I have been looking longingly at 335 style guitars of recent. (Wasn't I just commenting on another thread about the need to cut back). Anyway there are a number of possibilities out there. First there is the classic ES-335 double cut away from Gibson. A classic but I am not real trusting of Gibson these days. But I am being open minded. Second is a Heritage 535. Some of these really look awesome, but I am not familar with their quality 1st person. I have read some very favorable comments and some negetive ones. I notice that after years of promoting them Ed Roman trashes them big time on his site. I know, "consider the source" but it does raise some doubt. Anyone have recent experience with them. Another off base possobility is the Hofner Very Thin line which is basically a thin double cut away with buckers. Don't know much about them either. And for a cheapy I can always get an Epiphone Shearton which I always thought was damn fine looking. Thoughts suggestions appreciated.
335 Type Semi Hollow Body
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- Rated: 26 ↑
Dec 6, 2006 6:32 p.m. marctrain57:
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Dec 6, 2006 6:54 p.m. dignan:
Does it have to be a doublecut? You can find Historic Series G3140s (orange) & 41s (black) on ebay for around $500.
The "standard" Korean Epiphones are pretty nice - sometimes the wiring needs work, sometimes you find a gem. -
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Dec 6, 2006 7:54 p.m. chrisbo:
A few weeks ago I asked you guys about the Schecter Corsair. I'v played a couple in the last weeks and I'v got to say that it is a well made guitar.I'll probably pull the trigger on one after Christmas. I'v already got two Shect's but I'm by no means brand loyal. I'v got an old Epi Dot that IMHO is one of the finest guitars that I ever owned. What am I saying, It is one of the finest guitars that I'v ever owned. GOOD LUCK
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Dec 6, 2006 8:01 p.m. Hobie:
And brand new G historic series 3161's for about 600US on the bay
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Dec 6, 2006 11:00 p.m. wenzel:
Get a Sammick. I had a double ES335 model and it came with Epiphone pickups in it that I changed to Gibson 59 model PAF's. They are MIK and built really well. I picked mine up in Australia for around $300 with a hardshell case.
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Dec 6, 2006 11:45 p.m. bonedaddy:
I had a Hofner Verythin classic. It was 'ok', but not great. For the money, they should be great
I have a 3161 Historic Gretsch that plays circles around the Hofner.
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Dec 7, 2006 3:30 a.m. Nicholas:
I'd go for a Sheraton. I've got one, it's a great machine. I was going to sell it but I just like it too much.. It can cover any style you like but it does blues and jazz the best. John Lee Hooker meets Kenny Burrell..
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Dec 7, 2006 4:14 a.m. BluesBot:
What about a Framus Mayfield Custom...
Looky here!
Cheerz
Marc -
- Rated: 26 ↑
Dec 7, 2006 4:47 a.m. marctrain57:
Another possibilty I am going to look at is a Guild Starfire IV.
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Dec 7, 2006 8:38 a.m. Brent:
I recently pulled the trigger on a Washburn 335 body. It's a factory blem, and they cut the top of the headstock (to prevent resale). But for $61 bucks I'll deal with it. I am rounding up all the bits & pieces, and I have dibs on some TVJ Magnatrons. So for about $125 (not counting the pickups) I should have a smokin 335 in the collection.
Here a pick of the body I hope the colour is better in person.
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Dec 7, 2006 9:44 a.m. dignan:
"...they cut the top of the headstock (to prevent resale)."
Stamping "B" on the headstock just wasn't enough?
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Dec 7, 2006 10:41 a.m. Brent:
I guess not
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Dec 7, 2006 12:56 p.m. marctrain57:
Seems cruel and unusual to me.
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Dec 7, 2006 1:02 p.m. Shelton's Guitars:
Guild Starfire
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Dec 7, 2006 1:43 p.m. Dlaf:
Guild Starfire is Completely hollow isn't it? The discontinued Dearmond Starfires are great guitars - I had a Starfie Special that was killer, and I'm sorry I let it go. Dearmond USA 2K pickups.
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Dec 7, 2006 2:25 p.m. FritzTheCat:
You might look into a Gretsch 6120N, they're a thinline semihollow cutaway model. They sometimes pop up on Ebay. I have one of the Dearmond Starfires for sale if you're interested.
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Dec 7, 2006 3:06 p.m. Parabar:
I'd highly recommend a Samick Artist Series SAT-650, SAB-650, or SAN-450 if you can find one. They were discontinued a few years ago when Samick went to their current Greg Bennett line, but they are superb guitars --- every bit as good in looks, tone and construction as Gibbys, but only a few hundred bucks. Also, the Hamer Echotone is essentially the same guitar --- until recently they were built in the Samick factory (check for a gold-stamped serial number starting with S on the back of the headstock). The current Chinese-built Hamers are not as good. Epiphone Sheratons or Lucilles are also a good choice --- look for ones with serial numbers starting with R or S which indicate the Korean Peerless or Samick factories. They're generally better in quality and consistency than the Indonesian or Chinese made ones.
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Dec 7, 2006 4:26 p.m. Mark S(ynchro):
Fritz the Cat said:
You might look into a Gretsch 6120N
+1 on that. It's a pretty decent guitar and often overlooked. Mine is my "go-to" guitar for gigs. -
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Dec 7, 2006 4:41 p.m. teleharmonium:
The double cutaway Guild Starfires - IV and V, and I think there are much less common VI and VII models as well as a 12 string XII - are semi hollow rather than totally hollow. My understanding is that there is a little less wood in the center than a Gibson ES 335, and that it is the same block of wood that the neck is made from, extending inside the body.
The single cut Starfires I - III are totally hollow, and there is a scarce Guild called the Bert Weedon model, intended for sale in the UK in the 60s, which is a fully hollow double cut model, kind of like a 330 with humbuckers. I'd sure like a black, green, or natural one of those, but I'm not holding my breath.
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Dec 7, 2006 7:08 p.m. Rocketman:
I have a 96 Epiphone Sheraton II which used to be the best guitar I ever had before I had my 67 Tenny. I have (had) some great guitars but the Epi was the best. Now the Tenny is. I have played guitar for 30 years.
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Oct 30, 2008 4:04 a.m. eyesonly:
""I notice that after years of promoting them Ed Roman trashes them big time on his site. I know, "consider the source" but it does raise some doubt.""
Ed Roman's opinion raises no doubt at all for me. He is an idiot. Have you ever read any of this articles. I read one about 24 fret necks having just as much bass response as 22 fret necks. The neck pickup is of course pushed back, so it's got LESS bass. He argues some absolutely bullshit points to suit what he sells at that moment. Heritage have never been anything but great guitars. You should definitely consider the Gibson ES333. I've owned a couple of those and they are so good Gibson had to stop making them as nobody was buying 335's anymore. Choose the pickups you want, change 'em easily with the rear access panel ala BB King Lucille, great guitars. Forget anything that isn't made in USA. They are not the real thing. A 333 is the real deal. Epiphoney's are cheap rubbish. Dull sounding bodies with no resonance, chunky necks, crappy pickups. Actually an exception is the Washburn HB-35's they are not bad, a bit tight in the body and trebly but miles ahead of an Epiphoney.
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Oct 30, 2008 7:22 a.m. jmb99000:
I bought an '05 Epi Riviera (Candy apple red) new and was immensely pleased with the quality. It's got mini h-buckers and I installed a bigsby B-70. It's cool looking, but a wide guitar so I actually prefer my 5129 and Tele for comfort, tho it sounds super thru my gear and I look great playing it, LOL!!!!
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Oct 30, 2008 8:21 a.m. Zol:
Hi marctrain57 - I had a similar dilemma. I was looking for a double cut es335 type of guitar w/maple body / mahogany neck / humbuckers and settled on the Guild SFIV. I'm every happy - well built, plays and sounds great. Good luck on your quest - Z
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Oct 30, 2008 8:41 a.m. cielski:
I was looking at 335s when I found my G3140. Orange and Cat's Eyes, what more could you ask for?
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Oct 30, 2008 9:17 a.m. cyclopssam:
starfireIV " the poorman's 335" still love mine always with in arms reach for a quick note or two
