ES-330 and ES-355 owners past and present?

XWulfhere

The recent grail thread got me thinking about the guitar I'd most like to buy if I was only going to get one other. I'm pretty sure it would be either of these two in Cherry and with a Bigsby. WOuld like to get a 355 with a varitone too.

I know both of these guitars while looking the same are quite different beasts to play and I'm aware of the specs and sounds. But I've never come across owners of either! Has anyone on the forum owned one and did you like it? What did you think of them? Was it a positive experiece?

I'm not particularly interested in comparisons and I know I'll have to go out and play a load to make my own mind up (oh, and save up a load of money). I am interested to know if the ES-355 was worth the extra money for the bling (I admit I do love the look of them and that's my primary reason for wanting one), and also was the varitone useful? I do appreciate the extra switching options on my Johnny Marr Jag so I think I could like it.

I like to play blues and classic rock which I gather both these guitars would be good for, if with different flavours.

EDIT: Also Lucille owners, although don't know if I could get past the headstock...

KKJale

I'll speak for the 330 (also Casino), 'cos I've used one 90% of the time for about *cough*25*cough* years. And I've had a 335 or two, but somehow none of them stuck.

Funny how reputations change. Even as late as the '80s most people would have nothing to say about 330s except "pfff, you can't adjust the pickups", "you can't play really high stuff" and "they feed back". 

Truth is they're potentially one of the most interesting, responsive, characterful all-round guitars you can get. For me they've got far more colour and vibe than a 335/345/355. They'll do blues, rock, country. funk, lead, rhythm, jazz, the lot.

It's true about the pickups, and unless you've got an overwound bridge then you'll probably end up following the classic 330 method of switching to the neck P90 for leads, 'cos it's louder. It's also true you can't play REALLY high stuff because of the 16th fret neck join, but there's no money up there anyway. And yes, they feed back compared to a 335, but stage volumes are mostly down from where they used to be, and anyway I've stood four feet from a Twin Reverb on 6 and coped okay. You might have to do a spot of right-hand damping now and then. All part of the fun.

The recent 330 reissues are pretty damn good but pricewise you're almost up with a mid-’60s original… which is what I'd go for. Perfect alternative to a Marr Jag. 

Edit to add: ooh, I forgot, you can get 330 bridge pickup shims from Lollar which help lots, apparently. 

xmrchi

I have had both, a white 88 335 a 2004 345 but the best was the custom shop 330,
The 335s were good but for me just didn't have that tone I was after from a semi solid, maybe it was just the guitars I had, but I didn't go wow when I picked em up.
The 330 on the other hand... Wow, it was light resonant and had a tone to die for, I wish to God I still had it now but I lost my job and so it had to go.
They really are 2 different beasts tho, the 335 can really do anything, I even did a megadeth cover with mine, the 330 with its construction wouldn't go into distortion territory too well but then again, why would you with a fully hollow, but rock, over drive and for pure plugged in tone god dam it was sex!

If you want a jack if all trades, master of most the 335 is king, but just not for me :-)

XWulfhere

Thanks @KKJale - I do love the 330 and I do wish there was a USA made Casino as I'd probably have that hands down! That's an interesting write up.

XWulfhere

Thanks @mrchi - the 355 i'm interested in for the bling and the looks, but the 330 seems to have a more interesting tone, as you say.

JohnPerry

KKJale said:

"The recent 330 reissues are pretty damn good but pricewise you're almost up with a mid-’60s original… which is what I'd go for. Perfect alternative to a Marr Jag. 

I'll second that, as the owner of a 1970 330 in walnut and a Marr jag! Careful of the necks on the 330 around that era. Mine is unbelievably skinny. Fine if you have smallish mitts, as i do, but uncomfortable otherwise. The thing has so much tone though

Jalapeno

335 is a superb guitar - try a few though as the finish fine details and the setup are key to guitar excelsior !

pmg

@Wulfhere -I think we have similar guitar tastes!  I had -and regrettably sold- a Johnny Marr Jag (moment of madness) so i know where you're coming from there.  I own both a Gibson VOS 330 and a 1963 50th anniversary 335 (not a 355 so less bling and no varitone), both without Bigsbys.  Both are great guitars and versatile although the 335 will win hands down in versatility due to neck access, less feedback, etc.  It depends what use you want the guitar for.

One thing to note is that a Bigsby will significantly add to the weight of a 330.

chrisj1602

Wulfhere;548848" said:

Thanks @KKJale - I do love the 330 and I do wish there was a USA made Casino as I'd probably have that hands down! That's an interesting write up.

You can get Epiphone Elitist Casinos and they are as good as a Gibson.

57Deluxe

I really like to look and sound of that 335 Luther Dickinson (who is he??)... But I have already have a Cherry which is a bit scrumptious...

http://images.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/Luther-Dickinson-ES-335/Gallery-Images/ARLDJDBNH1-Finish-Shot.jpg

KKJale

Here's mine.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v348/transalp1998/Mobile Uploads/330DAMforum_zpsc3e57f32.jpg

XWulfhere

Splendid axe @KKJale

XWulfhere

Am I right in thinking that the Bigsby can be added and removed to a 330 without any permanent changes? I don't think the weight would bother me, but if the flexibility is there, why not?

KKJale

Indeedy, a single-bar Bigsby can be added/removed without any changes apart from possibly a few tailpiece screw holes, but many older ones (like mine) struggle to get enough break-angle over the bridge, which leads to strings popping out of saddle slots. 

A two-bar Bigsby will sort that right out, but you'll be making a single screw hole in the top. I couldn't do that, so I eventually went back to a trapeze, even though I do love me a wobble. 

When it works, a Bigsby on a 330 is a marvellous thing...

I think those long-neck Luther Dickinson 330s are rather cool. 

dindude

This thread isn't helping my GAS for an Es390. Essentially Es339 sized but fully hollow and P90's. Only two things are putting me off, and that's the potential imbalance between the pickups as discussed, although I think the bridge pickup on this does have a spacer already fitted. And because of the smaller body it's VERY light, which will make it neck heavy.

Guess I need to try one, but they look lovely.

http://i1137.photobucket.com/albums/n505/dindude/4cfa49942102002001e8e72ce1266562_zps14b324fb.jpg

Gassage

@wulfhere

I may sell this in the not too distant...

We'd be up close to £3k for it though.

XWulfhere

Splendid 355 there @Gassage ... I'm maybe a year to 18 months away and I need to sell the Ric first. Does look lively though, phenomenal flame!

Gassage

Wulfhere said:

Splendid 355 there @Gassage ... I'm maybe a year to 18 months away and I need to sell the Ric first. Does look lively though, phenomenal flame!

Technically, it's a CS356.

And not selling yet- I will need a new car c. Dec. That's when I'll sell it.

57Deluxe

Gassage said:

I may sell this in the not too distant...




Oh yes, dear God - I can see why...

Gassage

Never play it

XWulfhere

I was after a full size rather than a compact, but that's pretty nice all the same. Why don't you play it?