seriously rare this guitar is on the used market, I find it striking that Gibson still offers them new production as I see on the various net sellers. Seems like such a niche guitar yet Gibby keeps on making em. Is this just one of those really well kept secrets?
:hee
:jim

Edward
 

mmcquain

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Thanks for the update on your 336 adventures into Tone Land! If you get the chance, post some sound clips (maybe your LP Standard followed by the 336 so we can hear the differences of which you speak). My personal experience was mainly between the 356 and a LP Custom (I know you've seen the pics) and I found them to be somewhat similar and also different. I'm curious how much difference there is between the 336 and the 356 in terms of tone. Most of the differences are cosmetic but I wonder if the ebony vs. rosewood fretboard makes any difference at all (cue the flammers who will say that is nonsense and an old wives tale) :)
 

1jamman

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Feb 28, 2013
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Here is My 2009 WildWood Run 356 Korina with Quilt top. My # 1 all around player . The type of music , she don't do , I don't play anyway .

 

class5lp

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May 10, 2005
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I was at the Gibson Summer Jam a few years ago and got to meet and chat with Jack Pierson over lunch. For those of you that dont know Jack look him up. He is way under rated and plays for the love of music not for money. Well at least money is not the main object. He has been compared to having the chops as good as Duane Allman. At any rate Gibson will give him anything he wants to play and Jack chooses the 336.
 

esoteric pete

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Oct 31, 2005
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i recently aquired another 336..its an 04' and ive had two others that i sold foolishly. i dont remember the other two being this good so im pretty pleased with thie recent one.

love these guitars!
 

Edward

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Mar 7, 2006
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Suhweeet quilt there! And matched with korina ...never seen that combo in any guitar, let alone a semihollow. Any thoughts on what timbre korina brings to the table, especially WRT the 336 body? What a looker! :)

Edward
 

abalonevintage

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Dec 31, 2002
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Every time I see Cogswell's 336, I instinctively go to right click, save as...then I remember i have already done that about 10 times! LOL!
 

Cogswell

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lol! It held its own next to jerry miller's l5 last night! Still my favorite Gibson
 

joemags54

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Thought this one was pretty unique, it has an ash top and center block. I took a couple of pics this sunny morning.
photo15-1_zps12bbe32d.jpg
 
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joemags54

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I love the size of the 336. Here's another pic . (Photography is not my strong point).
photo13_zps99e21e6b.jpg
 

joemags54

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Thought I would update this thread, as I have had the weekend to spend some real time with this guitar... I have got to say, this is one of the nicest guitars I have owned. The build quality is superb, the neck is not as heavy as my R7. I would say in between the G0 and the R7. (Even though it's a 60 slim taper, it just seems a bit heavier). There is more than ample access to the upper frets. .. The weight and the size are two huge pluses... It's one of those guitars that almost instantly, is like an old friend...Frets are level, and long slides are smooth. I have never had a problem with the 335 size, but if anyone does, this IS the perfect substitute. This is a very very resonant guitar. I'm sure the ash top and block may have something to do with it. It will sustain a note for quite some time. The pick ups are hot, and sound great with my tweed...... Here, I have barely scratched the surface, I have other amps I want to try..... I have always been interested in a 336, since reading all the comments here... I am so glad I got one home, now.
I would gig with this in a heartbeat. PS the pics really don't do the wood grain detail, justice. One more thing, IT EFFIN SMELLS GREAT! I have 10's on it, and treated the fret board with Fret Dr. as it was a a bit dry, for my taste.
.
Here are the specs:


Year 2013
Specification Detail
Body Type CS-336
Left-/Right-handed
Body Material Mahogany
Top Material Figured Ash
Body Finish Nitrocellulose
Color Denim Blue, Frost Blue back
Neck Material Mahogany, Set
Neck Shape 1960 Slim-Taper
Scale Length 24.75"
Fingerboard Material Rosewood, 12" Radius
Fingerboard Inlay Dot
Number of Frets 22
Nut Width 1.68"
Bridge/Tailpiece Tune-o-matic, Stopbar
Tuners Vintage Tulip
Number of Pickups 2
Neck Pickup '57 Classic Humbucker
Middle Pickup No Middle Pickup
Bridge Pickup '57 Classic Humbucker
Controls 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone, 3-way switch
Case Included Hardshell
 
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Edward

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Hey joemags,

Glad you like yours. Like you, Im totally diggin mine. Played out twice with her already and it rocks! Playability is top notch, though I personally wish there was a bit more room at the lower cutaway (may hands are not big and I still feel just a bit cramped up by the lower horn).

As for the pups, I'm liking the 57s, but still getting used to their brightness, I am surprised how much heat the 57s pack (don't "seem" hot on paper, but definitely pushes the front end of my boogies) ...I ended up lowering them even further still and like it even better. And yes, the perfect size for a hollow as far as I'm concerned. It's almost as if the 336 is a hollow-bod guit for those guys who don't do hollow-bodied guits ;)
Love mine ...enjoy yours (which is really unique!)

Edward
 

joemags54

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Edward, I'm not great at describing the very sound or tone I look for in a git. You did it quite well in one of your previous posts. Most of my time over the weekend, I spent A-B' ing with my 335, as that is the guitar I usually play out. There is a subtle difference between the two. I can get that "rockabilly" chunk a tad easier out of the 336, if that means anything. I need to be a bit more careful attacking the 335. But, they are close. I play opposite an acoustic git in our band. We are all amp'ed. Only vocals through the PA. To keep it interesting, I need an "electric" departure from that sound (acoustic) but not all the way to "metal". The instruments are 2 guitars , a mando, and bass. (no drums). Don't ask me how, but it works. Along with lead work, the rhythm I provide must be tight, like a snare hit. We have a fairly unique sound, playing AARP, (age appropriate rock performance) cover tunes. Think, Eagles, Beatles, The Band, Jackson Brown, etc,.... We are celebrating our 3 yr anniversary at the club we call home. It's been fun.
 
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