Washburn HB35 vs. Hagstrom Viking vs. Epiphone Dot vs. (unnamed ES335 clone?)

[robharries13]

Hi guys,

been heavily into Rush for a few months now, and am craving a hollowbody ES-335 clone (can't afford the real thing unfortunately) similar to Alex Lifeson's white Gibson. Narrowed it down to the three mentioned in the title. Currently playing a Ibanez S series guitar - not entirely happy with it, had problems from day one with the bridge system (ZR system I think) and some palm muting problems that I never had from a Strat or LP bridge. A set up hasn't done much to help matters, and I was never 100 percent happy with the sound anyways. However, I do really like the (I think it's a) Wizard II neck - I love to play fast stuff, and thin necks suit my hands more comfortably. This is one of the main issues Ive got with one of the hollow bodies ive mentioned above. Ive heard the Hagstrom has a nice thin neck (sounds more like my thing), and the other two are a bit chunky, especially the Washburn.

The guitar shops by me only really sell the basic budget stuff for beginner players, and then massively highend models - nothing in between, so there's little chance of trying any of them out unless I travel. Can anyone give me any advice or experience on any of these models, or even recommend an alternative model? My budget is about

[gt5litre]

My 1997 Washburn HB35 has a thin neck with almost a real soft V carve and it is skinnier than an Ibanez AS83 I also now own. Not sure how the newer Washburns are, but the new Vikings are thin IMHO. My Xaviere 910 has a slightly thicker neck, but still rather Strat-like than LP "clubby"...if you know what I mean. The Chinese Epiphones have thicker necks than the older Korean made guitars.

[BoneNut]

In my personal experience, between the Washburn HB35 and the Dot, I'd go with the HB35 hands down. Both are good guitars, both improve nicely to upgrades but the Washburn stands way above the Dot both stock or modded. I owned the Washburn and did the mods. I also did heavy mods on a Dot for a friend. I have played both extensively and am a huge semihollow fan.

 

Sorry I can't help you out with the Viking, no experience there. I will say though that I have a Hagstrom Deluxe F and it's a terrific guitar straight out of the box, great action, real nice splitable factory pups but I briefly owned a Hagstrom HJ600 and it was a total turd. No amount of tweaking and setup could get that guitar to play or sound right.

[Verne Andru]

The Viking and Washburn are the best on your list IMHO. I have a Viking and it's a fabulous guitar. If you're considering resale, I would think Hagstrom will keep it's value best of the bunch but YMMV.

[Mister Crow]

I had an older MIK Washburn HB35 and it's neck was not clubby, it was more on the wider, thin side. It was an excellent guitar, and I'm sorry I sold it. Better than any Epi Dot I've ever played.

 

If you chose between the Washburn and the Epi, I'd advise an older one that was made in Korea. I believe both models are now made in China.

 

I haven't played a Hagstrom, but from what I've read about the new MIC Hagstrom line, some are great and others are real duds.

[Fendson]

Try to find a Hohner SE35 or an Hohner HS35. If you can't find either one of those, the Washburn is a very nice axe.

 

I know you wish to stay away from something that is used which the Hohner's would be, but they are really great guitars.

[robharries13]

Cheers for the replies so far guys. I know in the most recent issue of guitarist (no. 336), there's a review on the 4 top budget hollow bodies, and the three in the title are included along with one of the ibanez's i think. my local newsagents typically doesnt have a copy though! :/

 

Also, one more thing, to those who have played the above models - what's the upper fret access like? Ive read on some of them, like the Ibanez hollow bodies, the upper frets are a nightmare to get to.

 

Much appreciated.

[Special J]

I've played a couple of the Washburns before and agree that they weren't terribly club-necked, but if you're used to a wizard, something even a little thick might feel like a baseball bat to you. I've heard the same thing, that the Hagstroms had some pretty thin necks. Just as an aside to your comment about not wanting to buy used - if you're buying new, make sure there is a good return policy in case you hate whatever it is. Otherwise, IMO, used is the way to go, as if you decide a little while later that you don't like it, you can usually get close to what you paid for it. New guitars depreciate immediately, and you're lucky to get 40-60%of what you paid for it.

[weeladdie]

I have a Washburn HB35 and don't think the neck is particularly thick, it's similar to my PRS SE Soapbar (Wide/Fat).

 

It's a recent Chinese made guit, but with no complaints from me about the quality of the finish or components.

 

I did try a set of Gibson '57 Classic/ '57 Classic Plus pickups, but couldn't tell if it was an improvement so I put the stock pu's back in.

[tlbonehead]

I have a Korean HB35. Its just a killer guitar.

[Fireproof777]

Personally, I love the Hagstrom Viking:

 

 

 

That's the funny thing about guitars, though, they all have their own vibe and each person gets a different one off of them. If you have the ability to play them at a shop (maybe a little road trip is worth it, depending on just how far you'd have to go), that'll be the real test for you; you'll find out which one really speaks to you and that's your guitar. If it's going to be buying without trying it out first, I'd go with the Viking.

[Fendson]

If a thin(ish) neck is what you really must have, then the Schecter Corsair would probably be hard to beat. The neck is very similar to my 1962 es 330 but a tad thinner. The Schecter is a really great axe but again, you would need to find one used in your price range.

[robharries13]

again, cheers for the replies guys. got a model to add to this list: anyone have any experience with a Hamer Echotone? Can get one professionally set up for about

[SpaceProg]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. 80s Ibanez Artstar. If you can find one, jump on it! Don't make the same mistake I did and I'm STILL kicking myself for it. That guitar played great, sounded great... To me it was close enough to the 'real' Gibson that I thought the price was robbery... in my favour! I didn't have the money with me that time and when I came back the next day, it was gone! .

 

Ebay has several of them if you don't mind paying without playing (which I still haven't gotten up the courage to do yet). They look great, though.

 

Otherwise, I have experience also with the Epiphone Dot, and I found it to be a nice copy, just play a lot of them, as their quality lately is inconsistent (IMO). Change out the pots if you want, and get rid of their black plastic nut, and replace the humbuckers with whatever you think will suit you.

 

I can't speak for the Ibanez Artcores since I've yet to play them, but they look very nice.