powerwagonjohn Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 I have a Gibson L-4CES built in the Nashville Custom Shop and it is a beautiful guitar with great build quality. I have been thinking of getting a ES335/355 style guitar. From what I understand most are built at the Memphis Custom Shop except for the Historic reissues which are built at the Nashville Custom Shop. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am looking for opinions concerning the build quality of the different custom shop guitars. There is a definitely price difference. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 You are correct on which ES 335 models are built in Nashville. As far as I can tell--I own a Nashville Historic '59 ES 335--the price difference is a good indication of the quality difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 All the bodies start life in Memphis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 All the bodies start life in Memphis. Â The body is only the container into which the soul is poured. I'm just impressed with my Nashville Historic, especially after trying a bunch of Memphis guitars first. Maybe I'm only trying to justify the extra money I spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerwagonjohn Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Is it just the bodies or the bodies and necks that start in Memphis? Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enmitygauged Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 Is it just the bodies or the bodies and necks that start in Memphis? Thanks John  From what I have been told by Gibson that the Bodies start in Memphis. That the Machines are the same. the staff are even sometimes the same and the quality the same the only difference is the rarity. True Customs will be in a short build length with few made. The Production line ones are still made by Custom shop staff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 From what I have been told by Gibson that the Bodies start in Memphis. That the Machines are the same. the staff are even sometimes the same and the quality the same the only difference is the rarity. Â I hope you get a paycheck for spouting this propaganda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerwagonjohn Posted June 23, 2011 Author Share Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks for the great comments on this thread and the one on Historic ES Custom Shop guitars. I am sure the confusion is intentional. I will take all the information I can and sort it out later, just like the news media. The truth is out there!! I hope that is not too political. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinh Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 I just received my Memphis ES-335 in Heritage cherry sunburst last night. The build quality appears excellent, with none of the issues I was seeing from the Nasville production line a few years ago (such as file marks on the binding and poor finish quality on the top next to the fingerboard extension).There a re a couple of tiny spots of red overspray on the binding of the neck heel, but these are not normally visible. Â The Subject of Memphis "production custom" versus Nashville "custom shop" excites a lot of strong emotions on this board, mostly from the pro-Nasville faction. It is my understanding that all 335 "raw" body manufacturing and possibly raw neck manufacture is done in Memphis, but "custom shop" assembly on the specialist models is then done in Nashville using these raw parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR9 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 From what I have been told by Gibson that the Bodies start in Memphis. That the Machines are the same. the staff are even sometimes the same and the quality the same the only difference is the rarity. True Customs will be in a short build length with few made. The Production line ones are still made by Custom shop staff. Â Red Lobster and Long John Silvers have the same equipment, sometimes the same employees and meet the same regulated quality but the food sure is better at Red Lobster! Â John it is kind of like looking at a Chevy and a Cadillac, or should that be powerwagon vs a D100.. Memphis is good, and I have owned some, but there are years more experience in Nashville and given the choice, I would rather have a Historic ES built in Nashville. Along that same thinking, I would rather have a Les Paul built in the Custom Shop over one built in the USA plant. Nothing wrong with USA or Memphis, just my choice. In the case of USA vs Custom, there is a lot more hands-on work and individual time on each guitar at Custom. Both Memphis and Nashville Custom Shop work under the same management. Yes the Nashville ES guitars are more rare because less are made and the Historic line uses a better or more hand picked quality of wood. This may or may not show up in the tone or playability but it does in the price. The build quality from both places should be the same but the starting woods may not. It would be best for you to play both side by side at a dealer to help answer it in your own mind. I have no problem buying from either shop. Â Good luck on your search for the right one for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enmitygauged Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I hope you get a paycheck for spouting this propaganda. Â No pay check just what I've been told by gibson themselves. I have owned a VOS ES335 from Nashville and I still own a Es335 from Memphis. As I said I still own the Memphis. The VOS had paint runs and file marks the Memphis is perfect. You can never say what is going to be better. Most people dont know all White LP customs Vintage, made to order or otherwise all come out of the Memphis shop. Badged in full as a custom shop Gibson, Identical to care taken on a Billy Gibbons. Â Again its just the historic s that get higher prices for their rarity. Same shop equipment same people where do you think the Memphis people were trained. Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
71Darkhorse Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Hey! I've owned a 1995 U.S.A LP standard and currently have a 2007 Custom Shop 59 LP standard (VOS finish). I can tell you unequivocally that they were like comparing chalk and cheese. The custom shop version was lighter, feels nicer to play and sounds better. It was louder and more resonant even unplugged. There's a good chance that they might have bridged the gap between U.S.A. made and custom ship versions since then though. I haven't played a later model U.S.A. LP standard to comment. I've just bought a Nashville 59 reissue ES 335 and absolutely love it. I also have a 2007 ES 355 with bigsby too . I certainly wouldn't complain about the build quality of my Memphis made 355, it's really very good. However, i definately prefer the Nashville 335 because it's allot lighter and sings in tones which are VERY differant to the 355. They must have differant pick ups installed at the factory? The 335 has a fundamental vintage tone with a far more diverse palette of tones to choose from. The ES 335 range is convoluted to say the least and you've really gotta research to find the differance in specs. From what i've learnt, the Nashville has a solid centre block with no cavity. The closest Memphis made version has some sort of cavity in the centre block i believe. All the other differances seem cosmetic only. All ES 335 bodies are made in Memphis because that plant is big enough to house all the old machinery and forms. The Custom Shop versions have their necks fashioned in Nashville as well as assembly. I'm also led to believe that the skill level of Nashville workers is higher. It's said that Nashville versions contain better wood selection, but i can't be sure of that. Maybe, maybe not. As to whether Nsshville versions are better than their Memphis counterparts, i can't be sure. I'd say the principle of 'depreciating rate of return' certainly applies to Nashville guitars. That is, you pay allot more for incremental improvements in product. Don't bank on investment value of the Nashville made 'limited run' ES 335's either. At the price point which you purchase these things, your buying demograghic thins out allot. Good luck trying to sell a guitar which you purchased new and paid $4,500.00 today for $5,500.00 in two years. Especially when you'll be able to buy one made in Memphis with almost the same specs for about $3,500.00 at that time. Here's another side note on the 'limited run' creating scarcity . . . . . . there was supposed to be 250 Nashville made versions in each of the three colors (sunburst, cherry and natural). I've just bought an ebony VOS version which was ordered by a boutique guitar store. Apparently it's one of three made in that finish . . . so far!There are stores who can order whatever they like from the custom shop at quantities limited only to what they can sell. So . . . . if you're a die hard vintage origional spec enthusiast / collector and can afford the Nsshville version, then go for it. It certainly is nice. However, if spending the extra is going to disadvantage you in terms of other financial opportunity i reckon that you'll find a good Memphis made version with very similar specs. Hope that helps What a sermon that was!!! cheers Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerwagonjohn Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 I know I was stirring things up a bit with the question but the responses have been great and has given me lots to ponder. And a great analogy CR9! I am not prejudiced either way and will let the guitars speak for themselves but I do prefer the Imperials! As I have said before I am thrilled with my Nashville built L-4CES and a few weeks ago I was playing a ES355 which I assume was made in Memphis [i didn't look at the orange sticker]. I can still remember how nice that guitar played and sounded acoustically, I never even plugged it in. I will be down at Dave's Guitar in Lacrosse Wi over the week of the 4th and I will get a chance to play quite a few different guitars. I will see what impresses me. I am also considering a Guild Starfire. There I go stirring thing up again. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR9 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 John, say "hi" to Dave for me when you are there. Ask Dave the same question but let the guitars speak to you. Pick out the Hemi among them. (As a side note, I spent my Jr. High years (Mid 60's) in southwest Utah and our neighbors had an old Powerwagon the we ran around the mountains in. That thing would climb a wall. I am a big Mopar fan) Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerwagonjohn Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Dan, I will say hello to Dave for you. I love going to that place and always plan on a few hours or as long as the wife can take it. I will bring her upstairs and show her that 7 guitars are not outrageous. Yes the Power Wagon are pretty cool trucks and most people from out west have at least one story about one. After 30 years of working on them and driving them I have come to realise it's the people I meet that is half the fun. Same with guitars you know, like this group here! Have a nice week every one! Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 Where's Murph when you need him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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