Top 10 ES-335 Players Who Changed the World

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This one was fun. When deciding what three guitars I wanted last year, to cover all the things I like to do, a semi-hollow was among them. I've owned a pair of Gibson ES-390's and loved them and now I'm enjoying a Collings I-30 which is somewhere between a 335 and a 330.
This is a fun list and an interesting exercise. I hope you love it.
Keith

[@fivewattworld]

I believe that Alvin Lee was only meaningful for a brief moment, immortalized at in the Woodstock documentary. I have never heard, nor read of any major player saying they were influenced by his playing. As I've said before, this is my opinion, my list, my video, however you'd like to phrase it. Yours would/is different and that's cool.

[@robertfarrimond3369]

Is your opinion based on research or actually listening to his music? Your statement suggests " I have never heard, nor read of any major player saying they were influenced by his playing". Statistics or Taste? Check Joe Bonamassa Playing Alvin Lee's Guitar "Big Red" in Royal Albert Hall

[@cvdevol]

His playing at Woodstock made me want to play fast like him. No doubt it had the same effect on many others.

[@nyobunknown6983]

@@cvdevol As he said his influence was brief.

[@cvdevol]

@@nyobunknown6983 But a LOT of people here are questioning why he wasn't included. Looks like "influence" to me. 54 years after Woodstock.

[@westmorelandgreasy348]

Could have been included for Cricklewood Green alone... that album was huge to us in California in the 70's.

[@dwightrobertson275]

ALVIN LEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@garymelton613]

Yep, another vote for Alvin Lee!

[@parkerflyrook5940]

Justin Hayward fronted The Moody Blues for 55 years playing a ‘63 335 yet he never gets recognition on these kind of lists. He’s the sole reason I started playing. His tone and solos are amazing.

[@01Moodies]

Yep same here!

[@scottmulrooney3130]

Here too! One of my favorites and criminally underrated as a singer/guitarist/songwriter.

[@force263]

That’s the reason these lists are all bullshit. Some guy thought that he had come up with some idea that everyone needed to hear; but he is wrong, every single time. It’s essentially’”Where’s Waldo!”… Who got left off “the list”?…and if it was MY guy, you’d better look out, because MY choice is smarter and, therefore, better than anyone else’s. It’s the desperate quest for parental approval extended into “adulthood”; “Look-a-me, daddeh!”, I ‘member’d tuh say ‘Ten Years After’! Aintcha PROWD?!?”… “MY list of greatest rock n roll guitarists is UNIQUE…” “How so? You have Hendrix at number one, like everybody else.” “Yeah, but my choices for #69 and 84 - not to mention 91 - don’t appear on anybody else’s list…and im fairly certain that that makes me brilliant…I mean, it’s not as if my mom wasn’t clued into my uniqueness from Jump…” bravo 😑 It’s the yearly yammering on over who “belongs” in the RRHOF in miniature. It doesn’t matter. At all. None of it. Not the actual inductees, not Jann Wenner, not those plates they have in New York City that for some reason cost thousands of dollars to “honor” a form of music whose very simplicity & the ability of amateurs to play it as well - BETTER, actually, much much better - as millionaires, since its attitude & 3-chords that count for more than having money could ever make up for. Wait, what was the subject again?…

[@markkelley453]

I love rock because of the electric guitar. And that is why I love The Moody Blues. Subtle, understated playing that is always in service to their overall sound (but still jams)...and thus is vastly underrated. Genius!

[@jivanbansi9640]

With a Bigsby Wammy.

[@hughmaxwell8143]

Alvin Lee, as usual , is again overlooked.

[@elmopizza]

Definitely deserves an honorable mention

[@willcraig6421]

I’ll second that Alvin Lee comment,and raise you an Elvin Bishop,Mr.Crabshaw himself.

[@CHodgy]

Elvin Bishop with Red Dog 👍👍

[@user-gl6xf7fl4r]

No Alvin Lee? Come on. One of the best blues players of all time.

[@thehighlandhamster]

No Alvin Lee! Major omission. A great player who played an iconic 335 with the peace sticker.

[@jerryprice6414]

Wow, no mention of Alvin Lee?

[@gregnewman2512]

Got to see Alvin open for Sabbath around 1982. Awesome!!

[@jeffmaloney8701]

Alvin Lee belongs on this list.

[@guzzialfa]

Alvin Lee, "I'd Love to Change the World. " Enough said, thank you.

[@roxammon5858]

I'm Goin Home, at Woodstock. Guitar playing and tone are amazing.. Bluest Blue is another great song

[@JonFrumTheFirst]

Another vote for Alvin Lee. His Woodstock performance was iconic. His career as a popular, name guitarist wasn't as prominent as some players, but he burned up Woodstock, and Harvard Stadium in Boston when I saw him up close.

[@kevinjohnbetts]

I was going to mention him because he was the reason I wanted a cherry dot 335. I vividly remember hearing the Ten Year's After cover of 'Woodchopper's Ball' on BBC World Service some time in 1980 and have never been so blown away by a guitarist's technical abilities since. That may be down to my own growth as a player but even now I find that track, and the whole 'Undead' album, inspiring to listen to.

[@justinmedina1612]

Alvin Lee is a must on this list. At least top 3.

[@johnmac8084]

Alvin Lee was the shredder of his day, and was the reason I wanted a cherry 335, after hearing him in 1970.

[@oceanix1929]

After Chuck Berry, Alvin Lee's 335 is the most iconic one and also the fastest one! Going Home performance from Woodstock is among the most defining guitar moments in history

[@beornthebear.8220]

To me, Alvin Lee was the original shredder. I still listen to Rock & Roll Music to the World to this day. Two things I learned are that he was given several 335s, but would always uncover the pickups, flip them upside down (which would drive Gibson crazy because it would make more noise) but to him it had a sharper sound, also he sometimes cut a hole in the middle to insert a Fender pickup. The second thing was that he said he had tried Strats, which he liked, but he kept hitting the pickup switch by mistake. Thus, history was made by a mistake.

[@victorbeebe8372]

Aloha Keith! Alvin Lee @ Woodstock.

[@fivewattworld]

I hear you but really only there right?

[@FreedomFlyer689]

Alvin Lee! Going home!!

[@vansongs]

Big Red and Alvin Lee were my teen image and sound of rock. The only tshirt I own or ever owned with a human picture on it is of Alvin rocking out on, to me the most iconic 335 ever

[@jenh1957]

IMHO Alvin Lee is definitely missing on this list. RIP Alvin

[@MusicMike939]

I really feel like Keith missed the boat for the first time. Alvin Lee is the greatest 335 player. His performance on woodstock is no doubt the most seen actual guitar performance on a 335.

[@joshuafreedman7703]

Alvin Lee could be on this list, yes, but, no, not above Larry, B.B., or Chuck.

[@drsrsv8884]

Delusional, Eric Clapton is above Alvin. He might be top 10, but 10th place

[@kenhawkins1033]

Alvin should definitely be on the list.

[@danpearson2471]

Alvin Lee Ten Years After Check out Woodstock the movie

[@bstrat596]

Alvin Lee, man when I was 15 I first saw the woodstock film....... One of my many favorites since.

[@1959LP4U]

Not having Alvin Lee in the top five, let alone the top ten, renders this list irrelevant!!! One the the most iconic player/335 guitar combinations possible!!!

[@banburyjammer]

No Alvin Lee???

[@cvdevol]

What??? No Alvin Lee? You gotta be kidding!

[@jengleexemailcomau]

Totally agree.

[@marcbolan1818]

Alvin Lee drew more attention to the classic ES-335TDC than almost any other player. Shout out to the great Eddie Phillips of The Creation with his ES-335TDC that ended up in the hands of Dave Gregory of XTC (another superb player).

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Thank you for saying what I was thinking about Alvin Lee.

[@bobbyb1607]

Totally. A big Ten Years After fan. That big red Gibson with a Fender pick up and a peace sign is unmistakably iconic

[@davidmacleod9313]

Alvin Lee at Woodstock!!! That was the ear opener for me! Blows ALL these other players away, imo. 😊 I have never owned a 335. Not cheap these days. Lol

[@heimomoilanen9654]

Santana blew all away.

[@davidmacleod9313]

@@heimomoilanen9654 I’ll give him a tie for the Woodstock performance. He should’ve stuck with his SG later in life. IMO.

[@edwardsmith9801]

Yeah Alvin Lee is pretty high on my personal list , definitely shouldn't be forgotten.

[@Mister_Samsonite]

Alvin Lee, anyone? I would have put him on this list before Noel Gallagher.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

Absolutely!!!

[@G.S.W.SewmesomeMusic]

Agreed !

[@Mister_Samsonite]

After all, he "loved to change the world".

[@xxGriff]

I think Alvin Lee shoulda been somewhere in the list. I'm going home ... iconic and was one of the "I GOTTA try this guitar thing!" moments for me and I assume many more.

[@ericdeetz4185]

Alvin lee was the most prominent 335 user of the rock era.

[@seektruth1599]

Justin Hayward w The Moody Blues, iconic sound and creativity !!!

[@michaelcrenshaw4387]

Johnny Rivers was a big influence. We must not forget Alvin Lee.

[@samfleming3839]

I was tempted to mention Johnny Rivers too; another hugely influential original talent who I recall played a 335 or similar.

[@thestratophile]

No.1 HAS TO BE ALVIN LEE!!!!!!!!!!!! (great work though, love the channel) 😠😎

[@meesh4190]

Got to agree with everyone who chimed in about Alvin Lee missing from this “Top 10” list. For me, it was Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues who stamped me with the ES as my dream guitar.

[@scottmulrooney3130]

Same! His 70’s tone is amazing.

[@biocyclomtb2359]

Another vote for Alvin Lee here✌️

[@Stratocus]

Excellent, except...Alvin Lee? His "I'm Going Home" at Woodstock was and remains a highlight of the festival and an iconic moment of his use of a Gibson ES335

[@davidkereluk1805]

Alvin Lee said Big Red was worth too much money to a take on tour, and is probably the most famous 335.

[@kennethday9747]

No Alvin Lee 😢

[@spokes28]

I think Alvin Lee had more influence than some of the younger players that you mention. They may have actually been influenced by Lee.

[@kevinpotter2288]

One of my favorite ES-345 players is Jorma Kaukonen of The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.

[@carlosxavier6466]

I was expecting Alvin Lee to on the #1 position on your list. He was a great guitar player and back in the day his 335 was a remarkable guitar with 3 pickups and all that stickers.

[@samfleming3839]

Alvin, himself, added a strat p/u to go along with the 2 uncovered humbuckers. It's not surprising to see how many times he's mentioned in the responses here.

[@guismth]

Wheres Alvin?

[@garypannone7755]

OMG.... You forgot Alvin Lee and Big Red. One of the truly best and I only remember him playing a 335.

[@RussInCanada]

Another vote for Alvin Lee. He literally had a song called "I'd love to change the world".

[@hombre-del-campillo1291]

Agree with others below, Alvin should have been somewhere at top of the list. If I were to buy one, it would because of him. Of course BB and Jorma Kaukonen too, but Alvin Lee for sure. Most ferocious and psychodelic 335 sound of all time.

[@RichInternationalAir]

An excellent list of 335 players, but I believe that Steve Howe of YES definitely deserves a spot on this list. 🎸

[@mikeyohe4750]

He’s the stereotypical ES175 player (not 335)

[@comajoebuck999]

@@mikeyohe4750There’s a video of Siberian Katru with him playing a brown? 335-55 series. But, yes, he’s known for the 175.

[@careyvinzant]

​@@mikeyohe4750There is footage of him using a 335 on Close to the Edge.

[@RickRomanelli]

He also played an ES-Artist.

[@unknownkingdom]

Don't think he played a 335. Or at least isn't known for it

[@nickgreg7016]

Great show Kieth as always, I thought Alvin Lee should have been there also....

[@clwheeler6954]

Definitely Alvin Lee! Not only does he deserve #1 for his playing but also the 335 he played deserves #1 too 😊 come-on now… give it up 😂

[@fivewattworld]

Sorry, but I sort of felt Alvin's moment was just there in the 60's. Probably just me.

[@clwheeler6954]

@@fivewattworld yeah, but… that guitar man 😎 and, he was so dedicated to that one guitar. Enjoyed the video. Merry Christmas all!

[@flybynight1929]

@@fivewattworld Lee is literally the reason I started playing guitar, and Ten Years After was mostly a 70's band.

[@chrismcbrias4681]

Woodstock amazing​@@flybynight1929

[@rottalmusik6563]

Jep, Alvin Lee should be mentioned😊

[@jppagetoo]

Not that he belongs in the top 10, but Elvin Bishop deserves an Honorable mention. His influence on the west coast players in the 1970's was huge.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

He aint good lookin' but he sure can play!

[@glen7228]

So true. I feel bad I didn't even think of him. Especially since "I Fooled Around and Fell in Love" was playing on the radio when my girlfriend and I decided we were in love, and should move in together, while sitting in line at a Taco Bell drive thru. We got married four years later and that was 32 years ago.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

Good call. Seen him, them, at least twice opening for whomever way back when. They did a tight 4O minutes and Bishop did rip...

[@gabrieln3613]

Nice! 50 year harmonica player here, full-time pro by age 20. Have opened for Elvin Bishop and last weekend I played a gig with Johnny V Vernazza- who is on about 5-6 Elvin B. Albums and whose guitar you hear on "Fooled around and fell in love".

[@markhammer643]

Big Red IS one of the most famous and pivotal 355s in guitar history. The battle between Elvin Bishop and Mike Bloomfield in the epic instrumental "East-West", off the eponymous 1966 Paul Butterfield Blues Band album, pretty much set the standard for rock guitar over the subsequent decades.

[@JohnCampbelljohnBlues]

Great show but Alvin Lee over Noel Gallagher all day long. Plus special mention to Dave Edmonds and his gorgeous late ‘50s blond 335!

[@brianbullis6253]

Nice choices for this video. Alvin Lee's iconic Big Red should have a noteworthy mention.

[@markfahey3921]

I'll go with Dave Edmunds. maybe he didn't change the world but his influence on me was incredible. I'd also as Keith Richards. Alvin Lee tore up woodstock with that intro on Goin' Home.

[@user-mg9hg1ig1n]

Very surprised there’s no mention of Alvin Lee. I’m Going Home was a real workout to learn and I’m still using those licks today. That said, another great list!

[@LarreeHollywood]

How do you create a "Top 10 335 Players Who Changed the World" list without Alvin Lee? He should be at the top of the list. He wrote I'd Love to Change the World! My favorite guitarists on your list are Freddy, B.B., and Chuck. Rock on. :)

[@fivewattworld]

Well he got one.

[@eastwind32]

I know it may be my age but we did go back as far as Chuck Berry. Alvin Lee deserves to be at very least, on the list

[@flybynight1929]

Sorry, you missed one of the most iconic 335 player, and one of the best ever, Alvin Lee! He blew everyone at Woodstock away, and he finally retired the guitar when someone offered him $500,000 for it. Now as I'm reading through the comments, it's good to see he's getting the love and respect he deserves. FWW could do a segment just on his 335, he was also famous for modding it before anyone even knew what a mod was.

[@frankscuderi7605]

I am sure glad you brought up Alvin Lee .For 52 years I wanted to get a Alvin Lee guitar 335 that is what I did . And the only thing that made me get one was I changed my outlook that I needed to have one. And yes it was from when I seen him play the 335 at Woodstock.

[@brucecall1595]

I became a fan of alvin at the age of 14. Just turned 60!

[@vaxxedfilms7477]

Absolutely Alvin Lee!!!!

[@timpotter3337]

I'm just gonna add a vote for Alvin Lee. Can't say where he belongs on the list but he definitely deserves to be on it

[@stuartmiller7419]

Excellent and interesting, as ever. I'll add Ritchie Blackmore playing his 335 on 'Wring that neck' and 'Child in Time'. Worked for me, as a kid. 🙂

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Thank you Sir. You spared me from writing that. 😊👌 Look at Deep Purples “Concerto for Group and Orchestra” to witness the 335 in full flight.

[@grahamjeffries4566]

Shake with me

[@devans873]

PLEASE tell me why you missed Alvin Lee, even in your honorable mentions?

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Just so that his name will be mentioned here : Bill Nelson ( Be Bop Deluxe and wonderful solo career ) used a stereo wired 345 for much of Be Bop Deluxe's run. Wishing you all the best - John

[@chrisl5156]

I have to agree with others in the comments here. I'm a big fan of almost everyone on the list, but when I hear the 335 being discussed my thoughts go immediately to Alvin Lee and Big Red. He was an amazing player to watch.

[@frankfrank7921]

I agree with the Alvin Lee upvotes. Also, no love for the ES339? I like it because it's a part of the E series but smaller and more comfortable for me. Personally not small (6'-3', 250+lbs) but I always found 335s and the like too big and unwieldy.

[@armandom28]

Don’t forget Elvin Bishop

[@bobungvary8121]

Great video, but I think Alvin Lee had to be in there, and probably Steve Howe also.

[@goodun2974]

Many many people complained about Alvin Lee not being on the list, but you're the only one I've seen who said anything about Steve Howe, who is definitely deserving.

[@littlerattyratratrat]

@@goodun2974 I thought of Steve Howe, too, but his main and most famous axe was an ES-175, very different beast from a 335.

[@jwsaxe]

So Alvin Lee didn't change the world, even though he'd loved to do so?

[@brianseneca3546]

Alvin Lee not being named over Noel Gallager is kinda of messed up

[@davidgood6744]

Wonderwall Don’t Look Back in Anger Some Might Say Champagne Supernova You ought to listen to Oasis’s What’s The Story Morning Glory again or try it if you haven’t.

[@pookachu64]

Ok boomer

[@pookachu64]

Also no one cares about his hand or music these days.

[@DHgtr1]

so true

[@85isaboat53]

​@pookachu64 ok zoomer

[@whodom]

Another vote for Alvin Lee.

[@risteardohaodha23]

Another great show, though I must agree that the omission of Alvin Lee from at least an honourable mention a little odd, but its your list, not mine 😉 I have been forever haunted by the time I tried a ‘64 cherry red ES-335 in a London vintage guitar shop, about 15 years ago. I was trying out a pedal they had for sale, which I found difficult to focus on as the beautiful guitar in my hands had that weird feeling that it was playing itself. I recently bought an Epiphone 335 and even though I replaced the pickups with Lollar Imperials and the harness with one from Monty’s, its still not giving me much mojo - though it must be said I’ve been fully converted to all things Telecaster since getting one three years ago.

[@victorb656]

Big vote for Bill Nelson here. A major influence on a generation of guitarists shapedin the 70s…like me! And many others, of course.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Yes !!!

[@BillKurn]

His solo on "...Yorkshire Landscape" from "Live in the Air Age"

[@Grimenoughtomaketherobotcry]

​@@BillKurn THE greatest live album. EVER!

[@willemmoller6736]

big yes for Bill from me too!

[@mtjsmith70]

Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues was a 335 kinda guy too.

[@WeirdErnie]

Alvin Lee for sure, but with some of the names on this list and no love for Bob Weir? He's one of the most underrated rhythm players and through the early 70s would frequently use an ES-335 or ES-355. He sometimes still does. He's easily performed in front of more people than anyone living and has a very jazz-inspired melodic approach to rhythm and harmony, leading through his rhythm guitar role.

[@anthonyashlin3289]

Steve Howe's 345 playing on Close to the Edge and Siberian Katru was world changing for me. Steve plays an assortment of guitars. He is most notably famous for the ES 175, but also plays a 335 and 345. If you ever have a chance to see Yes in concert it is well worth the price. Steve is still at the top of.

[@EastmanD]

God bless you for doing the heavy lifting...Steve Howe left off of ANY list of guitar players (short of best banjo player) is a incomplete examination !

[@johnpillow481]

Ditto. He also used the 345 exclusively on ‘Fragile’ before CTTE and on their awesome cover of ‘America’.

[@johnpublic6890]

Steve got his 175 used when he was just a kid. He stopped traveling with it for fear that it would be stolen, so he used the 335/345 on tour.

[@anthonyashlin3289]

@@johnpublic6890 I believe he did have one stolen. Since then, when he travels by air he always books a second seat for "Mr. Gibson" He has a couple of 175's and one 345 (stereo) for Close to the Edge and Siberian Katru. When I saw Yes at the Anaheim Grove Steve had a problem with the 345 and switched to a Les Paul mid song.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

Bill Nelson, late of 'Be Bop Deluxe.' Very adept and elegant player...

[@avivron1111]

Not a word about Steve Howe??? the man single handed crafted the sound of an era out of his 345 (let alone his virtuoso, body of work etc.)

[@CraigSiR714]

An honorable mention should be Bill Nelson of Be Bop Deluxe. His 335 and half stack was magical

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Yes Craig ! I said the same regarding Bill. ( and his Carlsbro TC-100 amp ) ! Regards - John

[@BillKurn]

Totally agree. When I heard Live In The Air Age in 77(?) I was blown away by his playing. However, I think that particular guitar was a 345.

[@heimomoilanen9654]

​@@BillKurnYes

[@Broadfieldpoint]

@@BillKurnI believe that Bill Nelson was playing a Yamaha SG 2000 by the time of Live in the Air Age…..one of the best guitar players out of England at the time. Monster player

[@BillKurn]

@@Broadfieldpoint in the "Live! In the Air Age Dreamsville" thread (google that), Bill lists all the equipment he used on that tour, including pedalboard details. The only guitar on this list is the '64 345. Just sayin. Edit: context

[@andycummings-music]

Honorable mention and some love for Mr. Johnny Rivers. His version of "Memphis" is the one we ALL play.

[@byronlemay2166]

Justin Hayward...no one sounded like him with that guitar from 68-71. It sounded like a violin...he was playing like Brian May and Steve Hackett years before they became known. Progressive, melodic and Bach like...he was the first to do it. Listen to the Moody Blues album "To Your Children's, Children's Children" to get an idea of just how majestic his playing was. All on this Gibson 335.

[@scottmulrooney3130]

💯

[@robertvavra414]

Yeah! Hayward kind of re-invented himself. He went from the "Ride My Seesaw" Telecaster sound to his own 335 sound; starting (I think) with "Threshold of a Dream".

[@byronlemay2166]

@@robertvavra414 Yes. He kept that tone on all the albums thru Seventh Sojourn. Listen to his playing on the Blue Jays album...I'm surprised he isn't given more credit for his guitar playing...as he is very, very good. His songwriting kind of overshadows his playing, I think.

[@hamupinhere]

Clapton also switched back to a red 335 in the 90's for the Nothing But The Blues Tour, so that extended his association with the guitar.

[@LordStevie]

Clapton also used the 335 exclusively on the album From the Cradle.

[@JD-hh9io]

Bill Nelson would be a good mention here. Adventures in a Yorkshire landscape from Live in the air age. I think he played a 335ish looking guitar.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Yes !!

[@aschule5684]

Bill Nelson 👍 fantastic guitar player

[@sgtmac62]

Seeing Rush with Alex playing Working Man in a high school audiotorium on his 335. Now that was something to behold. Video is on KZbin. He used it again to play the same song in their last show, last tour. RIP Neil.

[@atomicwedgie8176]

Came to see Alex mentioned! Favorite guitarist!!! Also, Chris Cornell was offed, due to his stance against child tr^fficking.

[@aschule5684]

Alex and his white 355 came to mind first when I saw this

[@kenzuercher7497]

Although he has wandered away from use of his early 335, Lee Ritenour deserves an honorable mention for much of his solo recordings after leaving his day to day studio work. Lee is a great player and his Captain Fingers era recordings using a '58 335 with an Orange Squeezer (if I am correct) influenced many jazz/rock players, including me! Great well researched video!

[@tbird2893]

You are spot on, sir!

[@alanhampshire34]

So happy someone else appreciates the talent of Bill Nelson, Yorkshires greatest guitar hero!

[@draxbak]

Some of his playing has brought me to tears, so expressive, I love his playing. He was a huge part of me growing up and appreciating great musicians.

[@LXferg]

Yep a great influence on me. His was a red 345 with bigsby that ended up getting destroyed be his estranged wife :-( .... I don't think any 335 players have come close to the fire and brimstone he created on that thing, listen to "Crying to the sky" ..soulful, fast and melodic.

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Yes !!!

[@BillKurn]

​@LXferg I do believe his original 345 is still around. He posted photos of it and said it was in excellent playing condition back in 2020. I believe this is the original tobacco burst 345 given to him by his dad. I do know it went back to Gibson for repairs at one point. Search "Bill's 345 Dreamsville" for the thread. I'm not sure how many he actually owned, so I might be FOS.

[@2112jeff]

Alex Lifeson had more influence among guitar players than given credit for. His body of work, his work ethic, and number of shows over 40+ years is legendary. Also, based on recent reporting he might return to the stage in the near future.

[@lynby6231]

Alex Lifeson was inspired by British rock band Yes, if Steve Howe out of Yes was on this list he’d be ahead of most of the other guitarists listed.

[@syn707]

@@lynby6231Check out Alex’s performance on Crossroads on the album Feedback….you might change your mind…lol

[@craigtoots3391]

Alex Lifeson is WAYYY underrrated. He's truly one of the greats.

[@eudymaverickmentor]

He is not underrated.

[@heimomoilanen9654]

He becomes behind no-one.

[@kevmac1230]

Without a doubt,Bill Nelson is an unsung guitar hero no matter what he's playing. But he definitely fits the bill here. The cover of his album Axe Victim says it all !

[@danmar007]

10 335 guitarists. That will be a long video. 😉

[@guzzialfa]

I am a bass player first of all but on my 40th birthday, I just had to have a Gibson ES-335 Dot. My 1st concert in 1973 was Ten Years After. There was no one like Alvin Lee. Even though BB King was great, Alvin Lee should have been #1. Chuck Berry should be on a most rock influential list, not an ES-335 list, sorry Keith, you really missed the boat here.

[@berryster]

Matt "Guitar" Murphy was a great blues player and favored 335/345 guitars for a long time.

[@DinsdalePiranha67]

When I started up this video, I was thinking to myself, "This list had better include Alex Lifeson!" He wasn't using his 355 as his main instrument anymore by the time I really got into Rush, but I did get to see Alex play it in concert - when I saw them in '07, he brought it out for the encore when they played "A Passage to Bangkok". (Not only that, but Geddy brought out his Rick for that one.)

[@PaulSteinmayer]

As with all of your videos, I love this one! I would have added Ritchie Blackmore as an honorable mention too. Although he's more known for his work with the Stratocaster, Blackmore used a 335 from his early session work days right up to - and including Deep Purple In Rock... and his mind-blowing solos on the studio versions, and every live version of Child In Time, Wring That Neck, and Mandrake Root prior to 1971 were all played on his red Gibson 335! He definitely set the standard for the term "Shredding," and showed just how blazingly fast he was using that guitar!!!

[@mikec6733]

Rick Derringer holds one on the cover of Edgar Winter , Roadwork. Rick could really play great.

[@AdamLevyGuitarTips]

Nice one, Keith! I'd also include Emily Remler - an impactful jazz guitarist who passed away too young - and the hugely influential gospel/neo-soul guitarist Spanky Alford. Honorable mentions: Little Milton and Elvin Bishop. And though not a world-changer like the folks on your list, people ought to know about the great modern-day bluesman Chris Cain.

[@PeteA54]

Well thought out list Keith. I must also cast my vote for Alvin Lee. If influential is the criteria, he'd be number one in my book. Anyhow, keep 'em coming!!!

[@jerrymacklow1452]

I remember watching a Chuck Berry interview where he said that he bought a new guitar each year, whether he needed to or not, and when he went on tour, it travelled with him as hand-luggage and it was the only piece of equipment he carried. That is what you call travelling light. Surely the epitome of the 5-Watt ethos.

[@aroe3896]

He traveled so light he didn’t even have a band, just played with local bands as his back up

[@jerrymacklow1452]

@@aroe3896 Not only did he use local bands, arranged by the promoter, he didn't rehearse with the bands, expecting that they should know his songs anyway. It could lead to variable results.

[@goodun2974]

​@@jerrymacklow1452, Unfortunately a lot of the old blue guys did that sort of thing as well, just using a local pickup band without any prior rehearsal. I saw Hubert Sumlin play like that and it was extremely disappointing.

[@jerrymacklow1452]

@@goodun2974 I saw Chuck play, in Oxford, a year or too before it became fashionable to see all the legends (gig tourism). It wasn't as good as I had hoped, though pretty good for a legend playing to around 150 people. Contrast with when I saw BB King a few years later. All incredibly polished and professional and the best gig I ever saw. Also worth seeing is Paul Jones' interview describing back John Lee Hooker "how many bars in a 12-bar blues? As many as Mr Hooker wants".

[@goodun2974]

@@jerrymacklow1452 , I saw BB play some years back as the headliner in a show featuring 4 different bands: John Hiatt, Tommy Castro, Buddy Guy and BB. I might not have gone if John Hiatt had not been on the bill, because both my wife and I are big fans of him; but Tommy Castro was also excellent and BB was very good. Buddy Guy was the least good out of the four; l love his voice but he was playing the Cyber Twins and his tone was terrible (the roadies were constantly fiddling with the knobs of Buddy's amps). The best part of BB's performance might actually have been his Hammond Organ player, the guy was phenomenal!

[@phillipjelks3172]

For me, B.B. King would be top spot. He was the main reason I started playing when I learned from him, you don't have to be able to shred to play meaningful music. The fact I saw him 5 times in concert might have driven that home. Alvin Lee was also an influence, but B.B. was the tops.

[@Followerofthekingofkings1969]

I agree sir BB could take 3 notes with his vibrato and bending and sound 100 times better than all the shredders running up and down the neck forever.

[@andrewbecker3700]

The cover photo of a grizzled Alex Lifeson getting down, is on its own, very inspirational to me. Ritchie Blackmore always comes to mind for me also. Surely Ritchie has to be high on this list?

[@MrRodyf]

Ritchie's career was based most with the Strat, than the 335. Granted, Hush and the first record was done with the Gibson, but the classics albums were done on a Strat, unless Blackmore say otherwise. For example, Clapton did the Farewell Concerts, From the Cradle and some Yardbirds performance with the ES 335, but he is most renown with the Les Paul (Bluesbreaker) and the Strat (Derek and the Dominos to present). Also, for me, Johnny Winter is most identifiable with the Firebird, but from the 80's (as far as I recall) to his last performances, it was the Lazer guitar. I could be wrong, but I'll wait what Keith is going to present.

[@fivewattworld]

Yeah, I tried to center on folks that used a 3 series as their main instrument.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

​@@MrRodyf Child in Time was on the 335 as well

[@MrRodyf]

@@NavelOrangeGazer I think that Concerto for a Rock Band? I think that's the title or not, he used the 335. I remember seeing the video on a documentary. I think he was pairing the 335 with a Vox AC 30 and a Treble Booster. Correct me, if I'm wrong

[@shearn666]

Good call, Ritchie established himself with the 335, but he is inextricably linked with the Strat ever since, so perhaps an "Hourable Mention", at best. And I'm a huge Blackmore fan, btw, so no negative bias on my part... 😂😂

[@SourMashband]

Just watched Vince Gill slaying his blonde 335 last night. Such an amazing player and instrument.

[@marions.120]

Awesome! He’s a really good guy and actually a pretty good golfer.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

I live in Macon Ga. He played a benefit show for Alzheimers here some years ago. For the show they brought out Duane Allman’s Les Paul for Vince to play. It was quite a night!

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

I used to live in GA, not too far from you. We went to the state fair and saw Vince Gill standing behind a fence talking to some fans before his show. He was wearing his dress shirt for the concert and a pair of flowered board shorts.😂 I really like his music. This would have been in about 1991. ​@@edwardyazinski3858

[@richardconway6425]

The ES 335 is such a beautiful musical instrument. When I first saw one, I fell in love with it immediately. Not all guitars are created equal, and some don't even seem like proper instruments, but a well made 335, that's something really special.

[@rosieotis]

Marcus is another King working his way into history. His grandfathers Gibby “Big Red” has been replicated by Gibson too. Cool story. Great player!

[@stephengrant5332]

Hmm.. Alvin Lee… Larry Carlton… B.B…. So many…

[@careyvinzant]

Lee Ritenour. He was right there doing sessions at the same time as Larry Carlton in the same scene, and his 335 + Orange Squeezer sound is ubiquitous and iconic.