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Comments
Personally, I think flame looks totally wrong on a 335, but each to their own.
As always, best to try a few, along with Yamaha SA2200 and Tokai's.
Not sure I agree with this.
I've settled for Squiers in the past rather than Fenders and regretted it, ditto Epiphones rather than Gibsons. But that's because these felt like a compromise in terms of materials used, pickups, finish, etc.
You can buy 335 copies that easily compete with Gibsons in terms of all of the above, and for a lot less money on the used market. The Japanese (not Chinese or Korean) Tokai ES guitars are a particular favourite of mine. They're actually more 50s accurate than most of the non-Custom Shop Gibsons (long pickguard, 59 neck profile, etc) and a 2000s/2010s model can be picked up used for around £700-800. No regrets from me on not having a Gibson, the quality is easily on-par (some say better), and I see no reason to spend double the money.
I was really underwhelmed with the Tokai I had, an ES130 I think. I though it was a bit bland and lacked any mojo (sorry to mention that immeasurable quality). It was nicely made and finished, but the pickups we average at best and played just like a previous Samick I had. I've not owned a Gibson 335 (currently have a Midtown), but the nice ones I have played have a nice woody honk the Tokai didn't. I'd go Gibson or a used Heritage. Eastman may be worth trying also.
Accepted, pickups are likely different (but are easily changed out).
Otherwise, the Tokais are constructed in exactly the same way, as far as I can tell. Even the centre block is made from the same materials. I just don't see how there can be much of a difference.
I tried a new Yamaha before buying this, It was okay.
I also think 335s looks better with a plain or faded top.
They were all great guitars in their own ways but are all long gone , I still have my 81 Tokai es100.
I guess I must have had a lots of lemons from Gibson and one absolute belter from Tokai.
To the OP there is no great consistent quality difference in all the recent models - just shape, neck carve and pups- unless you like to sniff corks or the neck glue.
Try before you buy , and find a good deal on a used one.
The Gibsons I've played (admittedly I haven't tried a custom-shop level one) have all had really slim necks, and I think a fatter neck feels (and maybe sounds?) better. The Tokais have that.
Anyway, it's an interesting one. I do think a lot of the difference between Gibson and the high-end MIJ copies is perceived, and is largely down to brand-loyalty. Which is fair enough I suppose.
They're so similar construction and material-wise, I think it has to come down to whether you're willing to pay more for the name on the headstock.
Prime example -there is a lovely looking example on here currently, its available for 1450 because the seller needs to sell. For that price if you have the spare funds available today, you could snap it up, afford to mess around with pickups and sell it on if it isn't right. All without making a loss.