Gibson ES-335: Better Than a Les Paul? | Alamo Music Tone Profile

[@MyCrazyDogs32]

Thank you for doing this with clean tones.

[@JoshuaC923]

"there is nothing different except for a lot of things" hahah! Very nice comparison, thanks for the video

[@lynnfrancesanderson1829]

That is exactly what I was going to say. Dude filming, stop the poor fellow when it’s in the first minute and he says that!!! There IS a thing called, take 2! Nice playing!

[@zachreilly247]

@@lynnfrancesanderson1829 I think it was a deadpan joke.

[@nicayeung]

@@lynnfrancesanderson1829 there IS a thing called sarcasm

[@lynnfrancesanderson1829]

@@nicayeung I know. It was funny!

[@IndigoJo]

The thing is, electronically Gibsons are mostly very similar. Two pickups, usually humbuckers, and a switch. Usually the same tailpiece as well. The difference is in the wood, the body: semi-hollow on the 335, thin body on the SG, thick and heavy on the Les Paul (unless it's chambered). With Fenders, the electronics are different depending whether it's a Strat, a Tele, a Jazzmaster, a Jaguar.

[@Mzzy1979]

I almost exclusively played my beloved 1979 Gibson Les Paul Custom for 10 years than bought a es 335 as a second / backup guitar. After a few months the Les Paul was the backup guitar. Years later I hardly ever touched my Les Paul so I sold it.

[@bcrater6400]

I fronted a gig once overseas and when the sound guy saw my old 335, he said 'Oh yeah'. You can make any decent guitar sound good in a studio, but in a concert hall the 335 is a monster. It becomes a whole different beast.

[@papahoppa1776]

I was just thinking the same thing, having just seen Joe Bonamassa play his earlier this year. Of all the guitars he played that night, the 335 was on another level.

[@festushaggen2563]

I’m a big Les Paul fan but that 335 has some fantastic low tones that sounded great to my ears. Unless someone wants to go full metal, I can’t see any other type of music that the 335 couldn’t do as well or better than the LP. Great demo. 👍🏻

[@Pussyinbootsmusic]

my les paul is my fav guitar, but rocking with a slab of wood as i get older is tiresom on my back. I think the 335 is going to be an okay alternative.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I think the biggest factor in this video is that you can really play guitar. I could hand you my plastic guitar from when I was a kid in the late 60's, early 70's and you'd sound better than I would with either of those Gibsons.

[@steveo44]

Couldn't put it better!. What an awesome player.

[@nathannall5754]

This has been my world for a long as I can remember

[@cathalwhelehan]

I fell in love with a 335 in my nearest guitar store back in February but couldn't afford it at the time (I only went in to dream anyway), just a standard Cherry Dot one and I just loved the neck (the rounded C, they call it - far more my kind of neck compared to the slim taper neck that was on an old Gibson Tribute LP I had once). I was also her first. I was standing there as one of the shop assistants worked his way through unpacking a stack of guitar boxes and putting shop tags on; she hadn't been hung for 30 seconds before I took her back down off the wall. Love at first touch. I only saw it again a couple of times before Covid lockdowns returned and the store had to temporarily shut because music stores weren't deemed an essential everyday need. They reopened a few weeks ago but other time pressures meant I only got to return today. She was still there - it was like she'd waited on me. I had asked her for her number in February (photographed the headstock and tags) and she was exactly the same one. I know there are lots of great looking look-a-likes out there but I never could bring myself to buy one; it was always a 335 or nothing for me. So, finally, after 28 years of lusting after an ES-335, I now have one, as of this morning, and I can't stop looking at it. I still can't really believe I now own a 335. I'm getting goosebumps just from the thought of it.

[@bushcry1]

Still playing it strong?

[@patrickestwick5675]

They both sound great. Still a difficult choice in my books…and here is exactly why we guitar lovers will simply buy both.

[@maelle779]

True but the real question is which one first are we going to buy

[@patrickestwick5675]

@@maelle779 ha ha ha. Back at Square 1 !!

[@dsholt]

They definitely didn't sound as different as one might guess. Cooper just proves the old adage, that the tone is in the hands. Awesome playing!

[@dawoud8013]

i think, having the ES-335 in the hands and near ears helps to feel the real tone ^^

[@msaintpc]

@@dawoud8013 Yes, the ES's tone is fatter, clearer, just all around tonally superior.

[@toddbeeman5933]

Not all heros wear capes. I've concluded Cooper didn't play these guitars.. The guitars sang to Cooper while he held them. #coopergreenbergfan #magicfingers

[@samberg9056]

I recently picked up one of these 2020 ES335’s and it 100% played better than every 2020 LP they had in the store. An entire world of difference.

[@jfar3340]

yeah 335 is a super comfy and ergononmic guitar; LP on the other hand, for me it's basically unplayble when seated

[@WHEREtheFUNK]

The tone of the 335. It’s got a deeper low tone. There is more to grab on to. Hard to describe. This guy is a great player.

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

For ultra clean sounds like jazz and blues I like a thin hollow or semi-hollow to get a little wood in the mix. Not as sterile sounding as a solid body on clean settings. 335's make a beautiful clean sound. I use solid bodies to peel the paint off the walls. Nice demo video!

[@RogerThat902]

335 for me. Great playing--really showed these 2 off well.

[@edwardmatera8098]

At the moment I own both of these models and what is different is not the tone so much but the feel. The Les Paul Standard (non-custom shop) is a beast weight wise and will quickly take a toll on your neck and back. For me, i feel pain after 15 minutes playing sitting or standing but yes, I'm old... The 335 weighs much less but is bulky. Due to its larger size, when you're playing sitting down, you dont hunch over as much. If you are considering purchasing either of these, I highly recommend you sit with them for a while at a music store to see what I'm talking about. I think you will find the 335 much more comfortable over long periods and yes, the 335 tone is much fuller clean and also with gain. That being said, they are still both the highest quality instruments out there, IMO.

[@AdFunk]

You sir are the most amazingly gifted guitarist. Apart from your fantastic comparison, what I also learned from this video is that I need to practice more!

[@YashodhanGoenka]

Man any guitar in this man’s hands is going to be mind blowing

[@MusicAnirban]

The sound of ES 335 is a song by itself. What a guitar. I am feeling so emotional about it. Great demo!

[@markwebster8743]

Really like this comparison. I am fortunate to have both these models and I was just thinking if I had to give one up which one it would be? To be honest its like asking which child you would get rid of. The 335 with the t-type pickups just sings and has that amazing note definition and open clarity where as the Les Paul 60's is more lower mids focused and has that lower mid end growl that just grabs you. I find both very inspiring when I pick them up and the problem can be sometimes which one to pick up. The neck pickup on the 335 is just so 'creamy' and has so many tones to dial in but the while guitar is a joy. The Les Paul for me can be a little more difficult to control the lower end, but with a touch more reverb or use of a EQ pedal balances out beautifully. Looks like both will be staying with me 🙂

[@robbiewiedrick2479]

Great performance Cooper! I happen to own both but I bought the semi hollow body first and then the solid body. I prefer the tone of the 335.

[@Triumphcruiser]

Cooper you always play something musical and tasteful in your demos which is in sharp contrast to a lot on the tube .

[@thomas.h.kullmann]

After a few weeks now with my new ES-335 (the excact same one as in the video) i sold my LP Standard. Not that the LP was bad Guitar, i loved it, but the ES-335 is just perfect for me. Together with my Fender 57 Champ, i am in blues heaven

[@catsmeow971]

WOW.. Loved the 335.. I thought I would prefer the Les Paul but I am a huge Blues lover and that 335 just sung!

[@GPLP335]

Great comparison video! I own both and love them for difference reasons. Both obviously have the Gibson sound but differ in feel and tonal characteristics as you can hear in the video. For me, and for most players, the preference comes down to the style of music you are playing.

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I concur, for hard rock, overdrive and distortion - a Les Paul. I prefer clean, clear, blues, swing, rockabilly, country, and a more open warmer tone from the ES. The ES is more comfortable to play, especially sitting down, usually lighter too.

[@timcestnick2004]

Thanks for the comparison! I find the 335 to have a more open, resonant and bright sound and works fantastic for the riffs you were playing. I could see that if you wanted to crank up the overdrive or distortion the Les Paul would work better. So I guess it depends on the song. I could see wanting (how about “needing” - at least that’s what I tell my wife) both guitars. Thanks again!

[@msaintpc]

Cranked up, distortion, you name it, the ES can do everything the Lester can do.

[@richardgrimm9441]

The standard lacked a definite note sound on some notes, the hollow body had very good note definition

[@johndeeregreen4592]

Part of that problem was the pickups. I believe those were Alnico II pickups set just a little too low. Those pickups take overdrive very well, but require a major height adjustment when playing clean.

[@99jic]

Amazing playing...Two amazing guitars.. That's why I have both.. Sometimes its hard to choose which one to play...

[@keithrowe7617]

1st Godlike example 335 - 2:57 and 3:23 LP - 3:44 and 4:10 2nd Magic fingers example. 335 - 4:31 and 5:05 LP - 5:44 and 6:27 3rd Devil comin' after that boy's soul when he die! 335 - 7:05 LP - 7:59

[@drewkingson]

To me its like the difference between a rosewood acoustic vs a mahogany. I love my Les Paul and traded my ES-335 for a Gretsch - mellower tone - the 335 sounds incredibly bright and clear - maybe to bright for my taste.

[@rthavi]

I mean I generally like the style of music made with 335's better, but you really sold me on that Les Paul.

[@revelationsoundstudio]

I got my 1989 Les Paul and I love it. Just ordered a cherry 335 with the new calibrated pickups. It will be interesting to see how different they are from each other.

[@ripw1]

what do you think of the calibrated humbuckers now? I find them a bit muddy and resemble playing with flatwound strings which I do like. VERY different to my old 335 with classic 57 humbuckers

[@revelationsoundstudio]

@@ripw1 The calibrated pickups are brighter than my Les Paul pickups. I don't find them muddy at all. I definitely prefer the 335 for blues and the Les Paul for rock. The woody tone of the 335 is just wonderful. The larger neck is surprisingly comfortable to play and access to the higher frets is easier than the Les Paul. The quality of the instrument is also excellent. It's my favorite guitar now. I barely play my Strat anymore

[@redbirdjams]

Nice playing, and thanks for not blasting us out! Very useful comparison vid. I'll take 'em both

[@jschwam1307]

Excellent video and excellent playing! So here is my two cents… I own an Eastman T386, arguably one of the best semi hollow hand built guitars available, and a Vintage V100 LP copy that has been my main gigging guitar for the past five years. Both are exceptionally good instruments and the playability is phenomenal on each. Both are wired 100% exactly the same, Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers, Gavitt wiring throughout, NOS Russian paper and oil caps and CTS pots. With the exception of pickup height variation due to the design of the bodies, both are essentially feeding the signal through almost the exact same path. I use 10s on both of them. They definitely do both sound unique in their own right, but are similar in other ways. What’s interesting to me though, is that I unintentionally play them both very differently. The LP I tend to play very hard, palm mute a lot, and play more aggressive styles of music. With the T386 I tend to use a lighter hand and lighter attack, similar to what I might with an acoustic guitar, and just simply don’t play it as aggressively. I have no idea why I treat them both uniquely different, but it ends up making both sound uniquely different despite them having so many similarities. I love both these guitars and have no desire to replace one with the other, I just use them in different ways and both sound amazing in their own right.

[@donsimons9810]

eastmans are chinese made patent bending replicas geared at destroying all trees affordably

[@millershane71]

That Les Paul is freaking unbelievable. It shows in your playing toward the end ... you start going off the rails i little bit it seems just by virtue of the guitar. maybe im off but great playing, would love to see you just freaking rock out and play what you really love! great video!

[@ryanwhitley5427]

Great video! My $0.02: The ES-335 is more pleasing by itself; the Les Paul stands out in the mix. Solution: Buy both!

[@joseceraia]

For me the Gibson ES 339, the best of both worlds.

[@jonathansmith2581]

335 is awesome. If it’s good enough for Chuck Berry & B.B. King, then it’s good enough for me. Comparison was great!

[@rommelrivera1186]

This dude can play! But it's weird how similar the two guitars sounded. Great comparison!

[@bushcry1]

Agreed

[@josephthompson6942]

If I did a blind test I couldn't choose which one to get but I like the look of the les paul better

[@bushcry1]

Agreed

[@jeffw468]

Nice pickin'. Partial to the 335, but confirms my theory that you need both!

[@AlamoMusic]

Good choice!

[@ektalon1]

Fabulous playing. I've kinda been shopping for a Les Paul, but the creamy sound of the 335 blew me away. Love it.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

I think I took an important route to your question: I put the video on and didn’t look at it. I found that when I looked over to find the “sweeter” sounding guitar, it was usually the ES-335. Would that one be the one I’d choose for every gig? No. But I feel I could. Also, the FEEL of the guitar- the resonance of a good semi-hollowbody- beyond the sound- is a nice thing at home acoustically, or at gigs of any volume I’m ever going to play. The FEEL of the thing. I have an “electronics gutted” Epiphone Sheraton that I LOVE to play lieu of the good ES-335 I can neither find, nor currently afford. That said, I also have three Les Pauls. A Gibson. A Tokai. An Epiphone. Those are great guitars too. And… because I bought none of these at crazy (meaning: new Gibson) prices, I don’t have to choose. I have multiple and VERY different ES-335 type guitars with different pickup options as well as three Les Pauls that also have three different pickup options. Yes, I’d LOVE a Gibson Rusty Anderson Signature ES-335. My goodness ye$$$$$$. In the meantime, as a gigging guitarist, I feel I know the sounds and FEELS of these two guitar types. And I didn’t… and YOU don’t have to pay “Gibson money” to know them and appreciate the differences.

[@asdaven1]

The differences in tone are only slight to me. They feel completely different though. The semi hollow bodies are bulky but pretty light. The Les Paul less bulky but heavy. I feel the SG and the Les Paul is a bigger tonal difference than the 335 and the Les Paul. Some notes are accented different on the 335 but not as big of a difference in tone as is the SG and the Les Paul.

[@ripw1]

I have both these models. They are definitely different in feel and sound. They are both great guitars and inspire me to play in different ways which is a good thing

[@Rdlnm]

"Which one is better?" is in this case certainly a question answered by personal preferences. Different guitars for different needs. Honestly, I need both ones 😁😁

[@donniewillis2926]

The ES-335 has a much more well rounded sound! The entire tonal range is just better to me on the ES-335. I love a Les Paul no doubt. But there is just something special about the ES- 335! I see my grandson getting one soon!

[@JP-jy7sk]

Always such tasty playing from Cooper Greenburg! Nice work. Do more solo videos!

[@dananthony6258]

Can we do this again with both 57 classics with some hair on the pickups ?

[@54macdog]

This was a great idea and really highlights the differences.

[@AlamoMusic]

Appreciate the comment!

[@omoyne]

Thank you Mr. Greenberg for your inspirational playing. 🎉🎉🎉

[@adamski101]

Great playing as always Cooper. I think I preferred the LP in this demo.

[@Jaixa_photo]

Well think about the Child in Time solo on the In Rock album, was played on an es-335. Ritchie Blackmore used that before he switched to the strat.

[@Dang...]

Great playing, excellent demo. You illustrated the similarities and differences so well.

[@kodybryantmusic7357]

love the 335 way more

[@kostasdimitriadisguitar9607]

I own a cheap semi hollow about 300€...I don't believe I could compare it with the huge Gibson ES-335, but as first impression semi hollow guitars make the perfect, clear, vintage sound of blues and classic rock... I think the Gibson Les Paul is also very good at clean tones but with a more crunchy and electric tone due to solid body also great for hard rock and distortion...both of them classic diamonds!!!

[@IndigoJo]

I think it was Keith Richards who said he could make any electric guitar sound like any other, and this video bears that out; some of the sounds you were playing on those guitars were the sort of country sounds you'd most likely play on a Tele. Even Albert Lee switched from a Tele to a Music Man with humbuckers. Did you mean 335s in general are rare or that particular spec? Guitar shops over here seem to have loads of them (I checked out Anderton's and they have a few, as does Wembley Music Store in London.)

[@luguando]

Chuck Berry was great. If you want to cite an example of an iconic 335 player you should have mentioned Alvin Lee. He used them exclusively and could make that guitar sing (and go very fast when he wanted to).

[@rondeakin8876]

Two very different sounds to my ears,lovely demo as per normal,great stuff Cooper !

[@jfar3340]

they sound the same

[@endreszatmari2302]

The Les Paul has a different attack. More twang, more treble.

[@jesusespasandinlopez3991]

It´s a pity he didn´t try them with more gain. I bet I´d prefer the LP for high gain tones. But as far as I can hear from his clean tones playing I´d go hands down for the ES-335. Absolutely in love with such a sweet bright tone.

[@mabbatic]

They both sounded great but for clean the 335 was more richer in the tone department to my ear.

[@RossBayCult]

I like the Les Paul more. Less spaced out, more centralized and narrow sounding than the 335. A little more focused.

[@patrickestwick5675]

And yes the 335 semi hollow has that little warm fuzz flavor over the solid body.

[@donadolfo11]

Very revealing comparison, Cooper, thank you. I prefer the more compact sound of the Les Paul. The ESG sounds more airy, fine as well in its own right.

[@damianlopez-gaston2466]

Great video. I happen to have both. But the truly remarkable thing is the outstanding playing. Man!

[@Nikoo033]

Very nice comparison and playing. Had never noticed how bright the 335 is in comparison. The end of the video was scary 😂

[@leeholbrook5278]

I love my '68 Dot neck 335 for all the tone and the fact you can access all the fretboard much easier than an LP. Of course I also have a '59 Standard Burst (Love It!!!) and a Double Cut Away Bust LP (Love It Too!!!) All of them are ever so slightly different, tone-wise, and also playing approach, for me. The fact is still - Tone is very much in the hands of the player. BTW - Cooper has great hands and excellent chops !!!

[@dwightlowes]

I prefer the semi hollow body if I could play as well as you great demo!

[@CacophonyOfDestruction]

That amp and whatever effects you are running sound incredible

[@charlesbranch4120]

Thanks, Cooper! I want to see a remake of the outro with Chris McKee's full body block and tackle of the piano guy (like Alan Page of the Vikings tackled in the 1970s).

[@krispy_topher5896]

Came here for comparison - ended up spending hours trying to learn that first groove

[@MintStiles]

Speaking as someone that owns 4 Gibsons, they really are more similar than they are different. You'd hear a lot more difference between a humbucker, p90 or a mini. Get it because you like that example of the particular model (be it the tone or the colour), I honestly don't think most guitarists know the difference even when they are in one's own hands.

[@bushcry1]

I also thought they sounded similar

[@VictorRochaGaming]

Great demo. I own both. They really are similar but different.

[@prabhuslegalhub]

You are a fantastic player ... I watch the videos only for your playing

[@iammattwilhelm]

Biggest difference between these is feel. The 335 just resonates more, which feels good. I find I like Les Pauls with p90s and 335s with PAFs.

[@msaintpc]

The Gibson 335 and the Guild Starfire VI, pound for pound dollar for dollar, are the best all genre electric guitars on today's market.

[@snball60]

Nice job! Both sound great! Love your playing!

[@DS-nw4eq]

Great playing, great video.

[@msaintpc]

Cooper, that's some mighty fine pickin'!

[@davidnika446]

I'm pretty sure that if I listened to the performances toggled back and forth (with no visual), I would not notice the difference in tone. Maybe you do a video that does this, and indicate when the changes happen in the description of the video. That would be super cool.

[@royreta2366]

Madness. The brightness and punchy mids of the ES335 and the low-end thickness of the Les Paul are easily distinguishable

[@mattphillips3560]

Great playing Cooper

[@Bradtaylorphotographic]

Great vid and great playing. Could you please MOVE your logo to a smaller area off the side though? It was literally covering up both guitars while I'm trying to look at the detail.

[@LaurinaHawks]

The Guy in the video advertising at the end is a jerk. Destroying a guitar is never a joke. It's a sin. And his last kick while you picked the pieces up was mean.

[@sega62s]

i don’t know why some idiots destroys guitars when they could give ‘em to some poor people who a youth club.It’s so american….like apple pies & guns 😂

[@amesoeurs]

Also, even with the same pickups, any two of these guitars will sound SIGNIFICANTLY different with slight pickup height adjustments - on my 335 I lowered the treble side of the bridge slightly, and lowered the bass side of the neck slightly. They sound a bit more complimentary now to my ear, rather than drastically different. These guitars no doubt come of the factory with minutely different pickup heights which probably accounts for most perceived difference.

[@lawrencecates8402]

I like the 335 sound for blues and country and for sure thumb picking.

[@ricksmith201]

Nice pickin Cooper! I love both of these guitars. I wonder, with all the new Gibsons your getting, if you’re getting an ES-339?

[@craigthomson3621]

Rick, I have lefty Les Paul, ES-335 and ES-339 ( all Gibson). The ES-339 is great.

[@gspistole976]

Excellent demo. Same music through the same amp. Only way to check out tone differences. To me the Les Paul had a little sharper electric tone through the mid and treble tones. The ES had a little broader, lighter acoustic tone. Bass was the same. Thanks...

[@Love4boost]

I think the es335 is the best sounding guitar compared to anything. Loved playing one when I got the chance. Definitely a dream guitar. But the Les Paul is just my favorite guitar to play besides a Strat. I love my 60’s Les Paul standard. It’s so versatile, where my Strat I only play bluesy type stuff. But then again my Strat isn’t hss which I think is the best overall platform for guitar.

[@guitarpick335]

As they get older the 335 with the semi-hollow body may have more “body“ sounding improvements, due to the wood drying out (kind of like a Stradivarius). My ‘69 335 sound has improved over the years since I bought it brand new. But if you can get a '57-59 LP, go for it.

[@emirozdemir2037]

really doubt that a laminated to will "mature" with time

[@Drunken_Hamster]

Man, that 335 was juicy, clean, natural, and accurate sounding. I wouldn't be opposed to attempting an acoustic sound with that thing. The LP seemed to honk/quack a little more and I didn't like that, comparitively.

[@firstblessing4460]

Both guitars are great. Maybe LP is a bit brighter, which is not a bad thing. Nice demo!

[@biblestudynetwork2949]

The es 335 sounds more spacey atmospheric sound and the les paul is concentrated. One is for blues and jazz and the other is for rocks and rolls

[@mandrakeblackstone5838]

Good video , loved the ending this what we think of Acoustic , lol Semi-hollow or solid body are great but Acoustics gotta go

[@drewsleyy3836]

in my experience, having owned both for quite some time - when it comes to cleans, in the mix, there’s hardly any meaningful difference. What can be VERY different are (1) the weight, with 335’s typically being much lighter than LP’s and solid bodies in general, which makes a big difference when playing standing up; (2) Once gain is added, the 335 will feed back much quicker than the Les Paul. Sometimes this is desired and can be very musical, sometimes not. All context dependent; (3) To a more minor extent, I prefer the pickup selector location on the Les Paul, especially if a Bigsby is added. Right now I have both a solid body SG and a 335 type guitar with P90’s, I love them both!

[@martin_schwarz]

Had a 335 from 1989 and a LP from 1991. The 335 had too much midrange, sold it and kept the LP. But it's just a matter of taste.

[@MrMjp58]

Both great guitars in their own right. In this direct tone comparison, for me, the 335 had more depth and character.

[@Holonomics]

This is a really interesting comparison - cheers. I have an Epiphone Sheraton Pro and as Cooper says, the 335 (and this style) does take pedals well. But most of these demo videos never really show the screaming bleeding psychedelic end of what a semi-hollow can do - one day someone will seriously get going and rock out.

[@AppleSundays]

Technically David Grohl from Nirvana/ Foo Fighters did

[@Holonomics]

@@AppleSundays Oh totally - I was more referring to guitar demo videos as opposed to songs/bands.

[@grizzledtriggerfinger7141]

What type of amp did you use for this comparison? Loved that glassy sound.

[@agusg.t.8950]

It seems a fender blues jr or deluxe hot rod

[@grizzledtriggerfinger7141]

@@agusg.t.8950 Thanks!

[@nytom4info]

the 335 was fun to play..sounded acoustic...but the SG and my L6S through my Leslie was my favorite!!!!!!!!!!

[@aunevik]

Nice playing. Are you using blues jr iv ?

[@jonathanhorne6503]

I find the ES-335 to be a very big and cumbersome guitar. I can get to the same place sonically with my Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion and it’s a lot smaller. I love LPs but they are so heavy. My Epi Crestwood is the nearest comparable thing I have. Small humbucking pickups, but it’s a 7+ lb guitar.

[@ricardobp007]

Great demo!!!