Members Lewis77 Posted April 11 Members Share Posted April 11 Presently, I'm looking at: An Epi Casino (with Pro p90s). A Guild firestar 1. Gretch G2622T Or any other suggestions? Can send yourself mental going round in circles. Was originally just going to go for the casino but started getting sidetracked. The Guild interests me as does the D'ANGELICO DC Excel? Anyways... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted April 11 Members Share Posted April 11 4 hours ago, Lewis77 said: Presently, I'm looking at: An Epi Casino (with Pro p90s). A Guild firestar 1. Gretch G2622T Or any other suggestions? Can send yourself mental going round in circles. Was originally just going to go for the casino but started getting sidetracked. The Guild interests me as does the D'ANGELICO DC Excel? Anyways... Ok, let me correct something here, the Epi Casino, is NOT a 335 style guitar. The Casino is fully hollow, were as a 335 copy is semi hollow. (Believe me, makes a world of difference, especially at volume.) Back to our regularly scheduled program... Ibanez AS73. very nice, ok switch, could ese better pickups. Any of the Gretsch Streamliners semi hollow. A few different models to choose from with different features. I can verify that the D'Angelico DCXT's are WONDERFUL beasties! REAL Duncan pickups, Nice vol/tone controls that the tone actually works from 7 and below. How's your budget? Eastman makes KILLER guitars. but they are close to Gibson money. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 12 Moderators Share Posted April 12 15 hours ago, Lewis77 said: Presently, I'm looking at: An Epi Casino (with Pro p90s). A Guild firestar 1. Gretch G2622T Or any other suggestions? Can send yourself mental going round in circles. Was originally just going to go for the casino but started getting sidetracked. The Guild interests me as does the D'ANGELICO DC Excel? Anyways... 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted April 12 Members Share Posted April 12 The best largely depends on your amp and style of music? yn other words where are you musically and where do you want to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 12 Moderators Share Posted April 12 3 hours ago, gardo said: The best largely depends on your amp and style of music? yn other words where are you musically and where do you want to go 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lewis77 Posted April 12 Author Members Share Posted April 12 I'm flickering between an epi casino & a Guild starfire 1 (maybe an IV although that's more expensive) However, went to try a couple of starfires today. One had fret buzz and the other had high action & maybe a warp in the neck? Maybe? Might just of needed a truss rod altercation? But it turned me off. It was the green one with the Bigby. But it's a bonnie guitar. It's for pure personal use. Possibly some home recording. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 13 Moderators Share Posted April 13 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nethanpaul Posted April 15 Members Share Posted April 15 You've got some great options for a budget-friendly ES-335 style guitar! The Epiphone Casino is a tried-and-true classic, known for its affordability and punchy P-90 pickups that are perfect for blues and rock. The Guild Firestar 1 and Gretsch G2622T offer something a little different. The Guild has a brighter sound thanks to its Filter'Tron pickups, making it a good choice for those who want to handle heavier distortion while retaining a vintage vibe. The Gretsch leans into that brand's signature sound with two larger Filter'Tron pickups, ideal for rockabilly and even jazz. Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try them out in person and see which one feels and sounds most inspiring to you! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 15 Moderators Share Posted April 15 On 4/12/2024 at 11:54 AM, Lewis77 said: I'm flickering between an epi casino & a Guild starfire 1 (maybe an IV although that's more expensive) However, went to try a couple of starfires today. One had fret buzz and the other had high action & maybe a warp in the neck? Maybe? Might just of needed a truss rod altercation? But it turned me off. It was the green one with the Bigby. But it's a bonnie guitar. It's for pure personal use. Possibly some home recording. 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.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lewis77 Posted April 16 Author Members Share Posted April 16 Okay. My new guitar journey has me looking at a Guild starfire IV. But Eastman guitars have caught my eye. What's the best 355 style double c Eastman for around or close to 1000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 17 Moderators Share Posted April 17 2 hours ago, Lewis77 said: Okay. My new guitar journey has me looking at a Guild starfire IV. But Eastman guitars have caught my eye. What's the best 355 style double c Eastman for around or close to 1000? define 'best'.... a thousand dollars or euros or pounds? your best shot: [£1000] T486 or T386.... [$ or €] on the used market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted April 17 Members Share Posted April 17 A great deal is going to depend on what you mean by "budget." Epiphone makes their own model of the ES335 called--wait for it--the ES335. It sells for around $600. It won't have P90s but it'll be pretty much as close as you can get to a "real" ES335. There's also the Epiphone Dot but I don't think it's a current model so you'd need to find a used one. As mentioned, Ibanez is always a good option. Never played a Gretsch and my only experience with Guild is their acoustics. Best of luck with the search. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lewis77 Posted April 17 Author Members Share Posted April 17 10 hours ago, daddymack said: define 'best'.... a thousand dollars or euros or pounds? your best shot: [£1000] T486 or T386.... [$ or €] on the used market. Which of the those 2 T models do you rate more? And would you rate both more so than the guild starfire IV? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 17 Moderators Share Posted April 17 3 hours ago, Lewis77 said: Which of the those 2 T models do you rate more? And would you rate both more so than the guild starfire IV? 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 17 Moderators Share Posted April 17 12 hours ago, DeepEnd said: A great deal is going to depend on what you mean by "budget." Epiphone makes their own model of the ES335 called--wait for it--the ES335. It sells for around $600. It won't have P90s but it'll be pretty much as close as you can get to a "real" ES335. There's also the Epiphone Dot but I don't think it's a current model so you'd need to find a used one. As mentioned, Ibanez is always a good option. Never played a Gretsch and my only experience with Guild is their acoustics. Best of luck with the search. 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted April 18 Members Share Posted April 18 I've played and owned Eastman guitars. Fantastic guitars, quality control so above Gibson, that it's laughable. (I only sold mine due to COVID and not able to work.) I've played the T59, and felt it was just so wonderful. beautiful neck, great sounding pickups, but it best be for 2000 USD used. I've had a chance to play the "budget T136, and wouldn't kick it out of bed. Eastman's are fantastic, but you pay for their quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted April 24 Members Share Posted April 24 On 4/17/2024 at 10:05 AM, daddymack said: 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. Then you probably hate the Sire Larry Carlton too. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 24 Moderators Share Posted April 24 3 hours ago, DeepEnd said: Then you probably hate the Sire Larry Carlton too. 😉 never saw one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted April 25 Members Share Posted April 25 20 hours ago, daddymack said: never saw one... https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LCH7CS--sire-larry-carlton-h7-semi-hollow-electric-guitar-cherry-sunburst. Supposed to be a copy of his '69 ES335. He claims he's played one--and their copy of his '51 Tele--on the road. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/larry-carlton-sire-guitars. Of course it could easily be a compensated endorsement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted April 25 Moderators Share Posted April 25 4 hours ago, DeepEnd said: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LCH7CS--sire-larry-carlton-h7-semi-hollow-electric-guitar-cherry-sunburst. Supposed to be a copy of his '69 ES335. He claims he's played one--and their copy of his '51 Tele--on the road. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/larry-carlton-sire-guitars. Of course it could easily be a compensated endorsement. So...why would I 'hate it'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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