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Which Epiphone 335???


Danydad

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Hi Folks!

Could anyone tell me which Epiphone 335 type is the most highly regarded; I have yearned for years for a lefty Ibanez AS200 (as played by Sco) but alas, I have never been able to get my hands on one!

My recent experience of an Epiphone Joe Pass has made me realize just how good the materials and craftmanship is on some of these guitars (if not the components!).

Cheer me up and point me in the right direction someone PLEASE!

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If you like Scofield's Ibanez, I'd start with a good condition (preferably Korean) Sheraton or Sheraton II. Similar finish level, semi hollowbody construction, humbucker pickups, electronics, neck, fingerboard, and sound. Used Korean IIs can be had for around $400 in the US, not sure about Europe.

sheratonII.jpgScofieldIbanez.jpg

 

However, Epiphone did at one point make a Byrdland Elitist, which is a much finer instrument, but would probably set you back as much as the Ibi, if you can even find one for sale:

ByrdlandElitist.jpg

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I think most people will point you to the Casino' date=' which comes in several different issues. [/quote']

The Casino isn't a 335-type instrument - it's a fully hollow body with P90s. A 335 has a mahogany centre block and humbuckers, so the Epiphone equivalents are the Dot, the Sheraton and the Riviera (arguably). "Best" option would be an Elitist model of any of these, the best "ordinary" one is often said to be the Sheraton. Depends on how you like your necks - the 90s Sheratons have very slender 5-piece necks, the Dots have thick and chunky necks.

I went a bit retro and put a Frequensator tailpiece on my Sheraton but it sounded pretty good in stock form.

4036164093_c2eb495af1.jpg

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Well, IF you want that same body shape, as the one you referrenced, the Ibanez,

then the Washburn HB-35 is identical, save the headstock shape, to the Ibanez.

They were (maybe still are?) made in the same factories.

 

Washburn HB-35

washburn_hb35_n.jpg

 

 

However, many have pointed you toward the Sheraton, and I have to agree. I have no

experience, with the Washburn, or the Ibanez, though. But, I do own a AUSA Sheraton II,

that is Terrific!! If differs from the standard Sheraton II, these days, in that it is identical

to the original "Kalamazoo" versions, and except of a bit different headstock, and a nitro

finish, identical to the Elitist, as well. (The Elitist has a poly finish, but very nice, and thinly

applied.) AUSA and Ellitist both have Mini-humbuckers, as opposed to the full sized versions,

on the standard issue Sheraton. So, in that regard, the standard would be closer, to the

tone capability, of the Ibanez or Washburn.

 

(My) AUSA Sheraton II

DSC_0235.jpg

 

 

Good Hunting...

 

CB

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The Casino isn't a 335-type instrument - it's a fully hollow body with P90s. A 335 has a mahogany centre block and humbuckers' date=' so the Epiphone equivalents are the Dot, the Sheraton and the Riviera (arguably). "Best" option would be an Elitist model of any of these, the best "ordinary" one is often said to be the Sheraton. Depends on how you like your necks - the 90s Sheratons have very slender 5-piece necks, the Dots have thick and chunky necks.

I went a bit retro and put a Frequensator tailpiece on my Sheraton but it sounded pretty good in stock form.

[img']http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2487/4036164093_c2eb495af1.jpg[/img]

can I ask why a riviera is arguably a 335 style gutiar?

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can I ask why a riviera is arguably a 335 style gutiar?

 

If we are talking a 335 Gibson as in a real 335 Gibson from back when there was only one, then we are talking 57s.

 

Riviera's if we are talking real Riviera's were Mini HB guitars and not 335 clones.

 

Epiphone/Gibson later made or had built many versions of the Riviera some with full size HB or Epiphone 57s so except for cosmetics could very well fall into the 335 clone or style guitar.

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That Washburn is really nice looking, 18:1 Gold Grovers and all.

 

$550-570 USD seems pretty fair for a new Ibi AS copycat (with case).

 

This guy gets 'em painted white, puts Duncans in, and adds the Feiten system:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180438212198&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WKI6&GUID=e4e24ca91160a0b583d3fc63ffe4318e&itemid=180438212198&ff4=263602_263622

 

Thanks for posting CB...

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No, I was just ignorant! I have even looked in my pickup cavities and seen pale wood, and it didn't even dawn on me then!

And to Max - I've seen 90s Rivieras which had centre blocks, full size humbuckers and stop tails, so I'd consider that a 335 equivalent - at least that's what I meant.

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