I WANT TO BUY A GOOD SECOND HAND GIBSON ES 355!

doncorleone · 2010-07-30T18:13:43+00:00

Can anyone give me a good deal?

I WANT TO BUY A GOOD SECOND HAND GIBSON ES 355!

Tone

After reading this thread I thought I would just add my opinion.

You are looking for a Semi-hollow instrument and there are many choices. I am a fan of the Gibson Semi-hollows as Gibson have been making them for years and players such as BB King, Clapton and many others have used them.

There are two main Gibson Semi-hollow models the ES-335 and the ES-355. The ES-335 is the Gibson Semi-hollow equivalent to a "standard" in any of their other ranges. The ES-355 on the other hand is the equivalent of a Gibson "Custom".

The ES-335 and the ES-355 share practically the same tonal characteristics as they share the same pickups "57 classics."The main difference between these two are the finish quality, wood selection and gold hardware. The ES-355 features an Ebony Fretboard with BLOCK mother of pearl and has the diamond "Custom" inlay on the headstock. The ES-335 has silver hardware and Trapezoid or dot mother of Pearl inlays and features a rosewood fretboard.

All in all if your looking for classic semi-hollow tone any Gibson ES will fit your bill, the only real differences between them are Finnish and a few other small details as mentioned above. I have been lucky enough to demo both ES-335's and ES-355's including the newly released 50th anniversary 1960 ES-335TD (all through my dads guitar business) and can speak from experience when I say they play and sound like dream!

I have heard from my dads business connections that Gibson has also JUST released a new range of limited Edition Semi-hollow models that look INSANE! Here is one or two.... get ready to drool!

Good luck on your search.

singemonkey

doncorleone wrote: I didnt realize that i wrote 355...

no, iwasnt referring to ES 355, its a 335...

yes, like the lucille. But its signature, so its expensive. or can you give me alternatives? a cheaper alternative..

If you want a cheaper alternative and are prepared to consider a guitar not made by Gibson, you should consider the clones of the '50s and '60s ES335s made by Tokai and only recently available in SA.

These guitars are not cheap copies, but accurate replicas, made-in-Japan that are frequently compared with custom shop Gibsons. The advantage is that you can buy them in South Africa new for considerably less than the Gibson equivalents. (everyone here knows I'm a huge Tokai fan and are probably going :? now).

Tokai has been making copies of vintage Gibsons since long before Gibson's custom shop began doing it. So they enjoy an excellent reputation for quality and parts used.

infernox

Spoke to the guys at Marshall and the Gibsons dont even have the same attention to detail as the Tokai's.. must say that Tokai make a amazing guitar where the quality control is out of this world.

Warren

+1 on the Tokai suggestion.

They really are absolutely beautiful guitars. Top, top notch stuff, and comparatively affordable.

Tone

Tokai is definitely a brand to look into if your looking for a more affordable quality Gibson copy. I have seen one or two around, they look very nice but I have not yet been able to play one! Does anyone know what a really good Tokai 335 type guitar goes for? Would be interesting to compare them to the genuine Gibson prices.

singemonkey

Marco Melfi wrote: Tokai is definitely a brand to look into if your looking for a more affordable quality Gibson copy. I have seen one or two around, they look very nice but I have not yet been able to play one! Does anyone know what a really good Tokai 335 type guitar goes for? Would be interesting to compare them to the genuine Gibson prices.

The challenge there, and we've had a few little wars about it, is often that there are no equivalent Gibsons selling new in SA for a comparative new retail price. There are a couple of different levels of MIJ Tokai ESs - with the top one having premium features like flamed tops/backs and Honduras Mahogany necks, better hardware, etc. (as per the one pictured in my post).

So care needs to be taken to compare apples with apples in this case.

Tone

Dear Singemonkey

I must argue that you have no choice but to compare these instruments. The Tokai is a "copy" of a Gibson and the "copy" must be compared to the original.

As far as Gibson's not being available at reasonable prices in SA that is not true! I'm not trying to promote my dads company on this forum but the simple fact is his business is to import Gibson guitars into South Africa! They are readily available!

I am sure that Tokai make a quality product and am not bad mouthing them at all, in fact I would like to know more about them and play them before I pass judgment. In the same breath I can also say that if I were in the market for a Fender Strat, I would rather go for the USA model rather than the Mexican. This is not to say that the Mexican is "bad" but just not on quite the same level as the original homegrown USA made Fender Strat!

makepeace

i think you might be misunderstanding what singemonkey is saying.

there are different types of Gibson ES335s, as are there different types of Tokai ES335 equivalents. when comparing Gibson and Tokai, you need to be sure you're comparing them fairly, ie two models with similar if not the exact same specs. guaranteed, there will be some Gibsons of which Tokai will not offer an equivalent, and vice versa (ie singemonkey's example).

regardless, they are both very highly reputable instrument makers.

i read you regarding Gibsons being available in South Africa, but this is quite a recent development is it not?

?

aubs1

makepeace wrote: ......i read you regarding Gibsons being available in South Africa, but this is quite a recent development is it not?
?

..........until a few months ago, Marshall Music was the agency for Gibson......so basically only a few months have passed, and we now have a new "kid on the block........." (hahahaha,kidding...) bringing in Gibsons!

joel

Hey Mr Corleone , go here :

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/for-sale-1980-gibson-es-335-wine-red-with-hard-case/msg94036/#msg94036

Stuart also has a cherry red MIJ Tokai ES- 135 for sale , with hardcase , thats awesome and only a few months old , ask him about that too........ 8)

Tone

Hey Makepeace it's Marco from Somerset College I'm in matric with your sis! I hear exactly what your saying and you would definitely have to compare a Tokai model with features that match the Gibson model in question in order for it to be a fair comparison.

With regards to Aubs1's comment. Marshall music have not been agents for Gibson for at least two years.

At the moment as you yourself have just said this "new kid on the block" is one of the few "trustworthy", suppliers of REAL, USA made Gibsons at lowest possible markup. Luckily enough this "new Kid" doesn't have rent to pay, kids to feed, staff to pay and therefor, this "new kid" can supply a stunning instrument at much lower than expected prices. If you don't believe me try "the new kid."

? ?

Just to throw a spanner in the works for Mr Doncorleone there are always Gretsch to consider for their beautiful semi-hollows!

aubs1

Marco Melfi wrote: With regards to Aubs1's comment. Marshall music have not been agents for Gibson for at least two years.

LOL........ok, a few months.......two years.......my point was it was it was not like it was 10 years!! hahahaha.......

Marco Melfi wrote: At the moment as you yourself have just said this "new kid on the block" is one of the few "trustworthy", suppliers of REAL, USA made Gibsons at lowest possible markup. Luckily enough this "new Kid" doesn't have rent to pay, kids to feed, staff to pay and therefor, this "new kid" can supply a stunning instrument at much lower than expected prices. If you don't believe me try "the new kid."

? ?

I have looked at your dad's website a few times, and yep, I agree, his prices are more than fair! But you don't need to be so defensive........in fact, I was looking at that Les Paul Custom that he's got......when he gets a black one, I will seriously consider getting one, hopefully after I get my PRS 513. And obviously sell my Standard LP......... ?

BTW. I did say "kidding" when I said "new kid on the block", was intended as a "new player on the SA guitar market scene....", always welcome to all guitarists, especially if it's for classy stuff like Gibson........ and I have no reason to think he is anything but trustworthy.....

vic

@ doncorleone...you received two good pointers to Gibson ES335's...at bargain prices I might add. It will be very difficult to beat those.
If you decide to go for a customshop model (which I will recommend) it'll be much more of course.
Good luck.

Tone

Hey Aubs1

No worries mate, no offense taken my comments were tongue in cheek! except for the prices! haha ?
I've been trying to get the Custom from my dad but he won't budge! It's a stunning guitar and gives my 58 a solid run for its money, completely different LP tonally (sustain for days).

PRS!!! I would love to be able to demo a Custom 24 or even a Modern Eagle 2!!!!

singemonkey

makepeace wrote: i think you might be misunderstanding what singemonkey is saying.

Yeah, no doubt they must be compared to Gibson. I was saying what I did because we've had discussions in which people have compared the price of one brand new in SA to another 2nd hand in the USA. Or the price of a low-end instrument for one brand to a top-end instrument in another. Or both ?

To make up a ludicrous example: "I bought my Gibson LP studio 2nd hand for R7,000 in the states. Why would I pay R20K+ for a new flame-top Tokai?"

But yes, Corleone has been directed to some good options. I think anything under R18,000 for a Gibson USA 335 is very reasonable. And anything under R30K for a Custom shop 335.

Tokai-SA

joel wrote: Hey Mr Corleone , go here :

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/for-sale-1980-gibson-es-335-wine-red-with-hard-case/msg94036/#msg94036

Stuart also has a cherry red MIJ Tokai ES- 135 for sale , with hardcase , thats awesome and only a few months old , ask him about that too........ 8)

Not any more, only the Gibson is for sale, the Tokai ES135 is now the keeper and he's just put a set of Lindy Fralin "Pure PAF's" in it.
Stuart's ES135 as well as two other Tokai Love Rocks are being used by the guitarists who play for Enrique Iglesias in their show this week at the Emmerentia Botanical Gardens. 8)