ES-335 style guitars?

notonlybutalso

well i found a very good condition Tokai UES60 with hardcase on Gumtree for £300 that is just too far south for me, thought i would let people know in case they fancied it *sigh*  https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/es335-copy-tokai-es60-tbs-hiscox-case/1214113398

Jimbro66

notonlybutalso said:

well i found a very good condition Tokai UES60 with hardcase on Gumtree for £300 that is just too far south for me, thought i would let people know in case they fancied it *sigh*  https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/es335-copy-tokai-es60-tbs-hiscox-case/1214113398

Looks really good and great value. Surely a trip to sunny Brum(-ish) would be a nice day out? 

notonlybutalso

Jimbro66 said:

notonlybutalso said:

well i found a very good condition Tokai UES60 with hardcase on Gumtree for £300 that is just too far south for me, thought i would let people know in case they fancied it *sigh*  https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/es335-copy-tokai-es60-tbs-hiscox-case/1214113398

Looks really good and great value. Surely a trip to sunny Brum(-ish) would be a nice day out? 

i agree but unfortunately i havent got time for an eight hour round trip, especially since i have to decide if i want it there and then :P

iseverynamegone

£600 should get you an MIJ Tokai. 

Saying nothing else  sounds like a Gibson 335 is bobbins.  Nothing else has Gibson in the headstock that's all. 

My 1981 Tokai es100 has beat off 4 other Gibson 335s over the years. 

aljdelaney

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

notonlybutalso

aljdelaney said:

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

I do prefer to save a little money on the model itself and instead upgrade the pickups, as usually but not always that is where the companies scrimp a bit. I would probably go for a dot or similar if i knew i was getting the build quality and attention to detail i wanted but i will check some out in person see if any resonate with me

notonlybutalso

iseverynamegone said:

£600 should get you an MIJ Tokai. 

Saying nothing else  sounds like a Gibson 335 is bobbins.  Nothing else has Gibson in the headstock that's all. 

My 1981 Tokai es100 has beat off 4 other Gibson 335s over the years. 

i love the idea of an older japanese model because i recently played a friends and it was amazing, i just have to find one for sale... Well ok i did find one but the guy wanted 1400 -_-

fendergibson

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

matone

fendergibson said:

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

Same here,only had one Gibson,a late 80`s version,looked lovely but was a bland ,lifeless thing,lasted a few months lol.
Currently have a CT series Verythin and really like it.Has a proper acousticness to its sound.
Gave you a LOL by accident by the way.

Voxman

aljdelaney said:

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

Same pups I put in my Epi Sherry.

Nitefly

aljdelaney said:

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

@aljdelaney - unlikely to have been a Casino as they are fully hollow (no centre block), and they have P90's not humbuckers, so was probably a dot as you first thought.

aljdelaney

Nitefly said:

aljdelaney said:

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

@aljdelaney - unlikely to have been a Casino as they are fully hollow (no centre block), and they have P90's not humbuckers, so was probably a dot as you first thought.

Ah, i stand corrected (or confirmed I suppose),

OP, basically the only downside of switching out the PUPS is having to play the Epiphone lottery. Occasionally you will find a beautifully finished, pretty, well balanced guitar but just as often you will find a massive, fat stinking turd. I wouldn't worry too much about the year (or where it was made) tbh, just try before you buy and you'll be fine.

I can't recommend a Gibson Es 335 nowadays. £2k+ is completely unjustifiable, and its basically because of the name on the headstock. And like several others have said, there are some naff, lifeless ES-335's knocking about as well.

jellybelly

aljdelaney said:

I once played with a guy that bought a dirt cheap used Epiphone Dot and banged in a pair of used 59's. It sounded incredible. If ever I had to buy another semi hollow, that's what I would do. The prices of Gibson's are unreal nowadays.

Edit: it might have been a Casino actually...

Exactly what I did with a cheap-o Yamaha SA-200. It's got Bare Knuckle Stormy Monday humbuckers and a set of 12s on it. I'm not bothered about upgrading and equally not bothered by taking it out of the house. Gets gigged plenty and sounds fantastic!!

dogload

matone said:

fendergibson said:

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

Same here,only had one Gibson,a late 80`s version,looked lovely but was a bland ,lifeless thing,lasted a few months lol.
Currently have a CT series Verythin and really like it.Has a proper acousticness to its sound.
Gave you a LOL by accident by the way.

A plus one from me for the CT Verythins. I also have one which is lovely; well-built, great neck and once I'd swapped the bridge pickup for something less woolly, sounds superb.

Also worth considering are old Westone Rainbows, although for some reason they seem to be getting ridiculously expensive on Ebay, Again, nicely made and great-sounding, although they have a bit of an '80's semi' look about them (the horns are pointier than a 335 and the headstock is a bit 'Aria').

57Deluxe

That CORT Source BV-cr that was reviewed in Dec Guitarist looked quite interesting with its P90s and Bigsby

fendergibson

dogload said:

matone said:

fendergibson said:

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

Same here,only had one Gibson,a late 80`s version,looked lovely but was a bland ,lifeless thing,lasted a few months lol.
Currently have a CT series Verythin and really like it.Has a proper acousticness to its sound.
Gave you a LOL by accident by the way.

A plus one from me for the CT Verythins. I also have one which is lovely; well-built, great neck and once I'd swapped the bridge pickup for something less woolly, sounds superb.

Also worth considering are old Westone Rainbows, although for some reason they seem to be getting ridiculously expensive on Ebay, Again, nicely made and great-sounding, although they have a bit of an '80's semi' look about them (the horns are pointier than a 335 and the headstock is a bit 'Aria').

What kind of weight are the CT models ?......

fendergibson

dogload said:

matone said:

fendergibson said:

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

Same here,only had one Gibson,a late 80`s version,looked lovely but was a bland ,lifeless thing,lasted a few months lol.
Currently have a CT series Verythin and really like it.Has a proper acousticness to its sound.
Gave you a LOL by accident by the way.

A plus one from me for the CT Verythins. I also have one which is lovely; well-built, great neck and once I'd swapped the bridge pickup for something less woolly, sounds superb.

Also worth considering are old Westone Rainbows, although for some reason they seem to be getting ridiculously expensive on Ebay, Again, nicely made and great-sounding, although they have a bit of an '80's semi' look about them (the horns are pointier than a 335 and the headstock is a bit 'Aria').

What kind of weight are the CT models ?......

Dominic

Can't beat a Tokai .............prefer to Gibson any day
why not just get the one you saw put on a courier ? that's what couriers are for 

Chris_J

I'd get a Tokai if I was buying a 335 again. My wife's uncle has a higher end one and it's a better guitar than my Gibson 335. Only thing against it is its resale value and the kudos of having Gibson on the headstock.

After I got my Gibson it became virtually unplayable, as the nitro on the neck was really sticky and not just in a 'because it's gloss' kind of way. I used scotchbrite to take it almost all off, then polished the neck with Gibson pump Polish. Only now is it a comfortable guitar to play.

It does sound good, but, when spending serious money on a guitar you shouldn't be expected to finish it yourself. 

I've played a few Tokai's and they've always been great. 

dogload

fendergibson said:

dogload said:

matone said:

fendergibson said:

When I was growing up, the Gibson 335 was for me, the pinnacle in guitars. It was all I wanted.

Finally bought a new one in approx '97 from Dawson's Stockport.  It was the biggest let down in history, it was lifeless, hard to play and too pristine for general gigging/having out of the case.

I was just too blinded by the headstock name and kidded myself it would get better etc.

Roll on 10 yrs later in a studio recording an ep and the bassist brings in a 90's Ibanez Semi, no idea of model but no frills.

It restored my faith in large semis and I vowed never to pretend a guitar was better just because of the name on the headstock again.

A precautionary tale for all 

Ps. If I was getting one, I'd be looking at a Verithin or some Epi.

Same here,only had one Gibson,a late 80`s version,looked lovely but was a bland ,lifeless thing,lasted a few months lol.
Currently have a CT series Verythin and really like it.Has a proper acousticness to its sound.
Gave you a LOL by accident by the way.

A plus one from me for the CT Verythins. I also have one which is lovely; well-built, great neck and once I'd swapped the bridge pickup for something less woolly, sounds superb.

Also worth considering are old Westone Rainbows, although for some reason they seem to be getting ridiculously expensive on Ebay, Again, nicely made and great-sounding, although they have a bit of an '80's semi' look about them (the horns are pointier than a 335 and the headstock is a bit 'Aria').

What kind of weight are the CT models ?......

Probably less than a regular 335 type because they are er, very thin!