Gibson ES 330 - but with humbuckers...?

Hattigol

Been offered one of these at a very good price. Not sure about having humbuckers in it rather than P90s though.
Thoughts welcomed.

Phil_aka_Pip

You can always change the pickups if you don't like them. You might even find that the humbuckers do what their title says and for that reason they should stay.

lewism

Was it built with humbuckers originally (a few were, but far fewer than are claimed) or was it modified for humbuckers (as is the case with most “specially ordered from the factory with humbuckers”). If it’s been modified you’re looking for a reduction in price as wood would have needed to be removed during the conversion. Depending on how well the conversion was done, it could be possible to convert back to P90s without the humbucker routes showing but it’ll never be “all original”. Can be a cheaper way to a great guitar though, it’s how I got my 1963 ES330.

benmurray85

Sorry but 330’s are P90s! That’s what makes them so sweet!

Hattigol

It is brand new and the humbuckers are factory-fitted - sorry for not making that clear. 
I know I could swap them out but I'm less keen on guitars that have been modded, as are a lot of buyers if I were to sell it once my GAS eased off....

lewism

Hattigol said:

It is brand new and the humbuckers are factory-fitted - sorry for not making that clear. 
I know I could swap them out but I'm less keen on guitars that have been modded, as are a lot of buyers if I were to sell it once my GAS eased off....

No worries. I’m happy with “players grade” vintage provided it’s not used to mean “absolutely knackered”. Headstock repairs and changed parts don’t worry me too much. Mine had the replacement humbuckers replaced with Epi P90s before I got it so I can’t comment on how it sounded with humbuckers. I changed the Epi P90s for Lollars (and an Oil City loom) and it’s great. The lack of a centre block makes them lighter than a 335 and a bit more vibrant and responsive (to my ears) as well as much louder acoustically. It’ll feed back at the drop of a hat though!

stickyfiddle

One of these, I assume?  Long neck 330. I've always liked the idea, though I'm not sure how much it would feel weird compared with either a 335 or regular short-neck 330.

http://www.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2015/Memphis/ES-330L-Humbucker.aspx

mixolyd

There’s a Phil X video somewhere on YouTube where he plays a vintage 330 with original humbuckers, it sounds wonderful and very much like a 330.  Those long neck 330’s on the other hand don’t seem to have the same sound as the real thing, so that neck would be the possible dealbreaker for me.

Hattigol

That's the one.
I find 330s (and even 335s, to be honest) a bit light in feel so I'm happier with a Bigsby on them as they seem to give them a bit more ballast. 
I have a 345, which I think is the same neck/body length so I'm not really put off by the long neck. Plus I don't really know what a 330 'should' sound like so I don't feel like the difference in sound from the long neck will put me at a disadvantage.
£2,019. New. I need to just pull the trigger, don't I.....?

Teyeplayer

Hattigol said:

£2,019. New. I need to just pull the trigger, don't I.....?

Yes you do and then post lots of lovely pics of it for us all to drool over.

RiftAmps

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

mixolyd

RiftAmps said:

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

  

Teyeplayer

RiftAmps said:

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

That is super cool!

Schnozz

If you don't like the humbuckers, then I really rate Seymour Duncan's 'phat cats' 

skippy76

Go for it, this is my 64 330 with humbuckers

https://imgur.com/gallery/l5KJr

still not sure how to embed the picture with imgur!?

Hattigol

skippy76 said:

Go for it, this is my 64 330 with humbuckers

https://imgur.com/gallery/l5KJr

still not sure how to embed the picture with imgur!?

That is a beauty...

Hattigol

RiftAmps said:

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

Lovely. But not a big fan of modded guitars really. 
Love your amps by the way - but using a modelling amp as I got fed up of crazy bastard volume levels!

Phil_aka_Pip

RiftAmps said:

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

That is lovely. I would if you'd lend me the money with no stipulation as to when it has to be paid back.

Phil_aka_Pip

skippy76 said:

Go for it, this is my 64 330 with humbuckers

https://imgur.com/gallery/l5KJr

still not sure how to embed the picture with imgur!?

I don't like the colour

ArchtopDave

Phil_aka_Pip said:

RiftAmps said:

Buy this one - https://vintageandrareguitars.com/product/1967-gibson-es-330-2/

That is lovely. I would if you'd lend me the money with no stipulation as to when it has to be paid back.

I'm afraid the Vintage and Rare website is a bit out of date. A long time favourite guitarist of mine is Emily Remler. Her main Electric was a 330 and she switched the P90's out for Humbuckers. I bought this guitar over month ago - thought it was a bit of a bargain given the price of the current 330 model. The guitar is in excellent nick for something that's 50 years old.

57Deluxe

really would be an unusuable guitar live at realistic volume. Want HBs - get a 335 with the center block.