Thinkig about a Gibson ES-335

[Chris Rosato]

Hey People,
I thought I'd solicit your educated opinions. I play jazz, but also some blues and rock. I now have a Guild X-170 Manhattan, which I love and will keep. But I was thinking about purchasing another guitar that is versatile enough to get that same good, warm jazz tone, but also play some rock and blues. I'm leaning toward the ES-335. What do you guys think? Any other suggestions?

Thanks,
Chris

[Jerry Linger]

I love my 335 - it is the most versatile guitar I have.

[Chris Rosato]

Thanks, Jerry, I've been leaning towards the ES-335. I think that is the way I'll go with this. Thanks! Chris

[Jim Bastian]

I personally never found the solid-blocked guitars to sound good for anything warm like jazz. That solid block in the center has always created a nasally sound in my opinion. I tried several of them..es335...the Heritage 555...they are all the same. Get a strat for your blues and rock stuff and use the hollow body for jazz. The 335 to me sounds more like a solid body Les Paul than it does a hollow-body, and the F holes I think are mostly for appearance.

[Chris Rosato]

Thanks, JIm. I appreciate your input. I may just go with an ES-175 for jazz.

[Lyle Robinson]

I love my early 70's ES 175 for Jazz of course, but if you slap some slinky strings on it, it can really rock if need be. Listen to some early Yes with Steve Howe...he gets a great tone with his 175...:) Good luck i your choice.

Lyle Robinson
http://www.jazzguitarlife.com

[Bernard Jones]

I might be a little late to this discussion but I think you will like what you can do with the 335. I own a 335 and an ES 175D. While there is a definite difference and the 175 is more "jazzy" I suppose, I have found that I very much like the way the 335 responds in jazz settings. The 335 will also keep you in the game for other styles a bit easier than the 175. That said, I have played the 175 in every possible gigging situation at one point or another. For a very long time the 175 was the only guitar I owned.

[Chris Rosato]

Thanks, Bernard. I agree---lots more players in genres other than jazz are using the ES-175. Probably the ES-335 would suit me best, as I tend to mix it up: jazz, rock, blues, etc. How about the ES-137? Any thoughts on that model?
Chris

[Bernard Jones]

Chris, I have not played the 137. Sorry. I have heard good things about it. I saw a guy playing a 137 Custom on PBS on night one night and it sounded great.

[Robert Howard]

I'm on a Eastman kick because I just bought one of their archtops and I'm lovin' it, the AR605 CE. But when I bought that one I played a number of their ES-335 type thinline guitars, and they all sounded great. I'd look into them. Otherwise, I've heard some really great sounding Ibanez Artstars that are pretty inexpensive, if you are looking to alternatives to Gibsons.