daddymack

'fishing like' ? fishing line will not work.

The Epi dot is their 'bottom feeder'. The Epiphone Sheraton is actually the better 335 style, not their ES335. I would put a Sheraton up against the Guild Starfire I any day of the week.

Couldn't tell ya...never played an Eastman. I can only say that the 486 appears to be the higher end model than the 386 For what you would pay for a Starfire IV, though, I would go for the Eastman T486.

you keep saying this...how many guitars do you own? do they all have the same radius....?

define 'best'.... a thousand dollars or euros or pounds? your best shot: [£1000] T486 or T386.... [$ or €] on the used market.

Pretty much any instrument you buy will need a 'set-up'...high action , fret buzz...all easily remedied, but most stores just put the factory set guitar on a hook....

I suppose nethan could try contacting the Custom Shop people there and ask, but I don't think they have offered rewinds for decades.

ce n'est pas un probème, mon amie... I'm okay with it.... I doubt the other mods or admins will protest.

Price no problem? My first choice: Lindy! Last I heard, Lollar was not taking any new rewind orders. You could ask, though.

So for just home use, of the 2, I think I would go with the Casino, because the hollow body's acoustic sound, when playing at low levels, creates a secondary auditory environment.

Ouch!!! Sorry to see that...I don't know what that 'thing' is...I only fix guitars...I don't make them. I'm guessing it is a purfling groove cutter, so I would think there should be blades or an adjunct knife...looking at this online...yep....obviously this gets done often enough that they sell the tools [I may buy a set, just in case]. What do you have in there now? It looks like a finishing nail....? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR17R58Q/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0CR17R58Q&pd_rd_w=8uDU0&content-id=amzn1.sym.0d1092dc-81bb-493f-8769-d5c802257e94&pf_rd_p=0d1092dc-81bb-493f-8769-d5c802257e94&pf_rd_r=GHE7ZKTWPAEVS9KY9MRE&pd_rd_wg=aetw0&pd_rd_r=c49eaf15-65c0-408d-bc4d-47a27666a718&s=musical-instruments&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWwy Do you have one of these? https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-violins/purflingsoundhole-router-guide/?mtm_source=google&mtm_medium=cpc&mtm_campaign=|+GOO+|+SHOP+|+NBR+|+AllProductsUSA&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwt-OwBhBnEiwAgwzrUq35l95nXTUQeNqI9g51zMWSD4Dx6eqyFGs3j1nA1nMU53TAYqJK3BoCyI4QAvD_BwE

Actually, I find the 335 style guitar is extremely versatile, and as capable as most guitars...okay, sure, it is no superstrat with a floyd.... but for general rock, blues, country, R&B, ska, zydeco, jazz, fusion...it has its place at the table.

Budget is a good starting point. What are you wanting to spend? New, or used? Are you after a platform for mods, or a performance tool? Any of the above mentioned instruments fit in the general description. Glarry and Firefly make decent 335 body knockoffs that, with some soldering skills and patience, can be upgraded [pots, bridge, tuners, p-ups] to very good players. I also am a fan of the D'Angelico Premier DC models which frequently go on sale as they reconfigure the design. The DC Excel gets pricey [US$2000]. The Eastwood Classic 6 is also an interesting option. I also like the Epi Sheraton...the Epi 'Dot' can be hit or miss quality-wise. Harley Benton, of course, has some budget models as well.

And they are easily replaced...

good luck!