Do I need a 330?

[Notes_Norton]

My 330 sounds much better than the Casino unplugged. As an acoustic guitar, there is no contest.

 

My 330 has much better upper fret access. Again, no contest.

 

Plugged in it's a different story. My Casino with aftermarket P90s actually sounds a little hotter and brighter than my 1970 ES-330.

 

Which to I like playing the most? The 330.

 

If you don't intend to play it unplugged a lot, the higher fret access on the 330L is the main consideration.

 

If you do plan to play it unplugged a lot, think about the 330. In my case there is no contest.

 

Just my 2¢.

 

Notes

[kaicho8888]

Wrong forum to ask... of course,

 

YOU NEED ONE! Or is "I want one!"????

[fretplay]

You mean you haven't got one! It took me two years to find a 66 and it was worth the wait.

 

The P90s make a great sound, the body is hollow so very light and comfortable and the neck slim and just perfect to the hand. John Lennon had a casino very similar to a ES330 he played it for years.

 

I believe Gibson have a new smaller body with mini humbuckers which sounds interesting but for me a 60s 330 is the guitar to have.

[Versatile]

For such an iconic guitar which has defined so many sounds from the 60's on

 

Moi finds it interesting that so few players own/play the Casino/ES330

 

Early BB King, Grant Green, Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Andy Summers, Paul Weller et many al

 

The combination of P90's and a hollow body, when worked with, make for rich tonal pleasures <_<

 

V

 

[Boca Bob]

OK y'all. I pulled the trigger and got my baby - a Vintage Natural 330 from Sweetwater. I just couldn't resist the price Wayne gave me.

 

Anyway, I'll post pix later (I know, or it didn't happen).

 

First of all, I went to Sam Ash in Orlando and played both the 330 AND the 390. Too bad, the 390 was gorgeous - deep cherry with block inlays, and a pretty nice sound (more humbucker than P90 soundwise). But, the 390 was sooooo neck-heavy I couldn't stand it. I tried and tried, but it was really distracting trying to hold it up while trying to play. I just never could get used to it.

 

Now, the 330. Wow, what a fat neck. Night and day compared to my 345. But I have no problem with various neck dimensions, so I'll get used to it quickly. But I gotta tell ya, I'm not a big fan of pre-rusted, aged guitars. I always want to buy them "looking" brand new, and wear them out myself. The hardware is annoying, as all the screws are rusted, and the nickel is all tarnished - trapeze, bridge, tuners, pickgaurd bracket and screws, P90 polepieces, etc. That too is annoying - but the sound and build quality makes up for it a bit. Please don't shoot me, but I'm probably going to swap out all the screws for nice shiny ones, including those dreadful pole pieces. And then there's that nylon nut. Really? Come on Gibson - I know you wanted to stick with VOS, but that's one cheap piece of crap nut.

 

And remember, this 330 costs almost as much as my 345 - gimme a friggin bone nut for cryin' out loud. And the frets - yes, they might have been pleked, but the edges weren't as finished as they should've been. A little sharp running my hand up and down.

 

But then there's the balance, and the feel. She's perfect, like my other Gibsons. No complaints in that department

 

I'm not allowed to play it until Christmas as it's my combined Xmas/60th present.

 

And last, a price I couldn't resist. I got it substantially lower than the advertised prices. So much so, that I almost laughed when SA said they'd take a couple hundred off. And I didn't feel guilty at all that I tried their guitars and then bought on-line. If they were even close, I would've supported my local store. But not even in the same state! Email me and I'll share what I think is a great price. Wayne Davis at Sweetwater said he didn't mind if I shared with you. Not sure of forum rules, but I'd post them here for all to see if the moderator says it's OK.

 

Bob

Pembroke Pines, FL

 

cooper561764@bellsouth.net

[bobouz]

Now, the 330. Wow, what a fat neck.

Bob, these babies are not all necessarily cut of the same cloth.

 

When I purchased my 2012 natural, I had three to compare. This one stood out by a mile, both tonally and in playability. The fat neck on the first two did not work for me at all, but the one that came home has a noticeably slimmer profile and feels great in hand.

 

This was a guitar that felt so right, I simply could not leave the store without it. A year+ later, I'm still in awe of what a fine overall piece it is. Unquestionably, my desert island guitar.

 

Congrats on your new 330!