JimmyJet Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I recently lost my wedding band while swimming in a lake - the water was a little chilly that day and my fingers shrunk just enough that while splashing around, it slipped off - I could see it sinking quickly and each time I grabbed for it, the closing action of my hand actually seemed to propel it away - after the second attempt to catch it, it became hidden in the dark murkiness. My wife keeps asking me about going to our little, independant jeweler and picking out a replacement, and on her most recent asking, I replied with, "Well, I'd rather have an ES-335, and I'd think of you every time I played it" (this would be practically daily and I do two gigs a week). She then replied, "If that is what you would really rather have, you should go buy one." Not exactly the response I was expecting - we discussed it some more and she was sincere. However, there was a caveat that was later added to her acceptance of an "ES-335 in lieu of wedding band" - if I were to ever think that by not wearing a wedding band on my finger gave me permission to flirt and fool around, I would return from work one day to find the ES-335 smoldering on top of the Weber (along with the rest of the collection). Okay, I can certainly give her that as I think that is a fair request -- (we know each other too well, but it's always good to have these verbal reminders that we don't take each other for granted). ------------------------------------------ Now, you current ES-335 owners, here's where I need your help, if you could please answer some of my questions as I set out on my new quest: A) I will most likely be shopping for the base model ES-335, the Satin Finish (cherry) one that goes for $2249 online, but I will be buying it from a real store only after trying them out in person. Someone on this forum said that the online superstores can only advertise the lowest advertised priced fixed by the manufacturer, but it is possible to go into a store and haggle them down to up to a third lower than $2249 -- that would be about $1600 -- is this true? (If this is really true, I'll aim for a gloss model and haggle down) Anyone of you have experience with getting a price like that? Speaking of price, can you help me think of things to help me mentally justify spending 2G's on a guitar -- you see the most expensive guitar in my collection is an all original American '79 Anniversary Strat that I stole at $800 seven years ago at Guitar Center (in hung on their wall for two years and never moved (I think because of the ugly black pickguard and pickup covers and the neck feels like a baseball bat -- but all to my gain). The rest of my collection is Mexican Fender's and asian Epiphones. I saw the video at the Gibson site of them making an ES-335 with a worker using the power tools by hand, so that makes me feel good as opposed to robotics and I do realize I'm paying for an American worker trying to make a living, too, here in the US, and I feel VERY GOOD about that, but I guess because I've gotten used to paying for the cheaper foreign products, it's a little rough taking that first plunge - but don't get me wrong, it feels very good to be buying something actually made here in the good ol' U.S.A.! C) I was planning on buying an Epiphone Sheraton and dropping a pair of Gibson '57's pups in it, but as I started shopping around, the current stock of Sheratons are really crap compared to what they were in the past. The current Sheratons are coming out of the Un Sung plant in Korea where they turn out 50,000 guitars anually and the quality just isn't there like it was with the ones made by Samick. But having really liked the Sheraton's thin neck, wide but very thin D shape, do any of you know how it compares with the ES-335 "60's slim taper" neck? D) I'll be taking my time shopping around for just the right one, besides the obvious things to look for like badly finished fret edges, neck alignment, scratchy pots, etc... any of you who have alot of Gibson buying experience have any recommendations for things to look out for? E) For those of you who have any experience playing both the Satin Finished and the Gloss Finished models -- is there any percevied sound difference? I know that acoustic players swear that the gloss finish gives a brighter sound/attack. In closing, thanks through reading this now too long posting, but I am really excited about hunting down and bringing home that special ES-335 that's waiting for me some where. My main axe right now is an Epiphone Casino which I love and is almost perfect, but it's complete hollow body design with the P-90's make it very prone to feedback (not the good kind, but squeal-like-a-pig kind). In my performing set up with the band, I have either a Fender Ultimate Chorus amp or Fender '74 Vibrolux Reverb amp setting up on an amp stand facing me in which I'm just 2 - 3 feet away from and on high-gain settings, I have to swing around and face the corner. Plus, the ES-335 will be a little more versital. But I've definitely have settled into being an thin arch top player and am excited about owning a "real" Gibson after all these years -- and after listening to hundreds of pup sound tests, I'm absolutely smitten by the Classic '57's. Thanks in advance, jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col F Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Regarding Question A: All stores, both online and physical, are restricted by most manufacturers to advertising MAP prices (except for circumstances for which exceptions are included in their pricing agreements, like closeouts of discontinued items, etc.).. However, that applies to advertised prices only; not to the sales price which can always be negotiated, if they would like to. Most stores have adopted a no negotiation policy having recognized that even though some of us will walk away, their gross profits nevertheless increase significantly. The morale of the story is, YOU have to determine if the dealer will negotiate. Some online dealers, like Sweetwater (the second largest instrument dealer after Guitar Center) does often negotiate, as do some stores. "B": Its all relative. A $400-$500 guitar in the 1970's is now $2200-$2600. ES-335's (and all Gibson models) are expensive, and so are Taylors and Martins and PRS, etc. If you want a high end guitar (or anything else), it is going to be expensive, but at least they typically hold their value well and many appreciate in value with time. "C": You have to try the neck yourself. I have 60's necks for my ES-335 and my LP Standard. That's my preference. You need to play them to see what you like. Also, necks vary from instrument to instrument since the sanding and shaping involves a lot of "hand work", that results in variances that you might feel if you're sensitive to those differences. "D": You need to inspect any new instrument. 335's are now being Plek'd, so the frets are typically pretty nice (with an occasional exception... so you have to look and touch). "E": Those people who can "hear" the finish on the wood, probably can see the notes floating in the air as well. It is a cosmetic matter. However, polished (gloss) lacquer is the traditonal finish of fine guitars, and provides an unmatched beauty that you will always appreciate (including showing off the "depth" of the wood grain, etc.). I hope you enjoy your new 335 when you get it... They are very nice guitars both to play, and to admire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col F Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 And please pardon the spelling error in my post... Clearly, I meant the "moral" of the story.. Get your 335 and your "morale" will certainly improve! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I can't answer all your questions, but I recently bought an '00 ES-335 dot in lightly figured natural with a Gibson Custom hard case for $1750 off Craig's List. I had to drive 300 miles to check it out and buy it, but it was well worth it. Do some surfing there...CL is more to my liking than eBay, partly because the sharks haven't taken it over yet. I got the 335 after I traded for a '95 Epiphone Sheraton II (also natural) last July. I installed a set of Seymour Duncan Anniversary pickups (Jazz neck, JB bridge) with all new electronics, which improved the sound, but the 335 sounded better, stock. And I might add that changing out the electronics through the treble f-hole was a real PITA. I did it, after the local tech refused the job, but I'm in no hurry to do it again. Then I made the mistake of comparing it with a friend's '69 ES-340.... The differences: necks were very similar, although the Epi felt slightly chunkier, but still comfortable; the Epiphone had nicer inlays (real mother of pearl and abalone on the "vine" headstock design and the fingerboard inlays) where the dot has, well, dots; the Gibson's wood is much higher quality than the Sheraton; the Gibson has nickel hardware, which tarnishes, while the Epi has gold that quickly wears off the metal parts. Same tuning machines (Grovers on both), same scale length, TOM bridge and stop tailpiece. But the Gibson's a nice American made guitar,. while the Epiphone is a relatively inexpensive Korean knockoff, and it's easy to tell the difference when you pick them up and play them. So I sprung for the 335 on the first of October, then traded the Epi for a Fender P that I had foolishly traded off in another deal (long story) earlier this year. I wouldn't go back to the Epiphone. If somebody walked with the Gibson, I'd have to find another one. Let us know how it turns out. I love cherry 335s -- and if I found a 355 in that color with a Bigsby, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvansickle Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Don't be a putz - replace the ring. Guitars come and go, but an understanding wife like yours is once in a lifetime, and some men never even find that. You owe it to her to wear that ring. My $0.02, anyway.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayville Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Don't be a putz - replace the ring. Guitars come and go' date=' but an understanding wife like yours is once in a lifetime, and some men never even find [i']that[/i]. You owe it to her to wear that ring. My $0.02, anyway.... +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyF Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Don't be a putz - replace the ring. Guitars come and go' date=' but an understanding wife like yours is once in a lifetime, and some men never even find [i']that[/i]. You owe it to her to wear that ring. My $0.02, anyway.... +2 Sorry JimmyJet, but I gotta go with these guys on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyH Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I agree with the previous post about replacing the ring. They make them for all budgets and you can get something durable and suitably symbolic for not a lot of money. Blow your wife away when you show her the new ring and tell her you felt naked without it. Then get the 335 too, it just may take a little longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KennyF Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I agree with the previous post about replacing the ring. They make them for all budgets and you can get something durable and suitably symbolic for not a lot of money. Blow your wife away when you show her the new ring and tell her you felt naked without it. Then get the 335 too' date=' it just may take a little longer. [/quote'] Nice one Rudy! Sounds like a win/win situation to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 If you are gigging, a few grand is a few months work. I just bought a new ES-339 and love it. A guitar is a tool if you work with it. Buy a ring and a guitar. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmyJet Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Most definitely I will replace the ring! -- I guess the way I wrote it made it sound like it was one or the other, but it was more about "getting the green light" from her for dipping into our savings for an axe 'cause I normally don't go over $500. And like I said, I was caught off guard when she agreed because I said it half-way jokingly. Also, the way I indecisively shop for guitars, haggle over price, and go back and forth over the last few specimens I've narrowed it down to, rest assure, the ring will come first -- it's already picked out. Now, those of you who've fairly recently purchased an ES-335, would you be willing to share with me your actual paying price after you were done negotiating -- I'm just trying to get a ball-park figure of what I can expect for "how low they'll go" thanks, jimmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokestack59 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 I can't answer all your questions' date=' but I recently bought an '00 ES-335 dot in lightly figured natural with a Gibson Custom hard case for $1750 off Craig's List. I had to drive 300 miles to check it out and buy it, but it was well worth it. Do some surfing there...CL is more to my liking than eBay, partly because the sharks haven't taken it over yet. I got the 335 after I traded for a '95 Epiphone Sheraton II (also natural) last July. I installed a set of Seymour Duncan Anniversary pickups (Jazz neck, JB bridge) with all new electronics, which improved the sound, but the 335 sounded better, stock. And I might add that changing out the electronics through the treble f-hole was a real PITA. I did it, after the local tech refused the job, but I'm in no hurry to do it again. Then I made the mistake of comparing it with a friend's '69 ES-340.... The differences: necks were very similar, although the Epi felt slightly chunkier, but still comfortable; the Epiphone had nicer inlays (real mother of pearl and abalone on the "vine" headstock design and the fingerboard inlays) where the dot has, well, dots; the Gibson's wood is much higher quality than the Sheraton; the Gibson has nickel hardware, which tarnishes, while the Epi has gold that quickly wears off the metal parts. Same tuning machines (Grovers on both), same scale length, TOM bridge and stop tailpiece. But the Gibson's a nice American made guitar,. while the Epiphone is a relatively inexpensive Korean knockoff, and it's easy to tell the difference when you pick them up and play them. So I sprung for the 335 on the first of October, then traded the Epi for a Fender P that I had foolishly traded off in another deal (long story) earlier this year. I wouldn't go back to the Epiphone. If somebody walked with the Gibson, I'd have to find another one. Let us know how it turns out. I love cherry 335s -- and if I found a 355 in that color with a Bigsby, I wouldn't be responsible for my actions....[/quote'] I did! Three days ago! Iwent in to my local guitar shop - which happens to be heaving with Gibsons (not so common where in my part of the UK) - to buy a 335 dot sunburst I had played on there a few weeks before and fallen in love with when LO AND BEHOLD the guitar shop boy brought out the cherry red 355 plus Bigsby for me to try and that was that. This is the 2008 reissue. I'm sure you all know more about it than me. I only played Fenders before, but I'm a convert now. And the money? Hm well, tell Jimmy Jet not to worry . spend it all now co s it's gonna be worthless next week or so ..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renin74 Posted December 1, 2008 Share Posted December 1, 2008 call Saul at Centre City music in San Diego. 1888 5-GIBSON. he will beat any price. I almost ordered an es 335 from him as the price was $1000 cheaper than MF/GC, Sam Ash etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigormortis Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Plain, gold wedding bands aren't that expensive. If it's in your family tradition for the guy to wear one, and your wife thinks it is meaningful, you'll be happy you did. It sounds like she loves you. Having a 335 that is sort of a gift from or wife would be very cool, and a great connection to her. I don't know if girls understand how that would work, but if your wife is willing to believe, that's beautiful. Have you considered a used 335? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I would entertain the idea of getting a used ES-347 with the dirty fingers pups. That guitar is all about a suped up 335 with a coil tap and other features that will impress you. I would also wear some kind of wedding band as a sign of my love and commitment to my wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarooster52 Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Get a replacement ring and wait a little longer for the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watchdoc2 Posted December 5, 2008 Share Posted December 5, 2008 A) I will most likely be shopping for the base model ES-335, the Satin Finish (cherry) one that goes for $2249 online, but I will be buying it from a real store only after trying them out in person. Someone on this forum said that the online superstores can only advertise the lowest advertised priced fixed by the manufacturer, but it is possible to go into a store and haggle them down to up to a third lower than $2249 -- that would be about $1600 -- is this true? (If this is really true, I'll aim for a gloss model and haggle down) Anyone of you have experience with getting a price like that? Yes is is possible to buy a Gibson 335 at a lowwer than advertised internet price. I looked specifically for a 335 with some flame on it and found one. They were selling at the advertised price in April 07 of 2799-3100 on line depending on plain top or flame/figure top. The folks that I bought mine from sold me a Honey Burst with flame for 2450...tax included and threw in a nice heavy strap and Strings. Aside from playing and sounding awesome...the looks are astounding. If you haven't already bought one...there are several people that should beat the standard internet pricing. so its worth looking for want you want. I checked with gibson dealers across 3 states before I found this one. Then I was up on business during th esame time frame ..less than 2 hours from this store and bought it. Most folks will ship anyway. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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