Gibson ES-335 Figured Antique Natural

Overall:I live in a large city and it is still impossible to find a Gibson 335 that plays and sounds great, has no issues or questionable history and comes with a price tag lower than a new one to justify the gamble. As a result, I decided to pull the trigger on a new one and went for the figured, not so much for the flame but for the lower weight and select wood, knowing both my back would thank me and that the guitar would probably be a bit more open and resonant. Block inlays are certainly nice and that may have helped sway my decision too. The 335 arrived with an impeccable setup, right out of the box from the factory. In my 35 years of playing, I’ve never had this happen. I’ve heard of it happening but never to me. I always have to tweak the truss rod to ... MoreOverall:I live in a large city and it is still impossible to find a Gibson 335 that plays and sounds great, has no issues or questionable history and comes with a price tag lower than a new one to justify the gamble. As a result, I decided to pull the trigger on a new one and went for the figured, not so much for the flame but for the lower weight and select wood, knowing both my back would thank me and that the guitar would probably be a bit more open and resonant. Block inlays are certainly nice and that may have helped sway my decision too. The 335 arrived with an impeccable setup, right out of the box from the factory. In my 35 years of playing, I’ve never had this happen. I’ve heard of it happening but never to me. I always have to tweak the truss rod to straighten the neck a bit, adjust the bridge action, widen the nut slots and intimate the guitar. Every time. The only adjustment I’ve had to make is lower the pickups a bit for balance, that’s it! Plays like an absolute dream. Here is why you want this guitar rather than a used one—. the neck. None of that weird pencil thin 335 necks from the past or those horrible and slow baseball bat necks… this is perfect. I don’t know what Gibson is doing in Nashville now, but they are making these guitars better than they ever have. Having always been a fan of Classic ‘57 pickups, I read about these T Type pickups being bright. It is true that they are bright, however it works so well in this guitar. Roll back the tone knobs for the mellower and darker sounds, especially when in the neck position for a classic straight-ahead jazz sound, or rolled back in the bridge to fatten up rhythms…but the thing is, roll the tone up for that beautiful bite and thunk in single line solos. I have had bright guitars in the past and there is nothing you can do for them. No matter the pickups or amp, it remains bright and pingy. This is not a bright guitar and has such a beautifully balanced and mellow acoustic voice, the pickups suit it well and I will not replace them. Is it an insane amount of money? Yes. It is. In 10 years when I have blown through $4K many times over and have nothing to show for it, will I still have this 335? Yes. I will. It’s an investment and zZounds makes it possible for someone like me to have something nice. This is an absolutely breathtaking guitar. In playability, sound, and appearance—Gibson is on top of their game these days and I think the future will look back at this era as their new golden age.

I've owned this guitar for 4 years, bought new at GC. Had a mid '70s that I foolishly parted with. This one is superior in every respect. Gorgeous figured wood, very comfortable neck and excellent intonation up and down. Best for clean, lush sounds through an old Fender amp with a touch of delay, chorus and reverb. Not a shredder - feeds back badly through my wound up Marshall but you expect that with this type of design. That's why you have a high end solid body in your collection. My "go to" guitar when I just want to sit down and play for my own enjoyment.

Been at the whole guitar-thing for 22-ish-years. Mostly been a solid body electric guy, playing either a Stratocaster or Les Paul. Have had those two models from all sorts of years, 40yr old instruments to new ones. Past few years, been hot for hollow/semi-hollows. Looked for used 335's and didn't like the ones that were available, colors weren't impressive and treble notes were thin. NOW, I saw this 335 and it looked fantastic. Had the sale and financing, and suddenly the timing is great. At home, looked great, was light and resonant with that very responsive feel that also comes with those nitrocellulose finishes. Treble notes have that bold tone I was looking for. This was the most expensive guitar I ever bought. Is it prefect? Well, "extremely" close to perfect. ... MoreBeen at the whole guitar-thing for 22-ish-years. Mostly been a solid body electric guy, playing either a Stratocaster or Les Paul. Have had those two models from all sorts of years, 40yr old instruments to new ones. Past few years, been hot for hollow/semi-hollows. Looked for used 335's and didn't like the ones that were available, colors weren't impressive and treble notes were thin. NOW, I saw this 335 and it looked fantastic. Had the sale and financing, and suddenly the timing is great. At home, looked great, was light and resonant with that very responsive feel that also comes with those nitrocellulose finishes. Treble notes have that bold tone I was looking for. This was the most expensive guitar I ever bought. Is it prefect? Well, "extremely" close to perfect. I don't need locking posts on the stop tail and my other Gibsons don't have rolled fingerboard edges. The rolled fingerboard edges is very comfortable, fast and makes the neck fit into the hand better, I can see people loving it... I consider that common on a Fender, I don't feel Gibson needed to roll more than they usually do. But, I'm already used to it. PICKUPS: (I'm very accustomed to the 57 classic and classic plus).These new ones have a slightly different sound/attack, not sharp, not bright, doesn't cut your head off. The neck pup is interesting, basically just right. Bridge pup: seems to be voiced less sharp. Not dark, not hot, can be used wide open exactly the way it is, again kinda just right. OVERALL: the guitar does what I want: the notes have that pop/punch and when I dial in the amp and tone/volume knobs, I can achieve that jazz-pano-type sound I was looking for. Finish is beautiful, frets, intonation... laser accurate. Zero regrets, it's a super premium instrument (no one else has one or this finish, lots of compliments). The finish also has pretty colors on the side, lots of good things to look at when guitar is strapped on.