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

Gassage

Wulfhere said:

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

I play my strats...

Chalky

I found these two lurking in the living room. I like the Lucille a lot, probably because I'm one of those rare folks who likes a Gibson 498 in the bridge and a Varitone that suits the guitar. I'm considering selling the 330 but only because I have one in natural (minus Bigsby).
Both have substantial necks. The 330s are very light and have less sustain whereas the Lucille is weighty - very similar sound and feel to my Les Paul Custom. Once you remember to increase your amp volume when using the Varitone 2-6 settings they are very useful. The 330 is beautiful through a clean amp or just starting to breakup setting.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rx1nz98vs8bjkxy/330Lucille.jpg?raw=1

XWulfhere

Both lovely @chalky I've always thought I could go for a lucille if only they did it with a split diamond headstock. If I'm round your way then I'm coming around for a cup of tea and a look at those beasts!

Chalky

Yeah I know what you mean about the headstock. Perhaps someone could make a stick-on version with split diamonds

pmg

Gassage said:

@wulfhere

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

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

Extremely tempting

Basher

57Deluxe said:

I really like to look and sound of that 335 Luther Dickinson (who is he??)... 

A wonderful player IMO. Not too flash but tons of feel and always great tone. He's probably best known for his stint as the lead player for the Black Crowes a few years back but his work with the North Mississippi Allstars is great too.
Absolutely love the look and sound of his signature 335.

XWulfhere

Interesting to read all this and thanks for replying. I'm surprised, there's more 330/Casino players than I though, OTOH not one regular 355 player apart from Chalky with his Lucille.

I really can't wait to get out and start trying some. As an amateur luthier hack I've not discounted getting hold of an MIK Casino, stripping the beast right down and fitting with good hardware and a refin.

Chalky

I tried an Anniversary Casino Royal Tan In Vintage and Rare in Denmark St. Very different to my 330s. Not better or worse just a different sound.

knuckleberryfinn

The best sound I ever got out of a guitar was a Casino I fitted with Mojo P90s.  I sold it of course.  What a dick.

DrJazzTap

What about a Jap Tokai, I'm still in love with mine after six years. you can pick one up for around £650-700 second hand. Not a full fat custom shop Gibson, but still a lot of guitar for the money.


I have been tempted to fit a varitone switch, but not sure if its worth it. BTW I paid £1300 for mine brand new...hey ho you win some, you lose some. At the time a Gibson 335 was £1899 new. I love the sounds you can get out of these type of guitars, from clean soul funk tones to nice wide open overdriven chords.

Basher

Oddly enough, I have the el-Cheapo versions of both guitars:

I have a '97 MIK Casino that I've had a bugger of a time trying to get to sound anything other than a dull, muddy mess. Despite pickup rewinds and replacing everything that could be replaced, it was still the same. Big moment of revelation came with removing the metal pickup covers - the thing came alive! Trouble is that I snapped off a polepiece screw and can't get the old one out so it's knackered. It has made me think that it might be worth getting new pickups fitted though.

My 355 copy is a Yamaha SA2200 which I think is great. Sounds and looks wonderful (has the 355s double binding and block inlays on an ebony board) and the workmanship is impeccable. No varitone but there are push-push coil split controls that give thinner, single coil tones if required. My only complaint is that the neck profile is wide-thin whereas I'd prefer something a bit chunkier. Oh, and it doesn't come in a red finish.  

57Deluxe

Wulfhere said:

Both lovely @chalky I've always thought I could go for a lucille if only they did it with a split diamond headstock. If I'm round your way then I'm coming around for a cup of tea and a look at those beasts!

Breasts ?? - I'm coming too then... Oh hangon, glasses on now....