Conference napalm::guitar

    Ran across an ad for a '72 ES335 in "excellent" condition for $550.
    If it really is in at least good condition, what do you experts
    think? Is this a good deal?
    
    Thanks, George

Personally, I think that sounds like just an "okay" deal.  I know where I
can get a *brand new* 335 (dot neck) for $650, and that was the price
offered by the salesbozo without haggling.  It's got a couple of burn
marks in it from sitting on a hot stand in the display window, though... 

They list for about $1200 new, which translates to about $750 regular
retail. (Most stores give you about 40% off list on guitars, especially
expensive ones...) 

So, in "mint" condition it might be worth $500 *if* that particular guitar
plays well, etc.  As stated in another note though, guitars made in the 70s 
by some of the big companies aren't "the best".

My advice you ask?  (You didn't?  Well, here it is anyway :-):  Check it
out, and if you like *that particular* guitar, offer the seller $400 and
see what happens.  Be willing to go to $500.  Deduct at least $50 if it
doesn't have a good hardshell case, too. 

One man's opinion...

-- Sam

    Too much. Save a little and wait a little and get a new one for
    about 200 or so more.
    

    Be real nice to it for a few days, then the day you plan on asking
    it out, send a box of candy, or a dozen yellow roses.
    
    If you get shot down the first time, offer to bring it to a french
    resturaunt.  They like snails.....
    
    
    Sorry, I couldn't resist.....
    
    
    All-in-fun
    
    ray

    
    Speaking of ES-335's (and guitars like that).... how do es-335's
    generally play?  I'm a longtime Strat player, but I'd like to get
    a second electric (hollow body) for a darker sound.  How do the
    Ibanez es-335 style guitars rate?  I'd like to try a couple of
    these guitars...
    
    /paul
    
    

    Yes proud to announce I am now happily wed to an ES335.
    The big day was yesterday the flowers and the candy were no use,
    at once the production of lots of bits of paper with the Queens
    head on them did the trick, I didn't even have to get down on one
    knee.  By the way she was born in 86 and thats been confirmed.
    
    The honeymoon starts this weekend........ well ......
    
    			In bliss,
    		
    				Tony.
    

    I have an ES-355, which is basically a 335 with gold hardware and
    more binding.  Comaper to a Strat (I also play a '72 Strat), the
    Gibson has a much hotter sound...sort of what you'd expect from
    humbuckers vs. single coil.  The sound isn't as heavy as solid body
    with humbuckers (e.g. Les Paul) and can be sweet if you don't lean
    on the strings too hard.  Of course, this is how I hear the sound...you
    may find it different.
    
    Playability is outstanding with my ES.  Feedback has never been
    a problem.  I play through a tiny amp (Fender Deluxe Revereb) cranked
    and the mild distortion resulting fromt thhis combination can be
    just right for a Larry Carlton sort of sound.
    
    Totally off the subject: I traded a 1965 Dodge Dart (slant six)
    for this guitar...even.  The Dodge died ont eh way to a gig about
    four years ago.
    
    Regards,
    Johnny Jupiter
    

re: .-2

Also remember that the 335/345/355 guitars are *semi* hollowbody.  They
have a nice solid hunk of wood running thru the middle of the body, under
the pickups, that adds some sustain while cutting down on the feedback
which is characteristic of full hollow body electrics.

I got to play an Ibanez Artist 335 clone at the same sitting as a Gibson
335.  The Gibson has a much larger body which contributes to a much
deeper, rounder tone.  It was set up with easier action, too, so it played
much more nicely.  The Gibsons sell for ~ $750.  The price tag I saw on the
Ibanez said $739, and I'm not sure if that was the "list" or "selling"
price, but if it's the selling price there's no doubt in my mind that I
would choose the Gibson, given the cash.

-- Sam

    
    I'm going to be selling a few guitars soon, but since this topic
    came up, I might as well put one up now.  I have 2 335's.  One is
    for sale.  It's either '72 or '73, chocolate brown, and in really
    good shape.  It's never been used outside the home so it hasn't
    been abused at all.  I want $475 for it.  I feel it's worth at
    least that so, thruthfully, I'm not interested in dickering.
    
    I work at the Mill and live in Marlboro.  If you're seriously 
    interested, I'm at HAVOC::DESROCHERS
    
    Tom
    

    
    
<    The big day was yesterday the flowers and the candy were no use,
<    at once the production of lots of bits of paper with the Queens
<    head on them did the trick, I didn't even have to get down on one
<    knee.  By the way she was born in 86 and thats been confirmed.
<

    
    		Must-a been your carisma !!
    
    
    

    (My, how things catch up to you.  I haven't been in this file for years,
    came here to ask a question, and found this topic with some old notes 
    me (LYMPH::LAMBERT).  And I still like 335s!  :-)  Now let's see if 
    everyone uses NEXT UNSEEN and sees this old topic...)

    Has anyone ever heard of a SOLID-BODY ES-335?  To me this sounds like
    a contradiction in terms but someone just told me they have one for 
    sale.  I assume this is something new, if it actually exists.  

    Anyone have any idea what kind of price these beasts would pull in?

    Thanks in advance,

    -- Sam

    
    Gibson did make a solidbody 335 but it was one of those low-price
    "Firebrand" guitars.  It had a shrunken 335 shape, two humbuckers, etc.
    They sold new for something like $500 *list*.
    
    I'm trying to remember exactly what the heck the model designation was
    on the thing....I'm sure Danny will know.
    
    Glad to see you're still alive, Sam!!  8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    						Brian
    

    Isn't that the model they called the ES-335S?
    
    cheers/mike

    	You guy's aren't talkin about the Studio Es335 are you? Has no
    F holes and no pickup covers? 
    
    	If it was or is a solid body it still must have tone chambers...
    I can't imagine the weight of a piece of wood that size....
    
    							Rick
    

    Gibson made the ES-335S in the early '80's and it was part of the
    Firebrand series of low-cost guitars. It has nothing in common with the
    335, but is more like a a double cut LP Jr. Just another example of
    Gibson's dumb marketing.
    
    There was a Custom and a Standard model, but only a small difference
    between the two--the Custom had a coil tap, better hardware and a
    mahogany neck.
    
    Come to think of it, there was a non-Firebrand version called the
    Standard, with a bound, ebony fingerboard.
    
    I'd guess these are worth $200-$300 if they're clean.
    
    Danny W. 

    Thanks for the info.  I'll be picking it up for a "test ride" tomorrow
    night.  (A friend has it and is going to loan it to me to see if I like
    it enough to buy it.  Yes, Mike - I'll have it for Thursday's jam! :-))

    He says it's brand new, with a hardshell, and he's asking $350.  I'll
    look very closely.

    Thanks again,

    -- Sam

   Okay, here's the scoop:  I picked up the guitar last week as planned and
   have been playing it.  I'm gonna buy it.

   The neck tag is labelled "Firebrand ES-335S Standard".  It is a solid body.
   It's unfinished (oiled) wood (mahogany?  walnut?  I can't tell - it's a
   darkish wood stained darker brown, and heavy), neck is the same material,
   rosewood fretboard, dual humbuckers (the black and ivory ones).  Flat top,
   no pickguard, Les Paul style bridge and controls.  No coil taps.  It came 
   with a new 'Paul style hardshell case. 

   It still had the plastic covering on the access panel in the back.  Had
   been used for practice only a couple of times.  I had to clean up the frets 
   and bridge due to some little rust spots (it had been "ridden hard and put 
   away wet"  :-)).   A thorough oiling, string height and intonation adjust-
   ment, and I was on my way.

   Plays like a dream, and sounds wonderful.  Sustains like a m-f.
   I've got my Christmas present early.   Life is Good.  

   -- Sam

   P.S.  The same guy has a used Jazz Chorus amp for sale.  Hmm...  :-)

    
    Re: .13
    
    The Firebrand guitars were made from walnut.
    
    

    re.13
    
    Sam,
    
    What shape is this "rare" solid body.....double cutaway?  Is it thick
    like a Les Paul, or thin like an SG?  I've seen the walnut Les Pauls
    called "Firebrand" or "The Paul", but this sounds like a Gibbo that
    I've never seen.  Just when I thought I knew alot about Gibsons!
    
    Steve

    While some firebrands were walnut, the 335S-Standard was stained maple.
    
    The model designations of these are out of sync with other Gibsons.
    Standard, Custom, Deluxe in order of increasing price. Only the
    Standard has a maple body and neck--the others both have mahogany
    bodies and necks.
    
    The thickness is 1-1/2"--thicker than an SG, thinner than an LP.
    
    Danny W.

   re: .15

   Well, thanks!  I think it's kind of neat myself.  (I like uniqueness.)

   The guitar is very similar in size and weight to a Firebrand/"The" Paul.
It's a double cutaway with small "horns" on the top.  It's vaguely reminiscent
of an Ibanez Artist, but with a longer body, and the lower lobes are wider. 
It's about 2" thick ('Paul thickness), with contours in the back where it
contacts your torso and on the front where your right arm crosses (sort of ala'
Strat).  22 fret glued on neck.  It's pretty heavy, and has a lot of sustain.

   -- Sam   

   Oh goody, more info.

   re:  <<< Note 119.16 by TOOTER::WEBER >>>

	(Danny - thanks for all your information to date, by the way.)

   > The model designations of these are out of sync with other Gibsons.
   > Standard, Custom, Deluxe in order of increasing price. 

	Excuse my ignorance, but what are the "normal" designations that 
	these are out of sync with?  S, D, C?

	Hey, I don't mind maple.  :-)

	-- Sam

    Gibson's usual order is Custom, Standard, Deluxe with Custom being the
    most expensive.
    
    Gibson did a terrible marketing job on the firebrand guitars--very
    little differentiation between models and confusing nomenclature are
    just two of the mistakes they made. The worst mistake was treating
    these guitars as poor relations of the real things, instead of
    promoting them as well made, good playing and sounding instruments that
    had less ornamentation but better real quality than the imports against
    which they were designed to compete. 
    
    At their current used prices these guitars are an excellent value. It
    would be hard to find a better instrument in this price range.
    
    Danny W.
    

    I road tested Pat Blair's (Patman) NEW ES-335 Dot last night.  WHAT an
    AXE!  I WANT ONE!!!!  I was surprised at the weight; it's been a while
    since I owned one.  His has a solid block inside that starts at the
    neck and runs far enough for both pickups to mount on.  I *think* my
    old 1972 model had a block running inside thru the neck pickup only
    with my bridge pickup mounting "on" the body surface only.  Anyway,
    this baby is natural in color, the neck is really fine, action is great
    and the neck flex is minor compared to the Washburn HB35.  The good 'ol
    Gibson tone is there with 1959 re-issue PAF's.  It's a blues/southern
    rock machine!!
    
    Bulldawg......way to go Patman!