Help, what to look for in a used 1990's ES-335

[mikepukmel]

Hi All,

Im looking at a mid 1990's ES-335 for sale locally, have not seen it in person yet (will look this weekend). Im scouring blogs and such to find out what to look for, never owned one before. I found so far:

- look for crack near jack hole

- look for cracks or repairs on neck near body, and near or at headstock.

- look for problems with truss rod.

 

No idea how to look for problems with truss rod!

 

Should I ask the seller to maybe go through a luthier for the sale?

 

thought it was pricey at asking $2,200.00 but seems like that is mid price range.

 

What else to look for, besides straight neck, and 'playability'?

 

Thanks!

MP

[kidblast]

check the fret wear, move the strings away from the frets, especially the first 5 frets. would expect some fret wear but if you see real DEEP grooves, it may result in a few frets needing to be replaced.

 

if the neck is straight, all you can do with the truss rod is see if it turns smoothly, by making a very small adjustment, (if you have the tool for gibson trus rods, take it with you and a small phillips screw driver.)

 

ex: like 1/2 to the left (loosen it) then 1/2 back to where you started. you should feel it moving, and it should move relatively smoothly a few squeaks and creaks are not a sign of any issue tho as long as it seems to move, and it's not frozen in position.

 

if you can plug it in, check that both pickups work, select the neck pup, turn off the bridge pickup see that the toggle switch makes good contact and the volume control works reasonably well, then do the same with the bridge pickup, then check the blend (middle position)..

 

Then check the tone pots make sure they are active.

 

 

One thing to see if you're really cautious, if the seller will agree to an evaluation, (a few days after the transaction to have a luthier check it out, if he gives it a thumbs down, you can undo the deal and walk)

[mikepukmel]

Thanks Ray,I will take your advice.

Best,

Mike