Members hrcnsfan Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 Has Gibson's line of 335s gone through ups and down in the quality of their builds?I'm going to get one with a budget of around $2500 and don't mind buying used. I'm curious to know, from those who have more experience with them throughout the years; Is there an era I need to be aware of? Would I find a better built instrument (generally speaking) from a number of years ago as opposed to what I might find in the new market like this one? Thanks in advance.http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ESDS14RDNH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 Personally, I prefer used. I despise that break in period of adjusting, re-adjusting, and waiting for it to become right. It's the same with any guitar though. Play it, and let your hands and ears decide. Some people hate the Norlin period of Gibson, 70'0r so, thru the mid 80's I believe, but I find some good guitars, that play and sound wonderful. YOU be the judge, despite any opinion you may get from us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members onelife Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 Does it have to be a Gibson? Some of the Made In Japan Yamahas and Ibanez models are, IMO, superior to the Gibsons (and more consistent in quality from instrument to instrument) without the big Gibson price tag. In the late 70s and early 80s The Japanese manufacturers were still trying to prove they could do it while the American builders were stamping them out to meet the demand that was built on reputation. If you could find one of these instruments then you would be getting much more guitar for your money Tokai also made some very nice 335 style guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 Gotta completely agree with Onelife! A good Ibanez or Yamaha, will easily equal a Gibson, at a 1/3 to 1/2 the price. And you won't worry if you need to make a pickup replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members moogerfooger Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 I'm a big 335 fan. my 69 ES335TD was my main guitar for decades. still is a go to piece in some situations, like all makers gibson goes through ups and downs in build quality, material quality etc. the new ones I've played lately have been very good, but spendy. since i got my gretsch 6120 my gibsons and fenders feel like toys to me now. not that thats a bad thing. try a gretsch cheapomatic 5124. you might be surprised at how much bang for the buck the cheapomatics are. but if you got 2500 you can afford a 6120 or other 6000 series Gretsch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted January 21, 2015 Members Share Posted January 21, 2015 Buy used play it 1st the newer ones 85- present for your price range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members hrcnsfan Posted January 22, 2015 Author Members Share Posted January 22, 2015 Thanks to everyone for the comments. Good food for thought.More input still welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted January 22, 2015 Members Share Posted January 22, 2015 Where are you in the country Prices are all over the place for these guitars. Also you can pickup a 345 or a 355 usually for less than a 335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GAS Man Posted January 22, 2015 Members Share Posted January 22, 2015 I dunno, but I can say that I have a 1991 ES335 that I didn't feel lived quite up to the hype. But seeing as it only cost me $900 used (in good condition) I'm happy enough with it. But my initial impressions were a bit more favorable with my 339. Different strokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted January 24, 2015 Members Share Posted January 24, 2015 There is a Gibson 347 on Mpls .Mn. Craigslist for $2000 1/24/15 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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