Beginner to ES Models

[DuaLeaD]

So I've always been attracted to the more flamboyant Gibson cousins with all the starpower like the Les Paul, SG, Firebird, Explorer, Flying V, etc. But I've always wondered what the draw is with the ES models. Can someone explain to me their role in the Gibson arsenal (Ex: Tone characteristics in relation to previously mentioned models, genres, famous artists known for using them). You just don't see them in places like Guitar Center or anywhere else. I have to say my fascination began from being a hardcore Rush fan and seeing those old videos of Alex Lifeson whailing on his ES-335 (was it?) and burning up the frets playing "Anthem" in 1975. I'm a young guy at 27 but I love vintage gear with great tone. I've gotta say those ES models seem to have the chunkiest tonality I've heard and are super fluid on clean, most likely due to being semi-hollowbodied. Reminds me slightly of my Rickenbacker 360.

 

So can anyone give me an overview of the different ES product lines and their roles as well?

[brundaddy]

Tone is in the ear of the beholder. A player's touch and feel determine tone as much as the guitar, amp, mic, recording device, playback medium ... thus the guitar is only a facet of the cube. For many, choosing the ES is a matter of style & comfort, or some arbitrary personal preference. The body contributes a whole lot to the feel of the instrument.

 

There's a fanboy imitator factor, too, as well as an urge to conform to norms & conventions (especially for jazzers). ES models were played by the pioneers of rock and roll, Blues, Jazz, & Country: Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore, T-Bone Walker, Bill Haley, Trini Lopez, BB King, Roy Orbison, & tons of others through the years. That list barely scratches the surface.

[Versatile]

Yes as already said eloquently...

 

Arguably the first electric guitar of any importance was the 1930's ES 150 as played by Charlie Christian in the Benny Goodman band

 

Any music/guitar enthusiast would enjoy listening to clips of his innovative playing with rich iconic tone...

 

The ES...'Electric Spanish' has continued to evolve from the hollow with P/U's guitars

 

Through to the 'semis' from 1958 on...semi solid electrics favoured by bluesmen, jazz players, rock and pop players et al

 

V

 

[L5Larry]

What initially drew me to Semis in the late 70's was the fact that EVERYBODY else was playing Strats and Les Pauls, and I wanted to have and "unique" and individual sound (and look) to set me apart from the rest of the pack. After plunking around on an a borrowed ES-320 I "upgraded" and borrowed a bandmates ES-335. I was immediately hooked on the sound, feel, and playability of the 335, and instead of returning the guitar to it's owner, I handed him a wad of cash (which he gladly accepted, he was mainly an SG player).

 

I've been playing thinline semis and full bodied archtops ever since. The one thing thing that people will tend to comment on after hearing me play is TONE (it would be nice if someone would mention SKILL once in awhile). The sound and tone of a Gibson ES-3X5 is completely unique.

[DuaLeaD]

What initially drew me to Semis in the late 70's was the fact that EVERYBODY else was playing Strats and Les Pauls, and I wanted to have and "unique" and individual sound (and look) to set me apart from the rest of the pack. After plunking around on an a borrowed ES-320 I "upgraded" and borrowed a bandmates ES-335. I was immediately hooked on the sound, feel, and playability of the 335, and instead of returning the guitar to it's owner, I handed him a wad of cash (which he gladly accepted, he was mainly an SG player).

 

I've been playing thinline semis and full bodied archtops ever since. The one thing thing that people will tend to comment on after hearing me play is TONE (it would be nice if someone would mention SKILL once in awhile). The sound and tone of a Gibson ES-3X5 is completely unique.

 

I wish I could test out ES models in a shop to hear for myself, but you just don't find them anymore...At least the shops where I live don't have them. Would you say sonically, they are most closely related to the Les Paul?

[dc3c46]

I wish I could test out ES models in a shop to hear for myself, but you just don't find them anymore...At least the shops where I live don't have them. Would you say sonically, they are most closely related to the Les Paul?

If you want an ES model closer related to a Les Paul, check out the ES339.

[JimR56]

I wish I could test out ES models in a shop to hear for myself, but you just don't find them anymore...At least the shops where I live don't have them. Would you say sonically, they are most closely related to the Les Paul?

As mentioned above, not all "ES" models are semi-hollow (some are hollow, and they were all hollow before 1958). So, you're kind of using the term incorrectly.

 

If you really want to know what various models sound like, you kind of need to listen to them, whether on recordings, or in person, or online (sound samples, or maybe Youtube, although the audio quality won't be optimal).

[Notes_Norton]

I'm a pro sax player who played in dozens of guitar bands. I also double on guitar since every songwriter doesn't have the wisdom to write a sax part in every song ;)

 

I was in a band for a long time where the guitarist had a 335. He had sanded it down and refinished it with a paint job like a custom car from the 60s. I never got to play it, when I doubled on guitar he always handed me his 'other' guitar, an SG.

 

I was in another band with a guitarist who had an Epi Sheraton, the original not the new copy. He loved that guitar - never played that one either.

 

But I loved the look of the guitar with the arched top and the F holes.

 

I bought a used 330 in a music shop, thinking it was like the 335 and the Sheraton. Looks similar but while those two guitars are semi-hollow, my 330 was truly hollow. I found out much later that this was actually better for me. I can practice without an amp as it is an acoustic guitar, and when I plug it in, I love the P90 sound.

 

Years later I got serious on the guitar and now play as much guitar on stage as I do saxophone.

 

I don't gig with the 330 much anymore, I find my Parker suits the gig requirements better. Especially since I do a weekly gig on a deck that at high tide is above salt water. Don't want that salt air inside a hollow guitar corroding all the parts that are difficult to replace. Besides, it's a 1970 and has become a collector's item.

 

I still think archtops are beautiful guitars and I still love P90 tone.

 

Notes

[badbluesplayer]

As far as semihollowbodies go:

 

The most popular ES model is the 335. The 345 and 355 are fancier verions of the 335. It has a laminated (plywood) top, sides and back. It has a solid block running thru the middle of the body to reduce feedback. The tone is what I call the "plywood" tone. It has a very woody tone that is unique to those models.

 

The little brother to the 335 is the 339 (and the fancier 359). Still plywood construction, but in a smaller body. It doesn't quite have as much low end as the 335, but it still has the plywood tone.

 

There are other ES guitars that are made from a carved out piece of mahogany with a maple top. The 336 and 356. They don't do the plywood tone, but they are very versatile. They are very popular also. Other people on this forum are more familiar with the 336/356 guitars.

 

Hope this helps.

[brantobrien]

As far as semihollowbodies go:

 

The most popular ES model is the 335. The 345 and 355 are fancier verions of the 335. It has a laminated (plywood) top, sides and back. It has a solid block running thru the middle of the body to reduce feedback. The tone is what I call the "plywood" tone. It has a very woody tone that is unique to those models.

 

The little brother to the 335 is the 339 (and the fancier 359). Still plywood construction, but in a smaller body. It doesn't quite have as much low end as the 335, but it still has the plywood tone.

 

There are other ES guitars that are made from a carved out piece of mahogany with a maple top. The 336 and 356. They don't do the plywood tone, but they are very versatile. They are very popular also. Other people on this forum are more familiar with the 336/356 guitars.

 

Hope this helps.

 

If you are trying to figure out what they sound like, you've got to listen to them being played. There are some great names being posted that use(d) the ES series guitars, but there are also some popular manufacturers that you need to be aware of (but Gibson is the best, lol). Chet Atkins on a Gretsch is nothing short of amazing. A little band known as the Beatles had some pretty decent sounds coming out of their Epiphone Casinos (I know they are a part of Gibson, but some of there models are not available in the Gibson realm). Some people rave about the Fender Hollow Telecasters (which is arguable at best to lump it into an ES style, but it is in the hollow category). Clapton, Billy Byrd and Hank Garland, Nugent, King, and countless amateurs (some have even been brave enough to post clips around here at times) have found great tone inside of these guitars. They are so familiar and yet SO different. Truly a joy to play.

[Flintc]

The 335, at least, seems to come in a varity of flavors. I own one with P90 pickups, which sounds very little like the humbucker models.

 

I just like the form factor. It's a hard guitar to set down, and easy to noodle mindlessly on for hours. For me, it's just something about the shape, I suppose.

[gnappi]

So I've always been attracted to the more flamboyant Gibson cousins with all the starpower like the Les Paul, SG, Firebird, Explorer, Flying V, etc. But I've always wondered what the draw is with the ES models. Can someone explain to me their role in the Gibson arsenal (Ex: Tone characteristics in relation to previously mentioned models, genres, famous artists known for using them). You just don't see them in places like Guitar Center or anywhere else. I have to say my fascination began from being a hardcore Rush fan and seeing those old videos of Alex Lifeson whailing on his ES-335 (was it?) and burning up the frets playing "Anthem" in 1975. I'm a young guy at 27 but I love vintage gear with great tone. I've gotta say those ES models seem to have the chunkiest tonality I've heard and are super fluid on clean, most likely due to being semi-hollowbodied. Reminds me slightly of my Rickenbacker 360.

 

So can anyone give me an overview of the different ES product lines and their roles as well?

 

I bought my first 335 in 1970 or so, it was from the early 60's. I bought it partly because as mentioned before everyone had strats or Les Pauls and I wanted a more unique sound and "stage appearance" Go figure what a young guy thinks :-) I also liked the variety of artists who had them, from early Rock N Rollers, Jazz players, even Alvin Lee from Ten Years After, Ritchie Blackmore from Deep Purple, and Justin Hayward from the moodies. Now, THAT's variety in sound!!!

 

Anyway, I stopped playing for a long time as my ex-wife HATED me playing, and 5 or so years ago after she became my ex I bought a 137 custom, and Joe Pass. Since then I acquired a 345 and all feel and sound different. I like the warmth I can get from them that no Paul or Strat can give me.

[jc1funk]

my ex-wife HATED me playing

 

Well, clearly, THAT was never going to last...