Can the Epiphone be THAT good? Epiphone ES-335 vs. Gibson ES-335

The Gibson ES-335 is a beautiful guitar. Expensive too. For tighter budgets there is the Epiphone ES-335. But is it any good?
max.guitars/nl...
max.guitars/nl...
Maxguitarstore © 2021
Facebook: / maxguitarstore
Instagram: / maxguitarstore
Website: www.maxguitars...

[@cazziebb1707]

You can shake the guitar all you want- you're still going to sound like crap!

[@maxguitarstore]

Thanks! ❤️

[@cazziebb1707]

@@maxguitarstore Your welcome

[@lydiao6840]

But better than your band!

[@andrewcruz7595]

@August Max BOT

[@andrewcruz7595]

@Josiah Leighton BOT

[@boyardee_aviation8181]

My heart says Gibson but my wallet says epiphone

[@petestaint8312]

😄😄😄 same!

[@mattychapati]

Gibson any day of the week. It's worth spending the extra for the quality IMHO 🎸 👌🏼🤘🏼

[@garypannone7755]

And my ears can't tell a difference.

[@Matthew-h1y3v]

Excellent clean demo. Just what I was looking for. 0:25 & 3:05

[@RobertVincentMusic]

I've been playing Fenders, Strats and Teles, for 40+ years. Lately I've been wanting to finally get a Gibson/humbucker style guitar. This video helped sell me on the Epiphone 335. The Gibson sounds great.. but honestly, the slight difference in sound is not worth all that extra money. Thanks for this video!

[@TheTruth70777]

Neck 00:28 Epi 03:15 Gib Middle 1:18 Epi 4:36 Gib Bridge 1:34 Epi 5:04 Gib They are close. Imo, considering he mostly palm mute the epiphone.

[@luisgarciamusicchannel]

wow, epiphones are no joke... great playing!

[@ponynose4987]

I have the Epi ES 335 Pro in cherry, and man I love this axe! Makes me want to play the blues!

[@CarlosBarrosoM]

Great sound and great play Hello from México,I'm gonna buy an Epiphone right now

[@petestaint8312]

Fantastic demo! 👍

[@Rwtheking]

The playing sounds damn good in this video. This guy’s vibrato is super satisfying on both guitars. Definitely thinking about the epiphone for my first electric. Gibson was a bit creamier but not enough to justify choosing it over the epiphone unless you are a high level player in my opinion.

[@artmartinez3379]

I agree with you comments completely. Although I own and got my 2011 Gibson es 335 for a steal as I could not have afforded one, plus I did have to sell off a guitar, Also, I agree that not being a professional musician or "high level" as you put it, I can't justify the dollars the Gibson's now want

[@robertoesposito9081]

Thanks I just bought one EPIPHONE ES-335 Figured Blueberry Burst which will arrive on February 3rd and will come to live with me in the extreme south of Italy (Lecce Salento). We hope he likes the climate. Thanks for the great video 👍🏼

[@darwinwhitten8542]

Got the epi cherry 335 today. I was hoping I made a good decision but after watching your video I feel better about the purchase. I cannot afford the Gibson version. Thanks for the video

[@Holonomics]

I own an Epiphone Sheraton II and to be honest with overdrive I just can't see myself needing to pay thousands, although obviously for other styles it can definitely be worth it. I do not have a great amp due to living in an apartment where a big amp would get me evicted. When I tried a professional one from my luthier I was just totally blown away by the difference in sound! So yeah, the Epiphone here sounds great for its price.

[@paulgentile1024]

Get yourself a great amp... That's the most important thing... That'll be the great equalizer

[@Holonomics]

@@paulgentile1024 I'd love to but as I live in Brazil all imported equipment costs twice what you pay in the US or UK - one day maybe :)

[@Mountainrock70]

@@Holonomics Huge import tax huh? That’s a shame.....

[@jimbailey1122]

Get yourself a 4-5 watt tube with an attenuator switch to drop the wattage say to 1 or 0.5 watt for your apartment. Lets you play full throttle volume while keeping neighbors happy.

[@Holonomics]

@@jimbailey1122 I didn't know you could do that type of thing - thanks for the suggestion.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

The Gibson wins according to my ear, but it isn’t worth 5x the price of the Epiphone.

[@dirkbraun9319]

Finally a real good clean demo of the Epiphone ES 335. Thanks very much for this! Very good job👍🏻

[@NINEWALKING]

I like the size of a 339 more so I went with a Epiphone. I have done lot of work on it. All hardware accept tuners got changed. Installed True historic ABR1 in it and changed to light weight tail peace. Complete electronics is out changed with my harness. Gibson pickups. It sounds great now. My need for center block semi hollow guitar is satisfied for now. With the original case I am 1K out. Result sounds way better than what I expect from the 1K guitar.

[@michaelheller8841]

I've always loved Gibson, but with time and creativity, we can make an Epiphone do just as well, if not better, and still eat steak once in a while lol.

[@NINEWALKING]

@@michaelheller8841 it's not a shame to choose one or the other. Epiphone can be just what doctor has described. It's possible to upgrade it and get exceptional value. Perfect for the people who want that and have that amount of money. On the other hand there are people that want the pride of ownership and history you get with the Gibson name. For me some eaches can be scratched with an Epiphone but the others require Gibson or even Custom Shop or M2M or Tom Murphy. Expensive but well one can save long time for the one in the lifetime pleasure you get from it if it does the trick for you.

[@michaelheller8841]

@@NINEWALKING I agree with you 100% For now the Epiphone does the trick for me. If I ever got lucky and can afford an original 59' Gibson Les Paul, I would grab that without thinking twice lol. So, I completely understand the pride in owning a fine Gibson. I still have one left lol. It all boils down to what feels good in the hands and that sound we want. There is no price to that. Keep on playing is all that matters.

[@dsteele5530]

Did almost the same on my epi 339 pro. New pots and plug and switch but kept the stock pickups over my techs advise, when he played it he agreed with leaving the stock pickups in. It sounds wonderful and fully Gibby ish Just not a fan of the huge 335 body

[@danschepper6255]

Casually listening there is very little difference. Definitely not a $2,000 difference imo

[@defoperator7993]

The epi sounds muddier

[@parisss01]

@@defoperator7993 2000 for a less muddy sound idk

[@petestaint8312]

Agreed!

[@JohnPArgueta]

$2500 difference. I have the Epi and I have a 60s Standard. I kinda wish I had checked out the Inspired line of Epi Les Pauls before buying the Gibson...but not really. haha

[@BubblesBubbles]

I just bought a used (but hardly played) Epi ES-335 Pro Limited Edition. Without having played the Gibson version...can I say that this guitar is FAR MORE solid and reliable than any modern Epi guitar I've touched. Do I need to upgrade the hardware & wiring? I don't think so, although I'll go over this with a luthier. The nut and pickups will need replacement/adjustment if better alternatives are recommended. Otherwise, I think my 400 was well-spent on an instrument that does not have a scratch on it and the neck is absolutely perfect. Oh, and the stock pups fuckin' sizzle. Putting in PAFs might suit you, but these Probuckers can handle anything...let the luthier adjust that sizzle a bit... Much better guitars than I imagined.

[@wbges175]

Nice demo thanks for posting.

[@Robowx]

They were very close. But the Gibson did sound a bit better. I would definitely buy an Epiphone 335 though!

[@gtrmusic69]

Excellent comparison. Super good playing. Thanks for sharing.

[@arturalexg]

Great demo; nice instruments and well played. Thanks showing!

[@Edward1312]

Great playing man, and good review.

[@marlenalichota6104]

Love your playing Sasha, my favourite is Gibson. No matter that it costs more, it sounds better....

[@justintimedetailers]

They're both great guitars the only plus side is a Gibson will hold its value longer because of the name. I just bought the Epiphone blueberry burst 335 and I love it

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Not just because of the value and name. The overall quality is always going to be better than a bulshit Epiphone

[@lazvt8469]

Love both my Epis and Gibsons...but the Gibson's always have just a touch better/chimier tone. For the money...hard to beat a new Epi.

[@jupitorious7925]

Just bought the epiphone yesterday in cherry red... It's beautiful and plays so well... I have a Yamaha SG for more heavy duty

[@grubstarstar]

great playing

[@stringsattached8004]

Thanks for the great demo!

[@leoolivero963]

thanks for the vid! Clean sound. Decent playing. good sound comparison.

[@salvadorrico6636]

What would the Epiphone sound like if you exchanged the pick ups?Would the Epiphone become a Gibson es-335, Overnight?I would like to see that video.

[@LeopoldShitzalot]

And the Gibson has lots of veneer on it...Gibson's semi-hollowbodies like the ES-335 and ES-339 have tops and backs constructed of layers (either 3 or 4) of maple veneer. My understanding is that the veneers are assembled in successive cross-grain layers with the top layer having its grain longitudinal to the length of the guitar. The tops and backs are approximately 1/4" in thickness after layup.

[@bobramirez588]

I’ve got the epi 335 pro. I find if you put just a touch of compression on it , the clarity and punch improve to the point that you can’t tell the difference between the two.

[@stefbru100]

Yes, tried that and it really made the difference, thanks!

[@bluesstorm57]

Agreed! and we saved at least 2200.00 bucks

[@stefbru100]

Don, yes, truly. Was prepared to maybe spend that, but now.....no

[@bluesstorm57]

@@stefbru100 I almost did too, but am more than Happy with the performance of this Epi335 pro. My dream guitar was The Gibson es335 with orange drops and good electronics roughly 3 thousand. I will switch out the electronics down the road. Great value. I also purchased the The inspired by Gibson 59 les Paul standard . The Brown sound . PlAys as good if not better than any Gibson Paul I own

[@Mountainrock70]

@@bluesstorm57 I got the pro first also then this same brown burst inspired by. I could and will put $300 pickups in each guitar and still be well under the price of one Gibson and the Epiphone will sound every bit as good!

[@Mountainrock70]

I think if those Gibson pickups were put in the Epiphone.....Im so happy with the Epi 335 I bought a second one.

[@petestaint8312]

Fantastic review! Thanks for posting. 👍

[@johnhendricks8140]

Your right epiphone stepped up with the quality, those epiphones for the more affordable price plays beautifully give me one I will forget about a gibson.

[@ryanfulldark2775]

They are great guitars for the money, no doubt. If you need a semi-hollow for recording but not as your main axe, I’d also recommend buying one of these. I think the probucker pickups impressed me most, along with the fretwork. Those two things set these guitars apart from old Epi Dots

[@dusdincobain1191]

Agree I played a $3000 Les Paul off he shelf at guitar center frets were cutting me. Very very very bad qc on it. For $3,000 that thing should be stage ready off the shelf lol

[@msaintpc]

I'm from the year 2023. The new Epiphone Sheraton Pro II is as finger friendly, playable and is as good as any Gibson. It's also just as tonally superior as a Gibson...and it's prettier too......and to think it's made in China. The new Epiphone's Sheraton's outstanding build and tonal quality, playability and beautiful aesthetics is going to heavily chip away at much of Gibson's market. I have lots of Gibsons, many dating back to the 1960s, been collecting, buying and selling them since the 1960s. They've been collecting dust for the last few months because I can't put this Ebony Sheraton Pro II down...it's like real good dope...GOOD. It's Gibson's equal in every respect and from every perspective. I'm in love.

[@GuitarsNAmmo]

They both sound great

[@sammiami2654]

I liked the Gibson better although the Epi sounded good. I think if you dropped a set of high quality pickups like Duncan Antiquities or Fralin Pure PAFs in the Epi -- and maybe an upgraded wiring harness -- you'd have a guitar every bit as good as the Gibson for less than half the price.

[@Blues-man.]

Very nice demo, thanks so much

[@Andy_Guitar_Nerd]

great playin....I have a cherryred ...after unboxing....I played an hour ...then I went to my luthier, stringheight down, frets polished, and polpots adjusted ...now its really a good guitar...

[@luizalbertokoehler4904]

In my opinion the best way to compare is to intersperse the two instruments with the same short phrase and not 2-minute phrases.

[@AndyX]

the incessant shaking of the neck produced a weird chorus effect that made it hard to capture the suttle tone differences between thes nice guitars

[@Paulrezzano]

I've recently bought a modern figured les paul by epiphone it's a beast I'm going to buy this near December Beautiful playing 🤘🤘

[@SmelOdies]

Max please review the latest incarnation of the Epiphone Lucille.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

It's not about just the sound. The Ephiphone has a slightly more narrow neck and different wood. Not only the fretboard but the body wood is different. Also nitrocellulose vs poly finish. Then how it feels in your hands and the way it looks.

[@alanoffer]

A blind test it would be difficult to tell , Epiphone have really upped their game with this inspired range ,

[@Jonpoo1]

People say that the difference will be much more obvious in 20 or 30 years. For my money I would buy the epi and spend the money saved on a few upgrades and a killer amp.

[@nicksonthevet]

You are wise

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

That's good from a playing point, not as good from a selling point if you ever need/want to sell it in the future. You won't necessarily get back what you put in it

[@nicksonthevet]

@@jacobarmstrong5308 Okay

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

@@nicksonthevet Yup

[@sonofromel]

@@jacobarmstrong5308 personally I wouldn't wanna sell a guitar that has that value to me. Even if the price marks up due to being "vintage". Hopefully I wouldn't have to at least. Your comment gave me something to think about. I hope I don't get broke and my business prospers in the future.

[@harrisonandrew]

For the armature player the Epiphone is just fine. Yes, there are differences, but the Gibson is not 10 times better than the epi.

[@artmartinez3379]

Thank you for the comparison demo. I currently own a Gibson in a gorgeous blue. I was looking at getting the new Epiphone Vintage Tea Burst so I've been researching the YT for demo's. I also looked at the Sire H7 which has a lot of nice points, but I'm not liking the smaller neck profile for my hands and I like the brighter pickups on the Epi which I can always tame down vs. a darker pickup and trying to brighten. Thanks again, enjoyed

[@BrianVallotton]

New subscriber here. I enjoyed your playing very much. I have a new ES 335 Vintage Burst arriving soon. You help me to hear that the real thing is the fuller sound to my ears. Of course it better be with the huge price difference! ;-)

[@bendemmusic1]

I just picked up One ,Epephone 335 style plays nice , I'm going to pick up some Americian made houmbuckers just like one on the 5000.00 335 same as I do on my Squire strats. Change pick ups and boom , great.

[@sam_uelson]

If youre on an epi budget, you're probably on a similar budget for an amp. If you're on a gibson 335 budget, then your choice of amps will be greater. Its probably the option of amp which is the biggest difference

[@roborobert1]

Sounds great. I like this whole video

[@garyb1036]

Nice demo mate. I bought the hummingbird pro, as much as i love it, there is some issues with it, sharpe edge's on some frets and needs a good set up but overall looks and plays great, cant really complain to much for the price, its a decent guitar.

[@TONY_FEZ]

In the mix there will not be any difference between the two, but it's a bit like buying a Rolex when a Timex can tell the time just as well (probably more accurately actually). You are paying for the satisfaction you get from owning the guitar and the pedigree that goes with it. if none of that concerns you you'd be crazy to buy the Gibson!

[@Mountainrock70]

I have a good Gibson that’s taking a back these days to a few new Epiphones and a new $900 Gretsch .

[@TONY_FEZ]

@@Mountainrock70 I have an Epi 335 - not sure about the Gibsons but the Eps need a good set up out of the box - frets pretty sharp and uneven. Otherwise nice guitar

[@Mountainrock70]

@@TONY_FEZ I had to dress the fret ends on my Epi Inspired by ES 335 set action height , pickup height and intonate. Spent about an hour doing this fun work. Mine did not have high frets. Now the guitar is a dream. Adjusting pickup height makes huge difference in sound! My 2 year old Epi ES 335 Pro only needed intonation adjustment. My last Gibson I bought a Les Special was perfect out of the box except I needed to back file the nut.

[@davidlopez1208]

I have the ES 339 Epiphone.. I upgraded the pickups to lambertone cremas. Hipshot Tuners with UMP . and roller bridge wilkinson. Guitar transformed into good to freakin amazing!!!

[@jixal]

What amp was used with this? Also any idea on how this compares to a Sheraton II?

[@adrianmcgrath1984]

What every review neglects when comparing 335s is the internal quality. If they were reviewing an acoustic, they would talk about the quality of the internal bracing etc. A lot of time (and therefore money) goes into things like shaping the centre block, fixing the internal bracing for attaching the top and back. In a Gibson, the centre block is beautifully shaped to match every contour of the body - it actually comprises of two pieces, one matched to the the top, one the bottom, that are then attached. Epiphone simply can’t match than level of fit and finish. At lower volumes this may just make the Gibson respond a little better, or not have dead spots. In a noisy room or on a stage, less well built guitars will run into noise and feedback problems long before a Gibson will - I’ve experienced this even in practices, not all centre block guitars are built the same. A Jeep Renegade and a Land Rover might both be fine over 70% of terrain, but there is a point where the Land Rover just keeps going

[@Tony.795]

With modern CNC tooling you can get a better fit than anyone could by hand. They do most of the shaping by machining at Gibson as well. A Gibson is a industrially mass produced guitar at this point, with most of it's employees doing menial assembly line tasks. They have quite the turnover as well. I'd prefer a Gibson as well because it is more expensive. However, I'd go the custom shop route if I ever get one because quality control seems to be better there.

[@thejazzman4260]

Nice demo, It is an excellent instrument the Epi. When comparing the two guitars a blind AB test is the best and most hounest test in my opinion.

[@JesusRamirez-vt6lk]

I just purchased a satin 335, and cherry 345. They were both pretty expensive and played great. I'm curious what the epi plays like. There won't be a 3k dollar difference but it's made in the states and it is a gibson. Is the price you pay for the brand and I'm okay with that.

[@theonlyjonever]

Great demo and great playing 👍🏼

[@maurizioferegalli6850]

Message for Max Guitar B.V. ... Hi Max, I have an ES-345 (with Varitone and Bigsby) and I found this video of yours very interesting, especially for the very clean sound... Please, can you tell me what amplifier you used and how did you adjust the tones??? Thank you very much.

[@rickflippin1]

Sounds great

[@eolden7749]

I bought a Gibson sunburst 335 once. It hat splatters of stain, drips and sags in the finish and the list goes on. Now. The Epiphone 335 I just bough is perfect in every aspect.

[@vtwintora]

What profile neck is on the Epiphone compared to Gibson's.

[@mtp04987]

What are you playing through? Great sound!

[@sixstringguitarist1937]

Lovely demo. My heart says Gibson as I have my number 1 2021 Gibson standard 60s LP. But my bank account says 'Epiphone or not at all mate' 😅 Want a cherry red one as have 3 Sunburst guitars already.

[@jacobbrown1690]

The Gibson is way better. There is a reason pros use them lol. But if you are a weekend warrior and want that 335 sound then get an epiphone 335 or step up to the Sheraton

[@antoonhermans8953]

well i have just bought the epi 335 from you guy's at max guitarshop , can't wait to get it home , i do hope you where not talking BS about this guitar , i still have my gibson 2019 335 with P90 pu's at home , ( wich i will probably sell if the epi is up to the game ) , so i can compare them : )

[@maxguitarstore]

Awesome! You'll love it, I'm sure of it! - Sasha

[@antoonhermans8953]

@@maxguitarstore well .... , yes !!!! , these new 2020 " inspired by gibson " epi's are great guitars for the money , i have bought the lp special tv yellow and now the ES 335 at you're store and they both came well set up and play and sound great , i already have done some tweaks though , i have put some tonerider vintage P90's in the lp special ( i like the alnico II sound in P90's a bit more then the somewhat "hotter" alnico 5 P90's pu's ) and i put an duesenberg les trem II on the ES 335 ,.and i must say that these new epi pro humbuckers really sound well ( normally i never liked the epi pu's ) so they can stay . This new ES 335 is a lot better then the "old " epi dot in my humble opinion , and i have also already sold my gibson ES 335 , that;s how impressed i am with this ES 335 ( and also the lp special tv yellow ) . I can't help thinking that gibson is shooting itself in there on foot with these upgraded epiphone's , there so close to the gibson "level " that spending way more money on a gibson just seems a bit silly to me ( that is if you're not an doctor/laywer or rich businessguy : ) ) , i have played the epi ES 335 for a few day's now and do not miss the gibson ES 335 at all . Thanks for the great service , Antoon Hermans

[@lyrixandlicks3029]

The Gibson has a fuller, more polished sound with more resonance. The Epi is nice but clearly not an equal.

[@planzed.2]

I thought you could really hear the difference, I’d change those pickups, muddy. Cool vid though man, thanks 🙏🏼

[@ranman58635]

I bought a Grote to try and honestly, I can make it sound just as good with an amp. I cannot afford what you can but this will suffice for me. It needs new strings, nut and a full set up still but I love it and it's gorgeous. Made in the same sweat camps as Epiphone. I just had to try it. Fully loaded too!

[@Michaelgracon]

The import guitars are very impressive these days. It’s hard to find a bad guitar with all the technology available.

[@benallmark9671]

I have the Grote too , pretty dam impressive aren't they.

[@ranman58635]

@@benallmark9671 , naw kinda pine like. It's gone. I traded for a MK

[@stevenschmeevan6364]

You can’t tell the difference between the two from a you tube video. I have compared them side by side. The epiphone sounds boxy or compressed when compared to the Gibson which has a much more open tone and much fuller tone. The difference is very noticeable when they are played live.

[@andrewcruz7595]

Imma get one soon!!

[@jimbailey1122]

I can tell the difference. It's all in the wood, the G just has more resonance.

[@mattychapati]

Gibson any day of the week. It's worth spending the extra for the quality IMHO. Beautiful playing as well fella! You got to love the haters. Kill 'em with kindness. He's busy sucking lemons! 🎸👌🏼🤘🏼

[@thadlogan51]

I had an Epiphone 335 and it never stayed in tune and intonation off. Pickups also sounded muddy... so I sold it. Seems like many others had same issues. The guitar looked cool and seemed well made so was disappointed. If you are tech savvy and can work out the bugs then would be worth it over paying more for the Gibson which is constructed almost the same. My advice would be to buy one from a store where you can try the one out you want to buy versus buying online and you may have better luck.

[@maxguitarstore]

This is exactly why we always do a thorough quality checkup with every guitar we sell before we ship them out. Just to make sure that everyone who buys guitars from us get a great guitar straight out of the box.

[@Jimbowholivesinsoup]

Thanks for the great clean sounding review 5/5 !! My only concern is about the neck “fatness”. I got to play a Gibson 335 in a concert and I loved the neck profile(a kind of slim one, I’m a strat player so ya). So I want to buy one, but for my wallet it’s only Harley Benton or Epiphone. But I can’t try them out. So my question is, was the neck very different on the Epi or it has the same beautiful slimness as Gibson ?

[@rrazote2279]

It's a little more full than Gibson's slim taper neck, but not as bad as the Gibson 50's neck. I prefer slim necks, too, but this one is comfortable. Maybe it's the rolled edges? I'd try before you buy. All of the 2021-2022 epiphones that are "inspired by Gibson" have a similar neck, so if you try the Special, Sheraton, and 335, they are pretty similar. The Les Pauls seem different to me, though. I bought both the 335 and Special P90 this week and have not regretted it. No, they're not as nice as their Gibson counterparts - I've owned a few - BUT at the price point, they are really, really good.

[@Jimbowholivesinsoup]

@@rrazote2279 Thanks for the reply.. 5/5.. I tried it in a shop and felt really nice.. So just collecting some money and getting one :--------)

[@Coopersx1]

Love your playing. Definitely going back for another look to pick up on some of your really nice improv's and changes-beautiful!

[@jameskillman2783]

I firmly believe that you cannot beat a Gibson. It is the best. I suspect that the Gibson will be the better guitar in 20 or 30 years. On the other hand, Epiphone is a really good guitar, and you buy 5 re 6 for the price of a Gibson. At my age, it won't matter in 20 or 30 years, so I think I'm going to go buy an Epiphone next week. I've been toying with the idea, but this ( and a few other sites) has pretty much convinced me.

[@martinbennett6000]

You have to say the Epiphone is real good, but the Gibson is that bit better, not by much. But its that little difference that makes me sit up and say 'Man that sounds Cool', Lovely playing by the way!

[@Tony.795]

I wonder how much of a difference there would be if they both have the same electronics and pickups.

[@petestaint8312]

Killer playing! 👍

[@pablorago1852]

The difference is perceptible, listening to the demo through my rokit 8 monitors. You can feel it in the balance between notes and a sweeter tone in the gibson. but seriously, for the price difference epiphone is 90 percent of the sound, it's a great amount, Awesome actually.

[@aguyandaguitar9533]

Love your videos man..awesome editing! Also which one of Gretsch G2622 and Epiphone ES335 would you recommend ? Are new epiphone guitars good ?

[@maxguitarstore]

Thanks man! I don't know the Gretsch tbh, but you can't go wrong with that Epi. The new Epiphones are really good!

[@sixstringcity3931]

Gretsch in this price point felt cheap in my opinion. Dangelico i think brings tbe most quality at several price points in this semi hollow platform. That said ive not tried a new Epi. I do have a 2003 dot cherry i dig but it is what it is.

[@insalinity5558]

to be honest, if you're after a 335 sound you probably won't be satisfied with the Gretsch Streamliner. And, I actually think these Epi 335s slot right into the Electromatic category in terms of quality. So I would be considering the Epi over the Streamliner. I own Gretsch and Epiphone guitars, and enjoy them both greatly.

[@aguyandaguitar9533]

@@insalinity5558 I got the Epiphone Inspired by ES-335 in red. It's stunning!

[@ernestoflores5771]

Gibson more definition at the end, but I prefer Epiphone sound ! And for what talk about prices !

[@kencade6544]

I paid $400 for a gently used Epiphone and its gold. Had another that was just a shite guitar. Replaced the nut with a bone nut. As for pickups I've no serious complaints. No doubt the Gibson's are better but they retail for about $3500 in Canada. Not worth an extra $3100!!

[@Yannplaysguitar]

Solid tones

[@incognito2246]

Perhaps because you felt better with the Gibson, but your playing was more expressive with. More clear & sweet on the Gibson neck pickup too.

[@fartsonbasketball9206]

Is it worth the extra $1200 better though?

[@upload2352]

Epi sounded brighter/thinner (assume tone controls set similarly). Might be down to the maple-only laminate construction of the EPi (brighter tone), vs the maple-poplar-maple laminate sandwich of the Gibson. Or the pickups, I don't know.

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

All I can say is thank God epi exists cause I can't afford a gib so it's not even a choice.

[@davecooper360]

I have Epiphones and Gibsons. The Gibsons sound significantly better especially at band volume. But the Epiphones still sound great!! I love the updated Epi headstock too. It's a massive improvement.

[@Gabe-1997]

do you think it's because of the pickups or something else?

[@davecooper360]

@@Gabe-1997 I'm not 100% sure but I think the quality of wood is a factor, but pickups can make a big difference.

[@thelongestdongrod190]

​@@davecooper360 naw mate it's been well proven by now that wood doesn't affect the tone at all.

[@alifprastio5367]

Whats the different with epiphone dot ?

[@tilllanglo5316]

The Gibson just sounds sweeter and more defined. Instead of buying all the accessoires to chase the sound you really want just buy the right one from the get go and focus on practicing. Such a lovely tone.

[@mushfiquefahim141]

It's interesting how the Gibson seems to inspire him more!

[@tomcaron9113]

Love my Iced Tea burst but the pots are not that great. I believe they are CTS but my neck volume developed a dead spot just after 10 and cuts off the pickup. Component cleaner was no help. Bad pot. I use my tone and volume pots constantly while many players just leave them wide open. I need a more gradual travel on the pots so I can control my tone. Rather than hassle with warrantee I’m going to put in a Dimazio custom pot. These have a more gradual and smooth taper so I am hopeful it fixes this and gives me that smooth adjustment. The bridge volume pot works but has an abrupt effect on the tone at about 8.5, not a gradual change. May replace that one also. I am real suspicious now of the quality of these CTS pots.

[@sonofromel]

They could be linear taper instead of audio taper. Linear taper does that

[@tomcaron9113]

@@sonofromel I put the Dimazio Custom in it and now it works as expected. I’ve never experienced that. All other stocks pups work fine.

[@sonofromel]

@@tomcaron9113 one pot must be a linear taper. Cts isn't all that too. Upgrades are still necessary if they malfunction.

[@woodjoewood]

Love the review. Can anyone tell me if both guitars have the same upper fret access? I know on the dot it’s only really up to 17th fret to play comfortably.

[@jacobarmstrong5308]

Should be the same, seeing as the Epi is based on the Gibson

[@maxguitarstore]

Yes, they're the same! - Sasha

[@matthewstearle7395]

Hi Max,would you recommend the Epi 335 or the Epi Les Paul for 500,thanks

[@maxguitarstore]

Depends on what you like. They are very different guitars. I would recommend to visit a shop and try them both. Or whatever semihollow and Les Paul style guitar they have. See what suits your ears and needs better. Cheers, Sasha

[@matthewstearle7395]

@@maxguitarstore thank you for the advice

[@mns8732]

On expensive guitars what cost more is engineering and making small design changes that arent readily apparent whereas epiphones are careful reproductions of past designs - no new R&D. Labor is incidental as labor costs reflect out put per unit. My point is that Gibsons are priced fairly for what yiu get in terms of design .

[@johncho8766]

How much R&D has Gibson done with the 335 since 1958? From a design point of view, I'm not even sure what, if anything, has changed aside from the pickups and tuning machines. Gibson actually prides themselves on building guitars in the same tradition since the 50's - that's their 'thing'. They charge what they charge because people (like me) will pay for it. But they're expensive because of all the money they pour into design? No.

[@hairlab9646]

Could be the amp settings or a million other things, but I've heard better unmodded epi 335's. The Gibson however, is one of the increasingly rare good ones (IMO, Gibson's standardized manufactring techniques have helped epiphone--they all sound better than they used to, but hurt Gibsosn. They've eliminated most of the duds, but they've also reduced the number of happy accidents that make for great guitars. The result is that almost all gibsons sound pretty good, but epi's sound pretty darn close since the only differences that matter sonically are the electronics and bridge material

[@btlnckr]

Hey Max, I just bought a brand new ES 339 Epiphone - No coil split(which I prefer) and I'm so very happy with what they've done. I owned a 1985 Gibson ES 335 and it ha the slim taper neck (which I don't like, and ended up trading it for a National Style 1 Tricone) anyway, like you said, the neck on my 339 is great, it's not a slim taper they call it "rounded C" it's not a 50's profile, which I DO like, but it's so comfortable with the rounded board. The 335 that I owned was a great guitar but this 339 feels better right out the gate! And the pups are real good too! Alnico Classic Pros. I'm guessing they're alnico 5 from what I've read.

[@maxguitarstore]

Awesome man, those 339’s are great as well! - Sasha