Ever use the Varitone switch? Let us know! And make sure you follow me on Spotify to hear these guitars on some groovy tunes ~ open.spotify.com/artist/6RLQFre2Qp5T454mFR5Ol4
i had one on my Gibson BB King Lucille Guitar. loved the Switch but hated the guitar. I bought it at the time for 3500$ and sold it for 900$ less than a year later. I'm thinking of buying an eBay knockoff with the switch to mod out for 275$
As a primarily Fender guy who isn’t really too fond of the humbucker sound, I think the varitone adds some interesting variety that most Gibson guitars just don’t have
I diy'd a varitone rotary knife switch on a tele partscaster with a neck fidelitron and bridge tele dual rail ( switches for each pup). The choke is a pc component with more inductance than either pup. The frequency profiles go from early jazz through rockabilly to icepick. Of course , not a hard rock or djent monster. Reducing mids reduces perceived volume.
@@rabokarabekian409ohhhh that makes sense lol. That's also why one of those guitar players used an active mid boost as an kind-of on-board gain knob lol. Ig lol.
I have an early 69 Les Paul custom with the original T-Top pick ups that will out strat a real strat. That is what Steve Gaines used on "I know a little". Except his was a 68.
Just a tidbit of info George Harrison of the Beatles used a Gibson ES345 in "Day Tripper" that's a fact! I own a first year first run Gibson 59 ES345 and it is easily the single best sounding guitar I've ever player and I'm a pro musician for over 40 years.. The Varitone is a great tool, if you don't like it, don't use it and you still have the amazing tone of a Gibson ES guitar!!
I’ve just started using a Gibson ES-137 Custom Varitone. After over 50 years of playing many Gibson ES guitars without one, I now find that the Varitone function is superbly useful. I simply put a signal boost pedal between the guitar and amp, switching it on when using positions 2 - 5.
@@JackFossett No problem Jack. I’m a 63 year old that started playing just a few months ago . I realize I’ll never ever be “good” at it but I appreciate those that are. Your playing on any guitar, any genre of music is such a joy to listen to. I wish I had had the inclination to play 50 years ago instead of waiting this long.
Excellent explanation and you even included OVERDRIVEN tones in your demo. BRAVO. My guitar mentor way back in 1978 had a Gibson L6S w the Varitone switch and a brand new Fender Strat with what was then, "the ALL NEW 5 way switch". We spent an entire afternoon comparing the two playing clean and overdriven through his Silverfaced Fender Twin and were amazed at how close the 2 & 3 positions on the Varitone were to his Strat.
Edit: Freddie King did also have a 345 as well as a 355. BB primarily played a 355 which eventually evolved into his custom model, although I believe he also had a 345 somewhere in there too.
Great explanation. I have a Brown Gibson ES 345 stereo since many years and love the tonality options of the Varitone. I don’t wanna miss it. Thanks for explaining it to the people who don’t see it’s possibilities and misunderstanding the it’s function. Peace and happiness
I have a 355, and have found the Varitone to be of great benefit, especially when playing Beatles and British Invasion stuff. Run this axe through two amps and lose your mind, it's such a big sound (stereo version, of course). This axe sounds fabulous, by the way ...
I have an older peerless epiphone Lucille . To be honest, I usually don't move it. . Not that it's useless, just that I don't use it. Thanks for another great video. Always impressed with the quality of video that you produce.
Yeah it draws an awful lot of hatred... not really sure why. I mean, I get why people may not like it or use it, but they get REALLY worked up about it.
I haven’t watched it yet. This could be pivotal in how I feel about Jack as a human being. I have very, very strong opinions about the varitone. In other words, I ADORE it. Please let Jack say he does too . . . (Wince face)
No matter what you think about varitone, when you said “some people’s opinions are just wrong” resolved any concerns I might have had about your thoughts on varitone generally.
I like it so much I moved one to a pedal and use it with all guitars. (Came out of my '62 Epiphone Professional.) I was so unlucky that the only early 355 I was able to get was a '60 Factory Mono. Glad I have the pedal. :)
Před 3 lety+3
Jack, you have to remember, when the Gibson Varitone came out in 1959, Gibson pushed that to achieve the true stereo effect you had to have two Gibson amps! Lot's a money then and now! Plus the weight of carrying them around!
Yes! Stereo in guitars -- what an ordeal. Its an interesting connection considering many Varitone, in fact the majority of modern Varitone, guitars aren't in stereo any longer, except a few rare ultra historic 345 and 355 models. Mine is all mono.
@@JackFossett Just as a point of unnecessary description, I used to own an Ibanez walnut '335' stereo guitar, it had a special split cable to plug into two inputs-it was a whacky idea and a pain really! Michael Jackson played one in the 'Jackson 5'!
Oh nice - yeah I've enjoyed using stereo effects, but just at home. When it comes to actually bringing two amps to a live situation and dealing with all the extra dialing in work? Probably not. Maybe someday.
funny, = i have been hauling around 2 amps, to gigs, since 1981, Why, = one may ask, = for it was cleaner. example 1 amp i would set on 5, two amps, = for the same volume in a band I would set at = 2 1/2 or 3 how ever I would always set them to 5 or 6 and keep my guitar down at like 2, 3 or 4 and swell to oh, = maybe 6, 7, or 8, =` and to get the B.B. king infinite sustain or like santana infinite sustain again keep your amps up your guitar low and hit a note and swell it for a second on infinite sustain and also super clean using say 2 twin Reverbs on 6, and the guitar on 2,3, or 4 till I hit a note and shoot it up to 8 and get the dynamic,. Reaction and go back to say 3 or 4 on the guitar. and 2 amps meant, = I am playing Super = Clean like Sir "Clapton" "always does" = . Thank You, = = = = M.G. in phx. Az. @@JackFossett
I have Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata es 355 and it also has varitone switch. my setteing is amp=high gain tone, pick up= front pick up, volume knob= about 2, and varitone switch= 3. Then I can feel something different from usual hollowbody guitar sound and I kinda like it. As you said, my best setting is also number 3 just like you said.
I have an Epiphone Wilshire Phant-o-Matic (Frank Iero signature) which has the varitone switch as probably one of the few models thats not a 'vintage' style with the varitone. It's pretty interesting since that guitar is a bit "punk" by only having master volume and no tone control. i very much agree with your statement that it's an alternative to coil-splitting. I often keep the guitar on true bypass but lately I've been using the Varitone a lot more especially in Position 5 in combination with a Boss DS-1 (on neck humbucker), that combination really works when i'm playing RATM to get that Tom Morello sound. I think it's a very underrated tool and i actually prefer it over having a normal tone knob since the sounds are way more useful (to me). I wish more guitars had it
Just picked up a 65 es345. I wanted to know the deal with the varitone and you explained it perfectly. I'm also glad my guitar isn't broken when I get to 5 and 6 on the switch 😅 I'd imagine it would be a great session player's guitar for layering many parts, notching frequencies out to make it all fit. Great explanation thank you!
Awesome, glad it was helpful! Yeah the 5 and 6 are not unusable. Contextually there are a lot of cool ways you could work them in, even if primarily most stick to the 1 2 or 3 positions.
I have a Gibson reissue ES 355 Varitone with Maestro... With stock Gibson MHS humbuckers...👍 Agreed 100 percent Varitone 2,3 and 6 are very usable tones along with position 1 / bypass..
Nice Demo, somebody now makes this in a Pedal. Mick on that pedal show just demo'ed about a month ago a es345 that he bought, what KILLER TONES he got out of that Guitar, made me realize the possibilitys of a 345 to bad they are Way to pricy for my retired blood. I thought about getting one of the Eastman models and maybe installing the stuff, Stereo/varitone but that would be a piece of work, but at least it would be reasonable price wise.
I have a Fender Deluxe Roadhouse that has an S1 switch to activate a 6 position tone knob. Battery powered. So, it’ll give you 30 additional tones other than the 5 original tones. I have NO clue how to take advantage of it. I just absolutely love listening to you tone examples!!
Thanks! For what its worth, I personally think you're just fine with the pickups as they are. S1 is kind of the opposite of coil splitting - rather than splitting the two coils on a humbucker, its taking two single coils and putting them together. It can certainly add some fat tones to your quiver, but in the end, I think a Stratocaster sounds best as a Stratocaster.
Thanks Jack. So nice to get someone who cuts to the chase and delivers the goods. I have two 345's on the bench .... a 1967 and a 2013 . I will use this video as a template to explain the vari-tone switches. .... Subbed \M/ !
Great video. I have a BB King guitar with varitone and use the varitone sometimes. And you're correct, the Blueshawk was the one that had the varitone also. Nice color on your guitar. never seen a 345 in that color before. Thanks from lord JS, the music samurai.
Thanks for this vid. I've always wanted to have a two-humbucker guitar that combines both the pickup selector switch circuit of the Gibson L6-S and the Gibson Varitone.
I got my ES345 a few weeks ago and I already decided that I don't need this varitone. maybe for some recordings purposes..but live? not really.. :) whatever, it belongs to a 345 and it looks cool. :) the latest 345s come without it..thats a bit odd in my opinion. great playing Jack!
Yeah I think it’s odd too for a 345 not to have it - like you said, even if you don’t use it much, no harm in being there. Who knows - I still haven’t gotten over no banjo tuners on the Firebird 😂
@@JackFossett do you find your es345 a little dull or muddy? I feel like mine is more dull... thats why I thought the varitone is not so useful but maybe mine isnt working properly 🤔🤔
Can only buy 1 amp , that sounds good at home levels and takes pedals well , reliable , variety of music styles , $1500 budget...what would it be ? Awesome channel , thanks .
So I prefer Fender inspired amps overall. If you don’t mind getting all your drive from pedals, Fender Bassman, hands down. If you want something that sounds great with multiple channels, the Mesa Boogie Fillmore is an excellent choice.
I don't own a Fillmore but I've played them. The higher watts you go, the more open and full the tone will be, so yes, its fair to say the 50 has more low end available than the 25.
Great video! I mean it! And I agree 100% with just about everything you say. I too, believe that the Varitone is misunderstood and that a lot of people just go along with the hype of it being a "tone sucker" without even trying to exlpoit it creatively, which is clearly what you're all about. They miss the point that being a passive notch filter, of course it will subtract from your overall signal, but there is still a place for it in many different contexts. I have found that I can use the volume drop to quicky cleanup a dirty amplifier or pedal, or to just go to softer dynamics with a clean signal. As the name suggests, it offers several sonic options with a quick flick of a switch, instead of fiddling with the tone and volume controls. I recently built one from scratch and put it in my Epiphone Sheraton. Never been happier with that guitar. Here's if you'd like to take look: facebook.com/EllerbrockGuitarAndBassRepair/posts/3021512774560456. Thanks for the excellent video! Take care.
I actually really like the tones. I know it's not the same thing *at all*, but it does remind me somewhat of the tones I get running the pickups on my guitar out of phase, and playing around with having the Bridge and Neck volumes at various different levels from each other.
Would you incorporate tone controls while using the varitone, or are you using the varitone instead of tone controls? Thinking of all the tonal possibilities...or would tone controls just add or subtract what the varitone positions are doing? Cool stuff👍😎 👍😎❤🖖 Love brother
The tone control really does something different, so yes you could incorporate the two together to almost limitless tonal possibilities. The tricky thing is that you're essentially just taking too much away at a certain point, so how usable are those limitless possibilities?
Ummm so what happens when you use the tone control and the varitone settings. Seems to be the thing everyone misses. But thanks for the video, installing one on a tele just for fun.
It actually isn't, it was from the former Gibson Memphis branch. I would consider it Custom Shop quality, but it was actually a standard model they made for a while.
I have a 2011 Epiphone ES345 Limited Edition with Varitone just got it a week ago like the #3 setting like you said this guitar is built for tube or trans tube amps to get the full response from this feature . Like what you said about it and it is what I was thinking was going on .
What amp are you playing through? I often struggle getting a full sound out of the bridge without making the neck muddy. Great playing and gorgeous guitar.
Have you tried lowering your pickups? I find a neck humbucker is way more usable set lower. Kind of opens up the tone, it compresses less and there's more EQ articulation.
Thank you for the video its very informative . Love it I am thinking of all the different tones and sounds I could create if I had one of these switches on a Les paul with a split coil , even better is 2 quad buckers and a 4 way coil split on each pickup and a Varitone switch. I am defiantly going to get me a guitar with one of these switches after hearing this . As a songwriter, I am always looking at ways to create new sounds . Thanks again for the video \636
There’s a couple of nice “Straty” sounding tones on the first couple past bypass. I have a ES335 that needs new pots and I’m thinking about doing a master tone and a Varitone in the other tone pot hole. Added versatility never hurts. The coil split for me is only really something I use on both pickups. Sometimes the bridge humbucker a half the neck or the other way around gives some in between sounds.
I'd just like to point out that it's the reactance of the different capacitors with a series connected 1.5H inductor that creates the different notch frequencies. Neglecting the effects of the pickups' output impedance, the varitone circuit alone will notch at 4109 Hz (pos #2), 2373 Hz (pos #3), 1299 Hz (pos #4), 750 Hz (pos #4) and 277 Hz in position #6. Position #6 sounds quite neck Stratty to me. I do love the variety of available tones.
The "Q" or steepness of each filter will also be reduced as the volume is turned down, thereby yielding a less pronounced effect. I'd like to know what you hear when you turn the volume down on different varitone positions.
The Varilone switch has the same values as a few built in switches in some older amps. Ie. laney and selmer (selector tone. Model. ) from late fifties early sixties. I don't know which came out first though.
I feel like it has so many other possibilities!! I'd like to wire one as a 6 way pickup selector, on a two P90 guitar if possible. Merle Haggard wiring; 1:Bridge 2:Both series 3:both parallel 4:neck 5:both parallel with jazz tone circuit 6:mute Just that and a volume knob!! Wonder if its possible?
I imagine its because alot of players don't really want or need them, so it would be a way to limit the cost. I think they're really cool but there is a palpable amount of vitriol towards them here on the intergoogles.
I wonder if Gibson re-engineered the Varitone wiring over the years or not. I've had three Gibsons with VT; from 1968, 1971 and 2011. The two older guitars sounded to me like the they may have had the "tone sucking" thing. Hard to say for sure, but they (especially the '71 355) did not sound like true bypass in position 1. Now, I just have a 2011 ES-345 and, like yours, it sounds like a true bypass in position 1. Wish I still had one of the old guitars to do a comparison.
second inductor option for my no tone suck Modern Varitone Search the used market for a " TRIAD EC 200-A " I found one !!! and mine tested out to 189mH and 23 ohm DCR
Hello! Surely you have said it in your explanation, but unfortunately I do not speak your language and I do not understand what you say. The question is whether in positions 2 to 6 the tone potentiometers act on the sound as well or only in position 1 of the varitone switch. Thank you so much. Thanks also to google translate :)
Wonderful could you please tell me what strings you are using 1:49 on that varitone guitar. And are any other effects or outside of pedals being used. And what amplifier please thank you.
Yeah the whole stereo thing is another aspect that’s really been lost/forgotten - for as few Varitone guitars are out there, there are even fewer stereo. Mine is Mono.
I couldn't imagine having a 7k guitar and complaining about the tone . Especially after 50 years of playing parts casters and ghetto casters . Besides good enough for Freddie and B.B. , definitely good enough for me .
The Veritone's 2 & 3 positions are FAR SUPERIOR to splitting HB's but the problem w installing it on LP's or SG's is that you'd have to drill a hole in the top. You could install it on a neck heavy Firebird's pick plate but here's a better solution; i.e. the Gibson RD Artist w its utterly useless moog circuitry. RD Artists have an extra toggle switch for the moog circuit that can be used for the Veritone switch (I have a VERY RARE 1981 Mahogany Artist w a MVX Victory neck / headstock)
Hi jack Does the varitone kinda emulate the sound of "out of phase tone"? I was thinking of putting one to reach that tone, instead of messing around with my humbuckers...
please lets talk, = for I actually - = I do own 33 killer guitars, I THINK without looking Approx. 7 killer vintage Gibsons like my oh gosh my 1962 Gibson L- 5 C.E.S. thn my killer 1992 Gibson byrdland Custom shop, special order custom color, oh my 74 Alpine white les Paul custom the last of the fretless wonders, a 2007 Johnny A custom shop too, 2013 Midtown kalamazoo, oh yea so my guitar with the varitone switch is my Epiphone Lucille and i must say not only a great an amazing guitar but for the price it is just incredible and after owning all my gibsons i feel AI am making a sound and fair comparison..I use the position 2 and 3 the most too as well. I THINK I HEARD b.b. KING SAY THE 2 POSITION MADE HIM FAMOUS WITH tHE tHRILL IS GONE. I ALWAYS KEEP MUY AMPS up on about 5 or 6 and my guitars fenders are on like 2,3, or 4 maybe 5 or 6 on a solo and gibsons with humbuckers heck they are on about2 , 2,1/2, 3 4 a solo on maybe 4 ,5 or 6 can be super loud so anyway the drop in volume to me wirth the varitone does not matter for i can on any guitar especially the varitone ones too get that infinite sustain like B.b. by hit ing my note and swinging the volume knob way up 7,8,9, maybe even 10 for the few seconds just for the controllable sustain and lower the volu me before i hit or pluckt he next note aso i don't get fired for being like WAY Too loud, most players i know do Not follow that procedure they keep their guitars on 7, or 8 and then 10 for the lead volume. tyo me there is never that extra headroom to do a swell to get the infinite s ustain like B.b. or carlos, or many clean other players.. just my opinion, i do really like my varitone switch tho uh wish i had a few more guitars with it. thought about putting it in my 2 E.S. 33 9's and turn them into 349's. Ha,Ha, Hmm. i do like idea.. Even pondered doing it on my Wild kat and Casino wirth the single coils mite be really super interesting. but ehh, i just don't know never did it yet though. Funny how we still always go back to picking up our fender guitars . I guess we just love the total variety of them all, as tonal changes, for the song, at or on hand for that moment or song. = I guess. Just like all the fuzz or overdrive's or distortion boxes. not really volume changes more so than anything to me = toneal changes. Mike, in phoenix, Az..
yea I hit the wrong button and got cut off. thanks for the heart... yea the really cool ones are my original 56 strat, and gosh one of those super expensive p.r.s. guitars like 15,000.00 expensive I didn't pay that. plus 8 clapton models since1989, and also a Gibson Johnny A, my 74 white les paul, lots of guitarsd and my b.b. king with the varitone that s why i wrote to you. I lov e the varitone. M.G. in phx, Az. st ay safe and healthy..
@@JackFossett Thanks - that confirms the sad conclusion that I had come to. Kinda like some of the new Jazzmasters that lack the defining rhythm circuit!
I love my varitone switch a lot for all the reason y ou have mentioned. and i wish i owed like a fricken dozen 345's like George Harrison owned and a dozed oh 345 and 355 guitars like sir Freddie king owne4d and like at least a few of the b.b. king models that B.B. owned. i do own 2018 or so epiphone B.b. King guitart an a mazing beast that i love4 a true ly great e,.s. 355 without F holes either way my thoughts and or questions are or would be == how and dig it when =Seeing Sir, = Eric Clapton, playing with B.B. on = oh God So Many platformes, = not Just Crossroads, = Many times, = point being, = Eric nailed the B.B. Sound and licks just Perfectly and B.B. is, astonished, =- like big time If you want I will find the video to send you. = (No big Deal .) = Bottom line how is it, ? = That Eric, = My Hero, = Automatically
talk talk talk talk. You could have made like a six second video where you just play a chord then turn the knob to each position in turn, and that'd have made the comparison totally clear. Please have some more respect for the fact that 1) we can READ THE VIDEO TITLE so you don't have to explain it, and 2) most viewers only have a few minutes a day for hobby-related info and don't want to waste it all hearing you tell us what you're going to tell us.
1) you wasted a lot of your hobby-related time typing out a long winded comment that would have better been kept to yourself because 2) I have great people who follow me who all enjoy the discussion parts of my videos as opposed to random people who just need to tear things down and 3) you’re watching videos for free so stop complaining that they’re not exactly how YOU want them. But thanks for the comment, have a great day!
Don't get me wrong for I Love my Varitone switch on My 2019 Epiphone B.B. King Guitar which is amazing and worth every penny and then some, even compared to The Killer Gibson B.B. king models at which are at least at this time period = 6 at least times the price, = Period, = Maybe 7 times the price bottom line = "Clapton", "the Best", "of the Best", "just Automatically knows how to make his Gibson, = E.S. 335" sound Exactly like B.B.'s" "guitar", = "without a Varitone' to me = And, Frickin - = -Right on = Nails it, = Frickin or "Fracking = like," = "Perfectly". ' Please" == "Don 't Get me wrong, = For = {"I wish I owned at least a fricken, = oh dozen killer perfect Gibsons & at this point in time even, = a bu nch of fri cken killer = Epiphones with a good working varitone switch's. which is very possible just go buy an Epiphones for the money it is amazing they put out guitars that are super killer for the price and perfection i think is their New Middle Name i love all my Epiphones from 2007 till 2023. I am amazed how great they really ARE, = THE PICKUPS THE BUILD QUILITY AND LIKE ERIC SAYS ONE DOES AND ALL OF HIS REGULAR AMERICAN CLAPTON MODELS WITH FENDER HE LETS THEM SPRAY = his guitars with Polyurethane not the ole standard of lacquerer which a first floored me however as Eric himself says these finishes are like Rock solid and will last and he is Right and I Got To say he is most likely correct over the facts, = big deal lacquer does finish check and mess up where as poly really does not.!! = = = = bottom line there is not that much sound difference for the money, = "yea" = I want to own all my Gibsons but the facts are at this time I DO OWN I 20 KILLER ALL ORIGINAL VINTAGE Gibson GUITARS= Bottom line, = MY, HERO = "Eric Clapton" makes his = "his 335' = or even more times than not, his Clapton STRATOCASTERS = SOUND EXCELLANT WHEN PLAYED WITH SIR = B.B. KING LIVE ON THE SAME Stage - B.B. kings sound right in front of B.vb. on st afge together and forget the crowd goes wild so does sir B.B. king himself . I love these guys and own all these or those guitars...for a reason they are all Great and they all sou nd different and for playing gigs and recordi ng it is cool as cool can be to have these tools that sound and accomplish these different sounds that all my hers got at their finger tips and i just strive to do the same thank you lord than you................. M.G. in phx, Az. please rely..... thank y uo..........Mike..............
![The Gibson ES-345 [In Defence Of The Varitone & Stereo Output]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-nHwoIgysnQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Gibson ES-345 [In Defence Of The Varitone & Stereo Output]](/img/tr.png)
Ever use the Varitone switch? Let us know! And make sure you follow me on Spotify to hear these guitars on some groovy tunes ~
open.spotify.com/artist/6RLQFre2Qp5T454mFR5Ol4
@@JackFossett I use it all the time on my Gibson ES 355, on every single day , on every single gig. Bypass for lead and Nr.3 for funky rhythm.
i had one on my Gibson BB King Lucille Guitar. loved the Switch but hated the guitar. I bought it at the time for 3500$ and sold it for 900$ less than a year later. I'm thinking of buying an eBay knockoff with the switch to mod out for 275$
As a primarily Fender guy who isn’t really too fond of the humbucker sound, I think the varitone adds some interesting variety that most Gibson guitars just don’t have
I diy'd a varitone rotary knife switch on a tele partscaster with a neck fidelitron and bridge tele dual rail ( switches for each pup).
The choke is a pc component with more inductance than either pup.
The frequency profiles go from early jazz through rockabilly to icepick.
Of course , not a hard rock or djent monster. Reducing mids reduces perceived volume.
8 1 2y 3mo
@@rabokarabekian409ohhhh that makes sense lol. That's also why one of those guitar players used an active mid boost as an kind-of on-board gain knob lol. Ig lol.
I have an early 69 Les Paul custom with the original T-Top pick ups that will out strat a real strat. That is what Steve Gaines used on "I know a little". Except his was a 68.
Just a tidbit of info George Harrison of the Beatles used a Gibson ES345 in "Day Tripper" that's a fact! I own a first year first run Gibson 59 ES345 and it is easily the single best sounding guitar I've ever player and I'm a pro musician for over 40 years.. The Varitone is a great tool, if you don't like it, don't use it and you still have the amazing tone of a Gibson ES guitar!!
A very detailed, thorough explanation of the Varitone without being pedantic, congratulations.
Many thanks!
I’ve just started using a Gibson ES-137 Custom Varitone. After over 50 years of playing many Gibson ES guitars without one, I now find that the Varitone function is superbly useful. I simply put a signal boost pedal between the guitar and amp, switching it on when using positions 2 - 5.
I use the Varitone on my ES-137 for clean country rhythm sounds. It depends on the signal chain I'm using.
It’s just such a joy to listen to Jack play, regardless of the instrument he is using at the time. Amazing.
I hope you don’t mind, I just posted this comment on my Instagram stories - really appreciate it!
@@JackFossett
No problem Jack. I’m a 63 year old that started playing just a few months ago . I realize I’ll never ever be “good” at it but I appreciate those that are. Your playing on any guitar, any genre of music is such a joy to listen to. I wish I had had the inclination to play 50 years ago instead of waiting this long.
@@dabsafe well as far as guitar goes, welcome aboard! If the guitar brings you joy then that’s what matters. Happy playing 🎸
@@JackFossettyes exactly. Same thanks lol
@@JackFossettyes exactly. Same thanks lol.
Excellent explanation and you even included OVERDRIVEN tones in your demo. BRAVO. My guitar mentor way back in 1978 had a Gibson L6S w the Varitone switch and a brand new Fender Strat with what was then, "the ALL NEW 5 way switch". We spent an entire afternoon comparing the two playing clean and overdriven through his Silverfaced Fender Twin and were amazed at how close the 2 & 3 positions on the Varitone were to his Strat.
Edit: Freddie King did also have a 345 as well as a 355. BB primarily played a 355 which eventually evolved into his custom model, although I believe he also had a 345 somewhere in there too.
Great explanation. I have a Brown Gibson ES 345 stereo since many years and love the tonality options of the Varitone. I don’t wanna miss it. Thanks for explaining it to the people who don’t see it’s possibilities and misunderstanding the it’s function. Peace and happiness
Thank you kindly! Glad to hear that the video passes with someone who knows the Varitone
I have a 355, and have found the Varitone to be of great benefit, especially when playing Beatles and British Invasion stuff. Run this axe through two amps and lose your mind, it's such a big sound (stereo version, of course). This axe sounds fabulous, by the way ...
Unfortunately its hard to find Stereo models out there nowadays, the new 345's apparently don't even have the Varitone.
What a stunning colour of guitar. Lovely playing and a fascinating bit of information. Thanks.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
@@JackFossett as always, Jack.
It is. There is one for sale on reverb right now for a mere $7250 plus shipping LOL. Get out there and buy it! ES-345 64 Reissue 2016 Surf Green
I have an older peerless epiphone Lucille . To be honest, I usually don't move it. . Not that it's useless, just that I don't use it. Thanks for another great video. Always impressed with the quality of video that you produce.
I can understand that -- they aren't tones for everyone.
Great video Jack. When the varitone switch is mentioned on the tube it's usually not positive, but I agree with you, there are useable tones.
Yeah it draws an awful lot of hatred... not really sure why. I mean, I get why people may not like it or use it, but they get REALLY worked up about it.
I haven’t watched it yet. This could be pivotal in how I feel about Jack as a human being. I have very, very strong opinions about the varitone. In other words, I ADORE it. Please let Jack say he does too . . . (Wince face)
Oh, we're on the same page. All is good. I love the Varitone.
No matter what you think about varitone, when you said “some people’s opinions are just wrong” resolved any concerns I might have had about your thoughts on varitone generally.
And, let us all well note, the fact that the man has acquired a robin-egg blue 345 means he has the final word.
Robin-egg blue - love it
I like it so much I moved one to a pedal and use it with all guitars. (Came out of my '62 Epiphone Professional.)
I was so unlucky that the only early 355 I was able to get was a '60 Factory Mono. Glad I have the pedal. :)
Jack, you have to remember, when the Gibson Varitone came out in 1959, Gibson pushed that to achieve the true stereo effect you had to have two Gibson amps! Lot's a money then and now! Plus the weight of carrying them around!
Yes! Stereo in guitars -- what an ordeal. Its an interesting connection considering many Varitone, in fact the majority of modern Varitone, guitars aren't in stereo any longer, except a few rare ultra historic 345 and 355 models. Mine is all mono.
@@JackFossett Just as a point of unnecessary description, I used to own an Ibanez walnut '335' stereo guitar, it had a special split cable to plug into two inputs-it was a whacky idea and a pain really! Michael Jackson played one in the 'Jackson 5'!
Oh nice - yeah I've enjoyed using stereo effects, but just at home. When it comes to actually bringing two amps to a live situation and dealing with all the extra dialing in work? Probably not. Maybe someday.
funny, = i have been hauling around 2 amps, to gigs, since 1981, Why, = one may ask, = for it was cleaner. example 1 amp i would set on 5, two amps, = for the same volume in a band I would set at = 2 1/2 or 3 how ever I would always set them to 5 or 6 and keep my guitar down at like 2, 3 or 4 and swell to oh, = maybe 6, 7, or 8, =` and to get the B.B. king infinite sustain or like santana infinite sustain again keep your amps up your guitar low and hit a note and swell it for a second on infinite sustain and also super clean using say 2 twin Reverbs on 6, and the guitar on 2,3, or 4 till I hit a note and shoot it up to 8 and get the dynamic,. Reaction and go back to say 3 or 4 on the guitar. and 2 amps meant, = I am playing Super = Clean like Sir "Clapton" "always does" = . Thank You, = = = = M.G. in phx. Az. @@JackFossett
Great demo and a great feature for a great guitar.
Thanks for this excellent soundtake ! Very useful for me
I have Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata es 355 and it also has varitone switch. my setteing is amp=high gain tone, pick up= front pick up, volume knob= about 2, and varitone switch= 3. Then I can feel something different from usual hollowbody guitar sound and I kinda like it. As you said, my best setting is also number 3 just like you said.
How do you like the Shinichi Ubukata signature? I've been eyeing it and they look fantastic
I have an Epiphone Wilshire Phant-o-Matic (Frank Iero signature) which has the varitone switch as probably one of the few models thats not a 'vintage' style with the varitone. It's pretty interesting since that guitar is a bit "punk" by only having master volume and no tone control. i very much agree with your statement that it's an alternative to coil-splitting. I often keep the guitar on true bypass but lately I've been using the Varitone a lot more especially in Position 5 in combination with a Boss DS-1 (on neck humbucker), that combination really works when i'm playing RATM to get that Tom Morello sound.
I think it's a very underrated tool and i actually prefer it over having a normal tone knob since the sounds are way more useful (to me). I wish more guitars had it
Thank you for the advice on setting notch three as a default and using one and two as boosts. I'll do it from now on.
Just picked up a 65 es345. I wanted to know the deal with the varitone and you explained it perfectly. I'm also glad my guitar isn't broken when I get to 5 and 6 on the switch 😅 I'd imagine it would be a great session player's guitar for layering many parts, notching frequencies out to make it all fit. Great explanation thank you!
Awesome, glad it was helpful! Yeah the 5 and 6 are not unusable. Contextually there are a lot of cool ways you could work them in, even if primarily most stick to the 1 2 or 3 positions.
I have a Gibson reissue ES 355 Varitone with Maestro...
With stock Gibson MHS humbuckers...👍
Agreed 100 percent Varitone 2,3 and 6 are very usable tones along with position 1 / bypass..
Nice Demo, somebody now makes this in a Pedal. Mick on that pedal show just demo'ed about a month ago a es345 that he bought, what KILLER TONES he got out of that Guitar, made me realize the possibilitys of a 345 to bad they are Way to pricy for my retired blood. I thought about getting one of the Eastman models and maybe installing the stuff, Stereo/varitone but that would be a piece of work, but at least it would be reasonable price wise.
I dig your explanations...full geek mode and I say that admirably. Very helpful...thanks
And I haven't even begun to share the depth of my geekness with the world. Wait until I start throwing in Tolkien references.
@@JackFossett I think we may have been comrades in high school. Keep up the good work brother.
I built a semi solid guitar with TV Jones Classic Filtertron pickups and installed a varitone. It has some nice nasally tones.
I have a Fender Deluxe Roadhouse that has an S1 switch to activate a 6 position tone knob. Battery powered. So, it’ll give you 30 additional tones other than the 5 original tones. I have NO clue how to take advantage of it. I just absolutely love listening to you tone examples!!
Thanks! For what its worth, I personally think you're just fine with the pickups as they are. S1 is kind of the opposite of coil splitting - rather than splitting the two coils on a humbucker, its taking two single coils and putting them together. It can certainly add some fat tones to your quiver, but in the end, I think a Stratocaster sounds best as a Stratocaster.
I really enjoyed how informative this video is! Thanks a looot!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks Jack. So nice to get someone who cuts to the chase and delivers the goods. I have two 345's on the bench .... a 1967 and a 2013 . I will use this video as a template to explain the vari-tone switches. .... Subbed \M/ !
I love th4 varitone. bottom line the more tone pallets one has the better .. that is my thought.............=M.G. in phx,Az.. cool........
4,5&6 work great with fuzz pedals and tube screamers when playing live. I've never recorded with it, but playing live it helps it cut through the mix.
Thanks, Jack. Appreciate the explanation and your takes on the Varitone switch.
Great video. I have a BB King guitar with varitone and use the varitone sometimes. And you're correct, the Blueshawk was the one that had the varitone also. Nice color on your guitar. never seen a 345 in that color before. Thanks from lord JS, the music samurai.
Thanks for this vid. I've always wanted to have a two-humbucker guitar that combines both the pickup selector switch circuit of the Gibson L6-S and the Gibson Varitone.
Oh that would be cool. It’s too bad the Varitone doesn’t get more appreciation, I think they’re really cool
Thanks for this explanation Jack, it's really helpful.
I got my ES345 a few weeks ago and I already decided that I don't need this varitone. maybe for some recordings purposes..but live? not really.. :) whatever, it belongs to a 345 and it looks cool. :) the latest 345s come without it..thats a bit odd in my opinion. great playing Jack!
Yeah I think it’s odd too for a 345 not to have it - like you said, even if you don’t use it much, no harm in being there. Who knows - I still haven’t gotten over no banjo tuners on the Firebird 😂
@@JackFossett mhmh.. the snob in us haha
Exactly!
@@JackFossett do you find your es345 a little dull or muddy? I feel like mine is more dull... thats why I thought the varitone is not so useful but maybe mine isnt working properly 🤔🤔
I love Gibson , so cool . Great video
man, i'd love to hear that 6th position on some country tunes or country rock. especially on the bridge pu.
It would be really cool for a vintage country vibe
i got an se 335 replica, didn't know what it does, thanks now i know more
Can only buy 1 amp , that sounds good at home levels and takes pedals well , reliable , variety of music styles , $1500 budget...what would it be ? Awesome channel , thanks .
So I prefer Fender inspired amps overall. If you don’t mind getting all your drive from pedals, Fender Bassman, hands down. If you want something that sounds great with multiple channels, the Mesa Boogie Fillmore is an excellent choice.
@@JackFossett thanks , I'm going to look into these more.
@@JackFossett sorry to hassle , the Fillmore 25 or 50 , in videos the 50 seems to have more low end , just wondering if you tried both ? , thanks .
I don't own a Fillmore but I've played them. The higher watts you go, the more open and full the tone will be, so yes, its fair to say the 50 has more low end available than the 25.
Great video! I mean it! And I agree 100% with just about everything you say. I too, believe that the Varitone is misunderstood and that a lot of people just go along with the hype of it being a "tone sucker" without even trying to exlpoit it creatively, which is clearly what you're all about. They miss the point that being a passive notch filter, of course it will subtract from your overall signal, but there is still a place for it in many different contexts. I have found that I can use the volume drop to quicky cleanup a dirty amplifier or pedal, or to just go to softer dynamics with a clean signal. As the name suggests, it offers several sonic options with a quick flick of a switch, instead of fiddling with the tone and volume controls. I recently built one from scratch and put it in my Epiphone Sheraton. Never been happier with that guitar. Here's if you'd like to take look: facebook.com/EllerbrockGuitarAndBassRepair/posts/3021512774560456. Thanks for the excellent video! Take care.
I actually really like the tones. I know it's not the same thing *at all*, but it does remind me somewhat of the tones I get running the pickups on my guitar out of phase, and playing around with having the Bridge and Neck volumes at various different levels from each other.
Great vidio! I plan to add a Varitone switch to my Epiphone ES-335 and this helped a lot!
Cool, thanks!
Would you incorporate tone controls while using the varitone, or are you using the varitone instead of tone controls? Thinking of all the tonal possibilities...or would tone controls just add or subtract what the varitone positions are doing?
Cool stuff👍😎
👍😎❤🖖
Love brother
The tone control really does something different, so yes you could incorporate the two together to almost limitless tonal possibilities. The tricky thing is that you're essentially just taking too much away at a certain point, so how usable are those limitless possibilities?
Finding tones you want could really add up🤣👍😎
Out comes the notebook!
Thanks for the insight 👍😎
👍😎❤🖖
Love brother
Great video!
Thank you for this Video.. Ive had 60's 345s. Never took the time to plug them in. lol, Always wanted to know the function of this Knob ..
actually I really like the positions 3 and 4. I'm considering adding a Varitone circuit on my SG.
Ummm so what happens when you use the tone control and the varitone settings. Seems to be the thing everyone misses. But thanks for the video, installing one on a tele just for fun.
Good explanation of the much misunderstood Varitone. Is that a Custom Shop guitar?
It actually isn't, it was from the former Gibson Memphis branch. I would consider it Custom Shop quality, but it was actually a standard model they made for a while.
@@JackFossett Superb. My 335 is Memphis too, but plain old sunburst.
I have a 2011 Epiphone ES345 Limited Edition with Varitone just got it a week ago like the #3 setting like you said this guitar is built for tube or trans tube amps to get the full response from this feature . Like what you said about it and it is what I was thinking was going on .
Jazz Noir - very nice music!
Thank you!
Its the secet weapon for every studio player, who want to bring only one guitar to the show or gig, to be able to mimik even fenderisch sounds!
What amp are you playing through? I often struggle getting a full sound out of the bridge without making the neck muddy. Great playing and gorgeous guitar.
I just got to the part where you described your signal chain. thanks!
Have you tried lowering your pickups? I find a neck humbucker is way more usable set lower. Kind of opens up the tone, it compresses less and there's more EQ articulation.
Thank you for the video its very informative . Love it I am thinking of all the different tones and sounds I could create if I had one of these switches on a Les paul with a split coil , even better is 2 quad buckers and a 4 way coil split on each pickup and a Varitone switch. I am defiantly going to get me a guitar with one of these switches after hearing this . As a songwriter, I am always looking at ways to create new sounds . Thanks again for the video \636
There’s a couple of nice “Straty” sounding tones on the first couple past bypass. I have a ES335 that needs new pots and I’m thinking about doing a master tone and a Varitone in the other tone pot hole. Added versatility never hurts. The coil split for me is only really something I use on both pickups. Sometimes the bridge humbucker a half the neck or the other way around gives some in between sounds.
I'd just like to point out that it's the reactance of the different capacitors with a series connected 1.5H inductor that creates the different notch frequencies. Neglecting the effects of the pickups' output impedance, the varitone circuit alone will notch at 4109 Hz (pos #2), 2373 Hz (pos #3), 1299 Hz (pos #4), 750 Hz (pos #4) and 277 Hz in position #6. Position #6 sounds quite neck Stratty to me. I do love the variety of available tones.
The "Q" or steepness of each filter will also be reduced as the volume is turned down, thereby yielding a less pronounced effect. I'd like to know what you hear when you turn the volume down on different varitone positions.
Thank for your information
The Varilone switch has the same values as a few built in switches in some older amps. Ie. laney and selmer (selector tone. Model. ) from late fifties early sixties. I don't know which came out first though.
I feel like it has so many other possibilities!!
I'd like to wire one as a 6 way pickup selector, on a two P90 guitar if possible.
Merle Haggard wiring;
1:Bridge
2:Both series
3:both parallel
4:neck
5:both parallel with jazz tone circuit
6:mute
Just that and a volume knob!! Wonder if its possible?
I think Satriani and Vai use a high pass filter push pull for less mud with distorted sounds.
I wonder why Gibson have left it off the new 345’s? I’m looking to buy a new one, but this really puts me off...
I imagine its because alot of players don't really want or need them, so it would be a way to limit the cost. I think they're really cool but there is a palpable amount of vitriol towards them here on the intergoogles.
I made it in Samick AV3 guitar and I thought I messed it up because signal was weaker after changing positions forward. Anyway liked it.
"It was some kind of bird of prey" HAHAHAH😂
I wonder if Gibson re-engineered the Varitone wiring over the years or not. I've had three Gibsons with VT; from 1968, 1971 and 2011. The two older guitars sounded to me like the they may have had the "tone sucking" thing. Hard to say for sure, but they (especially the '71 355) did not sound like true bypass in position 1. Now, I just have a 2011 ES-345 and, like yours, it sounds like a true bypass in position 1. Wish I still had one of the old guitars to do a comparison.
second inductor option for my no tone suck Modern Varitone
Search the used market for a " TRIAD EC 200-A "
I found one !!! and mine tested out to 189mH and 23 ohm DCR
Haha the exact video I was looking for...
Hello! Surely you have said it in your explanation, but unfortunately I do not speak your language and I do not understand what you say. The question is whether in positions 2 to 6 the tone potentiometers act on the sound as well or only in position 1 of the varitone switch. Thank you so much.
Thanks also to google translate :)
Why should we be “be sure to like Sharon Subscribe”? Is she a nice person? 😅
I am serious. And stop calling me Shirley.
@@JackFossett 😂
instead of a coil split, go from both coils in series to both in parallel ... then it sounds more like a P-90, instead of a split.
I wonder if the 4-6 settings would be more useable with flatwound strings and an old Gibson amp, as it was designed to be used.
2, 5 and 6 seemed usable. Six sounded like it could sound good cranked.
funnie that we found out the same waii of plaiing this thing. I alwais use the three setting and for a solo or generall bost put it on bipass.
Its works the same as varitone from epiphone BB king signature guitar .
Wonderful could you please tell me what strings you are using 1:49 on that varitone guitar. And are any other effects or outside of pedals being used. And what amplifier please thank you.
A Stereo Varitone guitar into a two channel Fender amp with Reverb is interesting because the channels are out of phase.
Yeah the whole stereo thing is another aspect that’s really been lost/forgotten - for as few Varitone guitars are out there, there are even fewer stereo. Mine is Mono.
Thanks
turn knob to increase the size of the room
I couldn't imagine having a 7k guitar and complaining about the tone . Especially after 50 years of playing parts casters and ghetto casters . Besides good enough for Freddie and B.B. , definitely good enough for me .
Is it possible to say that middle positions sounds similar to p90s?
The Veritone's 2 & 3 positions are FAR SUPERIOR to splitting HB's but the problem w installing it on LP's or SG's is that you'd have to drill a hole in the top. You could install it on a neck heavy Firebird's pick plate but here's a better solution; i.e. the Gibson RD Artist w its utterly useless moog circuitry. RD Artists have an extra toggle switch for the moog circuit that can be used for the Veritone switch (I have a VERY RARE 1981 Mahogany Artist w a MVX Victory neck / headstock)
Hi jack
Does the varitone kinda emulate the sound of "out of phase tone"? I was thinking of putting one to reach that tone, instead of messing around with my humbuckers...
Yeah kind of - maybe not exactly but definitely in the same ballpark
Hi, on which position you use the varitone to emulate the out of phase sound?
Can a 7 band EQ Pedal do what a "Varitone Switch" does?
I dont get it.. Its like a tonepot except its sequential rather than variable..
Position 5 kinda sounds like Slash's guitar tone
The biggest mistake people do is to not add more gain/volume as they progress through the Varitone settings.
please lets talk, = for I actually - = I do own 33 killer guitars, I THINK without looking Approx. 7 killer vintage Gibsons like my oh gosh my 1962 Gibson L- 5 C.E.S. thn my killer 1992 Gibson byrdland Custom shop, special order custom color, oh my 74 Alpine white les Paul custom the last of the fretless wonders, a 2007 Johnny A custom shop too, 2013 Midtown kalamazoo, oh yea so my guitar with the varitone switch is my Epiphone Lucille and i must say not only a great an amazing guitar but for the price it is just incredible and after owning all my gibsons i feel AI am making a sound and fair comparison..I use the position 2 and 3 the most too as well. I THINK I HEARD b.b. KING SAY THE 2 POSITION MADE HIM FAMOUS WITH tHE tHRILL IS GONE. I ALWAYS KEEP MUY AMPS up on about 5 or 6 and my guitars fenders are on like 2,3, or 4 maybe 5 or 6 on a solo and gibsons with humbuckers heck they are on about2 , 2,1/2, 3 4 a solo on maybe 4 ,5 or 6 can be super loud so anyway the drop in volume to me wirth the varitone does not matter for i can on any guitar especially the varitone ones too get that infinite sustain like B.b. by hit ing my note and swinging the volume knob way up 7,8,9, maybe even 10 for the few seconds just for the controllable sustain and lower the volu me before i hit or pluckt he next note aso i don't get fired for being like WAY Too loud, most players i know do Not follow that procedure they keep their guitars on 7, or 8 and then 10 for the lead volume. tyo me there is never that extra headroom to do a swell to get the infinite s ustain like B.b. or carlos, or many clean other players.. just my opinion, i do really like my varitone switch tho uh wish i had a few more guitars with it. thought about putting it in my 2 E.S. 33 9's and turn them into 349's. Ha,Ha, Hmm. i do like idea.. Even pondered doing it on my Wild kat and Casino wirth the single coils mite be really super interesting. but ehh, i just don't know never did it yet though. Funny how we still always go back to picking up our fender guitars . I guess we just love the total variety of them all, as tonal changes, for the song, at or on hand for that moment or song. = I guess. Just like all the fuzz or overdrive's or distortion boxes. not really volume changes more so than anything to me = toneal changes. Mike, in phoenix, Az..
yea I hit the wrong button and got cut off. thanks for the heart... yea the really cool ones are my original 56 strat, and gosh one of those super expensive p.r.s. guitars like 15,000.00 expensive I didn't pay that. plus 8 clapton models since1989, and also a Gibson Johnny A, my 74 white les paul, lots of guitarsd and my b.b. king with the varitone that s why i wrote to you. I lov e the varitone. M.G. in phx, Az. st ay safe and healthy..
Is it just me or do the new 345s from Gibson not have the Varitone!?
They do not - they look like great guitars, but honestly, they’re just 335s with different inlays.
@@JackFossett Thanks - that confirms the sad conclusion that I had come to. Kinda like some of the new Jazzmasters that lack the defining rhythm circuit!
I love my varitone switch a lot for all the reason y ou have mentioned. and i wish i owed like a fricken dozen 345's like George Harrison owned and a dozed oh 345 and 355 guitars like sir Freddie king owne4d and like at least a few of the b.b. king models that B.B. owned. i do own 2018 or so epiphone B.b. King guitart an a mazing beast that i love4 a true ly great e,.s. 355 without F holes either way my thoughts and or questions are or would be == how and dig it when =Seeing Sir, = Eric Clapton, playing with B.B. on = oh God So Many platformes, = not Just Crossroads, = Many times, = point being, = Eric nailed the B.B. Sound and licks just Perfectly and B.B. is, astonished, =- like big time If you want I will find the video to send you. = (No big Deal .) = Bottom line how is it, ? = That Eric, = My Hero, = Automatically
position 3 on the neck pickup sounds very Stratty
talk talk talk talk. You could have made like a six second video where you just play a chord then turn the knob to each position in turn, and that'd have made the comparison totally clear. Please have some more respect for the fact that 1) we can READ THE VIDEO TITLE so you don't have to explain it, and 2) most viewers only have a few minutes a day for hobby-related info and don't want to waste it all hearing you tell us what you're going to tell us.
1) you wasted a lot of your hobby-related time typing out a long winded comment that would have better been kept to yourself because 2) I have great people who follow me who all enjoy the discussion parts of my videos as opposed to random people who just need to tear things down and 3) you’re watching videos for free so stop complaining that they’re not exactly how YOU want them. But thanks for the comment, have a great day!
Don't get me wrong for I Love my Varitone switch on My 2019 Epiphone B.B. King Guitar which is amazing and worth every penny and then some, even compared to The Killer Gibson B.B. king models at which are at least at this time period = 6 at least times the price, = Period, = Maybe 7 times the price bottom line = "Clapton", "the Best", "of the Best", "just Automatically knows how to make his Gibson, = E.S. 335" sound Exactly like B.B.'s" "guitar", = "without a Varitone' to me = And, Frickin - = -Right on = Nails it, = Frickin or "Fracking = like," = "Perfectly". ' Please" == "Don 't Get me wrong, = For = {"I wish I owned at least a fricken, = oh dozen killer perfect Gibsons & at this point in time even, = a bu nch of fri cken killer = Epiphones with a good working varitone switch's. which is very possible just go buy an Epiphones for the money it is amazing they put out guitars that are super killer for the price and perfection i think is their New Middle Name i love all my Epiphones from 2007 till 2023. I am amazed how great they really ARE, = THE PICKUPS THE BUILD QUILITY AND LIKE ERIC SAYS ONE DOES AND ALL OF HIS REGULAR AMERICAN CLAPTON MODELS WITH FENDER HE LETS THEM SPRAY = his guitars with Polyurethane not the ole standard of lacquerer which a first floored me however as Eric himself says these finishes are like Rock solid and will last and he is Right and I Got To say he is most likely correct over the facts, = big deal lacquer does finish check and mess up where as poly really does not.!! = = = = bottom line there is not that much sound difference for the money, = "yea" = I want to own all my Gibsons but the facts are at this time I DO OWN I 20 KILLER ALL ORIGINAL VINTAGE Gibson GUITARS= Bottom line, = MY, HERO = "Eric Clapton" makes his = "his 335' = or even more times than not, his Clapton STRATOCASTERS = SOUND EXCELLANT WHEN PLAYED WITH SIR = B.B. KING LIVE ON THE SAME Stage - B.B. kings sound right in front of B.vb. on st afge together and forget the crowd goes wild so does sir B.B. king himself . I love these guys and own all these or those guitars...for a reason they are all Great and they all sou nd different and for playing gigs and recordi ng it is cool as cool can be to have these tools that sound and accomplish these different sounds that all my hers got at their finger tips and i just strive to do the same thank you lord than you................. M.G. in phx, Az. please rely..... thank y uo..........Mike..............