335 plaintop vs. ?

[soundtrackarcade]

hey all,

I am fairly new to the details of Gibsons as I've been a Fender player for years. I am in the market for a 335, but as a collector, I want some insight from you who know your stuff. I have played about 30 of them to this point and have realized that i like the "custom shop" 335s the most. There are some questions that keep recurring for me and was wondering if you guys might be able to shed some light:

 

1. What does 'plaintop' mean? I can't seem to find that answer anywhere. Does it mean that it doesn't have the nitro-celluose laquer? If it's not a "plain top" what is it?

2. What is the major difference between a custom shop, a memphis, and a regular 335? There's a difference in price but I am not sure what I'd be lacking, or gaining.

3. Do sunbursts cost more?

 

Any last tips before buying?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks.

jim

[hand]

i can only ans. plaintop quest.

 

plaintop is maple top that isn't quilted or flamed.

meaning the maple does not have the familiar pattern, or flame,

but is just finished maple.

[Ignatius]

Hey Jim--

 

Welcome to the club of people seeking 335s. Your question about "plaintops" has been answered. The major bummer, as far as I can see, is that plaintops are hard to see in person. If your main retail option is Guitar Center, they don't even carry the plaintops except as a special order (although you can get them through the websites). But if you look at a satin finish 335, then you've seen a plaintop (look at the grain rather than the gloss to see what I mean), and you'll seen that some plaintops can have some very nice but subtle pattern to them. In fact, I just came from a Guitar Center, and I am wondering if I in fact prefer plaintops to figured tops. I just might, but to each his or her own.

 

Regarding the Custom Shop designation: well, to tell you the truth, all ES model Gibsons are Custom Shop. All of them. The satin finish 335, the ES-339, the high-end historic reissues, the whole works. There is a thread on this in the "Gibson Custom" folder (link here and scroll down a bit). All Gibsons are finished with nitrocellulose lacquer: the difference between a satin finish and a gloss finish is simply the number of coats and buff jobs (satin has fewer; gloss has more). The Memphis plant (where the Memphis ES models are made) manufactures all the Gibson ES models except a couple of the historic reissues.

 

So, short answer: what you have been hearing is NOT the difference between Custom Shop vs. regular ES models, but is the difference between various ES models and/or the differences among particular guitars.

 

Some of the sunbursts cost more, as do some of the natural finishes. It depends on the guitar. The Guitar Center website or Musician's Friend will each reveal this difference if you select the finish you want: you can watch the price magically change on the webpage.

 

Last tips? Like me and Mark, start saving your money (if you haven't already) rather than buy with the plastic because it will take longer to reach the day of purchase, and that will give you more time to try out lots and lots of ES models. Each guitar has a unique feel, and it is worth it to have to wait for the one with the real mojo that is yours.

 

Ignatius

[soundtrackarcade]

thanks for the replys guys! that info helps a ton with the search. I definitely plan on taking my time, but defining some of the terms was something that needed to be done. I may have some more questions coming as I play more!

thanks again,

J

[ToddS]

Hi guys, I'm also new to 335s, and am looking to buy one ... so can you please confirm that I have read this correctly - the difference between 'plain' and 'figured' is purely aesthetic?

 

Because figured i always a LOT more expensive, I would have assume it would have to actually BE better as opposed to just LOOK better?

 

eg is figured a better quality of wood, that will hold paint longer, or have better tone etc etc?

 

Can I also check - te actual dimensions/shape are exactly the same, it's just how the wood appears thru the laquer?

 

Thanks

 

TS

[spitball]

You are correct, Todd. It's a matter of the look. The figued wood adds some dazzle, and rightfully adds to the price. I like figured wood on some guitars more than others. For the ES-335, I prefer a plain top.

[Ignatius]

You are correct' date=' Todd. It's a matter of the look. The figued wood adds some dazzle, and rightfully adds to the price. I like figured wood on some guitars more than others. For the ES-335, I prefer a plain top.[/quote']

 

I agree, spitball. I finally saw a highly figured ES-335 in a local GC about a month ago, and it was almost too much. The lean aesthetic of the 335 design does not fit well for me with the really jaw-dropping figuring of some wood. And yeah, Todd, people do pay that much extra just for aesthetics. If the beautiful wood fits, then yes, it is totally worth it (i.e., on a LP top, or perhaps on the tops of the new Larrivee electrics, which are quite gorgeous in my mind; but don't trust the PR pictures, which are terrible). To me, though, the 335 is a workhorse and draws its beauty from understated elegance.

 

Ignatius

[Mark]

Ignatius- You could have built a 335 by now. whats the hold up. I know the search is half the fun good luck

 

I was at Haight & Ashbury Music Center in S.F. last week and wanted to buy a guitar but wound up with a cool

Richenbacker T-shirt. I would have bought a Gibson T-shirt but,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats a different thread. Oh yea! that

you started.

 

Boy did I feel old on Haight St

and

Monteray

and

Laguna

and

Pacific

Funny, I felt comfortable in Alcatraz

 

Mark

[Ignatius]

Ignatius- You could have built a 335 by now. whats the hold up. I know the search is half the fun good luck

 

I was at Haight & Ashbury Music Center in S.F. last week and wanted to buy a guitar but wound up with a cool

Richenbacker T-shirt. I would have bought a Gibson T-shirt but' date=',,,,,,,,,,,,thats a different thread. Oh yea! that

you started.

 

Boy did I feel old on Haight St

and

Monteray

and

Laguna

and

Pacific

Funny, I felt comfortable in Alcatraz

 

Mark[/quote']

 

I know, I know.

 

I have to be honest. I have two problems: first, I haven't found that one that really floats my boat yet; and second, I don't have the money saved yet, and I am not allowed to buy on credit. I am beginning to wonder if my boat will start floating when the sea of green is big enough to float a guitar. I'm pretty good at not wanting what I can't afford.

 

You felt more comfortable at Alcatraz, huh? Does that even need a punchline?

 

Ignatius

[ToddS]

Thanks for the replies gents, good to know that its just a matter of looks and personal preference, and not an actual 'quality' or tone thing.

 

I've also been looking and saving for almost 2 years! Thought I was going to buy a tele, then almost bought a classic es 137 (but it has a huge neck heel, and my short fingers stop from playing anywhere past the 12th or 14th fret) then was pretty keen (small fingers and all) on the 339 ... but then, I thought, might as well buy the real thing, so am pretty set on a 335.

 

The only question now - brand new, or try and pick a nice vintage one up? There's a pretty good market in Perth, Western Australia for s/h gibsons, and a few reputable dealers here.

 

I may start a new thread on this?

 

TS

[Hall]

I sure prefer the gloss models and I have a few 335's. And anything from the custom shop once was a step up.