Mike Postnov Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hey guys, still choosing my way to go. Having a descent Custom Shop Tele i can't stop wondering if Gibby could give me more taste and feeling. I play B.B.'s kind of stuff as well as some fusion, so obviously I tend to the 335 side, but I can't help myself loving those fat classy look and feel of 175s. I got one offer here of 175D, made in Kalamazoo in 1982 (one year younger than myself!) with original TIM SHAW pups... for the same price (around $3k) as a brand new Vintage Sunburst Custom Shop Es-335. Soundwise thinking, I've heard those Tim Shaws are the best PAFs ever made, so in theory I can get those bluesy tones from Her, but what about technical aspects of playing blues on hollow body? I mean bends are harder to do etc? Am tearing apart... HELP ;) This is the link on ES-175D This is the link on ES-335 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Hi and welcome to the forums... Best way is to listen to other artists and choose accordingly Anything involving hi gain would favour the ES335 for obvious reasons... Then again...the Nuge plays monster stuff on his Byrdland... :blink: IMO the ES175 edges things aesthetically... So the answer as always is the ES137... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 It could be useful to check out an ES-175 and an ES-335 at your local dealer. The playability of a brand-new ES-175 won't differ that much from that of one built in 1982, so you may achieve your personal comparison about it at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 A 335 will cover the blues a little better than a 175. You can play it nice and loud and it has more attack when you turn it up and play with distortion. 175's are more for playing softly and cleanly. More of a jazz guitar. The iconic Gibson blues guitar is the 335. The 175 is a jazz icon. For what that's worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimR56 Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 A 335 will cover the blues a little better than a 175. You can play it nice and loud and it has more attack when you turn it up and play with distortion. 175's are more for playing softly and cleanly. More of a jazz guitar. The iconic Gibson blues guitar is the 335. The 175 is a jazz icon. For what that's worth. I basically agree, and this is probably the most helpful answer for most players, but there's also a style of blues (jump, swing, west coast, etc) stemming from the T-Bone Walker branch of the tree, where a full depth archtop is going to give you more of what you want (although single coil pickups are generally more associated with that style). It all depends on what style you're going to get into. Then again, it's more about the player than the equipment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I second Badblues motion. For blues you want a 335. The 175 is a jazz box. Also if your band is loud the 175 will give you feedback problems. I tried to play a 175 in my band for awhile and had to compress the guitar so much to avoid feedback it lost all it's tone nuances. Go with a 335 - they're great and it will work for you in a blues band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I basically agree, and this is probably the most helpful answer for most players, but there's also a style of blues (jump, swing, west coast, etc) stemming from the T-Bone Walker branch of the tree, where a full depth archtop is going to give you more of what you want (although single coil pickups are generally more associated with that style). It all depends on what style you're going to get into. Then again, it's more about the player than the equipment. +1 on 175 for jump/swing blues. Some of the best blues I've heard in Hungary was played on a 175 copy (it would be sacrilege to treat a real 175 the way he treats his guitar towards the end of sets): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryZ_xrsaxck It also works well for slow blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkifZT6fmrI But then you can use anything for blues and sound great; your man BB King played a 175, a full-body 125 and a Tele before his 355. That said, if I were in your dilemma, personally I'd pick the 335 because I like the added definition that the centreblock and related sustain give it. But what I actually have is a Howard Robert Fusion, which you might want to add to your list of things to try, along with Versatile's suggestion of the 137. The Howard looks a bit like a shrunken 175, but puts out like a 335, perhaps with a little added woodiness on the front pickup, because it's got a deeper body and a floating centreblock. The balsawood block in the MkIII version that I have makes it a good deal lighter than a 335, but it does still sustain. A great little semi which sounds great through a Fender amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojorule Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Peter Green likes his Howard Roberts too (and really starts to play it around the 3-minute mark here): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiN2rN1LNq8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis D near Milwaukee Posted November 10, 2013 Share Posted November 10, 2013 Another vote for the 335. It's just a smarter instrument for you to buy. And down the road, if you ever want to change your music, it'll let you do that too. 175 feedback is a major headache, and while I'd owned one for a long time, it only got played in my practice room. Now that having been said, and you still want the 175 vibe, (( again, after buying the 335)) check out an L-4. It's hands down a better instrument than a 175. Same size, better appointments, but a solid top and ebony fingerboard for me make it a no-brainer. And you can usually buy a used one for even money vs a 175. Once I bought my L-4, I wish I'd have done it sooner . MHO FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 A 335 will cover the blues a little better than a 175. You can play it nice and loud and it has more attack when you turn it up and play with distortion. 175's are more for playing softly and cleanly. More of a jazz guitar. The iconic Gibson blues guitar is the 335. The 175 is a jazz icon. For what that's worth. Yep, what BadBluesPlayer said! Also ES-335 has less feedback and easier to play on the higher frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted January 9, 2014 Share Posted January 9, 2014 If you want to fit in get the 335. If you want to stand out get the 175. Personally I like to stand out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6string Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I've owned both and they're both great guitars, obviously. I kept the 175 strung with flatwounds and only used it for jazz. The 335 was great for blues, as well as rock, jazz, and anything else you'd want to play on it. If it were me and I was looking for a primary blues guitar, I'd go with the 335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldorado2001 Posted April 4, 2014 Share Posted April 4, 2014 +1 for the ES-137, best playing guitar I own (I also have a 335), perfect for any kind of music I play. I swapped the bridge pickup out for a 57 Classic and it's tone heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 A 335 will cover the blues a little better than a 175. You can play it nice and loud and it has more attack when you turn it up and play with distortion. 175's are more for playing softly and cleanly. More of a jazz guitar. The iconic Gibson blues guitar is the 335. The 175 is a jazz icon. For what that's worth. I agree with Badblues. I own a 175 & a 335. I play in a jazz trio and for me I'd never use the 335 for the trio but would use my 175. I use my 335 when I play blues. Just my personal view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drog Posted April 5, 2014 Share Posted April 5, 2014 I have had both, currently have a 175. I would still choose the 335 for my blues guitar. You could also opt for an Ibanez JSM100 like I did over the 335. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougg330 Posted April 9, 2014 Share Posted April 9, 2014 Why not split the difference and get an ES-330? Fully hollow like the 175, but thin like the 335. And P-90's are fantastic pickups for blues tones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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