Better than Vintage? - The Epiphone 59' 355
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- Опубликовано: 20 май 2024
- Jonathan gets his hands on one of the new inspired by Gibson ES 355 guitars and demos it alongside Baxters prized 1961 ES 355 Stereo!
A Stunning Recreation of the Top-of-the-Line ES Model From 1959
In partnership with Gibson™ Custom, Epiphone is proud to release the 1959 ES-355, a stunning recreation of the preeminent ES™ model from the legendary class of 1959. It’s the top-of-the-line ES model in all its glory, from the dimensions to the contours to the precise inlay patterns and sonic experience. The 1959 ES-355 features a 5-ply layered maple/poplar body with a solid maple centerblock for sustain and feedback resistance, a one-piece mahogany neck with a 50s Rounded Medium C profile, and an ebony fretboard that is adorned with block mother of pearl inlays. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock features the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays in mother-of-pearl, along with gold Grover® Rotomatic® tuners and the Inspired by Gibson double diamond logo etched on the back. The 1959 ES-355 is powered by a pair of Gibson Custombuckers that are hand-wired to CTS® potentiometers, Mallory™ capacitors, and a Switchcraft® pickup selector switch and output jack. A brown and pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo is also included.A Stunning Recreation of the Top-of-the-Line ES Model From 1959
In partnership with Gibson™ Custom, Epiphone is proud to release the 1959 ES-355, a stunning recreation of the preeminent ES™ model from the legendary class of 1959. It’s the top-of-the-line ES model in all its glory, from the dimensions to the contours to the precise inlay patterns and sonic experience. The 1959 ES-355 features a 5-ply layered maple/poplar body with a solid maple centerblock for sustain and feedback resistance, a one-piece mahogany neck with a 50s Rounded Medium C profile, and an ebony fretboard that is adorned with block mother of pearl inlays. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock features the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays in mother-of-pearl, along with gold Grover® Rotomatic® tuners and the Inspired by Gibson double diamond logo etched on the back. The 1959 ES-355 is powered by a pair of Gibson Custombuckers that are hand-wired to CTS® potentiometers, Mallory™ capacitors, and a Switchcraft® pickup selector switch and output jack. A brown and pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo is also included.
#epiphone #gibson #gibsonguitars # 
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Man i bought the epiphone and its absolutly amazing stands up to any of my gibsons plays sooo easy and the pickup tone is clear and responsive
Agree. I bought one also. It hangs with my Gibsons and dosnt feel like an epiphone.
Straight back-to-back they sound different, but even a couple of minutes after the Gibson, the Epi sounds really good and nobody listening to you perform is going to say "I wish he had a real vintage ES355".
I bought the new Epiphone '59 Les Paul in Tobacco Burst, and I'm really amazed at the quality, playability and TONE on this guitar. Excellent.
Love these comparison demos! Keep them coming!
I have a Sheraton 2 I’ve been playing since high school. It’s got the worn in feel, head is checking binding is rolled over. It’s pretty much the only guitar I play. I absolutely love it.
Are you bonehead from Oasis
? All the best
My first nice electric was also a sheraton2 I bought in college at Sam ash in the 90s. Still have it as well and the original receipt! Saving it in case my kids decide to play. It’s all hot rodded out now but they are great guitars
You should try the Emily Wolfe Sheraton... That one rocks too
I have a 1960 ES-330 and bought the Epiphone IGC 355 in Ebony. It's a great guitar and sounds amazing, but nothing plays like a real vintage instrument. That being said, I'm excited to wear mine in through some play.
Dig these demos!
They both sound great!
Epi sounds great. The custom buckers definitely elevate that guitar. And love these comparison videos. Nice and simple with no waffling! Keep ‘em coming J.
I think you make both guitars sound darn great
Great overdrive tones man!
I have mine. It's not bad. A keeper.
Just bought epiphone alex Lifeson Les Paul. Like the new headstock and build quality. This one will be next axe. Great review BTW!
Enjoyed the video!
If only people got better with age . The Gibson sounds so mellow . The Epi sounds great also but you can tell which is which. I was six years old when that Gibson was built. Hence my comment at the beginning
What are you talking about? People DO get better with age! 😜 I agree with you about the guitars though.
I listened to him talking while I cleaned a bit in my bathroom but when he got to playing I kind of zoned out and forgot the purpose of this video... That said ngl I didn't notice the switch out so they sound pretty similar to me. I wasn't actively watching or listening for it and I feel like that's a pretty fair appraisal.
@@joeydurant6267 That's fair. Even if you did notice a difference, after 30 seconds of playing or so, it gets hard to distinguish.
Nice video. To my taste, I prefer the Epiphone. Just me personally. Just got my IGC 1959 ES-355 in Ebony today. My very first semi-hollow body. And it’s fantastic. It’s VOS. But, I prefer gloss. As expected, it’s got those sharp fret ends. Other than that, craftsmanship is flawless. For me, it looks, feels and plays great. It’s got that woody and airy tone. Cheers!
Fun video, nice chops. I think both guitars are great, I would go for the Epiphone because I can’t afford the Gibson.
It is all about what you can afford and enjoy it. It seems to me like the more expensive gear really sounds better but the least expensive can be great and you don’t have to be worried so much about dings and scratches.
It is all good if you think so.
Thank you
This is the only inspired by Gibson custom shop Epiphone I would consider. Best specs of the bunch. $1300 is still pricey but it’s easier to justify with this model compared to the rest.
Yep , overhere in Holland you can still buy an 2e hand gibson lp tribute for 800 euro's on marketplace so why buy an epi wich will cost 1300 euro . An 2e hand gibson ES 335 is still at least 2000 - 2500 euro though , so it makes more sence to buy this epi version wich has better pu's then most standard gibson ES 335's and it also has an ebony fretboard instead off the rosewood fretboards on most of the standard gibson ES 335's .
My only complaint for epiphone is the fretboard woods they use! Especially for the price, so many better options!
The Epi is ebony on this model.
Living in Japan for years I had several Epiphones with Gibson Headstocks from the Terada and FujiGen factories. 1) I should never have sold them. 2) When it’s well made and comes from a factory with a better quality track record than Gibson, yeah it cancels ALL GAS for the Gibson equivalent. I love my Gibby SGs and Flying V. But $3000 (starting price!) for a basic ES series guitar is too much. When Epiphone releases a natural ES335 with nickel hardware (lose all that gold please) and a Gibby headstock… I’ll buy two.
I think a fair shot for these newer epiphone models is a Gibson USA. I tried one in store. Both a real vintage and a current Murphy lab custom shop model will feel/sound and be better. Still, that’s 9K new for one when compared to $1200. I still think your money is better off with another brand that builds better semi hollow guitars at the 1K range.
What brand are you referencing? Eastman?
Definitely ain’t an Eastman ES style guitar out there that’ll cost you $1300 brand new
You guys could compare Literally any 2 guitars or amps, and I would enjoy the video. 🤷♂️😁🤘🏻
Wow. There is a MASSIVE difference in the way these two guitars sounds. Custombuckers are cool, but they’re no OG PAFs. Also, I DO like these kinds of comparison videos. They’re a fun, nice change of pace every now and again. But don’t lose the normal segments of you guys just chatting and throwing in the occasional movie reference. Those are great too. 👍🏼
Part of it is the wood. Especially with a semi. The wood dries out over the years and you get a much warmer tone that you get with new guitars.
I agree, big sound difference, like two different guitars, which they are. I understand that people need a break on prices these days. But come on, if you need a 335 you need one. Not 335 like or Les Paul like or Stratocaster like. Think about what you need a guitar for. If you invest $3,000-$3,500 on a 335 verses $700-$1,300 for the Epiphone what will your investment bring? What will it bring on stage, recording, amps and practice sessions over the years you own the instrument? And what will the resale value be over time? These are some of the options to consider.
@@maximusindicusoblivious180 The more you pay, the less ROI you get…beyond a certain point. Few people should be spending $3-5K US on a guitar. Especially where quality is as variable as it is with Gibsons.
Most people will get better value…and ..use from an Epiphone or an Ibanez semi-hollow body.
Hey Johnathon what was that killer tune you were playing on the Gibson when you started playing?! Love it & would love to learn that 🤘🎸🤘keep rocking
Both are great guitars, Jonathan! Over the years I found that I just don’t have a preference for neck thickness. I have a few guitars going from Rickenbacker on one extreme to Gretsch on the other. Being that I put the time in to get used to all of my guitars I’m able to switch without a problem. Does anybody else feel like this?
Yes. I'm always surprised by how much people seem to care about neck thickness or shape. Even the oddest neck shape and size is something I can get used to if I play it long enough. I have gotten pickier about scale length as I've gotten older though. I have relatively short fingers so I prefer Gibson scale length to Fender. I also have fairly skinny fingers, so I don't mind the high frets on a Gibson the way some folks do.
Yeah, I don't have a problem readjusting to different necks.
@@DDWyss I totally understand. I’ve kind of gone the opposite way and prefer the 25.5 scale length.
I agree with the comparison comments I think the Gib sounds warmer but, I gotta wonder how close they would sound if you put the Gibson pickups in the Epi, that's the true test, no? In thiis case I'd want to play both because of the difference in the neck for feel. The Epi site says. the neck is a "50s Rounded Medium C profile". Cheers
I have an epiphone 335 and it does the "thing "
What is the tangerine DC hanging over your right shoulder? Would love to see you review a vintage Guild Starfire if it ever passes thru the shop.
The Epiphone looks and sounds like a great value (I wish gloss finish was an option) but the Vintage 355 just looks so much finer. The shape and lines make the Epi look kinda "blobby". That said, you could probably buy 9 or 10 Epis for the cost of the 355 and for most gigs or real world jobs, either would be fine. The stereo output (on the Gibson) can be a nuisance but they work great for tracking in the studio.
I bought the new 355, myself, and it is a stunning guitar in every way that competes very well with my Gibsons and other boutique guitars. I’m torn on the Custombuckers - they have that sweet clarity and note separation. I find that the low strings, especially, are often indistinct in some of the boutique PAFs I own but in the Custombuckers, the bass notes just ring out with the most amazing clarity. They are somewhat reminiscent in that way with the new T-Tops that Gibson is putting in post-2020 ES-335/345s. And yet, the Custombuckers seem to lack the snarl that my boutique PAFs (Bare Knuckle, Tyson Tone, OX4) have.
But I’m trying to NOT BE THAT GUY who finds “his” sound and then twists all his guitars into the same sonic shape. There is beauty in variety. (I’ll go write that 100 times on a chalkboard)
I should say that, with proper gain staging, these Custombuckers absolutely get as “mean” as any PAF with plenty of rich harmonic overtones but it’s a little shocking how much I have to alter my pedal board for that compared to other low output PAFs that can walk that “edge of breakup” line with just a little extra pick attack. These things CAN growl, but really they excel at clean tones as much as any humbucker I’ve ever played.
It’s an amazing guitar! Get one if you’re on the fence!!
57 classic in the neck and a 57 classic plus in the bridge is the best sounds I have ever heard from any guitar but with a semi hollow body maple guitar with a maple center block and set dove tailed neck joint, good pots and wiring, aluminum stop bar and good quality bridge, those pickups made the best sound Ive ever heard from any guitar. No matter the "brand"
They sounded pretty similar. I'll take the Epi.
Sound quality was very close.
The amp and FX is carrying the toan on is back
The gibson sounds like the epi with the mojo turned on. More bite and less like it sounds like something is holding it back. I bet its just a pickup thing but the epi is ok for the money. Id probably get a heritage instead though.
Epi customs have always been good. And have always been 500 or less on CL :)
Yeah, that vintage is tasty! Great playing!! The Epiphone sounds a bit thin as compared. ✌️❤️🎸
Is it me, or does the Epi have some serious intonation issues? Sounds like it fretting out, or something was going on. I have to assume it was set up properly... or was it?
Concur, some notes sounded out of tune. (Low E & A string maybe?)
@@c.mandrews3290 I would have to listen/watch the clip again to pick out just what is going on. With the experience I understand Jonathon brings to the table, I would have thought that he might have picked up on this.
I have an Ibanez SA73 -- aka Ibanez's take on the 335. I truly love the guitar, but it had to have some work done to be fully playable.. and loveable! ;)
Would I rather have the vintage Gibson product? Perhaps. But that I am not a highly paid gigging musician, the Ibanez (As well as My Epis and Squiers) do just fine.
When you scroll away from the video and listen with your ears instead of your eyes, it's hard to tell a difference between both the clean and distorted sounds between these two guitars. 95% of a guitar's sound is in the electronics, but 95% of the tone you hear is the MF who plays it.
Both cool. I liked the Gibson sound, but it seemed like you were more inspired by the Epi...
i mean the vintage definitely has a fuller sound
the epiphone sounds a little thinner like the bridge position of an sg
Have the new Epiphone : New 10's Truss adjust , pickups adjust , bridge adjust plus raise the tail stop for bending . Man She Wales 🤍
I'd take one for sure
I think the Gibson sounds Big and The EPI sounds thin in comparison . I am not a Vintage snob .
Great Playing, in at time where its popular to bash Epi thank you for not. It sounded great, but the importance is how it feels. Mine feels like I I got more than my money 's worth. So many ppl complaining and do few to be had....shocking..
Wow, is I had a 335 it would be red like those. But my #1 favorite 335 type guitar is a Dave Grohl.
Had one of the new 355 and it was ok nothing crazy it felt cheap to me as well as the finish was not what I was looking for in my opinion for the money I’d go with Eastman
This just a guitar guy's opinion based on what I heard. First.....both sound really great. IMHO, the Gibson has more personality.....I know....really technical critique. However, the cost between the 2 is huge, so.....what is Baxter's address.....and when will he be away from his house on vacation?????? Asking for a friend. :)
The Epi sounds good but you can only replicate so much. I see why Baxter owns that Gibby. Holy crap did it sound amazing. Clean and dirty.
I feel a burp coming on….
The Gibson sounds really good! The Epiphone sounds good too, it’s just missing a little something that the Gibson is giving. A boost or an overdrive can make up some of the difference
I wish it came in walnut
I like these videos. The Gibson sounded way better to me.
Jonathan says he's impressed with the Epi -- but I guess my question is if $8K dropped into his lap would he buy a Gibson ES355 or get the Epi and pocket the difference.
Well, mine doesn't have a bound pick-guard or fancy Rick-O-Sound, but it does have bound F-holes and a maybe real "Patent Applied For" Bridge Pup. It ain't custom or custom shop, It IS a $200.00 pawn shop find wine-red beauty tho and I like her. More of these please, I find them rather interesting. Sorry, no jokes today. Gotta run and go fill my morphine script for the month. It also has NO visible name on it, I should bring it in and have you guys try and identify it, I've had no luck.
intonation on that epiphone is out of whack... sounded out of tune on some of them licks.
You boring man Jimi hardly intonated perfectly
To me it just sounds like sloppy playing since it happens on both guitars but also some intervals sound pretty perfectly in tune on both as well.
The comparison was going swimmingly for the Epiphone, right up to 5:09. Then..."Ahhh.....No."
The epi ripped the ass off that vintage beast
Didn't think either sounds worth the price 🤔 they ask!
The Epi sounded hollow and not even close to the Gibson. How can people not hear that? Better still I would probably purchase that Epi anyway.
If it wasn’t a comparison and you just played the Epi I would’ve said it sounded great but when compared to the vintage Gibson it’s hard to compete. I think the Gibson is fuller richer and the Epi was thinner. It’s like comparing HDR to the HD color range.
Huge difference between the two and I’m not just talking price. The vintage opened up and when you slapped back to hit the open E it was even more noticeable. So will this be opening up tone woods matter? Every part of the guitar matters including the PUPS. Age matters also. All that being said, the $1299 for the Epiphone is more realistic price for the average Joe so to speak. Epiphone with the Custombuckers is a very nice touch but it’s not the Gibson.
Pretty damn close. Play that at a gig and no one would know the difference
Very true!
No stereo or Varitone on the Epiphone.
Tune 1st; Play 2nd.
@JimAndDeePatton Damn, I knew I was forgetting something. Thanks so much for your help.
That low E on the Epi 😲
I liked the Epiphone better
Can someone please explain exactly what the Gibson custom shop and Epiphone collaborated on?? Everyone says that but no one is explaining exactly what that entails! Personally I think its BS marketing unless you can explain it.
As I understand it the pickups and some of the hardware is the same as the USA models but that’s about it. (so yeah very loose definition of “collaborated” lol)
No scarf joint (as with the Gibson Custom Shop and unlike the majority of Epis), Custombucker pickups, VOS-inspired satin finish (meant to look similar to the CS' VOS, though they will feel different), wiring done in the same way as the CS.
@@ChristopherGwinn I understand everything that's different, that's NOT what I'm asking, can someone explain exactly what the Gibson custom shop did? Who exactly collaborated with epiphone from the custom shop? Did someone from the custom shop fly to China to over see these products and give input? How exactly was it a collaboration? Just throwing cumbuckers in a guitar isn't a collaborated effort or no scarf joint or whatever. A collaboration is when two entities come together to create something so how did they come together to create these guitars??
@@srh361 Gibson and Epiphone have already put out videos on this subject - go check their RUclips channels.
@@srh361they collaborated on how to charge more for something than it's actually worth. The custom shop has lots of experience.
Gibson has more "oomph"
Epiphones are more consistent. Gibsons have higher highs and lower lows. You can get something average. Something magical…or an absolute lemon.
I’ve been burned buying Gibsons without playing them first.
Totally agree. Gibsons are hit or miss. I've played amazing ones and I've played absolute dogs. That said, their Custom Shop guitars are a lot more consistent. Too bad they cost as much as a used Honda Civic...
@@reverb508 You can find good Gibsons. I have a sunburst 335 that I picked at a local used shop that is REALLY good. But I made the mistake of ordering one online…and it was barely playable. Build quality problems everywhere. Even the nut hadn’t been cut properly. Strings 1&2 wouldn’t stay in tune, and would bind when you’d try your tighten then during tuning. 😡
I will never buy another Gibson, without playing it first.
Maybe I'm listening with my eyes, but the Gibson sounds better.
If you’re itching for a Gibson, an Epiphone won’t scratch it.
Agreed! I bought an epiphone es-335 hoping it would scratch the itch but while a decent guitar, it did not. I ended up purchasing a Gibson es-335 in satin cherry and it's miles above the epiphone. Only problem is now I want a full gloss Gibson es-335!
@srh361 I hear you. I was wanting a 2nd Gibson LP for years and really tried to buy into these new inspred by Gibson Epiphone LP's to save money. After trying some out, I knew if I bought one I'd still want a Gibson LP. They're decent guitars but they're just not the same.
@@festushaggen2563As silly and illogical as it is, sometimes you just want the proper brand name on it.
Personally, I went with a D'Angelico Deluxe. I can't justify that kind of money on a Gibson, and I didn't love my Epiphone. So I decided to turn my brain back on and focus on specs and get the best thing I could afford.
@@thesmellycatjazz I tried to sell the Epiphone to myself saying it’s only the name. The difference in the feel of the Gibson made me leave the store without the Epiphone. I’ve since bought another Gibson and I’m satisfied with it.
To Gibson it is more Money unless you are Epiphone and getting to Change Headstocks to more Gibson Look and Upgrades with Hardware and Pickups, and a crew that Knows at best they are Number Two at Epi to Gibson and a Chip on their Shoulder to prove as Good as their Big Brother, So as for Value and Performance Gibson created a Monster they can't put back in the cage and probably would be better suited as two independents but then Gibson would throw down Copyrights on anything if went separate ways
The people who buy the Epiphone probably just noodle at home and can’t justify spending $6000-$8000 on a Gibson, in which case the minor tone differences won’t make $5000 difference!
Yeah the real deal sounds richer in tone because you paid for it!
Comparing to the Gibson, the Epiphone sounds shrill and aggressive. Control knobs, and satin finish of the Epi, it's not my taste. Is the Epi better? Not at all. A lot cheaper it is, of course.
Um, no:)
I'd take a Yamaha MIJ 80s ES instead of these overpriced Epi's.
"Gibson USA" is sub-par on all their models. In the 1950's and 60's labor was cheap. In this way we were given superior guitars made by people who were talented. Today, Labor is expensive; so we don't get those things in a production guitar are we are pushed into that "custom shop" category if you want that thing done right. It is sad how this big companies (Gibson and Fender) cheapen themselves for a buck....You want the real thing??? You have to pay 3x as much...goes to show outside of custom shop it is all sub standard stuff. In that way, I'd pick the Epiphone over the Gibson, because they are the same thing.
the way to "play" this is.. .wait it out for a bit, let the suckers buy these new and then after about a year, see them used come up in the second hand markets... you'll see more supply, which will drive prices down. these being epiphones afterall, they will not hold their original value and go for 50% at least. that's around 30 years of experience buying guitars talking. also, don't be blinded by the "artistry", the contour and finish are simply wrong on these.
I'm surprised at how many people complimented the playing, sounded sloppy and out of tune to me.
The playing is good but it sounded like the low E & A string were out.
No one wants Gibson anymore it's all Epiphone now it has been since JC Curliegh Restored Epiphone back to premium in 2019/2020 I have 3 high end 2021 Epiphones wouldn't have it any other way.. also the Epiphone Pro buckers are highly acclaimed and made the same exact same way as the Gibson burst buckers with Same material..
both seem equally out of tune...
Sorry but no. Its not worth $1200 and sadly that has nothing to do with the actual quality of the instrument or how it sounds. The fact is it says Epiphone on the head stock and no one is ever going to pay $1200 for once its used. If it was the exact same guitar but it said Gibson it would increase in value over time. That may not be how things ought to be but its how things are.