| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 996.1 | | DNEAST::BOTTOM_DAVID | Everyday I got the blues | Tue Nov 29 1988 12:00 | 6 |
| Isn't the 340 the stereo version of the 335? If I'm right the switch
determined the "stereo" mix between thefront and back pickups...or
something like that...great blues guitar if you can stand the size
(which I can't)
dbii
|
| 996.2 | Here's the scoop | MOSAIC::WEBER | | Tue Nov 29 1988 12:33 | 12 |
| Rick:
The Gibson ES-340 was a 335 with a birch body, rather than maple.
Electronics were slightly different: a mixer replaced the function
of the normal toggle switch, so the pickups could be blended more
easily. The toggle had normal, out of phase, and standby (no output)
positions. The other volume control became a master volume.
The price was about the same as a 335. It came in Walnut or Blonde
and was not very popular. It was not available in stereo .
Danny W
|
| 996.3 | For That Matter... | AQUA::ROST | Hum-dum-dinger from Dingersville | Tue Nov 29 1988 13:34 | 4 |
|
How about an ES-350....looked like a 335 but had a fat body????
|
| 996.4 | Not quite... | MOSAIC::WEBER | | Tue Nov 29 1988 14:03 | 7 |
| Re: .3
You're talking about an ES-150. The 350 was a single cutaway, 17"
archtop. The 150 was a 16"x 3" double cutaway that did look like
a large 335.
Danny W
|
| 996.5 | Answers to Questions you didn't ask | BOOKLT::WIEGLER | | Tue Nov 29 1988 15:21 | 3 |
| I believe that the 335, 340, 350, etc designations were the original
list prices of the guitar when Gibson introduced them. The ES stands
for Electric Spanish guitar.
|
| 996.6 | For good reason | RAINBO::WEBER | | Tue Nov 29 1988 15:42 | 10 |
| Re: .5
While some Gibsons were named after their prices (ES-175, Super
400), this was not true of examples you gave. The 340 was introduced
at $600, for example, and the original 335,345,355 series had a
price ratio of 150% between the cheapest and most expensive.
Gibson's only constant is inconsistancy.
Danny W
|
| 996.7 | | RICKS::CALCAGNI | | Tue Nov 29 1988 17:16 | 8 |
| re .2
I'm still a bit confused. From what you say, what looks like the
normal pickup selector switch controlled normal, phase, standby.
The one I saw had an additional two position toggle switch; is this
a standard feature or somebody's hack?
/rick
|
| 996.8 | Might be a mod | RAINBO::WEBER | | Wed Nov 30 1988 08:41 | 16 |
| re:-.1
The stock version had controls that looked like a 335's--only the
functions were different. A common mod is to replace the mixer
with a toggle switch.
BTW, to avoid further confusion, note that Gibson used the 150 name
on two different guitars--the original ES-150 ("Charlie Christian")
was a non-cut, carved-top guitar. The 70's ES-150TD was a double
cutaway plywood guitar.
Similarly, the original ES-350 was a full-depth guitar, while the
ES-350T was a thin-line hollow body that was essentially a lower
priced Byrdland.
Danny W.
|
| 996.9 | ..US only? | TRUCKS::JANSEN_J | | Fri Dec 02 1988 08:19 | 4 |
| ...Never come across this one in the UK.
was it a US only model?
Regards
Jeff Jansen
|
| 996.10 | Not likely | RAINBO::WEBER | | Fri Dec 02 1988 09:09 | 6 |
| Unlike Rickenbacker, Gibson never produced any US only or Europe
only models. Since the 340 is rather obscure, it is possible
you just never heard of it. I wouldn't be surprised if Gibson's
British distributor never imported any.
Danny W
|
| 996.11 | 335 w/coil cut | RAINBO::WEBER | | Tue Dec 06 1988 10:29 | 8 |
| Rick:
In the early '80's, Gibson produced some ES-335's with a coil-cut
switch. These had a toggle on the upper bout, treble side, in addition
to the standard toggle location. Is it possible that the guitar
you saw was one of these?
Danny W
|
| 996.12 | | RICKS::CALCAGNI | | Tue Dec 06 1988 17:37 | 4 |
| negative. The serial number, orange label, no volute, etc. put it into
late sixties; the label even said ES-340 I believe.
/rick
|
| 996.13 | Sure seems like a 340 | RAINBO::WEBER | | Wed Dec 07 1988 08:56 | 16 |
| The we'd have to assume it was modified.
One reason for its lack of popularity was the inability to do a
quick pickup change, so I think many of these had the mixer deleted
and replaced by a toggle, and one of the tone controls converted
to a volume control. You then had something similar to ES-335 wiring
with a phase switch and master tone.
I personally don't like birch as a guitar wood. Frankly, most of
the semi's I like are all maple, including the neck, despite the
previous reply that claimed that mahogany necks sound better. I
think the increased sustain and cutting power that maple provides
is more important in a semi than the somewhat sweeter sound from mohogany
or birch. I suspect many players who tried a 340 agreed.
Danny W
|