jc1funk Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hi All Comparing my 2010 335 dot (which I am considering selling) to a black one (2012) in the store, supposedly same specs, but mine sounded noticeably warmer. I expected a difference since mine has 11-52s on it and the new one is stock 10-46, but I didn't expect a difference in tonal warmth... Should it be that noticeable? I'd really like to change over to this black 335 but I'm worried about losing the tone I've come to love in my triburst 335... Am I over-analysing? Any pointers? Any comments from similar experiences? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Just to offer an alternative 'take' on the question in hand... Personally I don't spend too much time agonising between 2 of the same guitars (probably more relevant when they are new)... My ES335 Dot Triburst figured was offered by the dealer as a single option for other reasons... The guitar then spent some time being played in...the feel of the neck improved and buzzes around the P/U surrounds gradually disappeared Playing amped at stage volume will also, over time, make a difference to an instrument compared to bedroom noodling Playing at low volume in a shop will IMO only give part of the story...which might benefit from a clairvoyant as to the future aged tone in store... V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LysanderSky Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Have you plugged the black one in? The reason I'm asking is because it's hard to deduce the electric from the acoustic tone as PUs aren't microphones. I have recently played a stunning '64 335, acoustically it was bright, thin and quiet which surprised me a bit. Plugged in it sounded amazing, full, rich and warm. Of course PUs are only part of the equation (tone woods, quality of build are important factors too when it comes to how the magnetic field of the PUs are "stirred") but I think with 335s it's important not to focus to much on the acoustic tone, not all frequencies, overtones etc. that you find unplugged will be translated into the electric sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Have you plugged the black one in? Tone comparison was based solely on amplified sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR9 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Lots of variables even if they were consecutive serial numbers made on the same day. Wood makes some difference. String size as you noted, but strings materials made a big difference. Since you are comparing the amplified sound, and assuming it is the same amp at the same settings playing them back-to-back, pickups make a big difference. Even the same model pickup. Number of winds, height, covers. Do a blind fold test and see which one feels right in your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Pickups may vary slightly due to wire tolerances. String materials, make and gauge, and the core/wound diameters and mass ratio will affect the tone. The 2012 guitar may have a laminated fretboard which could make for sleeker lows and harder transients due to increased inner stiffness and rigidity. Finally, every guitar wood needs "breaking in." This will gradually lead to faster response and a slightly more "naturally compressed" tone with increased sustain. Woods get better with age and playing, some faster, e. g. mahogany, some slower, e. g. maple, as I experienced over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundjunkie Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 This is odd as I just was going to post something on this very topic. Since 335's are so expensive, my local Gibson dealer Guitar Center (puke), doesn't stock all the different models. I wanted a '63 50'th anniversary ES-335 Memphis and bought one on-line hoping for the best. Guitar arrived and I was stunned. Beautiful grain, light and when I plugged in it was pure magic. The pickups were volume balanced, the pots were tapered and worked, and this guitar had the most beautiful crystalline tone and sustain I ever heard. After 90 days, sadly the guitar developed multiple cracks on the neck binding, so I sent it back to Memphis for a repair. It had been there a month and hadn't heard anything and I was shocked that one day out of the blue I received a ship notice from Gibson. The guitar they sent back was not my 335 repaired, but a brand new one. I thought hey this is cool! Wow! The fretboard was darker which I prefer, but the grain was boring and the guitar heavier than my first one. I plugged in expecting to find the same magic, but NOT THERE. This guitar is dark and muddy and really accentuates bass instead of upper mids and highs. The pots suck, the pickups not balanced. Huge disappointment. So, now what to do? This guitar isn't cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 This is odd as I just was going to post something on this very topic. Since 335's are so expensive, my local Gibson dealer Guitar Center (puke), doesn't stock all the different models. I wanted a '63 50'th anniversary ES-335 Memphis and bought one on-line hoping for the best. Guitar arrived and I was stunned. Beautiful grain, light and when I plugged in it was pure magic. The pickups were volume balanced, the pots were tapered and worked, and this guitar had the most beautiful crystalline tone and sustain I ever heard. After 90 days, sadly the guitar developed multiple cracks on the neck binding, so I sent it back to Memphis for a repair. It had been there a month and hadn't heard anything and I was shocked that one day out of the blue I received a ship notice from Gibson. The guitar they sent back was not my 335 repaired, but a brand new one. I thought hey this is cool! Wow! The fretboard was darker which I prefer, but the grain was boring and the guitar heavier than my first one. I plugged in expecting to find the same magic, but NOT THERE. This guitar is dark and muddy and really accentuates bass instead of upper mids and highs. The pots suck, the pickups not balanced. Huge disappointment. So, now what to do? This guitar isn't cheap. This is really bad. :( I am with you that such huge differences shouldn't appear on such a special model at that price point. Timbers can be very different, but what you describe here is a quality problem in my opinion, may it be due to wood, electric shortcomings or strings. First thing I would do is try if perhaps the strings are the culprit. Then I would have checked the electric components - some problems can be diagnosed without removing parts just by taking measurements via output jack. If there seems nothing wrong, it should be due to the woods. Perhaps forum members who are experienced in dealing directly with the Gibson Company regarding warranty may tell you which way to go in this case better than I could. I cross my fingers for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundjunkie Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Well, here's an update.. GIBSON MEMPHIS really should have called me to explain and talked to me about a replacement guitar and offered the option of a refund or a replacement guitar. I would have chosen a refund not knowing or able to discern first hand or via dealer how the replacement guitar sounded, weight, etc. Be that as it may, they tried to do right by me and sent me a new replacement. I called Customer Service today and explained the situation and they were very nice BUT I'm still left holding the bag so to speak. I don't know any other way to resolve this other than maybe returning this guitar to the dealer for equal trade value. Someone may want a dark ES-335, who knows. As quirky as these guitars seem to be, buyer beware. On paper everything being equal there is still huge differences between gutars of the same year / model. Wood is to blame for this not Gibson. They have no idea how a guitar will sound when building it, until complete. Then the tone is subjective. What I like, may be a dog to someone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 So, now what to do? Oh I don't know, maybe hijack another thread and see if that helps? ;) (But seriously, that sucks, so good luck with that one) Thanks for the OT replies, guys... I'm going to compare the Black one in the store with all other 335s they have on the wall, that should help identify any issues in the one I want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundjunkie Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Hijack your thread? Huh? I thought my story was pretty spot on your topic. Wow, kind of a rude comment from my perspective. We don't treat people this way on this forum. Go elsewhere if you want to make rude comments about people responding your threads. I'll honor yor comment and start my own topic. Thanks man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Hijack your thread? Huh? I thought my story was pretty spot on your topic. Wow, kind of a rude comment from my perspective. We don't treat people this way on this forum. Go elsewhere if you want to make rude comments about people responding your threads. I'll honor yor comment and start my own topic. Thanks man. 1. Wow, why so sensitive? 2. My comment was light hearted, hence the wink, and the "but seriously, good luck" 3. In light of 1 and 2: I don't know who the f&*# you think you are using the "royal we" and telling me where to go, but you need to get off your high horse and relax. You're way out of line. I now regret the good will and humour I showed you. Sheesh EAFD, man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Steady on chaps! When I was shopping around for my 335, a couple of years ago, I found that there were vast differences between one guitar and another, far more so than, for example Les Pauls. You really have to shop around to find the one that suits you, they are all different, not necessarily one's better than another, just different, more akin to buying an acoustic than an electric. Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 I went back to the store and this time compared the black one to a cherry they had and I got the same result. The black one just had issues, it just wasn't as warm as a 335 should be (also the finishing wasn't great). It got to a point where, having seen and heard my 335 the other day, the sales dude was even talking me out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanHenry Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I went back to the store and this time compared the black one to a cherry they had and I got the same result. The black one just had issues, it just wasn't as warm as a 335 should be (also the finishing wasn't great). It got to a point where, having seen and heard my 335 the other day, the sales dude was even talking me out of it. Id stick with the one you've got if I were you, if it sounds good and plays good, why change? Ian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc1funk Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Id stick with the one you've got if I were you, if it sounds good and plays good, why change? It's a tough one... but it's mainly about stage image... the triburst is beautiful, but it looks like a serious, expensive instrument suited to blues or jazz... the black has a more alternative, hard rock vibe about it and that's the place i'm in right now... Every guitar I've ever bought, I've always sacrificed the finish I like most for playability, sound, you know, all the actual important stuff... so I just hope one day I can have my cake and eat it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flintc Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 I've found that it's necessary to do a direct A-B comparison, using the same amp and especially the same room acoustics. Tone will appear to change pretty drastically from a big cavernous room filled with people, and a smaller room with less ambient noise. I think room acoustics is about as important as amp selection, when it comes to tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvar Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0RTD7250II&feature=player_detailpage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old335 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I think (just about) everything on the guitar will affect its tone, and since it's made of wood, it will even change over time. From a gear geek perspective, I love hounding out what may account for different tones, etc, but in practice, since there are so many variables, I think you stick with whatever happens to sound good. I don't think you can buy all the right pieces and expect/hope it will add up to the right sound, even though it should. At the same time, I totally understand your need for the guitar with the right look. Hope you find one with both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 It's a tough one... but it's mainly about stage image... the triburst is beautiful, but it looks like a serious, expensive instrument suited to blues or jazz... the black has a more alternative, hard rock vibe about it and that's the place i'm in right now... Start a new trend...triburst goes hard rock! From everything you say, I would keep the guitar you have...without a doubt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Are you (seriously?) letting "image" dictate which guitar you should keep???! Keep the one that plays the best, sounds the best, and is the more reliable! Be a "rebel," and go against "the norm!" Or, keep them BOTH! One doesn't have to play only one type of music. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 Are you (seriously?) letting "image" dictate which guitar you should keep???! Keep the one that plays the best, sounds the best, and is the more reliable! Be a "rebel," and go against "the norm!" Or, keep them BOTH! One doesn't have to play only one type of music. CB I've dealt with Gibson re; Warranty issues on both my Gibson Bozeman Masterbilt J160E & Epi. 50th Anniv. Casino. The J160E was returned & was perfect. The Epi went back & forth a couple times & was replaced with a new one. In my case it worked out & is an excellent Guitar. IMO if you got a perfect Guitar spend the money on Wardrobe that creates a Stage Presence to match the Guitar. I mean that in a positive way. Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 What does a warranty issue have to do with him wanting a different guitar color? "Wardrobe that crates a stage presence to match the guitar" - is he in Miley Cyrus's or Madonna's band? That is the funniest thing I have heard all day - "spend the money on wardrobe that crates a stage presence to match the guitar". So you're saying, Only people who look like they're Homeless are great Musicians? Watching guys play $2,000 + Guitars & dress & try to look like their homeless cracks me up too. IMO opinion there is nothing wrong with looking like you've got Class. The Homeless look has been around for years & it's time to move on IMO. You got a Pro level Class Guitar why wouldn't you try to look like you're a Polished Pro that has Class too? Give me a break. Thanks, Lars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 IMX the ladies in the average audience prefer male(and female) performers to be smartly turned out... That's good enough for me... <_< V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I don't go to shows excecting the musicians to dress a certain way unless it is a KISS concert. ... Also take a look at all the guys playing burst finished guitars for any kind of music one can imagine. Just think of the Les Paul bursts which helped define sounds and styles since decades, whatever clothes the players wore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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