Very helpful video thank you. Great to hear the different models with demonstrating the effect of changing pick-ups etc together with the potted history of each model. Cheers
great video. mostly raw guitar straight into a clean amp so that we can hear the guitar. What I have is a 1981, Ebony with Gold Hardware Gibson ES-347. It's more like the ES 355 but with a coil tap switch and a crown headstock inlay. I've had it for over 20 years. I lucked into it for $1,100 in a music consignment shop.
Lesson nr 1 when [playing a es335/es345/es355 (Or any hollow/semi-hollow bodied with the input (it's an output.. lol) in the top of the guitar.. ALWAYS use an angled plug. If you use a straight plug here WILL come a day when y'all will hit the plug and severely damage the guitar.
...... and he has no idea how to demo the 345 in any other context than to slam big chords. I don't know what amp, settings, or effects he is using but it sounds like sh*t - I might be able to get my 345 to sound that bad if I played it through a pair of transistor radios with 4" speakers. When a kid like this calls the output jack an "input" and he tee hees at the $280 price tag from the 50's you begin to understand that he has no business discussing vintage guitars.
I dig it. My 335 is my favorite guitar. I'd love to get a 345 because it was the staple of all my favorite players. I think I would use the Varitone switch and stereo setting a lot.
Pete, I thought the same! But once I started playing the 345, I realized that I liked my 335 better and the extra options weren't a necessity (for me). Just out of curiosity, what finish 345 would you get?
I have the 2020 335 figured top and love that guitar. I also have the Joe Bod. 355, although not made in the old USA I love it just as much. They’re both fun a hell to play. Good review.
Thanks for the breakdown of the Gibson ES models. You did a marvelous job of putting out the details. However, for a novice like me I had wanted to know dimensions as well like is the 355 has a bigger body than the 335,scale length, etc ? For some strange reason I'm having that feeling that the 355 has a bigger body than the 335's and because of B.B. King is always seen using 355 with that split-diamond headstock. Also him being a huge guy and the way his Lucille is so effortlessly tucked away under his arm that a 335 on him might look too small. But I am all out for a 355! Can you please do a video of the Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' 335s? Are they worth it to have ? Thanks.
Hey, thanks for the kind words and great question! The 335, 345, and 355 are all the same body size and shape. There is no different in the size. It can seem deceiving and I imagine BB’s looked as big as it did, because of how he sat and how it appeared to envelope his body. That said, they’re all the same, the only differences are the features. An Epiphone version of this would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the idea and I’ll see what I can do!
Quick question not covered in the video - are the neck profiles the same between the 335, 345, 355? And do they vary depending on the year/decade? E.g. 70's thinner than 50's/60's? Thank you
Good question - while Gibson guitars definitley have necks that are specific to certain models, era dictates neck size more than model. So you'll find that they evolve over time - 50's larger, 60's slimmer, 70's was more experimental so they vary.
Several things here, 1) I never said I took out PAF's to replace them with WRH's, because 2) my 1988 335 didn't come with PAF's, because 3) the original 1958's came with PAF's... not ALL 335's and 4) it's my guitar, I'll replace the pups with kazoos if that's the sound I want.
I came to hear the ES-345 but I would have loved it hear it without the overdriven amp. Also, the bridge pickup is set way too high so it'll never sound clean like that. It would be cool to hear one that's setup properly. That's a super special guitar. I just got a 1980 Matsumoku (Aria Pro II) ES-800 in cherry. It's essentially an excellent copy of an ES-345 Stereo. When setup properly, it sounds amazing!
Exactly - he doesn't have a clue. He outed himself when he giggled about the original price tag. Could he not hear how bad the sound sample was right from the get go? He clearly didn't do enough research on the vintage stereo wiring or interplay between the volume settings and the tone.
I really appreciate the presentation and history of this line of Gibsons. I have been playing my ES 355 Lucille since I purchased it in 1990. I'm pretty sure it was '90. Playing out or in studio, I have never used the second output jack or the stereo aspect of my instrument. I didn't see a second output jack in any of the guitars in your presentation. Two questions come to mind. 1) This would be seen as a reissue ES 355 Gibson Lucille 1990 correct since I'm sure the original Lucille was made for B B King some time before this release? Funny thing is, I never thought of her that way, but obviously that's what it is. 2) If I were to use the stereo aspect of Lucille, It would take one cord per guitar output jacks going to two individual amp. One for the Neck pickup and the second jack, is the Bridge pickup to a different amp, is that right? Studio set up only I'm sure. Live shows this setup would double tripping hazard and accidents waiting to happen I am sure. I've owned and have been using this guitar in studio and for live gigs for 34 years now. Holy Smokes, 34 years...
What are the pickups in your 335? They sound great! Definitely not stock. And-“trapeze” is pronounced “trapEEZ”, not “trapeezy”. The final “e” is silent. There were changes made to these models over the years-the 335 and 345 came standard with stop tailpieces until about 1964, when they both got trapeze tailpieces. Bigsby or Vibrola vibratos were available as options, but they weren’t standard. Nut widths on Gibsons generally got narrowed down from 1-11/16” to 1-9/16” in about 1966, but I used to have a 1965 SG Standard with the narrow nut. Standard finish on the 355 was Cherry, but a very few have turned up in Sunburst or Natural, likely custom orders. I love that Natural 355 you’re playing!
This was a few years ago, but I believe I had WRH’s at the time. It was a weird choice, but I loved them. Thanks for all the other info, super helpful!
I bought a 1969 ES-335 TDC brand new. Never had the problem of which guitar I would keep if I sold all but one…because no other guitar even came close. And it just got better with age. More woodier sounding with greater sustain. I was at a Deep Purple (Mark I) concert in 1968 and Blackmore switched to a 335 on Hard Road (all other songs he used a Strat). The 335 sounded way more powerful and soulful. That sold me (as a 16 year old) on which guitar to buy. Best $550.00 investment I’ve ever made.
Thanks for this informative post..as a 35 plus year player .I've only recently learned that I had been denying myself the tones of this incredible instrumenr....I'm almost ashamed of myself...I played one at GC and I fell hard for it...just waiting on tax money now ....My thoughts are the 339 as its a little smaller .do you guys think there's a noticeable difference in 339 vs 335..I will play them both in comparrasion . But wanted input ..let me know whst yall think.
I think the 339 is a great player and nearly identical in spec to the 335, just a smaller body. That said, it’s acoustic properties won’t be quite as boomy since it is a smaller body. However, I think you’d be happy either way. Personally, I’d spring for the 335, but that’s just my opinion. If you get it, send pics!
Did I miss a part where you acknowledge that your 335 has wide range pickups instead of proper PAFs? Not sure what the point of the sound demo was with that one.
In short- yes. But I wouldn’t say exactly the same. With the 345 & 355 offering the varitone, that particular “feature” is an option so different that it really feels like a different guitar. Just my opinion though.
@@Gibsunday Ok so you get a few more really differnt killler tones with 345 and 355, because of the varitone. is the varitone built to last? i'll have to look closer into the tones you get with it, to see if its worth another 400$ cnd, after i manage to save the first 4000 for 335. Doesnt seem like that much more money if you got 4000$, and there's new totally differnt sweet tones you get.
@@barneyrubble8255 I’ve never heard of the varitone going bad, but I’m sure it happens. That said, most players don’t end up using them. Most 345/55 players I know end up saying “just get a 335.”
Thank you for this. Without having to pay so much in American dollars, because the currency of my country became so devalued. Thankfully my Epiphone 335 Dot has enough all the same tones as the Gibson one for me.
It was a combination of things: new recording location/space, new amp, but then weirdly, the 345 had a wildly unique sound. I wondered if the pickups needed some work because they sounded so odd.
@@Gibsunday - The original GA amp had 2 speakers. The wiring on a 345 is a little strange. It is more than a polarity thing and the volume pots at the 7-8 ish range begin to affect the tone. That is a complicated guitar.
Identical - no. Blindfold test similar, yes. I know I’m splitting hairs, but they’re different guitars and hairs deserve to be split when you’re spending that kind of money.
I'm currently looking at new models and came to this video for help, and I don't think it applies. There's a £100 difference between a new 335 and a new 345. Only difference I can see if the inlays.
Hi, i enjoyed the detail, I think the 345 sounds awesome. Just curious and if anybody else can answer this question I love to hear: 3:45 is a stereo guitar and it has a split output so obviously you could run one pickup into one amp and one pickup into another amp which obviously would mean if you were going in between pickups you'd lose one whole amp! But I'm also wondering what is the best use, or perhaps what cord or setting would one use if one had a stereo amplifier? Like I have a roland jazz chorus which is in stereo. Should I run a mono out on the guitar with a single cord into the amp and let the amp do its dance? Anybody know??
Yea, totally hear you on this! Unfortunately this was an issue with the amp and since I was at a guitar shop, I didn’t have a ton of control over that. Also, if I ever correctly, those pickups needed some work. But I loved it enough that I kept the content.
@@TheRealThomasPaine1776 of course. If you don’t own a 335 yet, start there. Every time someone starts with a 345, I hear them regret not purchasing a 335 first.
So - the new 345s offered by Gibson do not have the Varitone now...... Seems a bit odd and now the differences come down to inlays and some wiring differences.
Totally! I think the move was Gibson listening to the people. Ironically, most who get the 345 Varitone, end up saying "get a 335 or 355 because you'll never use the Baritone." This isn't a hard & fast rule for everyone, but certainly a general consensus that likely informed the production model. That said, I'd love to have a 345 WITH a Varitone, so I totally understand where you're coming from!
@@Gibsunday Thanks. It’s a bit like Fender making Jazzmasters with no rhythm circuit, a defining feature of that model. At least they still offer JMs with that circuit if you want it.
335 to 355 is the same story as LP Std to LP Custom. Not for the cosmetics, but for the ebony fretboard - but there are so many people who cant hear nor tell the difference when they play them... glassy vs bloom... two different guitars. My 355 is so easy on the eyes, but it spends most of her time in the case.. sadly.. The 335, the plain Jane of the two - just gives me more... no 2 ways about it
Is that because the 355 is too pretty or you find playability is better on 335? Id guess sound is the same. I’m currently contemplating a ML copy of one of these. Thanks
@@ScottsGuitar The looks are so subjective, but when I open the case with the black 5, people just go WOW... Playability depends on the particular one you get.. It is the different sound for me - playing with little preamp gain, through non MV old amps, the 3 has more "give", more responsive.. The 5 sounds bland, compared.. if it makes any sense 🙃 But with cranked 5E3 Dlx, let alone old 50w Plexi - it is a different story.. the 5 cuts through better. As for ML... you sure know they use regular CS guitars and just give them some cosmetic treatment? Build and sound wise, they are no different.. price and bragging rights, sure 😅 .. whatever floats your boat nothing wrong with that.. but my advice to anyone would be - find one from late 80/early 90s, if you can.
The 330 is a Hollow Body, where the 335, 345, & 355 are all semi-)hollow, so it’s not technically if the same line. It’s more like a cousin than a sibling.
I don’t want to come across as over-critical, but I can’t believe how bad you made the 345 sound (bad in bad way). I had a loan of a 1972 345 for a month or two, which sounded nothing like your demo. It sounded big and full sounding. Either your amp/settings were poor or there is something wrong with the guitar. Does anyone else feel the same?
It was two fold- the pickups were going bad and I HATED the amp they had, but I didn’t have much of a choice. Maybe I’ll circle back on this video and remake it with a newer 345.
@@Gibsunday Hi! I thought as much. I'd certainly be interested in hearing the video if you ever remake it. I had the offer of the 1972 ES-345 I had on loan from a local music shop back in the 90s for a month or so. They were asking £1500 at the time, but didn't pull the trigger. I've been kicking myself ever since. I listened to some recordings I did with it and it sounded great. Thanks!
Ted McCarty blatantly ripped of Les Pauls design which was rejected when he presented it now look at all the semi hollow guitars we have. Just giving credit where credit is due thank you Les
I do. I was four years old and we moved from a flat overlooking the beach so close the storms broke the windows, to a farm building conversion inland 😉
Yea, I wasn’t crazy about it either and I wasn’t using overdrive. I recorded through a 5w (maybe 10w) amp that was overdriven out of the gate. The shop I found this in is primarily an acoustic dealer though, so this was the best option, unfortunately.
Unfortunately it was a combo of the amp and that particular guitar needing more work than the shop was willing to give it. I can say now, having spent more time with more Varitone's that this isn't how Varitone's sound. If you're shopping vintage models, make sure the pickups and Varitone wiring have been serviced!
There's generic muzak playing throughout your vid. You might have some points to make, or some information to pass on. However, if you smother your content with a layer of audio manure, as you seem to have decided is a great idea to do, then I can tell you that anyone who steers you towards this style of presentation is a fool, and you'd be foolish to follow their advice.
I think you’ve got some decent advice, in spite of calling others who do things differently fools, but this was one of my earlier videos and my production was subpar.
HEY !WHAT ABOUT SOME LIGHTING ? YOU‘RE IN THE DARK.!!
I love the dark vibe. Fed up of seeing bright studio lights
He was born in the darkness…you merely adopted it.
Very helpful video thank you. Great to hear the different models with demonstrating the effect of changing pick-ups etc together with the potted history of each model. Cheers
Thanks for this. I'm going to get an ES-3xx soon, and this was super interesting. Really enjoyed it!
great video. mostly raw guitar straight into a clean amp so that we can hear the guitar.
What I have is a 1981, Ebony with Gold Hardware Gibson ES-347. It's more like the ES 355 but with a coil tap switch and a crown headstock inlay.
I've had it for over 20 years. I lucked into it for $1,100 in a music consignment shop.
Lesson nr 1 when [playing a es335/es345/es355 (Or any hollow/semi-hollow bodied with the input (it's an output.. lol) in the top of the guitar.. ALWAYS use an angled plug. If you use a straight plug here WILL come a day when y'all will hit the plug and severely damage the guitar.
...... and he has no idea how to demo the 345 in any other context than to slam big chords. I don't know what amp, settings, or effects he is using but it sounds like sh*t - I might be able to get my 345 to sound that bad if I played it through a pair of transistor radios with 4" speakers.
When a kid like this calls the output jack an "input" and he tee hees at the $280 price tag from the 50's you begin to understand that he has no business discussing vintage guitars.
Sounds like some hard-won sage wisdom, right there!
Thanks for the info! I’m hopefully getting the 355 soon! My buddy has one just like in the video!!
I dig it. My 335 is my favorite guitar. I'd love to get a 345 because it was the staple of all my favorite players. I think I would use the Varitone switch and stereo setting a lot.
Pete, I thought the same! But once I started playing the 345, I realized that I liked my 335 better and the extra options weren't a necessity (for me). Just out of curiosity, what finish 345 would you get?
@@Gibsunday Tobacco Sunburst
One of my favourite guitarists, Fred Frith, uses a 345 as his main guitar but he's disabled the Varitone switch because he doesn't like it.
I have the 2020 335 figured top and love that guitar. I also have the Joe Bod. 355, although not made in the old USA I love it just as much. They’re both fun a hell to play. Good review.
Thanks for the breakdown of the Gibson ES models. You did a marvelous job of putting out the details. However, for a novice like me I had wanted to know dimensions as well like is the 355 has a bigger body than the 335,scale length, etc ? For some strange reason I'm having that feeling that the 355 has a bigger body than the 335's and because of B.B. King is always seen using 355 with that split-diamond headstock. Also him being a huge guy and the way his Lucille is so effortlessly tucked away under his arm that a 335 on him might look too small. But I am all out for a 355! Can you please do a video of the Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' 335s? Are they worth it to have ? Thanks.
Hey, thanks for the kind words and great question! The 335, 345, and 355 are all the same body size and shape. There is no different in the size. It can seem deceiving and I imagine BB’s looked as big as it did, because of how he sat and how it appeared to envelope his body. That said, they’re all the same, the only differences are the features.
An Epiphone version of this would be a lot of fun. Thanks for the idea and I’ll see what I can do!
Quick question not covered in the video - are the neck profiles the same between the 335, 345, 355? And do they vary depending on the year/decade? E.g. 70's thinner than 50's/60's? Thank you
No they're not 😂just dots on the cheaper version
And more luxueus as the price was going up!!??
Makes sense with an expensive factory like Gibson
Good question - while Gibson guitars definitley have necks that are specific to certain models, era dictates neck size more than model. So you'll find that they evolve over time - 50's larger, 60's slimmer, 70's was more experimental so they vary.
4:45 - And you took those amazing PAF pups out and put in Wide Range Humbuckers, wow, you have great taste...
Several things here, 1) I never said I took out PAF's to replace them with WRH's, because 2) my 1988 335 didn't come with PAF's, because 3) the original 1958's came with PAF's... not ALL 335's and 4) it's my guitar, I'll replace the pups with kazoos if that's the sound I want.
your pickups sound amazing!
Whats the exact pickup model in your 335? Thx
I came to hear the ES-345 but I would have loved it hear it without the overdriven amp. Also, the bridge pickup is set way too high so it'll never sound clean like that. It would be cool to hear one that's setup properly. That's a super special guitar.
I just got a 1980 Matsumoku (Aria Pro II) ES-800 in cherry. It's essentially an excellent copy of an ES-345 Stereo. When setup properly, it sounds amazing!
Exactly - he doesn't have a clue. He outed himself when he giggled about the original price tag. Could he not hear how bad the sound sample was right from the get go?
He clearly didn't do enough research on the vintage stereo wiring or interplay between the volume settings and the tone.
I wish you had used a better amp for the demonstrations. That amp sounded battery powered.
I really appreciate the presentation and history of this line of Gibsons. I have been playing my ES 355 Lucille since I purchased it in 1990. I'm pretty sure it was '90. Playing out or in studio, I have never used the second output jack or the stereo aspect of my instrument. I didn't see a second output jack in any of the guitars in your presentation. Two questions come to mind. 1) This would be seen as a reissue ES 355 Gibson Lucille 1990 correct since I'm sure the original Lucille was made for B B King some time before this release? Funny thing is, I never thought of her that way, but obviously that's what it is.
2) If I were to use the stereo aspect of Lucille, It would take one cord per guitar output jacks going to two individual amp. One for the Neck pickup and the second jack, is the Bridge pickup to a different amp, is that right? Studio set up only I'm sure. Live shows this setup would double tripping hazard and accidents waiting to happen I am sure.
I've owned and have been using this guitar in studio and for live gigs for 34 years now. Holy Smokes, 34 years...
What are the pickups in your 335? They sound great! Definitely not stock. And-“trapeze” is pronounced “trapEEZ”, not “trapeezy”. The final “e” is silent. There were changes made to these models over the years-the 335 and 345 came standard with stop tailpieces until about 1964, when they both got trapeze tailpieces. Bigsby or Vibrola vibratos were available as options, but they weren’t standard. Nut widths on Gibsons generally got narrowed down from 1-11/16” to 1-9/16” in about 1966, but I used to have a 1965 SG Standard with the narrow nut. Standard finish on the 355 was Cherry, but a very few have turned up in Sunburst or Natural, likely custom orders. I love that Natural 355 you’re playing!
This was a few years ago, but I believe I had WRH’s at the time. It was a weird choice, but I loved them.
Thanks for all the other info, super helpful!
I bought a 1969 ES-335 TDC brand new. Never had the problem of which guitar I would keep if I sold all but one…because no other guitar even came close. And it just got better with age. More woodier sounding with greater sustain. I was at a Deep Purple (Mark I) concert in 1968 and Blackmore switched to a 335 on Hard Road (all other songs he used a Strat). The 335 sounded way more powerful and soulful. That sold me (as a 16 year old) on which guitar to buy. Best $550.00 investment I’ve ever made.
Thanks for this informative post..as a 35 plus year player .I've only recently learned that I had been denying myself the tones of this incredible instrumenr....I'm almost ashamed of myself...I played one at GC and I fell hard for it...just waiting on tax money now ....My thoughts are the 339 as its a little smaller .do you guys think there's a noticeable difference in 339 vs 335..I will play them both in comparrasion . But wanted input ..let me know whst yall think.
I think the 339 is a great player and nearly identical in spec to the 335, just a smaller body. That said, it’s acoustic properties won’t be quite as boomy since it is a smaller body. However, I think you’d be happy either way. Personally, I’d spring for the 335, but that’s just my opinion. If you get it, send pics!
Did I miss a part where you acknowledge that your 335 has wide range pickups instead of proper PAFs? Not sure what the point of the sound demo was with that one.
Agree. I also feel that the amp was adjusted too dirty for real comparison on the Varitone settings.
Awesome explanation of the ES models! Just subbed! Greetings from Hollywood California !
Thanks so much, appreciate the kind words!
What is your opinion on the ES-347 model?
Killer video, super informative!
Are you going to do the demo for the 345 like you did the 3335 in the dark shadows, Or are you going to have us actually see the guitar this time?
The "D" stood for double cutaway.
I owned a 73 345 that looked identical to that one. Like a fool I got rid of it..wish I didn’t! 😢
That’s a bummer!
So build wise, they are the same, but 345 and 355 have more features?
In short- yes. But I wouldn’t say exactly the same. With the 345 & 355 offering the varitone, that particular “feature” is an option so different that it really feels like a different guitar. Just my opinion though.
@@Gibsunday Ok so you get a few more really differnt killler tones with 345 and 355, because of the varitone. is the varitone built to last? i'll have to look closer into the tones you get with it, to see if its worth another 400$ cnd, after i manage to save the first 4000 for 335. Doesnt seem like that much more money if you got 4000$, and there's new totally differnt sweet tones you get.
@@barneyrubble8255 I’ve never heard of the varitone going bad, but I’m sure it happens. That said, most players don’t end up using them. Most 345/55 players I know end up saying “just get a 335.”
Many people yanked out that Varitone nonsence and lived happily ever after. It was an abomination, like robotic tuners and so... 🙃
The background music when you talk is not neccesary, id rather listen to your voice only. Nice review bro!
Agreed
Killer video! Pound for pound, dollar for dollar the 335 is the best blues guitar on the planet.
Could not agree with you more!
Thank you for this. Without having to pay so much in American dollars, because the currency of my country became so devalued. Thankfully my Epiphone 335 Dot has enough all the same tones as the Gibson one for me.
Yeah ok. 😂
So the 345 is ONLY stereo when in the middle position?
My 330 feelin left out.
Don’t worry, I’ve got a 330/335 comparison video I’m working on!
SIETE AÑOS Y SIETE
MESES AGUANTANDO. BURLAS HUMILLACIONES. INSULTOS
Yeah. I had a 330 about 40 years ago but children and mortgage meant it had to go. I still grieve for it.
What happened to the 345 audio?
It was a combination of things: new recording location/space, new amp, but then weirdly, the 345 had a wildly unique sound. I wondered if the pickups needed some work because they sounded so odd.
Sounded like an overdriven amp to me. Which is an interesting choice for a demo video.
@@Gibsunday - The original GA amp had 2 speakers. The wiring on a 345 is a little strange. It is more than a polarity thing and the volume pots at the 7-8 ish range begin to affect the tone. That is a complicated guitar.
I find that when shopping vintage instruments that the 335 is much more costly than the 345.
Interested to know what gauge of strings are on these gibsons i have used 10's but recently switched to 11's
They all vary!
Why can’t still pay 335 for the guitar ? 😥
This doesn’t really apply to new 345? No vario-switch?
Bottom line, can the 345 produce identical output that a 335? Or, nope is why peeps go 335 ???
Identical - no.
Blindfold test similar, yes.
I know I’m splitting hairs, but they’re different guitars and hairs deserve to be split when you’re spending that kind of money.
What about es 347 I have one from 1982 and is a great guitar
I'm currently looking at new models and came to this video for help, and I don't think it applies. There's a £100 difference between a new 335 and a new 345. Only difference I can see if the inlays.
Hi, i enjoyed the detail, I think the 345 sounds awesome.
Just curious and if anybody else can answer this question I love to hear: 3:45 is a stereo guitar and it has a split output so obviously you could run one pickup into one amp and one pickup into another amp which obviously would mean if you were going in between pickups you'd lose one whole amp!
But I'm also wondering what is the best use, or perhaps what cord or setting would one use if one had a stereo amplifier? Like I have a roland jazz chorus which is in stereo.
Should I run a mono out on the guitar with a single cord into the amp and let the amp do its dance? Anybody know??
Yea, totally hear you on this! Unfortunately this was an issue with the amp and since I was at a guitar shop, I didn’t have a ton of control over that. Also, if I ever correctly, those pickups needed some work. But I loved it enough that I kept the content.
@@Gibsunday thanks, good to know. So a 345 is still on the short list
@@TheRealThomasPaine1776 of course. If you don’t own a 335 yet, start there. Every time someone starts with a 345, I hear them regret not purchasing a 335 first.
Solid video man🙌😁👍
Thanks man!
Which one is the lightest? Are the necks the same?
The 335 is the lightest since it has the least amount of stock components and the neck will vary based on the year, decade, etc.
@@Gibsunday Great! Thanks for the quick reply!
It depends on which one it is.
Great review of Gibson ES line 👌
Thanks so much!
So - the new 345s offered by Gibson do not have the Varitone now...... Seems a bit odd and now the differences come down to inlays and some wiring differences.
Totally! I think the move was Gibson listening to the people. Ironically, most who get the 345 Varitone, end up saying "get a 335 or 355 because you'll never use the Baritone." This isn't a hard & fast rule for everyone, but certainly a general consensus that likely informed the production model.
That said, I'd love to have a 345 WITH a Varitone, so I totally understand where you're coming from!
@@Gibsunday Thanks. It’s a bit like Fender making Jazzmasters with no rhythm circuit, a defining feature of that model. At least they still offer JMs with that circuit if you want it.
Anyone else full of anxiety over those metal buttons on his coat while he hugs that 345?
Hahaha, this! I should’ve known better! #gokraken
@@Gibsunday I blame Dusty Strings because they are so damn friendly there. Love that shop. I bought my Martin there.
@@chris2ferUtoob haha, it’s their fault for being too nice. That’s excellent.
No clue or no respect, either way it is cringe worthy.
Dunno why people bother with the 335 when you can get a 345..
Love how you cracked up and had to cut the video when you said the original 335 price...
335 to 355 is the same story as LP Std to LP Custom. Not for the cosmetics, but for the ebony fretboard - but there are so many people who cant hear nor tell the difference when they play them... glassy vs bloom... two different guitars. My 355 is so easy on the eyes, but it spends most of her time in the case.. sadly.. The 335, the plain Jane of the two - just gives me more... no 2 ways about it
Is that because the 355 is too pretty or you find playability is better on 335? Id guess sound is the same. I’m currently contemplating a ML copy of one of these. Thanks
@@ScottsGuitar The looks are so subjective,
but when I open the case with the black 5, people just go WOW... Playability depends on the particular one you get.. It is the different sound for me - playing with little preamp gain, through non MV old amps, the 3 has more "give", more responsive.. The 5 sounds bland, compared.. if it makes any sense 🙃 But with cranked 5E3 Dlx, let alone old 50w Plexi - it is a different story.. the 5 cuts through better.
As for ML... you sure know they use regular CS guitars and just give them some cosmetic treatment? Build and sound wise, they are no different.. price and bragging rights, sure 😅 .. whatever floats your boat
nothing wrong with that.. but my advice to anyone would be - find one from late 80/early 90s, if you can.
What about the ES 330?
The 330 is a Hollow Body, where the 335, 345, & 355 are all semi-)hollow, so it’s not technically if the same line. It’s more like a cousin than a sibling.
I don’t want to come across as over-critical, but I can’t believe how bad you made the 345 sound (bad in bad way). I had a loan of a 1972 345 for a month or two, which sounded nothing like your demo. It sounded big and full sounding. Either your amp/settings were poor or there is something wrong with the guitar. Does anyone else feel the same?
It was two fold- the pickups were going bad and I HATED the amp they had, but I didn’t have much of a choice. Maybe I’ll circle back on this video and remake it with a newer 345.
@@Gibsunday Hi! I thought as much. I'd certainly be interested in hearing the video if you ever remake it. I had the offer of the 1972 ES-345 I had on loan from a local music shop back in the 90s for a month or so. They were asking £1500 at the time, but didn't pull the trigger. I've been kicking myself ever since. I listened to some recordings I did with it and it sounded great. Thanks!
ES 340?
Ted McCarty blatantly ripped of Les Pauls design which was rejected when he presented it now look at all the semi hollow guitars we have. Just giving credit where credit is due thank you Les
Remember 1959
#neverforget
I do. I was four years old and we moved from a flat overlooking the beach so close the storms broke the windows, to a farm building conversion inland 😉
It's the ES-355CC. Cutting Corners.
Gibbons sound best in mid position... sounding like Southern whiskey tastes.
You mean bourbon 🥃
The sound setup for the 345 was an awful disservice to the model.
It def could’ve been better, but this is the risk you take when you record off site at a guitar shop.
Your demo of the 345 didn’t do the guitar justice. The sound and tone were terrible and I think that had to do with the overdrive you were using
Yea, I wasn’t crazy about it either and I wasn’t using overdrive. I recorded through a 5w (maybe 10w) amp that was overdriven out of the gate. The shop I found this in is primarily an acoustic dealer though, so this was the best option, unfortunately.
Man that 345 sounds terrible. Is the varitone in the 345 and 355 that different?
Unfortunately it was a combo of the amp and that particular guitar needing more work than the shop was willing to give it. I can say now, having spent more time with more Varitone's that this isn't how Varitone's sound. If you're shopping vintage models, make sure the pickups and Varitone wiring have been serviced!
Spending two minutes telling what you're going to say was not in the least a total waste of time.
That’s okay, now we’re even.
There's generic muzak playing throughout your vid.
You might have some points to make, or some information to pass on.
However, if you smother your content with a layer of audio manure, as you seem to have decided is a great idea to do, then I can tell you that anyone who steers you towards this style of presentation is a fool, and you'd be foolish to follow their advice.
I think you’ve got some decent advice, in spite of calling others who do things differently fools, but this was one of my earlier videos and my production was subpar.
Lass doch mal den scheiss Verzerrer weg. Dieser Tonvergleich zwischen 335 und 345 ist für den Arsch.