School me on the dark arts of ES 355's

Col_Decker

I want one, but I don't know which one I want. There's just soooooo many options, I'm not even sure if its a 355 I want. Is it a 330, 335, 345 ... etc

Want:

Gibson only (no 'the ibanez is better' shenanigans)

Bigsby

P90s

Walnut or very dark red finish

also feel free to use this thread as an excuse to post ES355 porn pics.

hywelg

Col_Decker said:

Gibson only (no 'the ibanez is better' shenanigans)

But they are. Just sayin....... and there are two on eBay at the mo.

Evilmags

P90s look wrong on a 355. I think they are also stereo so two amps help a fair bit. Otherwise they are the Les Paul custom of the ES series, with full binding, ebony boards and big block pearl inlays. Keef has a cool black one he can be seen with on a Luis Vuitton ad.

not_the_dj

Can't help, but the wish list you've put together there sounds fantastic. That'll be a mighty fine guitar (and Gibsons really are where it's at)

Col_Decker

Evilmags said:

P90s look wrong on a 355. I think they are also stereo so two amps help a fair bit. Otherwise they are the Les Paul custom of the ES series, with full binding, ebony boards and big block pearl inlays. Keef has a cool black one he can be seen with on a Luis Vuitton ad.

Is the 355 the stereo version of the 335?

[Deleted User]

Col_Decker;31015" said:

Is the 355 the stereo version of the 335?

No. The 335 is the 'basic' centre-block 300 series guitar; rosewood board with either dots or trapezoid inlays, single layer binding, unbound headstock, no Varitone, or stereo.

Vintage examples seem to command higher prices than (the originally more expensive) 345 and 355 variants.

Col_Decker

ah right, so I *want* a center block too, so 335 it is then?

Van_Hayden

I'd suggest an ES330. The hollow construction gives a lovely warm compression to the attack. Not great if you're playing loud / overdriven. They feedback lots....

Van_Hayden

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=es330+bigsby&client=safari&hl=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=JyEuUsuyH4qL7Ab23oDQAQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAA&biw=320&bih=462#biv=i|5;d|Dzypm5arbclcxM:

[Deleted User]

Van_Hayden;31032" said:

I'd suggest an ES330. The hollow construction gives a lovely warm compression to the attack. Not great if you're playing loud / overdriven. They feedback lots....

And early ones - pre-1969 I think - had shorter necks (as per Lennon's Epiphone Casino) making getting up the dusty end harder.

Reissues are the same.

[Deleted User]

Col_Decker;31027" said:

ah right, so I *want* a center block too, so 335 it is then?

The only 300 series guitar which doesn't have a centre-block is the 330 - which also has P90s. All models from the 335 upwards have centre blocks....

EdGrip

If I were after a semi-hollow Gibson, it'd be an ES175:

There's a P90 version, but for reasons best known to themselves Gibson are only making them in non-transparent colours.

Van_Hayden

Col_Decker;31027" said:

ah right, so I *want* a center block too, so 335 it is then?

bugger, didn't read that bit....

Van_Hayden

ES175s are hollow - perhaps a ES135?

Bucket

ES335:

http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gibson/59_es335_1.jpg

ES345:

http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gone/59_es345_1.jpg

ES355:

http://www.pinrepair.com/vgi/gone/63_gib_es355_1.jpg

There are currently some ES335s being sold with P-90s in dark finishes, no Bigsby but that's the way it should be (you can always put one on, if you're a pervert).

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/xl/110/12062112180058b_2.jpg

ESchap

I've got a few.  See photo below.  The Trini Lopez and cherry 335 no longer with me.  Still to post their replacements right enough.

As Richardhomer said, the 330 is fully hollow.  The neck is not shorter, it's set further into the body.   Actually it's not a very good arrangement as the shape of the lower horn it makes access to frets above 17/18 very difficult.

335, 345 and 355 all have maple centre blocks and Humbuckers, though Gibson has just introduced some 335 alike with P90's.  GuitarGuitar had them on "sale" recently.

345 and 355 have the Varitone which is simply a tone network and depending on your views it has uses or not.  They are "stereo" output which is simply the neck and bridge pickups are on separate "outs".  Modern versions have mono too I believe, Vintage don't and the pickups are out of phase, so it can be a blessing or a pain depending on your amp, the setup you want etc. 

355 has an ebony board and "custom" headstock.   

 

330 is back left, 335 front left, 355 front second left, 345 front 3rd left.

Back middle is a "Trini Lopez" which is simply a 335 with a fancy headstock, front right is a 347 which again is a 335 with later 70's / 80's styling mine is all maple with an Ebony board.

 

 

[Deleted User]

ESchap;31124" said:

The neck is not shorter, it's set further into the body.   Actually it's not a very good arrangement as the shape of the lower horn it makes access to frets above 17/18 very difficult.

At the risk of pedantry, while the scale length of a 330 is the same as other 300 series semis, the neck IS shorter.

Bucket

Tell me @ESchap, how on earth did you come up with your user name?

ESchap

you'd never believe me if I told you ....   :-O

Phil_aka_Pip

drool .. gibber

ESchap

richardhomer said:

ESchap;31124" said:

The neck is not shorter, it's set further into the body.   Actually it's not a very good arrangement as the shape of the lower horn it makes access to frets above 17/18 very difficult.

At the risk of pedantry, while the scale length of a 330 is the same as other 300 series semis, the neck IS shorter.

To be equally pedantic, but prove I'm correct ... check the photos below.  330 on top, 345 underneath.  With the nuts exactly on top of each other, the necks are indeed the same length.  It's the body that's set forward, if you like, on the 330.  In fact the ABR on a 330 is exactly where the stop tail would be on a 335.