JB Epiphone 1962 ES-335 praise

[GuitarDean]

Picked mine up a few days ago and have to say that this is one monster, well-built guitar with outstanding play-ability. The guitars finish is excellent and the Burstbuckers 2 & 3 sound amazing thru both my Fender Twin, and VOXAC30HW. They could double the price of the guitar and it would STILL be under-priced. It's a limited run of 2,000 guitars so if you're interested in one I suggest you dont wait too long because its going to be the case of "once they are gone, they ARE gone". BTW, the case was insane and solid as hells exit gates.

 

[jb_abides]

Good to see you... Glad you like it.

I picked up the Noel Riviera recently, and it's great.

How's your EE SG? Still have both of mine.

 

[GuitarDean]

Good to see you... Glad you like it.

I picked up the Noel Riviera recently, and it's great.

How's your EE SG? Still have both of mine.

I still have it. That sucker has been well loved in the studio and out playing. It always gets noticed

 

[ADP]

You couldn't pay me to play that Chinese trash. I would feel a real sense of shame if I owned, let alone promoted a product like that.

 

[fender69]

You couldn't pay me to play that Chinese trash. I would feel a real sense of shame if I owned, let alone promoted a product like that.

Have you actually played the Epi's? I have a Johnny A & love it. Couldn't justify the cost of the Gibson. Being tongue in cheek perhaps?

 

[Patrick Ginnaty]

I *really* liked my Epi R5 Custom. It was a perfect backup for my R8. I'd buy one of these as a backup to my 335 w/vibrola. Looks very cool.

 

[ADP]

Have you actually played the Epi's? I have a Johnny A & love it. Couldn't justify the cost of the Gibson. Being tongue in cheek perhaps?

I have. I've owned the Amos and the Gold Glory releases. Both great playing guitars that, at the end of the day instilled a sense of pure shame and inadequacy. I *gave* both of those guitars away to friends of mine. (They enjoy and cherish them as they were given free gifts despite my opinion)

As for my real Gibson's of Kalamazoo or the few artist reissues I have built by Edwin Wilson, they have all since doubled or tripled in value since my initial purchase... So no tongue and cheek here; I am very proud of my collection of gear proudly made here in the USA. And it has reciprocated the love.

In my experience, it is not only more affordable, but actually easier to make and save money and have a collection that's paid for when buying a "real" guitar (Or one tied to an artist's name).

At the end of the day enjoy your Chinese Communist Party slave labor built guitar, these are just my opinions.

 

[Amp360]

I have. I've owned the Amos and the Gold Glory releases. Both great playing guitars that, at the end of the day instilled a sense of pure shame and inadequacy. I *gave* both of those guitars away to friends of mine. (They enjoy and cherish them as they were given free gifts despite my opinion)

As for my real Gibson's of Kalamazoo or the few artist reissues I have built by Edwin Wilson, they have all since doubled or tripled in value since my initial purchase... So no tongue and cheek here; I am very proud of my collection of gear proudly made here in the USA. And it has reciprocated the love.

In my experience, it is not only more affordable, but actually easier to make and save money and have a collection that's paid for when buying a "real" guitar (Or one tied to an artist's name).

At the end of the day enjoy your Chinese Communist Party slave labor built guitar, these are just my opinions.

I had the Firebird for a while and I couldn't bond with it. I wanted to love it, but I just couldn't get into it. I have an older (late 60s) ES-355 and I can tell you that the imported ones are nothing like the old ones in terms of feel, sound, or even look.

The imported guitars play well and look pretty good but they don't feel the same as their American counterparts. I think it's great people can get an affordable guitar that has decent action, but personally, I wouldn't pay over $1000 for a guitar made in Asia - and that includes Japan.

A limited run of 2000 seems kind of silly to me. I doubt Gibson made many more than 2000 of them a year in the first ten years of production (I could be way off).

The internet is a funny thing. It used to be people had a guitar or two and played them. Now, with companies like FMIC putting iconic names on low-end models (Gretsch, Guild, Fender, etc...) some of the mystique of those brands is gone.

I don't have the collection others here have, but some of the sub-$1000 guitars I've picked up over the past year or two include a Roman Rist, GMP, and an Ed Roman. There are some extremely well-made guitars out there that are not big brands but are made by American craftsmen using top-notch materials. I have a beautiful Heritage 535 with a massive flame top I paid about $1100 for a few years back. I tend to buy something quality that I can get a good deal on vs. needing a specific model.

Without getting political, if I have a choice, I would rather not give my money to the Chinese. In six months we'll probably see a bunch of people who buy/profit from these guitars posting about how they "Support Taiwan" and I wouldn't give a penny (or go across the street) to see Joe "Bonna" Massa. He's a good guitar player but behaves like a spoiled 8-year-old.

 

[GuitarDean]

Well sorry boys, the guitar is the real deal. I had a real 1961 Dot 335 that I sold to Lionel Ritchie and this guitar is every bit as good. You can postulate all you want on the "China thing" or how you feel about JB, but this baby is awesome. As a fwiw, I have had the chance to add my input on guitars being made at the custom shop over the last 20 years, and even played there in the past at the jams Thats the Elliot Easton CS SG Im playing at Gibson in my pic, so I do have fair idea how a good guitar should sound and feel. You dont have to agree or disagree with my thoughts on the guitar, but IMO this baby rules and for me, that is good enough.

 

[ADP]

Like I said, to each their own. I am about the pride of ownership over the immense feeling of shame. I can tell you regret selling your 1961 to Lionel Ritchie as it would be worth quite a bit more today.

Oh well, some of us read the book. You're not going to convince any one with a sense of self-worth or pride that the "Joe Bonamassa 335" is worth a cup of coffee.

 

[Amp360]

Like I said, to each their own. I am about the pride of ownership over the immense feeling of shame. I can tell you regret selling your 1961 to Lionel Ritchie as it would be worth quite a bit more today.

Oh well, some of us read the book. You're not going to convince any one with a sense of self-worth or pride that the "Joe Bonamassa 335" is worth a cup of coffee.

If someone wants to buy it that's their deal. I hope they enjoy it.

I just looked and it's $1299. For the same price, you can get a Gibson Les Paul Tribute or a satin-finished SG. I just don't see the logic unless someone is a big fan of JB, but even then I thought his whole schtick was playing name-brand gear.

With any artist model (full disclosure, I own an old 6120, a Clapton Strat, and an LP) a little bit of the money you spend is going to the artist. When building to such a price point that has to come into play somewhere. I know the average factory worker in China makes about $4/day, but in a lot of cases, they do piecemeal work. Growing up I lived in a factory town and I remember having friends' parents assembling products at home after work because the factories would reject things and then get free labor that way. If that was happening in the USA in the 80s I can't imagine what the folks building these things go through. I suppose this doesn't matter to some people, but it does to me. When possible (and it's harder and harder) I don't mind paying a little more for something made in the USA.

I would rather just buy the US-made Gibson for the same price, or buy the Gibson used and save a few bucks.

 

[Todd Louis]

You couldn't pay me to play that Chinese trash. I would feel a real sense of shame if I owned, let alone promoted a product like that.

So like, someone comes on here to show a new guitar they bought.
And you have to piss in there cornflakes?
How old are we????

 

[Todd Louis]

Some people just just don't understand how to scroll on if they don't like something...

 

[ADP]

Some people just just don't understand how to scroll on if they don't like something...

Does my opinion offend thee? Or are you trying to justify and defend your false sense of moral superiority?

 

[Todd Louis]

Does my opinion offend thee? Or are you trying to justify and defend your false sense of moral superiority?

And here we go...
???
Im not gona feed the troll

 

[Todd Louis]

Does my opinion offend thee? Or are you trying to justify and defend your false sense of moral superiority?

Calm yourself newbe... its call being respectful to others.

 

[ADP]

And here we go...
???
Im not gona feed the troll

Calm yourself newbe... its call being respectful to others.

So my opinion and expression is too much for you? No need to start a conversation with yourself. If someone comes on here sharing a guitar, they're here to get a response at the very least and that usually comes with an opinion. Anyway - that's my opinion.

I'll say it again "enjoy your Chinese guitar." Personally, I wouldn't want to be associated with it.

No need to call me names, throw your hands up and roll around laughing - it's called being respectful to others. Though I appreciate your opinion.

 

[GuitarDean]

I bet Gibson loves seeing their products slammed on their own website that they pay for. Also you know political statements are not allowed. If this is how things are run around here now Charlie, then I dont need to be here anymore.

 

[GuitarDean]

Like I said, to each their own. I am about the pride of ownership over the immense feeling of shame. I can tell you regret selling your 1961 to Lionel Ritchie as it would be worth quite a bit more today.

Oh well, some of us read the book. You're not going to convince any one with a sense of self-worth or pride that the "Joe Bonamassa 335" is worth a cup of coffee.

no regret at all in that sale, I made a shit ton of money off that sale and bought an R7 with that cash AND paid off my credit card bill at the time LOL

 

[fender69]

So like, someone comes on here to show a new guitar they bought.
And you have to piss in there cornflakes?
How old are we????

I wonder if he refuses to buy ANYTHING made in China.