Les Paul 1958 or ES-335?

[elliot110]

Hi I am looking into purchasing my first ever Gibson guitar but am stuck on which guitar to go for, either the ES335 dot or Les Paul Custom 1958.

 

I am into the Foo Fighters, Jet, Kings of leon and the killers who I know most of them use the the ES335 pretty much exclusively, or another guitar shaped similar, however I do like other artists such as U2, Green Day and Paramore who use Les Pauls.

 

Like both guitars but I can only choose one for now.

 

Also I have seen on the ES335 that there is a plain gloss top and figured gloss top version both vary by a reasonable amount in price. Does this make a noticable difference in tone or is it just aesthetics. Is the figured gloss top worth paying the extra for?

 

Would like some honest opinions please, as I would like to know which guitar would be most suited to the type of music I have mentioned above.

 

I currently play Strat shaped guitars.

 

Thanks

 

Elliot

[deeman]

Don't ask the internet, go and try the guitars out. Play them on your amp if possible and the question will be answered for you. I was about dead set on getting an explorer or flying v back in the day when I was looking for a nice guitar. I ended up with a les paul studio because that was the guitar that sounded the best to me.

[Pin]

First we can get one thing out of the way: the fancy wood makes absolutely no difference whatever to the tone. It is aesthetics pure and simple but that doesn't mean it is unimportant as it is your money and your preferences that is at stake when you make a purchase.

 

As to the rest of your query I can only ask one question - have you played a Gibson ES3xx or Les Paul Custom guitar before? And notice the "ES3xx" - the reason for that is the fretboard of the ES355 (contrasted with the ES345 or ES335) will almost certainly be (albeit not necessarily) a "fretless wonder" type board as would likely be the Les Paul Custom (wide very low frets)which will be different in feel to a guitar which has medium frets.

 

To be honest, you really have to get out and about to try them and compare them. They are different beasts and we can all answer in terms of our own preferences but it is yours that count.

[elliot110]

First we can get one thing out of the way: the fancy wood makes absolutely no difference whatever to the tone. It is aesthetics pure and simple but that doesn't mean it is unimportant as it is your money and your preferences that is at stake when you make a purchase.

 

As to the rest of your query I can only ask one question - have you played a Gibson ES3xx or Les Paul Custom guitar before? And notice the "ES3xx" - the reason for that is the fretboard of the ES355 (contrasted with the ES345 or ES335) will almost certainly be (albeit not necessarily) a "fretless wonder" type board as would likely be the Les Paul Custom (wide very low frets)which will be different in feel to a guitar which has medium frets.

 

To be honest, you really have to get out and about to try them and compare them. They are different beasts and we can all answer in terms of our own preferences but it is yours that count.

 

Hi thanks for your reply. I have played both but am finding it hard to decide as I want to get the right one for the type of music I play and know they each have their own unique sound.

[elliot110]

Don't ask the internet, go and try the guitars out. Play them on your amp if possible and the question will be answered for you. I was about dead set on getting an explorer or flying v back in the day when I was looking for a nice guitar. I ended up with a les paul studio because that was the guitar that sounded the best to me.

 

Thanks, I have tried them out in a shop with the same amp setup I have at home but finding it hard to decide.

[pippy]

Well, Elliot. First-off; I'm answering this question in the Les Paul section. Have you posted the same enquiry in the 335 section as well in order to get the view from 'over there'? Might be worth while.

 

Secondly; I'm not sure which guitar you mean by Les Paul Custom 58. There's a pair of '57 Customs; a '58 Standard re-issue (made by the Custom Shop) and there has been a '68 Custom re-issue - but no '58 Custom.

 

Anyroads........to answer the easy questions first;

No; the figuring has no effect on tone.

Yes; it's purely aesthetic.

Whether it's worth paying the extra for the fancier top is absolutely, 100%, down to your own personal taste and, ultimately, your bank balance...

 

As to which is more suited to your musical preferences;

Bear in mind that the Les Paul was designed at a time when the world was yet to know Rock'n'Roll.

It was primarily intended to be used by any player who would be performing in venues where greater volume-levels meant that feedback from an electric hollow-body could be a serious issue.

Les Paul himself was a jazz guitarist of note and the instrument was perfect for his needs. It can, therefore, be used to play pretty much anything anyone could possibly expect from an electric guitar.

 

The 335, oddly enough, is a very similar animal.

It has (roughly) the same pickups and hardware and, although it is generally perceived to be a more mellow sounding instrument, it can still kick it up when the need arises. No problem.

 

Practical matters?

The 335 probably has better upper-fret access. It will probably weigh slightly less if that might be an issue with you.

The 335 is also, physically, considerably larger than a LP. I've always found them to be too big whilst strapped-on. Sitting with one has never been a worry, though.

Although it is fairly often assumed the 335 is a hollow-body it has, in fact, a solid-block running the length of the centre of the body onto which the hardware is affixed.

The upside is that there is far less tendency for the guitar to feedback at high volumes.

The downside is that it is surprisingly inefficient as an acoustic instrument comapred with a full hollow-body such as an ES-330.

 

Not much more to add.

The 335 is generally regarded as being just about the most versatile all-rounder electrified guitar Gibson has made. The Les Paul, along with the Strat and Tele, is generally regarded as being about the best guitar ever made.

 

You really have to spend as much time visiting guitar stores and take your time in deciding which works best for YOU.

 

P.

[elliot110]

Well, Elliot. First-off; I'm answering this question in the Les Paul section. Have you posted the same enquiry in the 335 section as well in order to get the view from 'over there'? Might be worth while.

 

Secondly; I'm not sure which guitar you mean by Les Paul Custom 58. There's a pair of '57 Customs; a '58 Standard re-issue (made by the Custom Shop) and there has been a '68 Custom re-issue - but no '58 Custom.

 

Anyroads........to answer the easy questions first;

No; the figuring has no effect on tone.

Yes; it's purely aesthetic.

Whether it's worth paying the extra for the fancier top is absolutely, 100%, down to your own personal taste and, ultimately, your bank balance...

 

As to which is more suited to your musical preferences;

Bear in mind that the Les Paul was designed at a time when the world was yet to know Rock'n'Roll.

It was primarily intended to be used by any player who would be performing in venues where greater volume-levels meant that feedback from an electric hollow-body could be a serious issue.

Les Paul himself was a jazz guitarist of note and the instrument was perfect for his needs. It can, therefore, be used to play pretty much anything anyone could possibly expect from an electric guitar.

 

The 335, oddly enough, is a very similar animal.

It has (roughly) the same pickups and hardware and, although it is generally perceived to be a more mellow sounding instrument, it can still kick it up when the need arises. No problem.

 

Practical matters?

The 335 probably has better upper-fret access. It will probably weigh slightly less if that might be an issue with you.

The 335 is also, physically, considerably larger than a LP. I've always found them to be too big whilst strapped-on. Sitting with one has never been a worry, though.

Although it is fairly often assumed the 335 is a hollow-body it has, in fact, a solid-block running the length of the centre of the body onto which the hardware is affixed.

The upside is that there is far less tendency for the guitar to feedback at high volumes.

The downside is that it is surprisingly inefficient as an acoustic instrument comapred with a full hollow-body such as an ES-330.

 

Not much more to add.

The 335 is generally regarded as being just about the most versatile all-rounder electrified guitar Gibson has made. The Les Paul, along with the Strat and Tele, is generally regarded as being about the best guitar ever made.

 

You really have to spend as much time visiting guitar stores and take your time in deciding which works best for YOU.

 

P.

 

Hi P, thank you for your really detailed answer explaining this too me, it has been really helpful. If this helps i tried the custom shop 1958 reissue.

 

Yes I have posted in the other forum too.

 

Regards

 

Elliot

[L5Larry]

I own one of each of the guitars in question (and have for well over 30 years), and although my ES (currently) gets MUCH more playing time... for a first, or one and only, Gibson, I would recommend the Les Paul.

[davidl]

Have you considered an ES-339? Plays very much like a lester and sounds a lot like a 335. Smaller body shape than the 335 so more comfortable in my own opinion.

I was shopping for a 335 when I discovered the 339. The 339 came home with me. No regrets.

Dave

[deeman]

I agree with the 'if you're only getting one guitar, go with the Les Paul' statement.

 

I could also recommend possibly buying the high end epiphone LP custom and a Dot or other semi-hollow from epiphone. The high-end epiphones sound pretty darn good and you could get 2 of those for the price of one gibson.

 

Just a suggestion.

[Twang Gang]

All the reasons, and questions have been answered by other posters. So I'll make it simple - get the Les Paul.

[JM2112]

You'll need to play these guitars through the amp/rig you're using to really find out if the tone is what you want.

 

Generally speaking you can probably get an ES to sound more like an LP than you can get an LP to sound like an ES. The ES is a very versatile guitar. Both are great guitars though, tough choice to make indeed.

[pippy]

...If this helps i tried the custom shop 1958 reissue...

Well, elliot, I'd cetrainly opt for the '58 R-I - without a shadow of a doubt and especially if it was an excellent one - but you really should try the two types out as often as possible to see which you find most comfortable.

 

I can be objective and praise the virtues of both models but I must make it clear that I'm hardly impartial. The reality is I've always chosen a Les Paul over any other Gibson.

As an illustration; whilst I currently own some LPs I've never once, in 37 years as a player, owned a 335. Nor, for that matter, an SG; nor an Explorer; nor a Firebird...etc...etc...

I like 335s and what they offer. I prefer the 330, TBH, but I still like them. I also have frequent hankerings for various other Gibbie semi's. Yet anytime I've 'gone shopping' I've always returned home with a Lester.

 

But that's just me. Go see what you prefer and always remember to enjoy the chase.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

P.

[elliot110]

Have you considered an ES-339? Plays very much like a lester and sounds a lot like a 335. Smaller body shape than the 335 so more comfortable in my own opinion.

I was shopping for a 335 when I discovered the 339. The 339 came home with me. No regrets.

Dave

 

 

Hi Dave, thanks for your advice, yes I have also played a 339 and albeit a lovely guitar, due to the smaller body shape the tone is quite different when compared to the 335.

 

Regards

 

Elliot

[elliot110]

Well, elliot, I'd cetrainly opt for the '58 R-I - without a shadow of a doubt and especially if it was an excellent one - but you really should try the two types out as often as possible to see which you find most comfortable.

 

I can be objective and praise the virtues of both models but I must make it clear that I'm hardly impartial. The reality is I've always chosen a Les Paul over any other Gibson.

As an illustration; whilst I currently own some LPs I've never once, in 37 years as a player, owned a 335. Nor, for that matter, an SG; nor an Explorer; nor a Firebird...etc...etc...

I like 335s and what they offer. I prefer the 330, TBH, but I still like them. I also have frequent hankerings for various other Gibbie semi's. Yet anytime I've 'gone shopping' I've always returned home with a Lester.

 

But that's just me. Go see what you prefer and always remember to enjoy the chase.

 

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

P.

 

Ok thank you thats interesting, I will keep trying both types before I decide which one to purchase.

 

Will let you know my choice on this page once bought.

 

Regards

 

Elliot

[charlie brown]

All Sage advice, previously. I would opt for the ES, but in my particular case,

it would be the ES-345/355! I'm one of those rare "nut cases," that actually

like the varitone, and it's added tonal varieties.

 

But, as other's have said...try 'em all, see which one "speaks" to you! You'll know

it, when you find it!

 

Cheers, and good hunting! It's half the fun...you know?

 

CB

[Versatile]

Many players agonise over which is the 'perfect' choice of guitar...and many end up with a small or large collection to cover several styles of music and tones to match...

 

In the real world 30mins onstage amped up with a band can reverse many decisions in a moment... :blink:

 

The 335 and a typical Les Paul are very different animals ergonomically...although overlapping in musical capability

 

Many would advocate 'getting both' if unsure which is best...lower price alternatives like Epiphone are very well regarded hereon...

 

An Epi Les Paul for instance, can be purchased and if necessary upgraded with USA P/U's and wiring for a reasonable price...

 

Same goes for the Epi Dot 335...

 

Personal advice would be to move away from shop trials towards a studio/stage situation with hired/borrowed guitars to experience a more realistic playing experience

 

Many rehearsal studios will hire guitars by the hour for that reason...possibly obviating some erroneous decisions...

 

V

 

[elliot110]

I agree with the 'if you're only getting one guitar, go with the Les Paul' statement.

 

I could also recommend possibly buying the high end epiphone LP custom and a Dot or other semi-hollow from epiphone. The high-end epiphones sound pretty darn good and you could get 2 of those for the price of one gibson.

 

Just a suggestion.

 

Thanks for the suggestions, will have a look at those too.