What else could I consider.....?

markslade07

I’ve recently joined a new band playing a mixture of Mod/ Indie/ 60s stuff and I think I want a 335 style guitar, but on a budget. I’ve got an upgraded Epi LP and a lovely partscaster Tele, and also a highly upgraded Gretsch Electromatic Pro Jet. The first 2 for various reasons I wouldn’t get rid of, but the Gretsch just doesn’t suit what I’m doing, mainly because of the pickups (TV Jones Power’trons - a bit hot) but also I think a 335 style would suit these genres better.

So....if I were to sell/ swap the Gretsch (£350 ish for arguments sake) what would I get? I’m currently thinking either an Epi Dot, or a Sheraton (don’t want a Casino, would prefer not completely hollow, though have had one before and liked it). There must be other options, though I do want something in the Ocean Colour Scene/ Oasis/ Paul Weller mould so others just don’t seem to look quite right. What am I missing?

Thoughts on a postcard please (or perhaps just below, probably easier)

terada

In that price range a dot would certainly get you the look, but of those I’ve played I always found them a bit lacking the quality department. 

That said semi hollows can often often feel weird when you’re used to solids so it could just be that

ZenOvertone

Epiphone 335 Pro, more upmarket Dot with small block inlays and coil tapped pickups.  I may have a Sunburst (Iced Tea) one for sale soon :-)

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/ES-335-PRO.aspx

steveledzep

You may find a Gretsch brand lover who wants to swap his semi for a solid ?

JDE

Something in the Ibanez AS range would be my pick, unless I could get a great deal on a second hand Sheraton or something. Never really liked the Dots I’ve played.
A Chinese Tokai 335 (forgotten the specific model name!) would be a great shout, too.

randella

JDE said:

Something in the Ibanez AS range would be my pick, unless I could get a great deal on a second hand Sheraton or something. Never really liked the Dots I’ve played.

This would be my pick too.  I have an AS 153 which I bought from GAK for about £700 in a sale.  There are plenty of models lower down the range with less bling and accordingly lower prices.

The build quality of my guitar is amazing - not just for the price, but genuinely very very good.  The neck is a bit of a handful which doesn't bother me, the pickups are great and the whole guitar is very resonant.  It plays very nicely, came set up with a nice fast action - all I had to do was give the truss rod 1/8 of a turn and oil the fretboard.

Very very happy with it.

Funkfingers

Pre-owned PRS SE Semi-hollow?

Actually, does the Pro Jet not have a Master Volume control? Why not simply use that or reduce the gain on your amplifier?

Iamnobody

Epi Sheraton sounds ideal for the job.

EricTheWeary

Burns Cobra? 

Okay its a strat copy but with funky mod styling.

markslade07

Thanks for the ideas so far....
Epi 335 Pro - looks the part, probably need some pickup upgrades I assume?
Ibanez - I’ve always admired from afar, they look great and always get good reviews, just not sure they are quite the right look for the band. Might try one out though
Tokai - of course...why didn’t I think of those!
PRS - not quite right for the band, looks wise (yes, I am shallow!)
Epi Sheraton - yep, that’s what I’m leaning towards I think...perhaps on of the older ones
Burns Cobra - hadn’t even crossed my mind! Interesting.....are they any good?

So as you can see, looks-wise, I am pretty shallow! I’ve even bought a Mod-style hat for this band so want to try and look the part...whatever that is!

underdog

There's an ibanez artcore 335 style for most budgets 

TheMarlin

Sell the Powertrons, get some TV Classics or Supertrons. Much more versatile pickups. 

EricTheWeary

In my band we played a bunch of gigs with mod bands and the default guitars were 335 types and telecasters. If your bitsa tele doesn’t seem right maybe a Squier Thinline or VM Deluxe? 
Although the hat is certainly the important bit. 

markslade07

EricTheWeary said:

In my band we played a bunch of gigs with mod bands and the default guitars were 335 types and telecasters. If your bitsa tele doesn’t seem right maybe a Squier Thinline or VM Deluxe? 
Although the hat is certainly the important bit. 

The bitsa is actually a thinline, sounds great but I probably should have stuck an HB in the neck position but hey ho!

markslade07

TheMarlin said:

Sell the Powertrons, get some TV Classics or Supertrons. Much more versatile pickups. 

Yep, this is an option as otherwise I do like the guitar...this is probably just the GAS talking!

Fifty9

Peerless have some good options. Hardtail and Songbird, a Gretsch type and more jazzier styles

Andyjr1515

Personally, I would pitch at a Harley Benton and use the cash left over to upgrade the pickups...if they needed to be (which they probably wouldn't)
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hb_35plus_cherry.htm

meltedbuzzbox

Just use the Les Paul. 

markslade07

Fifty9 said:

Peerless have some good options. Hardtail and Songbird, a Gretsch type and more jazzier styles

Good shout, had forgotten about Peerless.

Andyjr1515 said:

Personally, I would pitch at a Harley Benton and use the cash left over to upgrade the pickups...if they needed to be (which they probably wouldn't)
https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hb_35plus_cherry.htm

Are they ok to play? Assume a decent setup would sort most things. Are they comparable to Epiphone for example? Looks pretty at least!

meltedbuzzbox said:

Just use the Les Paul. 

That's spoiling my GAS fun!

dogload

Have yo considered a Telecaster? I know you fancy a semi, but Teles are nice all-rounders that can do wiry wiry mod stuff and more gnarly rocky stuff when required. They also look the part!

My only proviso would be to shop around for a neck profile that suits you.

Parker

If you can stretch your budget a little (they may also come down a bit), then this little guitar will wipe the floor with anything else in its range
https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/electric-guitar-eggle-new-york-broadway/1332154776