Buying advice

[Rabs]

This may sound a bit odd coming from me but I need some help here if anyone knows..

Basically, I really really want a 336.. Always been my dream guitar as such.. The thing is that as sods law dictates, Gibson have discontinued that model for now. Just typical, as I finally have a chance to get a guitar like that and cant find any over here..  Dont really want to order from the US as I have heard nightmare stories about import tax and stuff...

HOWEVER, I just found out about a 356 all new and its a few hours away.. Which looks amazing BUT one of the main things I liked about the 336 was the neck which is slim taper...  The one on the 356 is called a medium C...  The thing is while I have tried many necks in the past I am not sure quite how medium it is compared to slim taper....

So thats my question..  I have never got on with bigger necks.. 3/4 of the necks I have on my Les Pauls are slim taper and one is a slim asymmetrical neck all which are fine for me... Do you think a medium C maybe be too chunky?

I know I need to go play it really if I am spending that much but I just wonder if it will even be worth the four hour or so round trip  (assuming I am actually allowed to leave my area at the moment)...

[mihcmac]

I used to always get slim tapered necks, then I got a 56 LP Std Pro with a Chunky C Profile neck,  I found I have to work harder to play specially to get the high notes. So I thought ok this will be my workout guitar, then I noticed my notes were much more precise but still had difficulty with the really high notes. Then I got my new Epi 339 with a Rounded C Profile, but it seems to be much much easier specially the high notes, possibly because the 339 heel gives you better access with neck joining the body at about fret 19 or 20. Ok so now my new Wilshire enters with the same Rounded C Profile that joins the body at fret 22.  I don't even feel the heel when I am using fret 22, the neck feels like it doesn't change from one end to the other, it is really easy to play.

I think the Les Paul heel gets in the way making it very desirable to have a Slim Taper neck. The 335 356 336 339 neck/heel access is much different, its much more gentle, possibly a medium C in that style of guitar would be more comfortable to play..

I would play them first and see how you like them..    C might an improvement under the right conditions....

Edited December 5, 2020 by mihcmac

[Rabs]

13 minutes ago, mihcmac said:

I used to always get slim tapered necks, then I got a 56 LP Std Pro with a Chunky C Profile neck,  I found I have to work harder to play specially to get the high notes. So I thought ok this will be my workout guitar, then I noticed my notes were much more precise but still had difficulty with the really high notes. Then I got my new Epi 339 with a Rounded C Profile, but it seems to be much much easier specially the high notes, possibly because the 339 heel gives you better access with neck joining the body at about fret 19 or 20. Ok so now my new Wilshire enters with the same Rounded C Profile that joins the body at fret 22.  I don't even feel the heel when I am using fret 22, the neck feels like it doesn't change from one end to the other, it is really easy to play.

I think the Les Paul heel gets in the way making it very desirable to have a Slim Taper neck. The 335 356 336 339 neck/heel access is much different, its much more gentle, possibly a medium C in that style of guitar would be more comfortable to play..

I would play them first and see how you like them..    C might an improvement under the right conditions....

Cheer for that man...

Well I have played a few 336s in my time.. Each one was a completely stunning instrument in every way... So I know I like that neck as I do my other slim tapered guitars..  One of mine is a DC Special so I know about upper access..  The thing for me is on a fat neck its playing chords which is the issue, cramps my hand after a while. 

I had a Gary Moore BFG once and totally loved the guitar but it had a fat 50s neck and then some so I sold it in the end. If I had been making guitars at the time I probably would have kept it and just shaved the neck down myself.

So I know I dont like bigger necks.

A big part of me says to wait and see if Gibson produce any more 336s cos thats the one I really want BUT the GAS in me is itching bad...   🙂 and says to me that the 356 may be my last chance to get one... I mean look at this.

If I were to decide to get it I would of course have to go an try it.. But its a long way to go just to find out the neck is too big for me. Which is why  I ask on here.

[jaxson50]

Buy the damn thing, don't over think it. If they do reissue them you can sell this and get the other. 

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Edited December 5, 2020 by jaxson50

[Rabs]

4 minutes ago, jaxson50 said:

Buy the damn thing, don't over think it. If they do reissue them you can sell this and get the other. 

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

At the moment there is a fairly large chance I will  🙂  Wont be for a few days till I can sort it but I may call them and put a deposit down over the weekend... There really arent many of this model about (and even less 336s).  I do love the block inlays too BUT I may have to swap the hardware for chrome to make it perfect for me.

[jaxson50]

It is a sweet looking guitar,  Best of luck what ever you decide. 

[SteveFord]

I would think a Medium C would be fairly stout but not unreasonable.

As long as it's not Richlite I'd so go for it.

[merciful-evans]

I am not fond of baseball bat necks either, but I have all sorts. I used a very slim necked guitar almost exclusively for many years.

What I would advise though when trying out, is play it for some time. Its easy to just decide its 'not for me' because its unfamiliar. I find this swapping between the TC-90 I just bought (slim) and the more familiar other 'Tele' (soft V medium). I know the 'Tele' is fine for me. Its the nicest neck I've ever found, but for a brief moment it feels too big when changing over to it.

Gibson specs describe my 339 as 'C profile' and 'rounded' for the Less+. Neither description is very helpful, but I would describe the 339 neck as being 'slightly slim' from a personal perspective.

I've never played a 356 or 336, but a couple of similar models (whatever the full hollowbody one is). The Epi version (Casino Coupe) is very chunky. 

Good luck if you decide to take the trip. Myself, I like that gold hardware.👌

[uncle fester]

Rabs - I'd say it's worth the drive, but if your really perspickity about your neck - I'd be ready to walk away if it doesn't feel right.  There' a responsibility on you though to make sure the money you were going to put towards it is available in the future towards a guitar you would mesh with.  So maybe as Jax50 says - a bird in hand....

[rct]

I share your love of the 336, I remember the first one I ever played up in New York at one of the stores there.  It was a great guitar, I just never scratched up the money to buy one.  I thought they stopped making them long ago.

As for your current dilemma, I would definitely make a long round trip for that guitar, even if I ended up not buying it would have been worth it to be sure.

Good luck.

rct

[Pinch]

I would think medium C is okay. The C shape is usually more forgiving than the D shape, at least (I don't like overly thick necks either). 

[Larsongs]

After being in lockdown mode for almost a year I'd like to take a 4 hour drive just to have an adventure! If the Guitar is great I'd buy it. If it isn't at least I had a road trip! 

[Rabs]

5 hours ago, SteveFord said:

I would think a Medium C would be fairly stout but not unreasonable.

As long as it's not Richlite I'd so go for it.

Yes that is a question too..  Gibson site has them listed as Richlite but the web site the guitar is on says its Ebony..

I think I would be ok with Richlite though.. Thats not the deal breaker..

It has been a long time since I tried one but my past experience with big necks is after 10 mins or so I get a cramp in my fretting hand.

[Rabs]

3 hours ago, uncle fester said:

Rabs - I'd say it's worth the drive, but if your really perspickity about your neck - I'd be ready to walk away if it doesn't feel right.  There' a responsibility on you though to make sure the money you were going to put towards it is available in the future towards a guitar you would mesh with.  So maybe as Jax50 says - a bird in hand....

Yeah I probably will have too... And yes, if not this one I will hopefully be able to put that money aside for a future purchase I can jump on...  

[Rabs]

1 hour ago, rct said:

I share your love of the 336, I remember the first one I ever played up in New York at one of the stores there.  It was a great guitar, I just never scratched up the money to buy one.  I thought they stopped making them long ago.

As for your current dilemma, I would definitely make a long round trip for that guitar, even if I ended up not buying it would have been worth it to be sure.

Good luck.

rct

Yes..  I first played one about a decade ago and it was just a revelation on how nice a guitar can be but was always way out of my price range. It was so good I would actually buy one without playing it first, thats how sure I am its the right guitar for me.

The 356 however... If it were also listed as slim taper I would not be questioning it at all but this is a lot of cash to lay out for something that may not quite be right for me.

I have decided at the moment to wait till Tuesday when I am sorting out stuff at the bank..  If its still there when all that is done I am probably gonna go for it 🙂 

 

[Rabs]

1 hour ago, Larsongs said:

After being in lockdown mode for almost a year I'd like to take a 4 hour drive just to have an adventure! If the Guitar is great I'd buy it. If it isn't at least I had a road trip! 

Yes this is also true...  The only issue being which tier each county is in at any given time and can change at any given moment  🙂  Fun fun 

I have stopped work for now too so to say I am bored is an understatement. All I do is go between here and my mums to help look after her and go shopping for food. So it would be a nice day out.

[mihcmac]

12 hours ago, Rabs said:

Cheer for that man...

Well I have played a few 336s in my time.. Each one was a completely stunning instrument in every way... So I know I like that neck as I do my other slim tapered guitars..  One of mine is a DC Special so I know about upper access..  The thing for me is on a fat neck its playing chords which is the issue, cramps my hand after a while. 

I had a Gary Moore BFG once and totally loved the guitar but it had a fat 50s neck and then some so I sold it in the end. If I had been making guitars at the time I probably would have kept it and just shaved the neck down myself.

So I know I dont like bigger necks.

A big part of me says to wait and see if Gibson produce any more 336s cos thats the one I really want BUT the GAS in me is itching bad...   🙂 and says to me that the 356 may be my last chance to get one... I mean look at this.

If I were to decide to get it I would of course have to go an try it.. But its a long way to go just to find out the neck is too big for me. Which is why  I ask on here.

 

Hmm, taking a long drive in your "New Car" to see a "CS-336" sounds more like an "Adventure" than inconvenience. I took an hour drive up the twisty roads of the Hamakua Coast in my FRS to see an Ibanez, that I later rebuilt, in my case it wasn't about the guitar it was about the drive.

But buying an inexpensive Ibanez does not compare to investing in a CS-336... 🙂

 

[rct]

1 hour ago, Rabs said:

Yes..  I first played one about a decade ago and it was just a revelation on how nice a guitar can be but was always way out of my price range. It was so good I would actually buy one without playing it first, thats how sure I am its the right guitar for me.

The 356 however... If it were also listed as slim taper I would not be questioning it at all but this is a lot of cash to lay out for something that may not quite be right for me.

I have decided at the moment to wait till Tuesday when I am sorting out stuff at the bank.  Gringotts.  If its still there when all that is done I am probably gonna go for it 🙂 

 

 

Fixed it.

Good luck Rabs!

rct

[Rabs]

3 minutes ago, rct said:

 

Fixed it.

Good luck Rabs!

rct

[Rabs]

18 minutes ago, mihcmac said:

 

Hmm, taking a long drive in your "New Car" to see a "CS-336" sounds more like an "Adventure" than inconvenience. I took an hour drive up the twisty roads of the Hamakua Coast in my FRS to see an Ibanez, that I later rebuilt, in my case it wasn't about the guitar it was about the drive.

But buying an inexpensive Ibanez does not compare to investing in a CS-336... 🙂

 

356...   If it would have been a 336 I would not have had to post anything but a NGD   🙂

But yes, I do wanna give my car a good run anyway.....

So maybe this week will be my first NGD post in like 9 years or so... And if its everything I remember it may be my last ever guitar purchase.

Its a shame Slash likes fat necks.. Theres some really nice Slash LPs out at the moment that I would love to buy but I have played some of his sig models before, all had HUGE necks. I may try one while I am down there anyway just because.

[mihcmac]

24 minutes ago, Rabs said:

356...   If it would have been a 336 I would not have had to post anything but a NGD   🙂

But yes, I do wanna give my car a good run anyway.....

So maybe this week will be my first NGD post in like 9 years or so... And if its everything I remember it may be my last ever guitar purchase.

Its a shame Slash likes fat necks.. Theres some really nice Slash LPs out at the moment that I would love to buy but I have played some of his sig models before, all had HUGE necks. I may try one while I am down there anyway just because.

Well looks like once again I got it Bass Ackwards, but you decoded it  correctly. 🙂

Interesting the Gibson Slash Pauls have 50's style C's and the Epiphone Slash Pauls have Slash D's...

Edited December 5, 2020 by mihcmac

[brad1]

Well, I usually give advice for free Rabs. But if you really want to buy some advice I will certainly sell it to you.  😃

Good luck with your decision my friend. We will be waiting patiently to hear of the outcome. 

[jdgm]

Hmmm....

It won't be like a BFG....where's that diagram of the different curves?   I would say Medium C is about the next thing up from slim taper.  The board of a CS356 is richlite.

https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=gibson+neck+profiles&client=firefox-b-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih-OvW8bftAhUCYcAKHUu1CqMQjJkEegQIAxAB&biw=1920&bih=1086

An f-hole semi sometimes seems a bit unwieldy but these have smaller bodies don't they? 

ES's can  really sing if cranked up.  You need to play the blues.   But I'd probably hold out for the right 336.....although....I've just put in a bid on this but  - I don't expect to win -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-Gibson-ES-330-Humbucker-With-Factory-Bigsby-ES335/264965107508?hash=item3db126af34:g:BycAAOSwMJZflZi0

More than nice.  I'll let you know but think it will go for well over £2k.  Dammit.

How much have you got?   How about this Lucille   it would appreciate....the guy might take an offer too, look at the heel 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Lucille-ES-355-with-Ebony-Fingerboard/174529406353?hash=item28a2c36591:g:4zcAAOSwPlJe~u35

Best wishes, hope all is well. 

Edited December 5, 2020 by jdgm

[SteveFord]

The Lucille has a big neck for BB's big hands.

You get used to it but it's sizeable.

 

Good luck with the 330L, they don't seem to come up for sale too often.

 

Edited December 5, 2020 by SteveFord

[Rabs]

4 minutes ago, jdgm said:

Hmmm....

An f-hole semi sometimes seems a bit unwieldy but these have smaller bodies don't they? 

How much have you got?   How about this Lucille   it would appreciate....the guy might take an offer too, look at the heel 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Lucille-ES-355-with-Ebony-Fingerboard/174529406353?hash=item28a2c36591:g:4zcAAOSwPlJe~u35

Best wishes, hope all is well. 

Cheers man..  Thats a nice looking guitar..

If I wanted a 335 size or equivalent then it wouldnt be an issue, theres plenty of them about but I dont like the big bodies. And yes the 336 is a smaller sized body and the 356 is the same thing but with more custom appointments like the binding and headstock binding, gold hardware and block inlays.. Stuff like that. From what I know they are limited edition.

So the thing is Gibson say they wont change their lineups any more and the 336 is gone for now.. Who knows if they will make more or not (Gibson certainly wont tell me that).. So yes I could wait but this could also possibly be my last chance to get one... I have  a feeling the neck will be ok and thats my main concern..