The Return of the ES-330! Classic Gibson Comparison

[@Teachering]

The Gibson ES-330 and, particularly, the ES-335 was the first electric guitar to catch my attention. I am now 70 years old. I became fascinated with this guitar before I was 10. Though I prefer to play Fenders, the Gibson ES-330 is a thing of beauty in every way. Gibson is a fascinating guitar company. Very inventive.

[@guithawk-ij8is]

I am fortunate to own a 1967 es330, tobacco sunburst, it is my favorite guitar and the guitar I have owned the longest (traded a 72 strat for it in 1978). It's a fantastic guitar that I used to gig with a lot, but I rarely take it out these days. The P90s sound incredible, but it does feedback if you play loud. It's so fun to play and sounds great acoustically, very resonant. So glad to see Gibson bringing them back!

[@charlottesimonin2551]

I feel in love with electric guitars that are warm hollow body sounding. How ever I'm older dirt.

[@kurtanderson5349]

I found this in researching Emily Remler, who played this guitar throughout her career. She played it in order to get the sound of Wes Montgomery. Gone many years now, she was recently the subject of an amazing record of her shows at the Four Queens in Las Vegas. This is a beautiful sounding instrument in her hands.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

Keep in mind, her guitar was a modified ES-330. It originally had P90s and a Maestro Vibrola. First, she had the P90s replaced with humbuckers, then later she abandoned the Vibrola and had a stoptail installed, presumably with a block underneath. So, it was really more of a short-necked ES-335.

[@seanzinger]

I can’t believe it but I actually like the 330 better. It sounded unbelievably good, so Beatlesque.

[@markgarner2725]

Well, it is basically a Gibson Casino. I had the Epi model about ten years ago, and it just felt cheap. I just ordered the vintage sunburst model about ten minutes ago. BEATLES4EVER

[@BillyTheKidsGhost]

I will never get sick of listening to this sort of stuff... It's been 25 years.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

As a big Grant Green fan, I love this. I scratched the itch with a Casino (import version) a couple of weeks ago.

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

I should add that I once owned a 1966 ES-125TC (one neck position P90, single cutaway). BRILLIANT instrument, and the lightest guitar I've ever owned. That model was a HUGE seller for Gibson from 1960 until its end circa 1970. Killer jazz and blues guitar, and one they should absolutely bring back. George Thorogood famously plays the two pickup version.

[@jasonswitzer1748]

I’d love a comparison of the USA Epiphone Casino and the Gibson 330.

[@mikelevitt7365]

Same guitar built on the same line...

[@mortonwilson795]

Me too. As mentioned here I suspect they are the same guitar. Also there was a 'Slim Harpo' Artiste Model 330 a few years back from Gibson around the time the US Casino launched but didn't hear much about either of them.

[@mortonwilson795]

Great review / comparison (as always) so thanks for that. I would love one of these, esp. in that classic colour. I bought a MIC Epi Casino 3 or 4 years ago and had it modded - Lollar P90s / '50s Wiring / Bone Nut - and I absolutely love it. The slim neck is a real plus and it's easy to see why it's a 'songwriter's guitar' - light, very acoustic and having high fret access not really a necessity. I'm hoping one of these turns up here in HK - will definitely check it out. Cheers!

[@astrofire68]

Loved the sound of the 330 on neck pickup. 👌

[@5280-G]

Glad it’s back

[@mcmillanalex]

I love my Eastman T64v. Plays great acoustically! But the Lollar P90s are incredible pickups

[@paulgerards6494]

Got one the other day: WOW, sO much better then the old ones!!!

[@paulgerards6494]

Love it sO MUCH!! THX Gibson XXX

[@paulgerards6494]

Glad? Much more than GLAD, I'm HAPPY and In Love XXX

[@shaftsburbia]

Hope the ES-390 makes a return.

[@craigthomson3621]

…and a lefty version of the ES390.

[@ArchieOnEarth]

Once upon a time, Gibson made a “long neck” version of the 330, with same neck placement as a 335. I kind of wish the new 330 was a long neck to better differentiate it from the Epiphone USA Casino.

[@Bugg-oc8lj]

Heritage H-530. Currently in production. I think they're better than the 330 or any of the various Casinos.

[@tobygordon]

I was thinking the exact same w/ the longneck….

[@alanshewitt]

The Custom Shop ES-330L from 2009-2016 is that. I bought one in 2010 when one of the big retailers was blowing them out for cheap. They’re not cheap anymore though.

[@mrcarloselche248]

I would love the return of the pointier ears on the ES330 and 335 models

[@ZenoIV]

I have tried top wrapping on LP and soon reverted. 😊

[@jasoncasper16]

The 330 is gorgeous. I love the 335 too, and the breakup on the humbucker bridge was really nice. I have a Heritage 530 (their version of the 330) and I appreciate the body meeting the neck at the 19th fret like the 335, so you get all that upper fret access but with the P90s and the fully hollow construction.

[@Hur1517]

Wow, Es 330 feels a bit more open! I love it so much! And the playing is amazing!!

[@robert-wr6md]

Yes Trogy opened one up and it's full of splinters and unfinshed edges, poor quality finishing.

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

I’ve owned a ‘67 es 330 since the mid ‘80’s. I traded a Strat for it. It’s the era of the 1 9/16” neck. The string spacing is the same as the 1 11/16” necks so there’s very little room on the sides. This leads to pulling off the high e string frequently. I still find it annoying. That said, the guitar is fabulous. It’s never needed a truss rod adjustment. It’s still absolutely perfect. Amazing sound. Especially through my ‘61 Amper Reverberocket. I assume this 330 has a ‘normal’ 1 11/16” neck.

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Same story for me! I traded a 72 strat for my 76 330 in 1978. Best trade ever for me.

[@RandomActsOfBlindness]

This sounds gorgeous!

[@guitarman3968]

I like them both for different reasons.

[@3cardmonty602]

On the 330 it looks as though you’re a lot closer to the first frets. That might make it comfortable with someone of a smaller stature. I’d like to see Gibson come out with a Byrdland or a 175 again

[@randydean23]

I'd like a return of the Florentine series as wes as the es 175

[@markgarner2725]

I've wanted this model for years. I had an Epi Casino about eight years ago that I dumped. It sounded good but just felt cheap. I just now found out Gibson brought it back a few months ago. I ordered the vintage sunburst model about fifteen minutes ago. 😎 First Gibson brings back the 70s Les Paul Deluxe a couple of years ago, now this. I have a few Fenders for sale if anyone is interested.

[@nate5081]

I had one 15 years ago. They are really great guitars. It sounds very unique. They need more colors though. Jade Green or something fun.

[@ChroniclesOfASadPunk]

I am glad! What I want would be Original Series DC Juniors and Specials. But the strap button in the traditional position.

[@user-bo8yt4uc8b]

14:30 That’s basically the description of Epiphone Lee Malila RD

[@dmac3316]

Cool vid. I’ve always liked the 335, I’ve got the EPI version, this 330 looks cool 👍

[@seanmarshallmusic]

To my ear, w the 330 I hear more of the guitar, and w the 335 I hear more of the pickup. Both great sounds

[@PeteA54]

I was about to say I love the P90 neck pickup sound and the bridge Humbucker sound better but then Coop stated exactly that! Since I almost always play the neck pickup, the 330 wins, sound wise, to me. Oh, and I love that old cherry red color. Thanks for a great comparison review as usual guys.

[@mallorga1965]

Great instruments, great playing.

[@whodat3644]

The P90s just have a tone to them. Awesome pups. Guess I’ll be needing one of the ES-330s.

[@samhill3496]

I like it unplugged and handy to pick up and play anytime

[@deborahmcalister3936]

I bought a 330.. Killer!!

[@Old_Catholic]

That model is really the only guitar I want.

[@yomalab]

In 1940s they had weak magnets, thick wire and no so much chances to wind pickup wrong way if it was P-90. It strange what in parallel soapbars almost go to Fender territory instead PAFs don't (with 10K turns of same wire). I think P-90s more suitable for work with some Varitone circuits and even on-board preamp or boosters especially on hollowbody.

[@skeres01]

I have the Eastman equivalent of those two guitars, and they are quite different to play. I find the 335 more usable, but the 5lbs 330 is great at low volumes, but hard to stop feedback at gig volumes in my experience.

[@ymelfilm]

that deep set neck. how can I reach the upper frets? Casino the same. I skipped it

[@BB-ft6nd]

I play a Les Paul and a J45. I like the ES-335, but the tonal differences between it and a Les Paul aren’t big enough for me. The ES-300 seems perfect. It's flexible.

[@roughcutguitars]

Yep! Played an Epi and it's definitely a different animal from the 335 - and that's a shade between the LP. Unbelievable acoustic vol and tone. The shorter fret access rightly earns it the 'songwriters guitar' rep, but all the 'meaty' notes are there and not everyone really goes that far up the dusty end. Besides, you've got that covered with the LP. Only deal-breaker for me was the Casino neck U profile - too much 'shoulder'. I crave a nice round C - just not sure I crave it $3,5k worth.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I really want a 330. Zoinks.

[@omax1023]

The ES-330 has more of angular appointed sound over the ES-335, It would be interesting to hear them both at the lower register of the fretboard!

[@jeffjablonski7777]

I watched the video of the Gibson ES330 found it rather interestingʻ. So if I may ask is the main difference between the 335 and 330 is neck/ body construction, neck real-estate and pick ups correct? My question as I have ES330t, is mine has a single P90 and dot inlay on the neck, cherry body with now a beautiful vanilla binding. Where I am hung up is the double pick up on a ES330?

[@mr3klax]

I love my Ebony Gibson Custom-Inspired Epiphone 1959 ES-355.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

I prefer the sound of the 330 by a wide margin. Livelier, with quicker decay, which enhances the clarity. However, the lower neck join makes them feel a bit cramped, to me.

[@Jonathan-py9xr]

Is the neck on the 330 slim like the neck on the Casino ($700 version with gig bag)

[@johnwashburn3793]

Yes, you had my acoustic playing but bent over and opening cases. I'll take the P-90. Cooper, i was hoping you would push it up break up! U know that you wanted to...

[@garysosnick9864]

I had a cherry red 330 in the 60's. It had chrome pickups. Fed back easily at rock volumes. Problem was, nobody of any stature played them. I traded it for a Traynor head. Biggest gear mistake I ever made.

[@Old_Sailor85]

I had a Custom Shop ES330 that had the neck set at a different fret than the one shown here. Great guitar for Ted Nugent. Feeds back like crazy, which can be a good thing.

[@texhaines9957]

What amp are you playing this through?

[@AlamoMusic]

Hey Tex, it is a Fender Blues Junior. - Chris

[@texhaines9957]

@AlamoMusic thank you. I really liked the 330.

[@MrMjp58]

Both great guitars. I preferred the 330. It had more depth of tone and definition.

[@TweedTones]

If only they made version with the higher fret access and heel joint the 335/345/355 have. I love the 330 but it’s limited above the 12th fret

[@stewarttomkinson3356]

I’m a lefty I have a no name one it’s bad ass I put a roller bridge on it

[@lexgarnier]

Does this mean the USA casino is discontinued?

[@kalvino67]

How is the 330 different from the USA Casino?

[@nathanbottrell2529]

Good question! Head stock and neck profile (?) only it would seem for the uneducated... Would love to see a comparison video, Casino v 330

[@pouyatorkiyan3258]

Nice 👍

[@craigthomson3621]

I would like to see a lefty ES-390.

[@CBGypsy03]

Collings i30 lc! Thats my jam, and zero QC issues.

[@Mauitaoist]

Funny you said they couldn't get past the fact that it didn't say Gibson on the top I got to tell you my epiphone's every bit as good as any damn Gibson

[@johnwashburn3793]

I'd hit the "buy now" but I would rather have a road trip

[@Johnny_Doe]

The best ES-330 ever made was the Beale Street Blue ES-330L….Too bad I sold mine..

[@Mauitaoist]

I prefer the 330.... that's why I play an Epiphone Casino

[@Gevin5]

LG 2 Acoustic

[@JakeL202]

Still not available in Canada, after looking at the US price it will cost $4900 once it's available in Canada, not including Tax

[@123uzuz]

Shame about the light coloured rosewood. The old ones are way better in my opinion, especially the 1962 es330 with Brazilian rosewood.

[@AdamMiller-m2h]

Lol. I need one.

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

I think the 330 sounded better than the 335.

[@rodolpheponthus2948]

The ES330 I purchased had the nut glued back together. I could clearly see the crack line going from low E to high E. Also, why don't they shim the bridge P90 at the factory. The pickups are so unbalanced that middle and bridge positions are unusable in real life situation. So basicaly purchasing the shim is just obligatory. That reglued nut just ruined my purchase. It was kind of the guitar purchase of my life. Listen Gibson, some people who buy your instruments have saved up with great effort for the " legend" Well, the guitar went back, and bye bye Gibson for me.

[@roberthealy1814]

How come You don't Play any Gretsch Guitars any more? Compare one with a Gibson.

[@texhaines9957]

They have. I bought the Gretsch

[@texhaines9957]

What amp are you playing this through?

[@teddnagurski5583]

Maybe I need new computer speakers, but they sound the same.

[@philclinton9430]

The 335 rules the roost, Room 335 ala Larry Carlton........end of story.

[@janmichaeljablonsky9847]

I'm a nice guy and I only give constructive criticism and that being my preface, I must say the demonstration was somewhat lacking. This guitar has some lovely tones which were not sampled here. It's nice to hear its twangy side, but there's so much more that this guitar can do.

[@guitarman3968]

4 minutes playing. 14 minutes talking. Typical Almo Music video. 👎

[@Dragon_rls]

Kind of a weight loss poster. Before, and way before.

[@craigtodd8297]

Are you two high?

[@CenterThePendulum]

My main go-to is a 335. I can’t find a 330 or Casino I like. Wrong pickups for a low-mass guitar.