Thank you M. Roberts for this comparaison video. I have a Memphis ES-345 reissue and your video helped me a lot. I will install Custombuckers on my 345 and buy a Collings I-30. BTE you a very good player. Thanks a lot !
Thank you so much for the kind words. It is always my wish that the video comparisons I make are helpful for others. That is wonderful. I am super impressed with the Custom Bucker Alnico III's in this ES-335. Keep in mind my guitar is a Murphy lab Ultra Light aged and it's also nice and light at 7lbs 10 oz's. That's very good for a 335. If you like the I-30LC, I also highly recommend the Collings 290 with Throbak P90's. I have one and play it a ton!
ES345's are awesome!!! Good for you. I get it. There is a classic sound the 335 delivers that is just 'right'. But man, I am loving this Collings I-30LC with P90's.
Yes exactly. The Collings Throbak P90's are big single coils. It makes sense they are more precise and clear where the Gibson Humbuckers are warmer and woodier. Absolutely! ...and why both guitars make sense in my small arsenal of instruments.
Great comparison! Straight to the point, great playing, objective - as you consistently share. For my ears, on the neck the Collings sounded more clear with strong separation, and of course sustain (likely owing to their excellent wood selection / matching and workmanship) where the 335 sounded more ‘pleasing’ - just what I wanted to hear. But then you noted you had the 335 rolled back a bit. So that’s a factor. On the bridge, I preferred the Collings, except I felt boosted it was ‘too much’. Of course these are statements of taste at a cork sniffing party :-) As well, and as you noted, a Humbucker/semi-hollow is just a different platform than p90/fully hollow. I’m a Collings fan - having played many here at Austin Guitar House - a great local shop, (although I’ve never owned one). I love Gibson guitars for their classic looks and heritage, but not Gibson ‘the company’ so much of late. But I really like that 335…
Thanks for the great post Neal. This was interesting for me as well. I didn't know if there would be a clear winner or if I'd just gain a greater understanding of the contrast from Semi-hollow/humbucker 335 versus fully hollow P90 guitar. As it turns out, I do love them both. They excel in different ways. I also love the 'classic' look, sound, soul and vibe from the Gibson ES335. Your point about the 'company of late' is well taken. This 335 was hand chosen and stood out above a couple others. The Neck PU is a stand out on this Custom Shop 335. I also prefer the P90 bridge PU on the Collings. I am still experimenting with drive. Also know when things get too 'gain-y' the recorded compresses as does RUclips. But there is a magic balance of how much drive to add, if any is needed. The Throbak P90 bridge PU is magical in the way it pushes the amp into natural breakup. I'd love to compare and try a Collings I-35 with Throbak humbuckers. I wonder how that would stack up to this 335?
@@gair1944 I-35s are really great. I’ve never heard a bad one. That said, as I’m sure you know, it’s never really a brand/model vs brand model game. It’s a brand/model/specific guitar vs brand/model/specific guitar game. Could be that you happen to have picked a killer 335 :-). I’ll always believe out of 100 Gibsons or Fenders, there will be a killer or two, 10-20 good ones and a bunch of guitar-shaped objects. Then you take 100 boutique, or premium builder guitars from a brand like Collings, and it’s likely to be 90 really good ones and 10 killers. Just different bell curves. But, the operative word here is “believe”. I don’t have the ability to prove it. Only the Claptons of the world get to experience that first hand.
@@gair1944 My next guitar will be a Collings, especially after a recent and very disappointing direct purchase of a Les Paul from Gibson. Thanks for all of your great videos, they are always inspiring.
@@tim2468 How funny you say that. I returned a Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop 59 Reissue Murphy Lab and bought this Collings. The Collings is so far superior I will never look back or regret it. In fact, I now want another Collings!
@@tomopoole Thanks Tom. I debated on getting a fancy flamed top or the I-35 Deluxe. But I LOVE these Throbaks and everything I've learned tells me the I-35LV Vintage model has the Throbak PU's I would most enjoy and overall delivers what I would want from a semi hollow Collings. I can't wait. And trust me, I'll do a head to head A-B of the I-35LCV with my Gibson ES-335 Reissue Murphy Lab Ultra Light aged 61/63 Custom for sure!
@@tomopoole that is awesome. Really glad to hear I am getting one I want up front. I’ve played a deluxe and it was great. But I hear the vintage model is special.
Thank you M. Roberts for this comparaison video. I have a Memphis ES-345 reissue and your video helped me a lot. I will install Custombuckers on my 345 and buy a Collings I-30. BTE you a very good player. Thanks a lot !
Thank you so much for the kind words. It is always my wish that the video comparisons I make are helpful for others. That is wonderful. I am super impressed with the Custom Bucker Alnico III's in this ES-335. Keep in mind my guitar is a Murphy lab Ultra Light aged and it's also nice and light at 7lbs 10 oz's. That's very good for a 335. If you like the I-30LC, I also highly recommend the Collings 290 with Throbak P90's. I have one and play it a ton!
Gary
Just bought an I 30 AND a 290 with Throbak p90s
Same color as yours! Have s Gibson 339 for woodsy tone.
What a great arsenal! I just played my I-30 a few minutes ago! Just for fun. Hard to put it down.
5.6lbs!?!? Unreal@@gair1944
They both sound awesome. My ear goes to the 335 only because I have a es345. I do love the Collins p90s. I’ve only played an i35 .
ES345's are awesome!!! Good for you. I get it. There is a classic sound the 335 delivers that is just 'right'. But man, I am loving this Collings I-30LC with P90's.
Both look and sound great. There is a little more clarify on the Collins but I prefer the woody Gibson sound
Yes exactly. The Collings Throbak P90's are big single coils. It makes sense they are more precise and clear where the Gibson Humbuckers are warmer and woodier. Absolutely! ...and why both guitars make sense in my small arsenal of instruments.
Great comparison! Straight to the point, great playing, objective - as you consistently share. For my ears, on the neck the Collings sounded more clear with strong separation, and of course sustain (likely owing to their excellent wood selection / matching and workmanship) where the 335 sounded more ‘pleasing’ - just what I wanted to hear. But then you noted you had the 335 rolled back a bit. So that’s a factor. On the bridge, I preferred the Collings, except I felt boosted it was ‘too much’. Of course these are statements of taste at a cork sniffing party :-) As well, and as you noted, a Humbucker/semi-hollow is just a different platform than p90/fully hollow. I’m a Collings fan - having played many here at Austin Guitar House - a great local shop, (although I’ve never owned one). I love Gibson guitars for their classic looks and heritage, but not Gibson ‘the company’ so much of late. But I really like that 335…
Thanks for the great post Neal. This was interesting for me as well. I didn't know if there would be a clear winner or if I'd just gain a greater understanding of the contrast from Semi-hollow/humbucker 335 versus fully hollow P90 guitar. As it turns out, I do love them both. They excel in different ways. I also love the 'classic' look, sound, soul and vibe from the Gibson ES335. Your point about the 'company of late' is well taken. This 335 was hand chosen and stood out above a couple others. The Neck PU is a stand out on this Custom Shop 335. I also prefer the P90 bridge PU on the Collings. I am still experimenting with drive. Also know when things get too 'gain-y' the recorded compresses as does RUclips. But there is a magic balance of how much drive to add, if any is needed. The Throbak P90 bridge PU is magical in the way it pushes the amp into natural breakup. I'd love to compare and try a Collings I-35 with Throbak humbuckers. I wonder how that would stack up to this 335?
@@gair1944 I-35s are really great. I’ve never heard a bad one. That said, as I’m sure you know, it’s never really a brand/model vs brand model game. It’s a brand/model/specific guitar vs brand/model/specific guitar game. Could be that you happen to have picked a killer 335 :-). I’ll always believe out of 100 Gibsons or Fenders, there will be a killer or two, 10-20 good ones and a bunch of guitar-shaped objects. Then you take 100 boutique, or premium builder guitars from a brand like Collings, and it’s likely to be 90 really good ones and 10 killers. Just different bell curves. But, the operative word here is “believe”. I don’t have the ability to prove it. Only the Claptons of the world get to experience that first hand.
I like each one but you are right they each have charachter and great charachter at that. Get both
What gauge of strings are you using on each? Great video!
Both guitars are so new they have whatever the stock strings are.I think the Collings uses .011-.049 NYXL. Not sure what Gibson uses
the sound of the room and amp dominates over any differences in the guitars
Collings has the finest knock-off’s in the guitar industry.
The Collings gets my vote.
They are both unique and I live them both. But I will say the overall quality of the Collings is unmatched and is consistently at the top of the list
@@gair1944 My next guitar will be a Collings, especially after a recent and very disappointing direct purchase of a Les Paul from Gibson. Thanks for all of your great videos, they are always inspiring.
@@tim2468 How funny you say that. I returned a Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop 59 Reissue Murphy Lab and bought this Collings. The Collings is so far superior I will never look back or regret it. In fact, I now want another Collings!
Better to compare the 335 to an I-35 or Soco16. I-30 much more inline with a 330
Yeah I agree. I have an I-35LCV on order. I currently own an I-30LC so I’m figured why not see where it shines.
@@gair1944 The I-35LCV is just incredible. I love mine. You won’t be disappointed!
@@tomopoole Thanks Tom. I debated on getting a fancy flamed top or the I-35 Deluxe. But I LOVE these Throbaks and everything I've learned tells me the I-35LV Vintage model has the Throbak PU's I would most enjoy and overall delivers what I would want from a semi hollow Collings. I can't wait. And trust me, I'll do a head to head A-B of the I-35LCV with my Gibson ES-335 Reissue Murphy Lab Ultra Light aged 61/63 Custom for sure!
@@gair1944 I have an I-35 Deluxe too. Prefer the vintage. It’s special. I love the I-30 too.
@@tomopoole that is awesome. Really glad to hear I am getting one I want up front. I’ve played a deluxe and it was great. But I hear the vintage model is special.