Why an ES335 Makes Sense in 2025 - It's the Perfect Gigging Guitar

[@uname1950]

I bought a Walnut 1971 335 with a lay away plan at 11 years old (Dad co signed) in 1972. Paid for it cutting lawns. Still have it today 54 years later looking as beautiful as new and sounding beautiful.

[@1man1guitarletsgo]

I had an Ibanez AS73, which is about the same size as a 335. It hung in quite a different position than my Teles, and my left hand often went to the wrong fret. It was also heavy, so while it was a well made guitar, I sold it. More recently, I had an Epiphone 339, which was just fantastic! But when gigging, I always preferred my Teles, so I sold that one too due to lack of use. For me, the perfect gigging guitar is... a Telecaster!

[@johnfalzon]

Last year I bought a Heritage H-535 and it is absolutely phenomenal. I played a bunch of different semi-hollows in different price ranges and the Heritage just nailed it for me

[@bodocki1155]

Same here! I have a 335 and that's going up for sale.

[@ovivan79]

Same here. Got one as an aritsan aged model and it's such a well made guitar. I also have a Maybach Capitol 59 which love just as much.

[@guitrr]

I’ve had several Heritage semi hollow guitars over the last three decades, and all were outstanding. My current 535 is one of my favorite gig guitars. You really can do it all with one of those, and Heritage are extremely well made. Mine comes in at a nice 7.5lbs

[@MrBluesilverred]

I bought my 335 back in ‘80 prior to attending Berklee. My hope was to play and sound like my idol Larry Carlton. I still have the antique violin sunburst 335 and love it.

[@Andy_Yates]

Sold my first house a few years back and used a bit of the funds to get myself a nice 335. It was a used '59 historic made in 2007. Chunky dot neck with the old school classic 57s. I wasn't sure how I'd get on with those pickups but they do the sound in my head and I instantly bonded with it. I sold my Les Paul since then too so it's my only low output dual humbucker guitar.

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

Congrats, sweet

[@jimamsden]

I got a used cherry red ES-335 early 2024 for my birthday - turns out the guitar and I have the same birthday (not the year of course)! I had it refretted as the frets were very rough and I really don't like the nibs. Now it's become my most played guitar. It's the feel, sustain, playability and tone that I really like, that 335 "chirp". I have an older Les Paul that does have a nicer neck, better pickups and stainless steel frets. But it doesn't feel the same. Every guitar influences how we play. That's what's wonderful about them and what brings them to life.

[@rickhill6277]

Great Vid John! I have an Epiphone Sheraton II from 2010 and it's on the Heavy side but I still Love the Sound and Tone of it!! The Bridge Pickup sounds Great on it as well! Cheers from Salem, Oh. US.

[@AC-hb2qn]

Thanks to connections my dad had back in the '80s when I first started joining him on his gigs, the guitar he gave me to play was Steve Marriot's cherry red ES335 which he (my dad) had on loan. I was too young and ignorant to understand what I had in my hands but I have covetted that guitar for over 25 years since playing music professionally. In the absence of sufficient funds to get a Gibson, I also ended up with a (Korean-made) Epiphone Sheraton. I upgraded the pick-ups and hardware, and it plays beautfully and sounds fantastic, too! Based on Larry Carlton's (that answers that question) high regard for the Sire H7, I was tempted to trade in my Sheraton but surprisingly when I tried the Sire, I actually preferred my guitar. Were money no object and I could play like Larry - or John for that matter - I wouldn't hesitate to get myself the real deal but, for my modest ability and means, the Sheraton is a great substitute! Thanks for the videos, JC!

[@andrewchristie6483]

Bought a new Sire H7 sunburst last year. £470. Plays brilliantly. The scale length has a different feel to my tele/strat and the neck is pure joy.

[@fivewattworld]

One of your best tones John.

[@michaelschneider7590]

Great to see and hear you with this change in flavor, from solid body single coil to semi hollow humbuckers! Sounds simply phenomenal.

[@phildohogne1970]

You sound super good on that. That sound you are always chasing (Dumble) is the overdrive channel. That sounds like the clean channel like Robben Ford. I used to have a 335 that Derek Trucks owns now. I was near magic- it belongs in his hands.

[@AlexVonCrank]

My sire H7v is the only sire purchase, out of 3, that I've kept. I love the chimey middle position sound. I know it's a different sound because of the P 90's. The 335 style are beautiful guitars as well.

[@judyfriedsam457]

Been eyeing a ES 339 primary because I prefer the smaller body... also prefer semi hollow or hollow body guitars as their generally lighter. As always, your playing is just wonderful and inspiring !😊

[@JosephCompton66]

I like my 339

[@CraigFlowersMusic]

If it makes you feel any better, at around 40-42 or so, I quit caring what age I am and started thinking of myself as old instead, like it's all already behind me and it's all downhill from oh yeah I forgot I was supposed to be making you feel better sorry, senior moment.

[@nekkon1989]

I gig a hollowbody Gretsch and alongside it is my favourite gigging guitar. Long live the jazzboxes

[@thierry18]

My g2622 is, by far, my favorite guitar. I haven't even been tempted to go for a more "premium" model because I've liked it more than any other Epiphone or Gibson I've seen. I haven't tried another Gretsch model but I'm very content already so there's no reason to "upgrade." It does lack access to the upper frets, but that is my only gripe with it.

[@MrKbeaumont]

Gretsch guitars are unique and I fondly remember mine from the 70's. Your stoking my GAS that I thought Id recovered from 😀

[@KozmykJ]

@@thierry18 I bought a G2622 to try as a 'Jazz Guitar' with flats. It was OK at that task but didn't shine, so I got a s/h Ibanez archtop instead for that purpose. I put the regular 10-46 rounds back on it and i'm happier with it that way. The colour of the 'semi aged' laurel fretboard was pukey so I've stained it. I haven't decided whether to keep the stock pickups or pot something more interesting in there.

[@simonwhalley1743]

Got a 64 Murphy Lab 335 recently. It’s an absolutely stunning guitar all round. It’s so versatile. I’m predominantly a blues player and it has much more honk than a Les Paul, but it can do Tele twangs if you want it to or close to Strat neck pickup with a bit of fettling. It’s my go to guitar now for pretty much everything. I just wish I’d discovered them earlier.

[@JakeBisognin]

I’m about to pickup a 335 type custom build that I ordered about 12months ago, but I love a 335 on most gigs!

[@RyanAmplification]

I bought a D’Angelico Excel DC for $500 from my drummer last month and I can’t get enough of it. It plays fantastically and I got a killer deal. I plan to drop some SD custom shop Joe Bonamassa dot pickups in it and see what happens.

[@jeffberg8015]

My electric guitar is an Epiphone ES 335. The main reason I chose this guitar is the size. I wanted a double humbucker guitar but am tall and long in the torso with long arms. When I tried out Les Paul or SG style guitars it almost felt like I was playing a toy. Since I got it I've found that yes indeed it is very versatile. With a little experimentation I found that I could get everything from Les Paul bite, to mellow rounded jazz tones without electronic assistance.

[@markpassell8379]

Dave Edmunds played one for years, doing R&R , R&B blues and country on the thing.

[@karmadave]

A lot of really great guitarists play 335’s (including JNC of course 😊). If I had pick one favorite it would be Chris Cain. Nobody, and I mean nobody, can make a 335 sing like Chris. He plays the neck pickup almost exclusively too, but I like blending the neck and bridge pickups on my 335’s. Happy New Year Jonathan 🤩

[@taylornutt]

I bought a Gretsch White Panther which is Gretsch's take on a 335 from 2013. This was prior to their Broadcaster guitars. It's phenomenal and surprisingly I love the neck pickup the most.

[@chrisgarver7904]

Bought a Collings I-35 second hand off Reverb last year. Phenomenal guitar. Solid mahogany back & sides, solid maple top.

[@ThePlanarchist]

If you want a semi-acoustic, personally I'd go for the 339 as it has a smaller body (have a friend who plays one, nice guitar)....the same other than the size I think?

[@EliasThury]

I think I'd probably end up with either a prs semi or a tele thinline if I wanted a semi-hollow that was the same size as a regular electric.

[@curtahnlund3758]

Just bought a Memphis build 335, with MHS pickups . It’s a 61 reissue. Very light and vibrant. Knocks my Les Paul of the Wall……

[@davidyelland908]

I had the reverse! Large truck went by, house vibrated, R9 fell off the wall and knocked 335 off on the way down. Only damage was the pot shafts and knobs amazingly.

[@StepanVasylyshyn]

The 335 model is made so that the guitar has a voice like a professional vocalist and it always sings with excellent voice production. And a regular board is like a singer on the porch of his house and does not sing anywhere else at home. One of my Epiphone Sheraton II guitars (2004, left-handed) with Gibson 57 pickups.

[@Guitar_jd-w8x]

Stellar guitar. I couldn't get comfortable with the size of a 335, so I bought a Suhr Alt T with Thornbuckers.

[@troyhouse4852]

My main gigging guitar is a Gibson es 335 1963 reissue VOS. Before that I’ve had a 79 335, 2011 335, Tokai 240cm. The Tokai was really good but I like the VOS better. It can sound too fat sometimes but the middle position does wonders for getting more of a fender sound. I’m most comfortable on a 335 but also have a Suhr Strat and a Tom Anderson Tele that are no slouches.

[@AlecBourneMidiMadScientist]

Gretsch 5122 hollowbody with Bigsby was what did it for me, I think everyone should at least try a semi hollowbody sooner rather than later. Tried many different semi’s but the Gretsch neck was really different and a great feel for my hands

[@89digits59]

I find these semis have a certain mid-range honk that is hard to adjust to, plus I feel I need to be really careful with these, what worries me the most is the where the jack goes in, any strong Wack and it can destroy the top - have owned both 335 and 339 - enjoyed them both, but eventually I feel Stratocaster / Telecaster and Les Pauls are easier for me to handle, someday I would want to custom build a 335 solid body (with light woods) or without the f holes (something like the BB King model) as I'm a big guy and it fits me well, I'll also change the jack location. 🙂

[@peterjessop1878]

My favourite guitar is my Memphis made 335. I gigged it for awhile, but some of the gigs I was playing meant I was so close to the amp feedback was difficult to control. After converting to digital I found the 335 was incredible as it helped with the feel moving away from a real amp and the feedback was much more controllable. I only stopped gigging it as I was concerned about breaking it honestly. I may have to use it live again soon though.

[@PaoloC.]

got the sire H7 it's very good but of course it's kinda bulky and on the heavy side, using it at home I don't feel like taking at gigs mostly because of weight and single coil sound of course is missing.

[@BrentAdams]

I picked up a Harley Benton HB-35 Plus....and love it!.... the individual coil splits are an added bonus. 25" scale length though, which doesn't bother me at all.

[@KozmykJ]

I still play my HB35+ even though I have a Gibson 335. Once I had levelled the frets the HB ran fine as standard for four years, then I put Iron Gear Blues Engines in there and Oh Boy! does it sing. It's quite different in character to the newer ES335 so it gets to stay. Is the ES335 10x better than the HB35+ ? NO but it IS better in a number of ways; thankfully or I would feel quite an idiot otherwise 😜

[@csharp57]

I used to play my HB-35 every day. I bought it on a whim and ended up getting it for free. I stopped playing it once I purchased an IBG 355.

[@BrentAdams]

@@csharp57 Cool!

[@WesleyLynch]

I finally got a real deal Gibson es335 and I started playing it at medium/big church gigs. I think it is a fantastic sounding thing, comfort is 7/10 though. I hate the idea of spending more money but I think it needs fret dressing on the edges. Wish it had a trem of some kind, considering a bigsby with a vibramate. I do like the fret access it's super versatile

[@davidmackie2901]

I had an early Epi DOT for a while. I liked the sound of it pretty well after I got some Burstbucker Pro Vs in it, but it was on the heavy side, and over time I didn't like how it sat on my lap. Now I have an Epi 339, and I'm much happier with it ergonomically. I suppose you might call it my go-to guitar right now. Stock pickups are better than what was in the DOT, so I'm ok with them for now, but may upgrade. Mostly, right now I'm going back and forth over putting a Bigsby on it.

[@DylanODonnell]

Have been eyeing them for the last 12 months but didn't have permission to buy one until now. Thanks.

[@jshearer94]

I think the best three through five alternative that I’ve come across is the Guild Starfires. Especially the ones from the 90s in 2000s made in America, and the more recent Newark Street made in Korea.

[@jwate]

I have a Godin Montreal with Duncan P-rails and it’s basically a 335. I Love those guitars.

[@paulngardner]

My No1 is an Eastman T59v in Amber (basically a 335). Just love everything about it, played 3 of them and this one just had something special. Amazing guitar. Pickups sound great but maybe the neck is a little dark. Nervous to change them out n case it loses its mojo!

[@MrKbeaumont]

My two main gigging guitars are a Sire H7V and a highly modded Schecter Tele with a Mojotone quiet coil P90 in the neck. Both are very flexible for many genre. Just sold an Epi ES-339 awhile back that was a pretty decent gigging guitar, if your on a stool. My only complaint with it was very neck heavy. If I took my hands off it would dive straight down. I have always liked ES-335 type guitars , I have owned a couple of Ibanez and Epiphones. Never could bring myself to pay what they want for an actual Gibson.

[@rocket_appliances]

got a fresh epihpone es335 a couple years back and I've had a lot of fun with it. put in some dimarzio pickups and kept the coil tap and it covers a lot of ground. I also quit playing out, so yeah, lol.

[@JohnSmith-is8nq]

Semi-hollows ring different. They feel different against the body too. There's a vocal quality to the sound, I find. It's a denser, more complex sound that you can dig your pick into.

[@csharp57]

I love how they feel when I’m standing or sitting on a stool.

[@gaboasis21]

I have an Oasis tribute band and needed to buy one . I got an Epiphone inspired by Gibson es-335 2020 and I love it. I cant compare with other because I never played a semi hollow but Im happy and its a good complement with my other Epiphone les pauls. The 335 guitars have some vibe that I enjoy

[@steveincollins]

I love my 335, but almost never gig with it anymore. I usually used it for duo/trio jazz gigs which I'm not doing much. On capos: have you tried the G7 a.r.t.? It's stupid expensive, but I never have the issue where the capo pulls the guitar out of tune. There's a video on my channel where I try the G7 on a couple different guitars and they stay in tune super well.

[@ahall3823]

I don’t have a 335, but do have an Eastman T59/V which is great.

[@AlexGiordaniMusic]

You may try a Guild Starfire IV excellent semi hollow with its own sound 😉

[@rudolphpyatt4833]

I don't own a 335...yet. I have an Epiphone Casino (the current "Worn" import version) that I am VERY happy with. I'm actually thinking about getting an Epiphone Riviera, because I don't have anything with minihumbuckers. That said, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour ("The Captain's Journey" was a formative album for me), B.B. King and Alex Lifeson (especially on Rush's "Caress of Steel" album) make me want The Real Thing...

[@rohnleidigh213]

Nothing like playing a 335 live, amplified... they come alive and push air and sing.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

That's the nicest 335 I've ever heard.

[@Sparksnorthern]

Cant fool us, John. You'll be back with your strat style later tonight

[@Bluepilled-c5t]

355 bro, that’s the stuff. I have one 67 (with Lindy Fralins, 🤩) and never miss an opportunity to shit on the 335. The main reason I own an ES is im 6’2” with long legs and need the size of the body to match up. Can’t play a Les Paul, looks daft. No one ever mentions that. I’d love to try the Yamaha AS (is it?), I bet they’d be sweet.

[@michaelarthurmusic307]

Bought a Collings I35 Deluxe a few years ago. By a wide margin the best guitar I have ever played, and my favourite guitar for every gig except Country.

[@bryanh3057]

335’s do country exceptionally well

[@kyran4238]

The 335 is great for low volume gigs, it gets lively at a lower volume. The weight and feel are the best... But I miss single coils and a floating bridge!

[@JasonShumate]

Jim James all the way. He’s the person that made me want an ES335

[@eoinjennings519]

My favourite is my Ibanez JSM 10. Have one of the Epi ones inspired by Gibson also pretty cool. Core part of early Rush sound and can cover all bases

[@Topj-]

I bought Ibanez AMV10A last year. Its a good guitar and easy to play but pickups kinda suck. Im gonna have swap them at some point. It feels weirdly good to play standing up. Bigger guitars seem to fit me better. Still I play my Tele most of the time.

[@davidyelland908]

Les Paul killers these days….now that we aren’t allowed to play loud. Those feedback wings (thanks Buk) put the life into the sound. The volumes we played at in the 70s was a different story.

[@moogsick]

Greco SV600, just a shade smaller than a 335 it hits sweet spot

[@wallqvistphotography4937]

Magical instrument!

[@sboy1955]

Nobody ever squeezed more out of a 335 than BB.

[@Boldylock]

Are there any with stainless steel frets?

[@TimBeauBennett]

Oh god dammit I'm 35 too. I have am Ibanez am50 which is my favourite guitar in the whole world, basically the es339, but 20 years earlier. I honestly think I'm afraid of taking it out

[@tonystartup3817]

I really need to play my Greco sa1200 more. It's just i trust a Strat sat on the guitar stand with kids around more than i do a 335. And the Strat is far more comfortable to sit and play at the computer when I'm 'working from home'

[@JtotheP68]

Same here, I have a Greco SA-900 and it’s the closest thing to a vintage Gibson I’ll ever be able to afford. However, it does not get played much as it just seems a bit too good for me!

[@yingnanwang9304]

My left shoulder hurts everytime I play 335-ish guitar. Wish it has a better ergonomic shape and weight

[@pearsonart]

Why yes. Yes it is.

[@bc5295]

I have a 339 and 336, I just prefer the smaller body and light weight.

[@tonystartup3817]

Fancy a 336

[@maitrikashin3906]

I've recently seen you reviewing/promoting a Silver Sky, a Tele, a LP and now this 335... I'm so inspired, Ive decided to go to Woolworths and buy a can of 4 Bean Mixed Salad for lunch! Yummo. With maybe some toasted sourdough on the side for crunch.

[@KozmykJ]

After all the returns I got me the real thing Gibson ES335. Tom Bukovac was right ... "Then I was happy" 😝 Having returned a Sire H7 in 2022 for being more like a B-Stock than an A-Stock. 2024 - An Ibanez AS113 Ex Demo too worn. Epiphone Riviera Frequensator - May 2024 snapped headstock Epiphone Riviera Frequensator - May 2024 split neck Epiphone Sheraton Frequensator - May 2024 Razor Frets

[@cram7]

Listen everybody! Your 335 (LP likewise) needs a Schwarz ABR1 Bridge. Trust me on this.

[@JohnSmith-is8nq]

I'm curious... what makes that bridge recommendable?

[@cram7]

@JohnSmith-is8nq it's the latest discovery here in germany. He (Gerhard Schwarz) really, i mean REALLY achieved the quality of good(!) old 50s ABR1 Bridges, Posts and wheels. I ordered my second, recently. The primery tone gets stronger, more even. (Louder flageolets is always a good indicator, to me.) Tryed so many others.

[@theshape100]

These ES335's didn't make a lick of sense in 2024. Better late than never.

[@bazilbrushrocks]

The only thing that isn’t perfect for gigging is the sheer size of the thing.

[@stevesteve1965.]

Don't sell it.! You'll regret it. I have a Tokai 335 (135) same as yours with the early 60s block inlays. I used to use it alongside my MIJ Casino and thought it as versatile as Strat in many ways obviously in a bigger way sound wise..they get very lively at a decent volume..try a casino a very unique sound.

[@markpassell8379]

Elvin Bishop has only one electric guitar, a 335

[@steveechoesguitar3295]

Never really got it. Love the look but the bodies too big to be comfortable especially standing

[@tonystartup3817]

I find standing up fine, it's sitting down where they are a bit cumbersome

[@ColletteOldroad]

Seek ye a Yamaha SA2200

[@fannyingabout]

I love them but find them too large.

[@southpaw335]

Well of course it is😂

[@Tjones36]

LIKE THIS if you want John to bring back guitar tutorial videos lol!

[@adamalexanderray]

Just too big for my torso to handle. I guess that’s why they made a 339…

[@RyanMcQuen]

Yamaha SA2200 for the win. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqDOZJ6Pg7dglbs

[@wallofrock6725]

Nonsense. Too heavy and bulky.

[@salbiase2117]

Oh no.... I've been itching for one for so long. This isn't gonna help

[@WillieHardmeatOfficial2024]

Mixolydian

[@sythe77]

Its not, if you don't like em.

[@henrikjepsen5189]

What a lot of crap you put on KZbin. You used to be good… :-(