I've got 335 fever, but I've seen some alternatives with solid wood tops and backs. I've read on several fora that solid tops and backs don't resonate as well as laminate. It makes sense to me. I recently watched a fascinating video of a 335 being built.
What do you think about solid vs laminate in a semi-hollow?
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
What he said!
"We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness." Mark Twain
I haven't had a solid wood semi hollow bodied guitar that was the same size as an ES-335 to compare. My Carvin SH645* had a 14" wide body. It sounded more like a slightly hollow Les Paul than an ES-335. I love my ES-335 and would highly recommend one.
* The SH645 was a chambered guitar- the back was 1 routed out piece and the top was carved inside and out. It wasn't built like an ES-335, and that explains a lot of the difference.
Last edited by Don; 03-20-2020 at 01:34 PM.
Add me to the "get a 335" list. I haven't played one, but I hear a 339 is also a good choice.
Originally Posted by ch willie
Bull dingy.
Quite the opposite.
Think plywood vs cutting a pine board down that thin.
Not saying it's necessarily BETTER but plys will always be stiffer.
If that statement were true there would be more plywood violins, etc out there.
That said I have both.
They sound awesome either way.
A 335 would probably suck with a solid top.
My B&G's would probably suck with plywood tops.
It depends more on the design of the guitar.
I will say though that full hollows can be a bitch at volume...
Yeah, renderit, I won't even think about a hollow body.
I'm glad you spoke up because I know you love your B&Gs, and I figured they were solid tops.
It's interesting that you have both and like them both but think each has it's place. I like that way of thinking about guitars.
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
I wish I could take a pic of mine that shows the color and the flame. The guitar looks way better in real life!
The ES-225 is fully hollow, but has a block under the top that helps control feedback. It can still be a handful played live.
You guys are doing nothing to help my struggle against buying a 335. I've wanted one for so long and have a particular love for heritage cherry and block inlays.
All of your 335s are beautiful. When you all have posted them in the past, you have already fueled my GAS. Good goshkins.
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
+1
The only caveat I would add is, the long-tenon editons *seem* to be sturdier.
And you might also look into the 339 if a smaller body profile is desired.
"When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."
Rog, I like my guitars like I like my women, with a big bottom. But I am with you on the long tenon.
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
Like you, I'm a traditionalist. But I played a 339 several times and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was to play. Almost like a bantamweight Les Paul.
"When injustice becomes law then rebellion becomes duty."
Rog what's your favorite of your guitars at the moment? What do you like to play the most? I can't tell you how happy I am that you are back on the forum again!
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
This was an interesting acquisition. A Les Paul with an F Hole. It was a special run for Guitar Center. I waited until there weren't many left and got one for around $800. Pretty cool - NOT a 335 sound, but a lot ligthter than a regualr LP with all the tone.
"We catched fish and talked, and we took a swim now and then to keep off sleepiness." Mark Twain
Just for fun and I have posted it before...Nashville 345 bottom, Collings I-35 middle and Custom Shop 339 on top.
Also Collings Soco next to LP below that.
I love 335's - 58 no binding and special run '59 Lemon burst.
And the hollow 330.
Oooh, I like that Collings Soco!
Well there is a Fender Squier Star Fire that is a great guitar
Looks great. I can't play one of those, though, because I'm a lefty, and it's hard to find a good left-handed semi-hollow. Besides, I'm in love with 335s.Well there is a Fender Squier Star Fire that is a great guitar
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
I'd love to play one. I think Southpaw Guitars in Houston has one. I need to make a trip out there. I've never been to a shop with so many lefty models, including 335s--used because Gibson hasn't made any lefty 335s since 2018.
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
I got my CS 339 a while back.
It is a 2012 or 2013 and was ridiculously cheap at GC on a clearance sale. Cheaper than the studio models.
It was a wall hanger so it was slightly marked up.
My biggest complaint on it was the pickups were meh.
I tried 5 sets in it until I found that standard Wizz's worked with it with VIPots.
I have to do some fretwork and a new nut on it though. The High E wants to pull off the neck too easy after I polished them.
Pimpin' Pictures!
This one has the solid center block. with mahogany body.
Great rockin' geetars.
I'm getting so much GAS from this thread that I need to take some Brioschi
"Live and learn and flip the burns"
I'm getting so much GAS from this thread that I need to take some Brioschi
I've already farted 335 GAS about 100 times, just this morning.
And renderit, that 339 makes me think I wouldn't mind having one of those at all!
If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison
I've been thinking about a 339 for a while now. maybe one will show up at the right time at the right price.
"Live and learn and flip the burns"
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