ES 335 Epiphone vs. Gibson

[Pinch]

One thing: always try before you buy, and try several. Same settings aso. 

And you're getting what you pay for. I would have loved it if Epi LPs were as good as Gibsons, but the difference is... The Gibsons sound better. Epis are good (when they get the fretwork right) - they are - but Gibsons are great. 

There's no other brand I know of that will get you the Gibson sound. That's just the way it is. 

[Larsongs]

Epi’s are great Guitars for the money.. In my experience the MIK & MIC are extremely well made. Of course they use less expensive everything! You can’t expect a $400-$500 Guitar to have the same Pickups, Electronics etc. as a $4000-$5000 Guitar.. Still they do a consistently outstanding job re; QC.. And the Guitars play & sound good.. Particularly the Inspired by Series of Epi’s… Which in some cases do have Gibson USA Pickups, Electronics & Switchcraft…. Some of them are Excellent Guitars at any Price!

Still if you want the best 335 get a Gibson.. Because they do use better Materials, Pickups, Electronics etc.. Unfortunately, not always the consistently outstanding QC though… 

I have several Epi’s & Gibson’s.. I have no issues Playing, Gigging & Recording with any of them… They all do an excellent job for me…

[Pinch]

19 minutes ago, Larsongs said:

Epi’s are great Guitars for the money.. In my experience the MIK & MIC are extremely well made. Of course they use less expensive everything! You can’t expect a $400-$500 Guitar to have the same Pickups, Electronics etc. as a $4000-$5000 Guitar.. Still they do a consistently outstanding job re; QC.. And the Guitars play & sound good.. Particularly the Inspired by Series of Epi’s… Which in some cases do have Gibson USA Pickups, Electronics & Switchcraft…. Some of them are Excellent Guitars at any Price!

Still if you want the best 335 get a Gibson.. Because they do use better Materials, Pickups, Electronics etc.. Unfortunately, not always the consistently outstanding QC though… 

I have several Epi’s & Gibson’s.. I have no issues Playing, Gigging & Recording with any of them… They all do an excellent job for me…

The one thing they have to do is look over the fretwork. About a year ago, I played a few new ones and it was hit and miss. Get that sorted and we're golden. 

I don't expect pleking but that Slash one would need a luthier immediately. 

Of course, it could be the luck of the draw. 

Edited June 24, 2023 by Pinch

[Sgt. Pepper]

20 minutes ago, Larsongs said:

Epi’s are great Guitars for the money.. In my experience the MIK & MIC are extremely well made. Of course they use less expensive everything! You can’t expect a $400-$500 Guitar to have the same Pickups, Electronics etc. as a $4000-$5000 Guitar.. Still they do a consistently outstanding job re; QC.. And the Guitars play & sound good.. Particularly the Inspired by Series of Epi’s… Which in some cases do have Gibson USA Pickups, Electronics & Switchcraft…. Some of them are Excellent Guitars at any Price!

Still if you want the best 335 get a Gibson.. Because they do use better Materials, Pickups, Electronics etc.. Unfortunately, not always the consistently outstanding QC though… 

I have several Epi’s & Gibson’s.. I have no issues Playing, Gigging & Recording with any of them… They all do an excellent job for me…

My buddy has several guitars and basses and he said if his house was on fire and he could only grab one of his guitars it would be his Heritage ES-335 clone. He's got Martins, Gibsons, Fenders's, G&L's and one Deusenberg. All American made stuff except the Dues, which is German. 

Edited June 24, 2023 by Sgt. Pepper

[Larsongs]

1 hour ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

My buddy has several guitars and basses and he said if his house was on fire and he could only grab one of his guitars it would be his Heritage ES-335 clone. He's got Martins, Gibsons, Fenders's, G&L's and one Deusenberg. All American made stuff except the Dues, which is German. 

I’ve played many Heritage Guitars & they are every bit the Gibson & the Gibson sound  & in some cases more Gibson than Gibson… I would have no problem owning one & probably will…

[Larsongs]

8 hours ago, Pinch said:

The one thing they have to do is look over the fretwork. About a year ago, I played a few new ones and it was hit and miss. Get that sorted and we're golden. 

I don't expect pleking but that Slash one would need a luthier immediately. 

Of course, it could be the luck of the draw. 

They’re not going to Plek $400-$500 Guitars…. They don’t even Plek a lot of USA Guitars costing much more..

Edited June 24, 2023 by Larsongs

[Pinch]

14 hours ago, Larsongs said:

They’re not going to Plek $400-$500 Guitars…. They don’t even Plek a lot of USA Guitars costing much more..

I know, that's why I said that I didn't expect them to. 

[Larsongs]

Of all the new Inspired by Gibson models this Epiphone 335 appears to be the only one that has the only I see that has Gibson USA Pickups, Switchcraft, upgraded Pots, Caps & other high quality features.. I’d be checking this one out!

link.. https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/Joe-Bonamassa-1962-ES-335/Sixties-Cherry

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 hour ago, Larsongs said:

Of all the new Inspired by Gibson models this Epiphone 335 appears to be the only one that has the only I see that has Gibson USA Pickups, Switchcraft, upgraded Pots, Caps & other high quality features.. I’d be checking this one out!

link.. https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/Joe-Bonamassa-1962-ES-335/Sixties-Cherry

Or you could buy an Epi and do all the upgrades you need. Joe will put his name on dog poo if it makes him a buck. Him and Slash must be in some competition for who has the most sig models from Gibson and Epi.

2 pups

4 pots

2 caps

1 jack

1 switch

6 tuners 

What is that about 3 - 5 hundred worth of stuff you need, depending on how Gucci you get. Its been a long time since I bought all that stuff.

Edited June 25, 2023 by Sgt. Pepper

[merciful-evans]

16 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

Or you could buy an Epi and do all the upgrades you need. Joe will put his name on dog poo it it makes him a buck. Him and Slash must be in some competition for who has the most sig models from Gibson and Epi.

2 pups

4 pots

2 caps

1 jack

1 switch

6 tuners 

What is that about 3 - 5 hundred worth of stuff you need, depending on how Gucci you get. Its been a long time since I bought all that stuff.

Yes and lots of us have done just that. I went OTT with the Squier Esprit and spent more money on upgrades than the purchase cost of the guitar. Its a MIK build with MIJ bridge, USA electrics, UK pickups and German tuners. 

That JB Epi should be cheaper than modding it yourself. (Like the Epi Tribute Plus LP) If it isn't, its not a good deal. 

[G Stone]

On 6/21/2023 at 9:54 PM, Sheepdog1969 said:

After visiting the Gibson factory in Memphis a few years ago, I have had a longing for an ES 335. The only thing slowing me down was the price tag associated with the Gibson. However, a few days ago I read an article about the Epiphone ES 335 being a great value, and how it produces tones on par with the Gibson version. Being an old "Gibson guy", I found that hard to believe. New Epiphone ES 335's, (vintage sunburst specifically), list at $599.00 @ Sweetwater, Guitar Center, etc., and that price is very affordable. Can anyone let me know, from personal experience, if I should invest in the Epiphone ES 335? The nearest Guitar Center is just under an hour away, and I won't waste a trip to "try out" the Epiphone if it is not comparable to the Gibson.   Let me know.

I tried a few Epiphone and Gibson ESs in a store recently. The Epiphones were pretty good, but the Gibsons sounded much better. I liked the feel of the neck better on the Gibsons and both the neck and bodies vibrated and resonated better than the Epiphones.

The Plek'd frets on the Gibsons were just so smooth and played so much better than the fretwork on the Epiphones.

The Gibsons had nice rosewood fretboards and I wasn't that crazy about the feel a the Indian laurel fretboards on the Epiphones. The Epiphones' shiny poly finish felt sticky compared to the nitro finish on the Gibsons.

P.S. As @Sgt. Pepper says, the Heritages are great guitars and pretty much as good or in some cases better than a Gibson. I got a H-535 (Heritage's version of the ES335) and I love it.

Edited June 25, 2023 by G Stone

[Larsongs]

You didn’t add the labor cost which would be required for most of us on a Semi Hollow Body ES..

If you negotiate 20% off which is pretty normal it be much less expensive.. BTW, who cares if it says JB or whoever if it’s a great Guitar? You can put your own name on it! About $1100.00  with a Hard Case. No Brainer for a Gibson USA equipped Epi ES.. No Parts & Labor required!

 

 

Edited June 26, 2023 by Larsongs

[Narwhal6]

On 6/25/2023 at 6:05 PM, Larsongs said:

You didn’t add the labor cost which would be required for most of us on a Semi Hollow Body ES..

If you negotiate 20% off which is pretty normal it be much less expensive.. BTW, who cares if it says JB or whoever if it’s a great Guitar? You can put your own name on it! About $1100.00  with a Hard Case. No Brainer for a Gibson USA equipped Epi ES.. No Parts & Labor required!

 

 

I care........ signature models devalue an instrument in my eye. Especially if it's some YouTube sensation twit like Bonamassa (apologies to any fans of his).

I  just don't understand the signature model allure.

[Retired]

While nobody can tell you exactly what you should do, I thought I would never buy a Ephiphone. My first was a Standard and I was shocked how well it played and looked. My next one was a Casino and now I have 3. I have never had a problem with any. To me, If, I can afford the Gibson, Gibson it is. If not? Then why not Epiphone?  We can't all be Warren Buffet. 

[Larsongs]

4 hours ago, Narwhal6 said:

I care........ signature models devalue an instrument in my eye. Especially if it's some YouTube sensation twit like Bonamassa (apologies to any fans of his).

I  just don't understand the signature model allure.

The allure for that Guitar is its Gibson USA Content.. USA Gibson Pickups, USA Switchcraft, upgraded USA Caps & Pots & other higher quality upgrades making it an outstanding Guitar & Value… The allure has nothing to do with Joe Bonamesa…

[Pinch]

On 6/26/2023 at 12:05 AM, Larsongs said:

You didn’t add the labor cost which would be required for most of us on a Semi Hollow Body ES..

If you negotiate 20% off which is pretty normal it be much less expensive.. BTW, who cares if it says JB or whoever if it’s a great Guitar? You can put your own name on it! About $1100.00  with a Hard Case. No Brainer for a Gibson USA equipped Epi ES.. No Parts & Labor required!

 

 

I've grown to like Trogly. Not much of a player, and I'm being generous here, but man, does he ever go over everything with a fine-tooth comb

[the other side]

Hey man, give that Epi a play! Don't forget there's amp it has to go through, that's gonna have a lot to do with it too! You can take that thing anywhere with you and not have to look over your shoulder all the time and not worry  about the environmental factors, cold, heat, humidity, where mosquitos grow, bug repellents etc..... and not to speak of theives if your in that environment. Too  people don't care what brand of guitar you play, he'll, they don't know anything about a guitar anyway unless your a musician and we don't care! But what the people do care about, is the songs you play they can relate to. Those folks wanna hear you sing/play something! Personally, I had a used Gibson 335 in the early 80's once and never cared for the sound of it anyway because of the hummbucker pick ups on it and could never get a clean crisp sound out of like a fender. I didn't know much of anything about guitars back then either. Last, if you don't give it a try, you'll always wonder about it! Try it through different amps too. Personally I don't care for Pevey amps at all unless that's all that's availeable or in the $$$$ range. I'm more of an acoustic man anyway.

Edited June 27, 2023 by the other side
Added a sentence.

[merciful-evans]

One minor thing that's never taken into account with these comparisons is the OHSC. The Gibson ones cost about £200 in the uk. An Epi ES-335 costs around £600 and you wont get a case with the Epi. 

 

[Retired]

On 6/27/2023 at 10:57 AM, merciful-evans said:

One minor thing that's never taken into account with these comparisons is the OHSC. The Gibson ones cost about £200 in the uk. An Epi ES-335 costs around £600 and you wont get a case with the Epi. 

 

Thats one thing that has bothered me. NO CASE. My son bought a custom Ephi, for $900 & some with no case. Just not right. 

[Sheepdog1969]

On 6/25/2023 at 11:21 AM, Larsongs said:

Of all the new Inspired by Gibson models this Epiphone 335 appears to be the only one that has the only I see that has Gibson USA Pickups, Switchcraft, upgraded Pots, Caps & other high quality features.. I’d be checking this one out!

link.. https://www.epiphone.com/en-US/Electric-Guitar/Joe-Bonamassa-1962-ES-335/Sixties-Cherry

Funny you mentioned the "Inspired by Gibson" Epi 335. THIS is the guitar featured in the article I referred to in my original post, but I failed to mention it because I was ignorant about it being "different" than an Epi 335. I HAD heard of the "Pro" Epi 335, and that originally was going to be the Epi I wanted to compare to the Gibby. Sadly, I am still looking for a store nearby (with-in an hour of me), that has one "in stock" for me to play/try. You just outlined, with far better clarity, why I wanted to look into the Epi 335 Inspired by Gibson. Thanks again!!

[Larsongs]

25 minutes ago, Sheepdog1969 said:

Funny you mentioned the "Inspired by Gibson" Epi 335. THIS is the guitar featured in the article I referred to in my original post, but I failed to mention it because I was ignorant about it being "different" than an Epi 335. I HAD heard of the "Pro" Epi 335, and that originally was going to be the Epi I wanted to compare to the Gibby. Sadly, I am still looking for a store nearby (with-in an hour of me), that has one "in stock" for me to play/try. You just outlined, with far better clarity, why I wanted to look into the Epi 335 Inspired by Gibson. Thanks again!!

If you can’t find one in a Store you can always negotiate a deal online with Sweetwater, or one of the other online Stores, buy it, try it out & if it isn’t what you want most Online Stores have no hassle 45 day Return or Exchange policies..

I played one a few years ago at NAMM & really liked it a lot & almost bought one but decided on a new USA Epi Casino… I’d still like to have one of those Epi JB 335’s though… They were limited production of 2000.. Therecare still a few new ones but not many.. Used ones are going for about the same as new.. 

I’ve owned & own Epi 335, Casino’s & Gibson a ES335.. All but one of the Epi’s had USA Pickups, Switchcraft & other Gibson USA Upgrades. They are all exceptionally good Guitars.. My Gibson ES335 is better as is my USA Epi Casino.. But, not miles & miles…. I play all of them for Gigs & Recording…

Edited June 30, 2023 by Larsongs

[Sheepdog1969]

On 6/27/2023 at 10:40 AM, the other side said:

Hey man, give that Epi a play! Don't forget there's amp it has to go through, that's gonna have a lot to do with it too! You can take that thing anywhere with you and not have to look over your shoulder all the time and not worry  about the environmental factors, cold, heat, humidity, where mosquitos grow, bug repellents etc..... and not to speak of theives if your in that environment. Too  people don't care what brand of guitar you play, he'll, they don't know anything about a guitar anyway unless your a musician and we don't care! But what the people do care about, is the songs you play they can relate to. Those folks wanna hear you sing/play something! Personally, I had a used Gibson 335 in the early 80's once and never cared for the sound of it anyway because of the hummbucker pick ups on it and could never get a clean crisp sound out of like a fender. I didn't know much of anything about guitars back then either. Last, if you don't give it a try, you'll always wonder about it! Try it through different amps too. Personally I don't care for Pevey amps at all unless that's all that's availeable or in the $$$$ range. I'm more of an acoustic man anyway.

First, thank you for your thoughtful reply. (and thanks to everyone else who has taken the time to reply with so much useful insight and information). 

Secondly, I learned long ago that there is ALWAYS a "unicorn" in nearly every "brand/makers" product list. (an item that far outshines it's perceived/expected potential, either due to dumb luck, a confluence of events, or what ever) Some times seemingly "cheap" instruments sound/play phenomenally, and conversely, sometimes expensive instruments sound/play horribly. (Never judge a book by it's cover!) I remember making an offhand, ignorant, and "Gibson Elitist" comment about a friend of a friend's G&L Legacy (strat), implying that he "must not be able to afford a real strat or a LP."  Boy did I get an earful, and deservedly so. (that G&L sounded/played so well that I ended up buying it when the owner chose to pare down his collection.)

Third, I am a Marshall guy (primarily), so I find it easy to test out any guitar purchase on/thru gear like mine. Tone is subjective, but the tone produced by a "new" guitar at the store better match what your personal "rig" makes.

[Sgt. Pepper]

1 hour ago, Fish Crumpet said:

For those who bemoan its Chinese origin, look at your phone.

As a guitar player, I don't play my phone. I text on it, and don't answer it unless it is someone I know.

If you buy and play guitars from Korea or China that is your personal choice. Mine won't be. That's me. You do you and do what your paycheck can handle.

[Sgt. Pepper]

10 minutes ago, Sgt. Pepper said:

As a guitar player, I don't play my phone. I text on it, and don't answer it unless it is someone I know.

If you buy and play guitars from Korea or China that is your personal choice. Mine won't be. That's me. You do you and do what your paycheck can handle.

Once again. Dear Confused, what are you confused about? 

Edited June 30, 2023 by Sgt. Pepper

[Sgt. Pepper]

52 minutes ago, Fish Crumpet said:

Happy to note that this forum is still all about you.  "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose."

It’s not, but at least I use words and explain my thoughts. Some here can only manage to post a fun face to describe stuff. 
 

Hey I listen to Rush too. Does that confuse you? Took 2 years of French in HS too, so I do know the phrase. 
 

Thanks for letting us know where are phones are made.