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I love my ES-355 more every day

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
I have a whole bunch of cool guitars but every day I love my ES-355 more and more. I don't really get into tweaking parts or even moving the knobs on my amps much but the 355 just delivers what I'm looking for.

I've read a lot of bad things about them, that the ebony boards lack tone, that the necks are the wrong shape, etc... but for me I just really like it. I have a bunch of other old Gibson guitars (LPs, Firebirds, SG, ES-330, etc...) and some really nice old Gretsch guitars but the 355 I like more and more. Plus it was really affordable (less than a new one).

Here's a quick video I made (I don't play jazz at all so don't judge) for a friend of mine who wanted to hear it.


This is the same amp with my Les Paul that I got used way back in maybe 1988. Sounds good but different.

 
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jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,275
I have a whole bunch of cool guitars but every day I love my ES-355 more and more. I don't really get into tweaking parts or even moving the knobs on my amps much but the 355 just delivers what I'm looking for.

That's the important part, the cake. All else is icing.

What year is yours?

Still looking for mine. Perhaps a M2M in a while...
 

Amp360

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Messages
852
I forget what year this one is. IIRC it's a 1967. It has a headstock repair and didn't come with original pickguard or case but it was really cheap and is mono with a factory Bigsby and no varitone, which made it more desirable for me. I have zero evidence to back this up but I always thought the 355 was kind of like having a Cadillac at that time. This one kind of feels kind of luxurious for lack of a better term. I don't think they made as many of them as they did ES-335, Les Paul or SGs (again, I could be wrong).

A few years ago I sold a ton of guitars and flew to Dallas to attend the big guitar show down there and bought this one. I got some good advice from some people here and the place I bought it from was kind enough to ship it back home to me. I had always wanted a 345 or 355 but they're not the type of guitars I see used often so going to a show was the way to do it.

I played about ten of them and decided on this one. I have an ES-330 that I paid $450 for that's right around the same year and finish but this one is a little darker color and has a much bigger neck. Both sound great. I also have a Les Paul Custom from the early 70s that I really like. They made some nice instruments back then that are really affordable!

274773803_10226705417730492_6965086642332847507_n.jpg


275858703_10226793652256300_8257729237956557251_n.jpg
 
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Gitfiddler

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
1,194
As a kid in the 60's, I used to peruse the Gibson catalogues, lusting after the beautiful red ES355 model. After buying/selling/trading gear most of my life, I finally scored a 355 from a friend of mine looking to upgrade to a vintage archtop.

Like the OP, I find the ES355 is the do-it-all guitar.
And its easy on the eyes too. Whenever I take it out of the case I just stare at it for a long while before getting down to business.Gibson ES355Lucille_170045.jpg
 

renderit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2009
Messages
10,951
No slight intended with my comment ren so please don't take it the wrong way.
None taken.

He was TOO GOOD.

He did that 355 through a Tweed Bassman and could make it do anything.

And I mean ANYTHING.

Roy Buchanan on a tele? Yup, could sound just like him.

Anything Clapton, Beck, B.B. you couldn't tell the difference. He was a Maestro.
 

canpri

New member
Joined
Jul 11, 2022
Messages
3
I forget what year this one is. IIRC it's a 1967. It has a headstock repair and didn't come with original pickguard or case but it was really cheap and is mono with a factory Bigsby and no varitone, which made it more desirable for me. I have zero evidence to back this up but I always thought the 355 was kind of like having a Cadillac at that time. This one kind of feels kind of luxurious for lack of a better term. I don't think they made as many of them as they did ES-335, Les Paul or SGs (again, I could be wrong).

A few years ago I sold a ton of guitars and flew to Dallas to attend the big guitar show down there and bought this one. I got some good advice from some people here and the place I bought it from was kind enough to ship it back home to me. I had always wanted a 345 or 355 but they're not the type of guitars I see used often so going to a show was the way to do it.

I played about ten of them and decided on this one. I have an ES-330 that I paid $450 for that's right around the same year and finish but this one is a little darker color and has a much bigger neck. read more Both sound great. I also have a Les Paul Custom from the early 70s that I really like. ome.tv They made some nice instruments back then that are really affordable!

274773803_10226705417730492_6965086642332847507_n.jpg


275858703_10226793652256300_8257729237956557251_n.jpg
Great to hear.
 
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