Larsongs

They’re not equal to a real USA Martin... That said, I have played some good older Sigmas.. They’re aren’t equivalent to my USA Martins though but they were pretty good... I can’t say I’ve ever played an MIM Martin I liked...

I used to own a 1959 ES345 with original PAF’s that looked like yours.. In retrospect it was the best sounding Guitar I’ve ever played or owned.. I was offered too much $$$ & sold it... Congrats on yours! It’s a beauty!

I would probably go for the more traditional spec 2005 Dot.. Unless I was going to put a Bigsby on then I’d go for the one with the Trapeze Tailpiece.. In either case I’d want the one in the best condition, that plays the best & sounds the best.. There’s only one way to judge that.. I’d have to play them both..

I haven’t done this but would bet Wildwood would’ve a good choice..

The Mexican made Martins are nowhere near as good as the old Sigmas.. But neither are as good as USA made Martins.

He’s still alive, plays masterfully, is a Hot Rodder & does a lot of the wrench turning on them.... You should check out some of his recent Ronnie Scott Concerts on YouTube...

I have 4 Epi’s with P90’s... 1 with Asian P90’s & 3 with Gibson USA P90’s... The 3 with USA P90’s are far better sounding IMO. The Asian P90’s are more harsh & hard on the Ears.. I’m going to change them to Fralin P90’s which sound very close to the Gibson USA P90’s...

I can almost imagine Franklin, Jefferson, Washington & Adams (Cool Band name) with Guitars strapped on in Rock poses.... LOL

I agree...

It’s hard to know if these kinds of Shows are Fact or Fiction.. They’re biographical stories. Usually the truth is stranger than Fiction & much of that is never told....

My personal choice is & have been for years are Martin, Gibson, Guild & Harmony... They are the Bar. I don’t get the interest in Taylor’s They ain’t got no soul... I do get the interest in Collings... They got mucho soul!

Comparing Gibson & Martin Acoustics is like comparing Gibson & Fender Electrics... Both make the greatest Guitars.. Yet they are very different.. My Acoustic Martins sound nothing like my Acoustic Gibsons.... I’m happy they both exist, are different sounding Guitars & love playing them.... The same is true of my Electric Gibsons & Fenders.....

Bring back the ES Les Paul Gold Top with P90’s & Bigsby.... Reasonably Priced.

They change pretty much every year. Not only that there are usually multiple variations available at the same time... The good news is they’re all pretty great. Just a matter of which one suits you best.. Do you have Pickup preference?

I dunno? I ordered a new Royal Tan USA Casino over a year ago! They haven’t made that one yet!

Casino’s are not ES335 type Guitars.. Both are great, both are different sounding Guitars... What kind of Sound do you want? It sounds like you got the made in China Entry level Casino. About $600.00 USA.. They are good Guitars but the Asian P90’s are less than desirable... Replacing them would completely change the Sound for the better... USA Gibson P90’s, Fralins, Lollars or Duncan’s would make it sound amazing... The other alternative is to return it & buy a Used IBJL, Elite or Elitist Casino... A little more expensive but all are extremely good quality Guitars with USA Gibson P90’s which sound fantastic... That is if you want the Single Coil sound... If you want Humbuckers that’s something else..

My Gibson J-160E is an Acoustic Electric Guitar. It was designed to be an Electric Guitar. I play it both ways about 50/50. I’ve tried many different kinds of Strings that supposedly were ideal for both Acoustic & Electric playing.. including some very expensive Strings. Most sound good playing either Acoustic or Electric but not both. The Martin Retro Monels .011’s sound the best played Acoustic or Electric on this Guitar..

I was among those Analog is best Cork Sniffers for years too. But, the Digital Gear we have today is so advanced it’s hard to tell the difference.. In some cases Pro Tools, Logic & other formats sound even better..

Why? Why? Why? Maybe some far out Hippy Girls might like it?

Welcome.. You are much needed here! Thank you for posting that information. I get why Lennon used it extensively.. It’s so versatile.. Great as an Acoustic & is also great as an Electric.. It has such a unique sound but instantly recognizable.. I love the Neck on this Guitar. It feels much like playing a Casino or Les Paul... It’s very easy to jump from one to another..

That’s a good kind of confusion! Enjoy!

The Specs are impressive on these Guitars...

Good decision... Those Eastmans look & sound great! I have a 2013 Memphis ES335 & have 3 Casinos which I really like but I wouldn't mind adding one of those T64's to my collection.. Maybe one of the Goldburst V's with Bigsby. Enjoy both your Guitars!

Why do anything to that beautiful ES335? Why not buy a Terada built Epiphone Casino & have the best of Worlds?

Recording Gear has evolved for sure. But, those who know how to produce great Records did so with each evolution... Those Guitars, with early PAF's, were always popular by Artist's using whatever Recording Gear... And still are... They were, simply, great Guitars... I owned a '59 ES 345 with PAF's... It was the best sounding Guitar I've ever played... Live or Recorded... I don't think Recording Gear played a significant difference... In fact Recording Gear of today rivals anything of the 50's with regard to Sound Production quality.....