Thinline Semi Shootout: Gibson ES-335 alternatives from Fret-King, LTD, Comins and PRS
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- New pretenders compared to the archetype
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Gibson’s ES-335 is 56 years old and is one of the great classic electric guitar designs. Its merging of the traditional larger-bodied archtop with the solid centre block of the then-new solidbody captured a perfect blend of old and new. For many players - in virtually any style, including metal - the 335 is the definitive electric guitar.
The influence of the 335 is everywhere. While numerous brands are happy to copy the ES-335, many other more creative minds have forged their own semi-hollow designs, both double- and single-cuts: we could have filled this round-up over and over with them.
Our foursome on review reflect the diversity of modern semi designs, and they all fall way below the price of a pukka Gibson. Put it another way: if you don’t already own a proper semi, these might tempt you to augment your solidbody guitars.
Guitarist's Jamie Dickson and Mick Taylor put the following guitars through their paces, using a Gibson Custom 1963 ES-335 Block Reissue as a benchmark:
Fret-King Elise JE
LTD Xtone PC-1V
Comins GCS-1
PRS SE Zach Myers
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The Fret King sounds gorgeous!
Stephen Harrison I’ve got an AD30VT, Ibanez akjv95 w/11’s, AK95 w/9’s and recently got an RC 365H w/9’s I think. Having a blast. Vox makes some nice amps that won’t break the bank/
At first I did not like the PRS SE ZM... however, when it was released I picked bought one from Sweetwater. It's the first and only PRS I've owned and honestly that was the first PRS I had ever played. For the money, I was shocked at what I got. Truly an amazing instrument! I had planned on swapping the pickups figuring they would be lacking. However, I wouldn't touch em', they're perfect. Another good alternative to the ES-335 is The Heritage H535. They are cheaper and if you search and keep a good eye out, you can get a great deal. I have played one and would love to have one!
I lucked into a ZM that had been upgraded with Duncan Antiquities. OMG.
Never tried one with the original PUs, but the Ants are _highly_ recommended. IMO, of course.
I've owned three 335's - a couple of red ones and one in sunburst. My Hamer Echotone kills them all. Output jack on the rim, bound f-holes, and a 25.5" scale add up to a superior guitar. I'm keeping it forever. Bigsbys are fine if you don't mind an out-of-tune guitar.
Just got my first inexpensive semi hollow. It's a Sire Larry Carlton and although it's a little change due to size, I am really surprised with the sounds! I love it!
It's nice to see the XTone Paramount get some publicity. It's an underrated guitar.
Shoes I've never had the chance to play one but it certainly looks cool. It sounds good with this fellow playing it.
Shoes man i accidentally grabbed one paramount X TONE PC-2V made in Korea, (never played another xtome MIK) IT WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO MISS. not purely hollow sounding but think it's like Les Paul with focused mid range and es 339 with less boomy bass end. it plays jazz, blues, rock and roll and even high gain pretty well. love to buy another one with the same quality of mine any chance!
I own PRS's and love em but although this PRS is certainly a well made and very cool guitar, I do not see it as really belong in a 335 comparison, except for contrast of course.
Nicely done! Enjoyed the comparison, nice playing, good description of the tones, and I liked seeing instruments that are outside of the lines people normally color in for these shootout videos. Good job by Guitarist by not creating another Gibson vs other high priced marques but giving people some really usable information.
Also enjoyed the fact that you have comparable tones and pieces being played, and none of it was buried in distortion so we can actually hear the instruments. Fine job.
You can't actually see any of the guitars because everything is shot with fashionable close-ups and shallow depth-of-field. Maddening.
Very informative! I'd love to see you do a part two with four other guitars like the Ibanez AS153, the Epiphone Sheraton II, a D'Angelico and an Eastman or Guild.
The 339 is an ideal development in my opinion-a real improvement
I have a Carvin (now rebranded Kiesel) semi hollow body that is a fantastic guitar. Solid carved top with a hollowed out mahogany body. Wonderful guitar. Check out the Frank Gambale signature models.
Yes! The SH550; I’ve had one for 14 years now; ordered it new. Retrofitted it with a Bigsby on a Vibramate retrofit plate. It’s killer. Don’t know why more pros don’t use them.
If you ever get a chance try a Taylor T3.... has coil splitting capabilities, you can get a lot of great sounds... plus it plays like a dream....
I would include the Guild Bluesbird...chambered, no F-holes..but a very warm semi-hollow tone. I love mine.
Surprisingly liked the PRS the second best, behind the vintage 335 of course
I liked that one and the one before
Kaelan66 That’s not a vintage ES-335 by the way. It’s a current production vintage reissue instrument from Gibson’s Custom Shop. Obviously it’s still a more expensive guitar than the other four but still a fraction of the cost of a true vintage ES-335.
I just bought the zach Meyers prs....I can't wait to jam with it
I like that backing track you guys played over! Great comparison review!
Hollowbody has been my guitar of choice ever since my teacher introduced me to my 1962 Hofner Verithin back in those heady days. Today I play Thinline Telecasters, but you need two since the humbucker-equipped ’72 pattern can’t be coil-tapped; you end up buying a single-coil ’68 as well. Still, if you buy Mexican you can have both for £1,200 and it’s useful to be able to swap guitars on a gig instead of boring audiences while you fiddle with controls and tuning. But for an all-singing-all-dancing Jack-of-all-trades (leaving out £5,000 Collings, Knaggs and Taylor - too valuable/vulnerable for hard knocks on the road), how about a Fano? You can choose your hardware and control configuration and hae your very own signature instrument with that indefinable hand-made feel for an outlay of around £2,500.
Nice demo. Excellent playing with great tones for purposes of this exercise. Well done.
Man all these guitars sound amazing! The Fret King surprise me! Sweet sound. The Comins is pretty awesome too! But they all sound great! Nice alternatives from a 335 with nicer price tags!
My es339 kicks butt and is an all around great sounding axe
The Dillinger Escape plan mate.
Hollowbody kings who rock... Ted Nugent, Steve Howe George Thorogood, Chuck Berry (obviously), Keith Richards, Clapton, Brian Setzer, Neil Young , Mike Campbell. Trey Anastasio
... And Rich Robinson from the Black Crowes, from the 2nd record on
Love my Memphis ES275
The video could use a bit more playing, perhaps post a small 1 minute vdeo with each guitar, to acompany this one, would be great.
Of what we could hear, that Fret-King really tops it, it matches the vintage benchmark very well, without breaking the bank. Really cool guitar.
I rather wish this comparison vid had featured guitars that are more similar to the ES-335 like my Eastman T186MXLTD, a Washburn HB35, a Guild Starfire series, etcetera. Good vid overall, mind you.
Very good presentation. By far one of the better ones.
That Fret-King sounds beautiful. Would have liked to hear more about the ESP, I feel like it got the least amount of time on screen.
I liked the Fret King too. Seemed like the most versatile. The reviewer played it clean, no gain, I think it sounded great. I've also done a bit of research into the John Etheridge. He is an amazing player, and plays just about every style. Pretty much self taught.
I had not heard of Fret King until this video. It sounds gorgeous! I'm in the market for a semi-hollow, so that's now on the watch list.
I don't quite understand the shootout here. All the compared guitars have smaller bodies than the 335. Why not the 339 to start with? It fits much better alongside the other guitars.
olifilipe I guess that the ES-335 will always be the reference tone for any guitar of this type. Whether it’s a more similar size to these other guitars or not the ES-339 is just not THE tonal reference in this market segment... there are actually many ES-339 compared to ES-335 videos on RUclips for exactly this reason.
Maraia C Ok then. Here’s the answer. In this video the ES-335 is not actually part of the comparison / shoot-out. The comparison is between the other four guitars, which despite the £500 premium for the Comins, are in a much more similar price bracket than any Gibson ES-335 or ES-339 would be (hence why Gibson is not part of the shoot-out). As such the ES-335 is there as a tonal reference point for the industry standard guitar of this basic design type and for that reason and in that context the ES-339 would have made much less sense. Hope that suffices as a fuller answer?
PS. I also own an ES-339 so no slight is intended on the model from my comments, it’s just a fact that the ES-335 is the industry benchmark in this sector and as the originator of this type of design it always will be.
for me the SE is the only one that's worth looking into
That LTD is gorgeous.
hmmm The Guild Starfire 4 was missing from this post ...
I love Elise JE. cool warmer
What about Gretsch? Ibanez? Duesenberg? Reverend? D'angelico?
They didn't pay Guitarist enough money to feature (advertise) their guitars this episode. 😶
To be fair these are all budget alternatives it seems. Perhaps the Ibanez art star is a good shout
Godin Montreal ?
@@fredriksvard2603 *budget*
Yo, it's the dude from Andertons!
yamaha sa 2200,ibanez sa 200, and finally my baby : a hagstrom viking ( the best 335 secret)
No Duesy?
Another awesome and cosy video!
Why not look at the PRS Hollowbody? It is a 'hollowbody' not a semi-hollow....
I'm happy with my $199 Cort Source with p-90 pups.
Ibanez AS153? Fits right in the price range
should have included an Ibanez, either as or am 93 at least
Stsgabe:
~ Yeah -, I personally own an Ibanez "Artstar AM153," and it is an EXCELLENT instrument - for under $1,000. Actually though, it a smaller bodied guitar, closer to the Gibson ES-339 model.
I love what you play at 1:30 - 1:47 … but I don't get it completely by watching. Could you help out?
what the themes song this video? &what the chord play in part 8:08-8:16....i like this sound...
would've been nice to have the ibanez artcore in this comparison.
I'm very interested in the Zach Myers model, do you have any other videos of it? Any plan of making a proper gear demo of it as it has been one of the best selling guitars of the year? :)
nothing can beat the 58-64 style 330 neck
it got thinner in the 60's though right?
Beautiful axes!!
They should've defined : chambered, hollow and center blocked guitars.
Those damn limeys just called all of it semi hollow.
Ibanez and Yamaha make the best 335 style in finish ,woods and sound and blow this lot away and are actually made by hand.
the problem with my ibanez is the tuning peggs arnt great
@@rainbowslushy223 Which Ibanez? I can't imagine anything less than perfect tuning pegs on a Japan made Ibanez. Had a PM120 once, best tuners I have ever seen.
The PRS best guitar of that bunch .. Sounds beautiful..I've not really been watching it .. Just listening .. My ears pricked up with the PRS ..
why you not showing the guitars from other perspective than the side,?
stratosergio59 why does that bother you?
because you cannot see the design of the instrument or the headstock.
the binding on the fretking has paint blotches on it
I agree. This British Guys just like to talk.
Gosh, am i gonna ever own a 335 ?? :P
Love how it looks and the sweet sound you can have ... totally bluesy ! With p90s it would be the perfect guitar !!!!
Johnny Kos get an epiphone casino :)
Fret King gets my vote.... ALL DAY LONG!!!! 🌞
Godin Montreal?
No!!
Its all good but why o why you would t take dangelico ex ss to compare? Better in every way...
I had the fret-King. Jumbo frets..not medium jumbo as they claim.
Heritage. Thats all you need to know.
Madcap Laughs sure mate. I’ll just go sell a kidney
Headstock.Thats all.
@@enlightenedchristian3183 oh come one, its not like its a Dean splitter or something.
@@crisprtalk6963 Got my Heritage H150 converted to open book.I have it bad.
Have you gentlemen tried the epiphone century 1966 thin line?
Wich amp did you use and was any pedals used in the making of the video ? many thanks
Hi Doug,
It was a Vox AC15C1 combo and a Free The Tone Red Jasper overdrive.
Thanks!
Can you play the background music any louder while you’re talking
I will save my money and get a Guild Starfire IV. I played a Guild Starfire from the late 1960's to the mid-90's. My Starfire was actually better than any 335 including Larry Carlton's.
Nothing beats the 335.
The Fret king I've got is great ( éclat) but back in 2014 had Trev taken out a big advertising with you ?😉😉😉
The Comins seems similar to a D'Angelico Excel SS.
An objective argument in favour of ES 335!
Great review, thank you very much!
Why don't you speak about the Gibson ES135, much cheaper than the 335 ? Same PUs and feeling at half the price !
I once owned one, that I later traded for a '52 Tele, because I disliked the thick sticky neck finish, but it was a pretty good instrument (though it was impossible to get a real clear sound out of it, the second reason for my change)...
Scale lengths? Neck profiles?
The PRS SE Zach Myers signature model very quickly took off as an alternative to Gibson's 335 legacy in the semi-hollow-body category. Amazingly, the PRS SE ZM out performs legacy models.... Professional musicians and side man players potentially will replace their Gibsons with more quality oriented PRS's...
No way, the Zack PRS is nothing but a hollowed out Les Paul type it sounds nothing like a 335 at all.
i wish you wouild show thw settings on the ac15 on these demo vids
Fret King gets my vote 😁
What exactly is a "plumby" sound? And how would that compare to a "pruny" or cranberryish sound?
The comins is soooo beautiful 😍
Heyyyy it's Mick
What is the name of that background music playing at the beginning of your video? Thanks!
335 still sounds best, but I like the Fret King & Ltd as well.
2 grand difference
would you not rate the 339 as an alternative? or would you consider it less than the guitars you've already compared?
matteojones For this comparison I think they’d consider it too expensive.
Remember that the ES-335 here isn’t really part of the comparison. They introduce it at the beginning just to be the reference point for the “original” semi tone that the other guitars can then be compared and contrasted to. All of the four main guitars in the video are then much cheaper than a Gibson ES-339 (even the Comins, identified as easily the most expensive of this group is only a little over half the price of an ES-339 on current list price basis).
Whispering?
My favrit hollybody
Hollowbody i mean
wow Mick was a baby here
I'm satisfied with my washburn hb35 and it's poor cousin oscar Schmidt delta king
Only mods are Seymour pups.
No Sir!!! it may copy the sound just a bit but it doesn't nail the exact sound like Gibson 335...
LTD Xtone looks the best from all! Very sexy looks! ;)
No Eastman?
Dont say the PRS looks a great deal more expensive than it is, PRS might get the idea and raise the price.. I think PRS makes the best value for money guitar out there.. Among the 4 you reviewed I think the comins and the fret king are the best alternative to the 335s both in sound and looks.
The SE Starla is probably one of the best guitars you can buy for under $1000.
I've owned both and I'd take a ibanez semi hollowbodies over gibson ES-whatevers any day
what are you playing at 1:30?
you can improve ES-335 by keeping the size and shape and making it completely solid
Would rather have a Guild Starfire IV Natural finish.
I believe I agree. But I will stick with my Starfire II until I can play better.
An almost infinity of guitar and other electronic equipment available but unfortunately no talented creators of music like there used to be. Like the Beatles and that period of time. They could probably make any instrument sound good.
Wich amp do you use ?
0:55 All what he says is true, but you can to exactly the same thing with almost any guitar that isn't too hot on the pickups department...
What amp is being used?
amp?
I always knew you were a closeted American, Mick. You no longer say “3-3-5”. Cheers!
Nice comparison, thanks!
What's the amp used? Sounds very nice.
they always use vox i think
I suppose they all have their place, but imho why buy a pretender... get the real thing. Bias admitted.
I remember about twenty odd years ago every guitar shop I went to kept pushing PRS on me. I would say "I'm looking for a Les Paul", and the sales guy would say "no, you want a Paul Reed Smith". And no matter how many times I said I wasn't interested in them, they kept saying "Oh, but Les Pauls suck, you want a PRS". You don't how many guitar shops I had to walk out of because of that.
I heard rumors later that the PRS factory made far too many, and they were having a hard time moving them. So stores were getting a lot of them at discount. More than they could move. Is there any truth to that?
You've just learnt an important lesson. Never trust anyone in a guitar shop. They are all hard sell crooks.
the camera work is so frustrating. always close ups of they guys faces and hands. barely get to see the guitars.
Hagstrom Viking. Look no further for the money.
335 is King, BB, Freddy & Albert King.
Not Albert. Albert is Flying V