Good and cheap ES335 ?!

[TESLA_EL34]

Hey guys,

im looking for a good ES 335 like guitar.
I like the hollowbody tone with hummies, it's great and bluesy.
I think the Epiphone Dot is cool... but i'm not sure if the newer models are woth the cash.

My girlfriend has a Yamaha AS73, i think it's a great guitar but it's a bit
out of my pricerange. I think i would upgrade the guitar with a set
of good pickups if i need that.

[jason41224]

i really wish gibson would put out an affordable ES335. it's not right that the cheapest model out there is a 2grand custom chop i'd look for one of the old 333's second hand. they're Gibsons, but slightly stripped down (like a studio model). not sure how much they're going for.

[Y0UNGBL00D]

epi dot?
ibanez artcore series?
ive seen some used 335s for $1000-$1500

imo, thats the ONLY type of guitar (and its ilk) that should command gibson's ridiculous prices. at least they have all the carving, bending, binding, meticulous electronics work (try replacing a pot sometime), extravagant inlays, etc. i want them to explain to me why the thunderhorse explorer is like $1500. really.

[Randy Bass]

I think the Ibanez AM73 is the best-looking semi on the market, but I haven't tried one. I have an Epiphone Dot Studio (Worn Brown) and it's got a great feel to it. The neck is a gigantic 50's profile, which is great for playing one-finger moron chords in Drop D . The stock mudbuckers are kinda useless for lower tunings though. If you like lower-output pickups like PAFs, it would be worth upgrading for sure. It's a pretty solid guitar for the money. I actually don't understand how they are cheaper to make than an SG.

[Y0UNGBL00D]

thats ANOTHER thing i dont get!

supposedly for every hour of time in the finishing booth, a gibosn costs $50 to the end user. but an epi dot can really be made for cheaper than a V or and explorer? i mean on an SG at least you have some beveling to do! but i happen to love worn brown so it works out for me. but i really dont fully understand their pricing scheme. the epis will always be cheaper from overseas labor though.
but another glaring example:

normal explorer: straight body lines, no fancy hardware, has headstock inlay. $1400
thunderhorse explorer: same guitar, silverburst, "thunderhorse" truss cover: $1700 (a $300 truss cover?)
faded explorer: same body, less finish, silkscreened headstock: $1000 or so. makes sense.
epiphone korina 58 explorer: same body, normal finish, has slightly more complicated headstock inlay: $499

go figure.

[Neiloler]

These guys have some cool looking stuff for cheap:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/XV-900-Semi ... c_154.html

[chinese fork tie]

i've a jay turser 335 copy that i got for $350US and i've had no problems with it at all. could use a graphite nut and better pickups, but other than that, it's a solid guitar that plays and sounds like a dream.

just my input.

[Wendigo]

Epiphione Casino? It's cheap and I imagine better than most of the knock-offs.

[jackincaves]

Epiphione Casino? It's cheap and I imagine better than most of the knock-offs.

+1 for the Casino, or Riviera if you want humbuckers.

[philhed]

i just bought a epiphone dot used for a friend.

it is a 199x korean one made by samick that we got for 350€ incl. case and strap.

i already had pretty high expectations from what i´ve heard about the korean made epis, but i was impressed even more when i had it in my hands. there were several guitarists testing it, and all said that if you throw good pickups in it (the pickups are the only weak point they are not bad, but seem to be a bit dull and can´t reproduce the harmonics the guitar makes acousticly) you have a guitar that is on par with the gibbys.

it really has such a nice feeling to it and is build without any flaw.

nice smooth neck, no sharp frets, the body was resonating really nice (much better than one of the chinese made i played in a store)

even the finish (cherry red) and the wood that shines through are absolutely beautiful.

i think i want to get one if i have enough money.

[Jondog]

Another vote for the Casino here, love the acoustic sound better then the Epi 335. I think it's actually a hollowbody insted of a semi-hollow.

[a.hun]

i just bought a epiphone dot used for a friend.

it is a 199x korean one made by samick that we got for 350€ incl. case and strap.

i already had pretty high expectations from what i´ve heard about the korean made epis, but i was impressed even more when i had it in my hands. there were several guitarists testing it, and all said that if you throw good pickups in it (the pickups are the only weak point they are not bad, but seem to be a bit dull and can´t reproduce the harmonics the guitar makes acousticly) you have a guitar that is on par with the gibbys.

it really has such a nice feeling to it and is build without any flaw.

nice smooth neck, no sharp frets, the body was resonating really nice (much better than one of the chinese made i played in a store)

even the finish (cherry red) and the wood that shines through are absolutely beautiful.

i think i want to get one if i have enough money.

+1 Doesn't surprise me at all.

I played a (Samick labelled) Samick which was a really decent 335 style guitar.


Andy.

[Borderline Productions]

Heritage has their version of the 335. Played one a couple years ago and it was more like a Gibson than the new Gibsons. Don't know the price now, but back then it was in the $1500 range. I also like the Casino.

[Aslan]

The Ibanez AS73 is the best buy in the "335" style of guitars, I picked one up used for $150 and have to say that the workmanship and overall feel of the guitar is as good as some of the new Gibson 335's at my local store, even the sunburst finish is better (I am not a Gibson Hater, I own two Custom shop LP's) but it does frustrate me when I see the price tag on some of the new Gibson's and the workmanship & tone is not any better than a AS73 that retails for $399! I love my AS73 and use it during a set when we do John Mayer songs, also it is killer for blues music.

[the dirty tricks]

I honestly dont think you can look further than a Epiphone Sheraton.

I have a Sheraton as a back up to my 68' 335, its different to vintage spec (not really important) but its a fantastic guitar, I have also played it alongside a 2000 335 and I honestly dont think that the difference in price is justified Gibson £1700+, Epi £450....the only thing I would do is swap out the pick ups as they are a little dull sounding..I put in a set of Seymour Duncan 59' Humbuckers and its amazing....electrics can be replaced over time....

You get a thicker tone with the Sheraton in comparison to a Riveria (the Riveria is a little less bulky than the Sheraton i.e. neck is narrower at the nut....) The Casino can sound fantastic but you would need to be carefull of feedback as this is completly hollow, if you are wanting to play heavier styles I'd look to the Sheraton as its fab and can easily handle anything you throw at it!

Overall i'd say the Sheraton is the most versatile and reliable 335 you will find on a budget....sound great too!

Good Luck!

Andy