johnny_uk Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Hi Guys I need some serious advice. I have just seen a Gibson ES 335 1995 Sunburst, made in the Nashville plant. In the past it has had a neck repair. It looks like dowels were inserted at the peghead end to re-enforce it. The serial and Made in USA are still visible on the headstock + the serial matches the sticker in the soundhole. It plays beautifully and I have been offered it for next to nothing. Any advice on guitars that have had a neck repair? This is what the guy has said "Serial number 922053xx and it matches the label in the f-hole. Made in USA is visable. The repair is really tidy with no over-spray. I bought the guitar about 6 months ago, I got it from a guy who was a jazz musician who was retiring, he bought it from a fellow musician from the States who'd had the neck repair done. So I personally don't know who did the repair. It is totally solid and hasn't caused me any problems at all. The truss rod say Standard, which I assume would have come from a Les Paul? I had it professionally set up recently and the intonation is fine. There are no major issues - except the neck repair - to speak of, it's a soild 335 that'll go on forever The only issue is it's had a neck repair at some point - if you look closely at the pics you can see where the luthier has inserted dowels to strengthen the headstock. Some say a guitar that has had a neck repair is stronger than ones that haven't!? " What do you think?? Thanks Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyF Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 "For next to nothing"??? If it plays well, you like it and the price is right... Go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 On most guitars, the only effect a neck repair will have is resale value. As LPCA said, if the price is right go for it. I usually stay away from guitars with headstock repairs but that's because guys always seem to asking almost full price for them. If the guy selling this one is willing to be the one to take the hit on resale value, then personally, I'd jump on it NOW!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 8, 2008 Author Share Posted October 8, 2008 What worries me is the fact that it has had a neck repair is it likely to be weaker or as the seller states stronger? Another thing I have noticed is that the neck has the burst finish top and bottom. I have only seen the burst at the heel of the neck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 Any experienced repairman can almost make a living on Gibson neck repairs. It's a common problem with them, and not an indication of a weak neck. If the repair was done properly, it will be stronger than the original. If it's got a low price, I'd say Go for it! I just bought an ES-335, and I'm wondering why I waited so long. Nice guitars. That burst on the neck is the usual pattern, I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyF Posted October 8, 2008 Share Posted October 8, 2008 That burst on the neck is the usual pattern' date=' I believe.[/quote'] I think so too. He might be thinking of the solid color 335s, where the body color abruptly stops at the neck joint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Thanks guys....Im gonna go for it if it's still available. Will let you know the outcome. ps your right about the neck finish. Although all the figured 335's I saw on the internet...the burst finished at the heel of the neck and did not continue onto the headstock. I have since seen one though at http://www.provide.net/~cfh/es335.html second pic from bottom Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Thanks guys....Im gonna go for it if it's still available. Will let you know the outcome Johnny Hope you score. My 335 has actually seduced me away from my LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CajunBlues Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Hi GuysI need some serious advice. I have just seen a Gibson ES 335 1995 Sunburst' date=' made in the Nashville plant. In the past it has had a neck repair. It looks like dowels were inserted at the peghead end to re-enforce it. The serial and Made in USA are still visible on the headstock + the serial matches the sticker in the soundhole. It plays beautifully and I have been offered it for next to nothing. Any advice on guitars that have had a neck repair? This is what the guy has said "Serial number 922053xx and it matches the label in the f-hole. Made in USA is visable. The repair is really tidy with no over-spray. I bought the guitar about 6 months ago, I got it from a guy who was a jazz musician who was retiring, he bought it from a fellow musician from the States who'd had the neck repair done. So I personally don't know who did the repair. It is totally solid and hasn't caused me any problems at all. The truss rod say Standard, which I assume would have come from a Les Paul? I had it professionally set up recently and the intonation is fine. There are no major issues - except the neck repair - to speak of, it's a soild 335 that'll go on forever The only issue is it's had a neck repair at some point - if you look closely at the pics you can see where the luthier has inserted dowels to strengthen the headstock. Some say a guitar that has had a neck repair is stronger than ones that haven't!? " What do you think?? Thanks Johnny[/quote'] I owned a 1973 les paul deluxe with a replaced headstock... I got it for $950.... And it turned out to be an oustanding guitar... Absoulutely no issues with the headstock.... I would say if its below $1400 US, and has all the original parts, buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 9, 2008 Author Share Posted October 9, 2008 Well unfortunately it was not to be...someone else beat me to it. Still I'm having fun looking. I can't wait for the next adventure...hehe Thanks again for all the advice you gave Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 9, 2008 Share Posted October 9, 2008 Well unfortunately it was not to be...someone else beat me to it. Still I'm having fun looking. I can't wait for the next adventure...hehe Thanks again for all the advice you gave Johnny Too bad. There's a time and place for impulsiveness. I bought my ES-335 last week after casually browsing Craig's List and finding it freshly posted. I called and left a message on Sunday' date=' and picked it up Wednesday. It looked good in the pic, played well and sounded like a 335, and I got it for what amounts to half price. [img']http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p362/lpdeluxe1/GibsonES-335.jpg?t=1223588752[/img] It's a little lighter than the picture, which was taken with an overhead incandescent light; it also has a nice figure in the top that doesn't show up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted October 10, 2008 Share Posted October 10, 2008 Is this any better? Nice Silvertone, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 Too bad. There's a time and place for impulsiveness. I bought my ES-335 last week after casually browsing Craig's List and finding it freshly posted. I called and left a message on Sunday' date=' and picked it up Wednesday. It looked good in the pic, played well and sounded like a 335, and I got it for what amounts to half price. [img']http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p362/lpdeluxe1/GibsonES-335.jpg?t=1223588752[/img] It's a little lighter than the picture, which was taken with an overhead incandescent light; it also has a nice figure in the top that doesn't show up. With the economy the way it is now you are bound to find some great deals on Craig's list and Ebay... On just about anything you may be looking for!!! Don't rush to buy anything unless its a great deal, another one will come on line soon just as good if not better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 11, 2008 Author Share Posted October 11, 2008 Thanks guys. I always think it's because a better guitar is going to come along....but man it is so frustrating and easy to just go out and buy the first guitar you see lol. Anyway Im not going to rush...it will turn up eventualy Thanks again to everyone for the fantastic advice you all give Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 11, 2008 Share Posted October 11, 2008 With the economy the way it is now you are bound to find some great deals on Craig's list and Ebay... On just about anything you may be looking for!!! Don't rush to buy anything unless its a great deal' date=' another one will come on line soon just as good if not better...[/quote'] That's what I say, but in this case, judging from the house and the neighborhood, the guy was not hurting for money -- if he were, he had plenty of much more valuable assets laying around to peddle. When I went to look at the guitar, I followed his wife's new Suburban from the wrought-iron gate up the hill to their home. She had an alpaca in the back seat: she explained that her other alpaca was lonesome. What I paid for the 335 would be a drop in the bucket against his expenses. He said he was selling the Gibson because he couldn't make it play as easy as his Taylor nylon string. It had medium gauge flat-wounds, and the tailpiece was screwed all the way down, so my diagnosis was "unclear on the concept." Such deals are independent of the economy; but if the economy were bad, he wouldn't have blown $3K on a guitar he didn't play in the first place. In any case, I am delighted to have it. I've replaced the strings with .012 roundwounds (wound third) and it has come to life. I may raise the tailpiece but it's playing pretty good right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Hi Guys, thought I'd finish off johnny's saga for him. I was the one who pipped him at the post on ebay and I've just recieved the guitar today. The necks very solid. In fact you have to look really closely to see it. and the guy who sold it was right; It's a real bargain ands sounds absolutely gorgeous to play . Well done that man!:) Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 13, 2008 Share Posted October 13, 2008 Hi Guys' date=' thought I'd finish off johnny's saga for him.I was the one who pipped him at the post on ebay and I've just recieved the guitar today. The necks very solid. In fact you have to look really closely to see it. and the guy who sold it was right; It's a real bargain ands sounds absolutely gorgeous to play . Well done that man!:) Johnny's loss my Gain..He,He,He. Geoff. [/quote'] You know the rule: no pic, no guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 13, 2008 Author Share Posted October 13, 2008 Well done Geoff glad to hear you beat me to it. You paid £750. You must be glad I didn't buy it for a lot less ! Anyway as lpdeluxe says "You know the rule: no pic, no guitar" All the best Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 I'm glad you didn't.....Cheers! Geoff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 19, 2008 Author Share Posted October 19, 2008 Hey Geoff...it was meant to be. You got yourself a fantastic guitar, but what about the pics ??? C'mon Geoff I want to see that guitar again. All the best Johnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarmyway Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 Hi GuysI need some serious advice. I have just seen a Gibson ES 335 1995 Sunburst' date=' made in the Nashville plant. In the past it has had a neck repair. It looks like dowels were inserted at the peghead end to re-enforce it. The serial and Made in USA are still visible on the headstock + the serial matches the sticker in the soundhole. It plays beautifully and I have been offered it for next to nothing. Any advice on guitars that have had a neck repair? This is what the guy has said "Serial number 922053xx and it matches the label in the f-hole. Made in USA is visable. The repair is really tidy with no over-spray. I bought the guitar about 6 months ago, I got it from a guy who was a jazz musician who was retiring, he bought it from a fellow musician from the States who'd had the neck repair done. So I personally don't know who did the repair. It is totally solid and hasn't caused me any problems at all. The truss rod say Standard, which I assume would have come from a Les Paul? I had it professionally set up recently and the intonation is fine. There are no major issues - except the neck repair - to speak of, it's a soild 335 that'll go on forever The only issue is it's had a neck repair at some point - if you look closely at the pics you can see where the luthier has inserted dowels to strengthen the headstock. Some say a guitar that has had a neck repair is stronger than ones that haven't!? " What do you think?? Thanks Johnny [/quote'] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarmyway Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I have a couple of Gibson's a les paul which is stellar and a less than a week old Gibson 1959 ES-335 dot reissue. I have had my regular tech and a new tech both look at it as the tuning problem is driving me insane. I can't play a gig with it because of the tuning issue. Both agree that it is not a binding issue but I can hear the grovers click when I turn them and the B and G drop almost a full note! I have a bone nut in there now and I hate the tusk because they are so bright. Any ideas would be really appreciatted. I just joined up today. If you want to hear my Les Paul try my website www.guitarmyway.com The guitar is a beautiful vintage sunburst and these things are not cheap! I also have a revered club king rt for $699 and that guitar is unreal, it has never gone out of tune in a year and it sits in my studio most of the time. Most of the reviews I have read on this guitar say don't take it to your tech, they will wreck it. Apparently there is one guy there that just sets up guitars and he is GOOD. Right now I am longing to play my ES 335. Help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_uk Posted October 28, 2008 Author Share Posted October 28, 2008 and whilst you are at it why not sell guitar string to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hi Johnnie, It seems there's more to guitar this than first met the eye. This is now a tale of caution:- When I said the guitar was georgeous to play. I meant I really like it's tone. The guitar itself when it arrived had a loose scratch plate, a dodgy jack plug socket. The back of the neck felt like somebody's wash board where they had just been slumping the guitar against whatever. and the actually neck repair - though solid looked semi amaturish around the edges, and the bodywork had the usual scratches and a large what I thought was a crack in the laquer by the jack socket. The metal work was very tarnished. and the high E string was buzzing against the top fret. So I actually wondered if I'd made a giant Boo Boo. I took the strings back off it and the metal work and set about trying to restore it to some of it's former glory. It's amazing what a tin of T-cut ( car paint restorer) and a tube of auto autosol can do. ( metal polish). and lemon oil. It took two days to bring the laquer finish back up, remove the ripples in the back of the neck and find the crack was a blemish. which has all but gone and there isn't a scratch left to show. The metal took care of the tarnish and the lemon oil (Gibson's) brought the fretboard back up. Now the cautionary bit.....Yestarday I took the now prestine looking guitar to my local guitar shop to get it set up properly...only to be informed the neck has warped where the so called professional neck repair was done. So I'm a little peaved after all my hard word, but I have found a luthier who can fix it for a price, so now I'm saving up to get it done as...Yes you've guessed I really taken to the guitar. So Johnnie....Be very very careful when thinking of buying gibson 335's with broken / repaired headstocks..... I'm eating humble pie at the moment. If I can workout how to upload a pic I'll put it on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Hi Johnnie, It seems there's more to this guitar than first met the eye. This is now a tale of caution:- When I said the guitar was gorgeous to play. I meant I really like it's tone. The guitar itself when it arrived had a loose scratch plate, a dodgy jack plug socket. The back of the neck felt like somebody's wash board where they had just been slumping the guitar against whatever. and the actually neck repair - though solid, semi amaturish around the edges, and the bodywork had the usual scratches and a large what I thought was a crack in the laquer by the jack socket. The metal work was very tarnished. and the high E string was buzzing against the top fret. So I actually wondered if I'd made a giant Boo Boo. I took the strings back off it and the metal work and set about trying to restore it to some of it's former glory. It's amazing what a tin of T-cut ( car paint restorer) a tube of auto autosol ( metal polish)and lemon oil can do. It took two days to bring the laquer finish back up, remove the ripples in the back of the neck and find the crack was a blemish. which has all but gone and there isn't a scratch left to show. The metal polish took care of the tarnish and the lemon oil (Gibson's) brought the fretboard back up. Now the cautionary bit.....Yestarday I took the now pristine looking guitar to my local guitar shop to get it set up properly...only to be informed the neck has warped where the so called professional neck repair was done. So I'm a little peaved after all my hard word, but I have found a luthier who can fix it for a price, so now I'm saving up to get it done as...Yes you've guessed it I've really taken to the guitar. So Johnnie....Be very very careful when thinking of buying gibson 335's with broken / repaired headstocks..... I'm eating humble pie at the moment. If I can workout how to upload a pic I'll put it on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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