• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Who here plays a Historic '63 block neck ES-335?

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
I am contemplating getting a Historic ES-335 '63 blockneck and would like the opinions of those who have tried them and either liked them, bought them, or decided on a different guitar or model.
Thank you.
Stephen
 

The Shifter

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
3,397
I drempt about playing one before I woke up this morning. I really, really want one.

Sorry, that's the best I got.
 

Dire Wolf

Active member
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
2,745
I have a 2002 Historic 63 block; it's a GREAT guitar! Lots of sustain and bottom-end. I've kept it all original; don't see any reason to change a thing. Only drawback, if there is one, is the neck is on the slim side(typical for 335 reissues). I like it more than any Historic DOT reissue I've owned.
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
One of the greatest guitars I own! Mines a 2005 Nashville Historic. I searched long and hard for one I liked which is tough since there aren't too many to choose from. I really paid attention to the neck angle / bridge height......loooking for one that wasn't too steep like most are lately.

I changed up a lot of things:

Pigtail TP and studs
Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers and DMC covers
Vintage NOS Black Beauty caps
50's wiring
RS 4/6 Nylon nut
Nylon saddles (as per 1963)
NOS double ring Kluson tuners
DMC bushings
Kink56 TRC
Correct white switch tip


Looks, sounds, and feels a lot more authentic now.

It was great..now it's GRRRRREAT!
 
Last edited:

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
Thank you for the input so far. :applaude :dude:
 

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
I have a 2002 Historic 63 block; it's a GREAT guitar! Lots of sustain and bottom-end. I've kept it all original; don't see any reason to change a thing. Only drawback, if there is one, is the neck is on the slim side(typical for 335 reissues). I like it more than any Historic DOT reissue I've owned.


Is the neck the same approximate dimensions as a stock 335 or is it slightly deeper, front to back, and how much of a shoulder is there, please?
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
I really hate thin necks but this one is not bad. I don't know how much they vary from guitar to guitar but mine is sort of a medium "C" thickness with a very (very) little shoulder. It tapers just a little thicker as you move towards the guitar but not as dramatically as some I have seen.
 

tele00

New member
Joined
Jul 24, 2002
Messages
2,352
the Historic Block 63 has a bit bigger neck than a standard Usa 335 . But not any where near as substantial as a Historic 59 335.
 

The Boz 56

Active member
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
1,807
I had an Andy Summers model - its like a Historic Block Neck with dots and a long guard (has a slim neck). Real good guitar.
 

nickster

New member
Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
882
I do and it sounds great but a little difficult to keep in tune out live. I stil use it though and use 10's-52. Klusons. Sounds good thru my Dr. Z. Maz 38. Mine is exactly like the crossroads 335, but was meant for export at a 4th of the price of the EC Crossroads 335..
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
......a little difficult to keep in tune out live......

Have you had that looked at? Strange to have tuning difficulties on a guitar that is essentially EXACTLY the same set up from tuner to stop TP as a Les Paul or 80% of Gibson guitars.

You must have a binding nut causing you problems.
 

nickster

New member
Joined
Jul 22, 2001
Messages
882
Yea I had it tweaked up well; just the effects of weather changes while in the clubs hot humid vs. the cold you know; and heavy handedness on my part. Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe I put Grovers on it.
 

MapleFlame

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2005
Messages
14,044
Have you had that looked at? Strange to have tuning difficulties on a guitar that is essentially EXACTLY the same set up from tuner to stop TP as a Les Paul or 80% of Gibson guitars.

You must have a binding nut causing you problems.

After I got a Luthier to work on my "Nut" LOL I never had that problem. 90% of tuning problems are the nut slot and nut angle. You need a new Nut.
 

C-4

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
1,776
Just out of curiosity, what finish is most favored on the '63 block neck, iyho?

I find that the cherry seems to me to be the most "correct" looking.
Having grown up and played many original guitars of this type, I have also seen more red ones then sunbursted ones, so maybe it is just my personal experience with this guitar.
 

tuberide

Active member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,469

Guitar Whiskey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
2,757
I bought a 2007 '63 block last year from Saul. For me the neck on this model is the best semi hollow neck available. It does not feel as massive as a '59 Dot and is not as slim as my R0. It is a good size with a nice "C" profile. I would not consider it really slim; more like a R9 neck to me. There are no tuning issues and the guitar is stock other than I swapped the knobs for vintage gold reflectors (not shown). I have contemplated swapping pickups as an experiment but the daunting task of doing it has kept me from attempting it. I don't know how much would be gained by doing so; it does sound great as is because of the semi hollow tone of the instrument and the pickups are quite good. The electronics work well with good control of volume and tone. I do like the cherry but this guitar spoke to me and I like sunburst just as well. At the time I bought this I was also considering all the 335 models as well as the 336 and 339. I thought the neck stuck out too far from the body on the 336 & 339 making it balance funny. The USA 335 didn't have the depth of tone and the neck was a bit small. The '59 Dot neck was just way too big to be comfortable for me; very nice guitar though. The neck, size, and feel of the '63 block just seemed to fit the bill for what I was after.

Dividedby13JRT915.jpg
 

tuberide

Active member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,469
Real nice.

The '63 Historic 335's have the cutout in the centerblock at the treble pickup so trading out pickups is a little less daunting as compared to the '59's which have a completely solid centerblock.
I have the '59 Historic 335 and the neck is quite a handfull though I've become used to it. I'm very curious to try one of these '63's. I would imagine the neck profile to be similar to the current production L5's which to me feels just right....medium C profile.
 

Guitar Whiskey

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
2,757
I didn't know that about the centerblock; thanks. It's not that I don't like a big neck. My R7 neck is about the same as a '59 Dot and I love the R7 neck. It's just that on a 335 the neck extends very far out from the body. This feature in combination with a big neck just seems uncomfortable for me. It's not a problem for me on a big neck Paul because your hand is still in a comfortable position for 1st form chords whereas on a 335 your hand is another 3-4 inches further away from you body when you factor in the difference in neck join location and the placement of the top strap button. Anyway this is my theory, but for whatever reason I have trouble with a big neck 335.
 

cumbrian

New member
Joined
Jun 3, 2004
Messages
50
mine is a 2007. It is a great guitar, being very resonant and harmonically rich. The neck shape is just full enough to feel substantial, while being slightly slimmer than than my CS356. The blone finish is hardly 60's accurate but it works very nicely with the block inlays. Sorry that this is not the greatest photograph, but it gives an idea of the look of the blonde version which seems harder to find than the cherry and sunburst versions.
LAN_1363.jpg
 
Top