schundog Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 About 8 or 9 years ago, I got the bug for a Gibson ES-335; To me, that was the pinnacle of Electric Guitars, as good as it could get. I was close.... I couldn't believe how much they cost, however; my electric guitar purchases up to that time had been at most $400-$500. If I were honest with what my playing warranted, I would have stopped there! haha. Nevertheless, I requested and recieved this "gateway drug" 335, an Epiphone Dot, for my 36th birthday. The knobs were on crooked, the finish didn't "pop" like the glamour shot on the internet, the frets were not smooth.... But it sounded "pretty" good. The neck pickup was too wooly, the pickups didn't have "the" articulate sound I was looking for, but I realized I liked the way the guitar fit me, and it made me want a "real" 335 even more. Here's the Dot. http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/schundog/latesummer08051.jpg[/img]"]https:// Actually, backing up a bit, I think I FIRST bought a Jay Turser 335 copy; it was worse than the Epi. Horrible paint smudges all over the binding, really bad pickups; but, hey, it was really cheap. I even bought a Jay Turser that more resembled a 555, and kept it/played it for a couple of years before I gave up on the pickups. It actually looked really good. No pics. For my 40th birthday, I had saved up for some time, and bought myself the "real" 335 I had been lusting for. I couldn't believe how many I had to go through before I found the one I bought. Most had some cosmetic flaw, or just didn't feel like "the one," if that makes any sense. FInally, on a business trip to Chicago, I found mine in the Arlington Heights Guitar Center, and made my deal on this $4000 retail (are they kidding?!) guitar for $2400. Beautiful guitar, plays great (after a set-up for 11s; no knock on Gibson, I would have had a setup done on a Heritage, too, just for personal preferences. Here's the 335: It really is a great guitar. Along the way, I got the bug to try a few different ones, and, of course, nothing measured up to the tone, feel, vibe, and overall quality of the Gibson. Here's an Epiphone Casino, which is really a totally different beast with the trapeze tailpiece, full hollow, P90 thing going on. It played great, felt great, but howled like a banshee when the volume went up at all. I had to get rid of it for that reason alone; not terribly practical. Maybe it was the pickups, maybe I should have tried stuffing foam rubber in the f holes; either way, I just sold her.
schundog Posted February 2, 2012 Author Posted February 2, 2012 Oops, got "timed out" on my last edit; here's the Epiphone Casino. It was really a good playing Epi, too bad it didn't work out. http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/schundog/Summer2009119-1.jpg[/img]"]https:// Several more Epis came and went; here's a wonderfully set up Sheraton II, one of two that I bought just because they were so damn cool and cheap...
schundog Posted February 2, 2012 Author Posted February 2, 2012 Then there is this beautiful Epi Dot Deluxe that I couldn't pass up on for $275 used; I had been a devotee of the Fender Discussion Page for a couple of years, and had several Fenders, but I wandered over to The Gear Page to see what that was like. This guy, "Brentrocks," I think his name was, started a thread about "How many people on this forum own Heritage guitars?" or something like that. I had been introduced to Heritage at a small shop a couple of years before, but didn't know the company's story. Long story short, I got intrigued, found a 535 for sale on the Gear Page, and, very nervously, bought it. What if this was more like a $300 Epi VS my Gibson?! When I opened the case, I was blown away by the look of the guitar. Beautiful! I picked it up to play it, and it was the best set up guitar and best feeling neck I had ever felt on ANY guitar, ever. This was a problem; I had paid about half (used) for this guitar than I had my Gibson. To be honest, it sounded OK, but didn't match my Gibson's tone until I replaced the Schaller pickups with SD Antiquities. Now it cannot be beat. This speciment may not be QUITE as pretty as my Gibson, but it is a wonderful guitar, and started me down the path to visiting 225 Parsons Street and the Henderson Compound for PSP. What a wonderful, fun trip it's been!
heritagefan7 Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Super cool story Schundog...and really nice gits as well. Thank man--great post!
bolero Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 great story & pics!! I remember when I sold my first 535 ( finances at the time ) the guy played it for a while & then said "wow, this guitar is amazing; I was going to haggle you down, but now that I've played it it's worth every penny you're asking!!" we laughed. he was a great guitar player too!! finally after a while I picked up a red 535 quite similar to yours...I now feel whole again, heh
kidsmoke Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Very Cool, thanks for telling the story. I know the GC location you refer to, stop there often when I'm out that way visiting clients. My story is similar to yours, but without quite as many chapters. After playing solely acoustics for a few years, I'd decided I wanted to try an electric, everytime I picked one up it was impossible for me to get a good sound out of it, until I was in a local shop, that deals primarily in sheet music and intruction, and he had beautiful LP style guitar for sale on consignment. When I picked it up, the same old thing happened. BUT this guy, being a veteran journeyman and an instructor, immediately said "You play acoustics, right? Ever play an electric? Try about a third the pressure." Viola, a barre chord that sounded correct. I bought that guitar, a Washburn Idol, and still have it. THAT led me to a Washburn forum, where I learned a ton about guitars in general and Washburns history specifically. Turns out, in the early days of their rebirth, they were importing Japanese guitars exclusively. They spec'd a 335 style that received rave reviews from a variety of sources, and I went on the hunt. Quite simply, I think as an acoustic oriented guy, the purist in me was drawn to the size, the idea of air moving within my instrument, and Freddie King has always been the Shiznit for me...... I eventually found a WELL loved Japanese built HB-35, and it validated my desires. And like you, made me assume that if this were that amazing, IMAGINE what a G brand 335 would be like..... So like you, I would hit shops, always on the prowl, often succesful at finding 335's, and always left, shaking my head, wondering what in the world was that 3000.00 piece of crap I'd just messed with. I can forgive set-up, but as you alluded to S-dog, paint drips, shoddy binding, gaps in the neck heel....I felt that I had, in my Washburn, a true find. (many of you are no doubt aware of the reputation of 80's Japanese guitar builders like Matsumoku and Yamaki....the houses behind Ibanez, Aria, Yamaha, and many many others. Fine guitars.) Well I finally went to the a different shop, well regarded by journeymen here in Chicago, and there was a guitar of unbelievable beauty, with a frickin flamed maple pickguard!!!! I pulled it down from it's perch, noted the price tag at three times what I'd ever spent on an electric, and more than my solid wood acoustic of the time, but HALF what the crappy 335's I'd seen were selling for. Before I'd even heard a note, I was in love, the neck, the weight, the balance, It felt perfect. I took some photo's, and started researching, ending up here, as many do, before my purchase, but mind you, AFTER I'd already found and played a guitar I was in love with. I quickly determined it was a match meant to be, and put my Washburn on the block. My loving description, honest on every level, worked. I had my list price, in crisp bills, in my palms, 11 hours after listing it on CL here in Chicago. Well, that was it, now I had to make it happen. You know the rest of the story. She's my daily player now. What a great guitar, and a great value, and a piece of American culture. here's my first love, the one that taught me what it was all about. And of course....the one I was being groomed for... Hope we get to play together at some point. I've targeted Antiquities as the p'ups for this. Would love to hear them in your guitar.
jredbone Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Great stuff!! Just bought my first Heritage as well and I just can believe the sound and I love the neck. Going to the factory tomorrow for tour and to have mine set up and given the once over.
yoslate Posted February 7, 2012 Posted February 7, 2012 Nice one Brian! There's a reason I took the 535 to Memphis!
Guest HRB853370 Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 Then there is this beautiful Epi Dot Deluxe that I couldn't pass up on for $275 used; I had been a devotee of the Fender Discussion Page for a couple of years, and had several Fenders, but I wandered over to The Gear Page to see what that was like. This guy, "Brentrocks," I think his name was, started a thread about "How many people on this forum own Heritage guitars?" or something like that. I had been introduced to Heritage at a small shop a couple of years before, but didn't know the company's story. Long story short, I got intrigued, found a 535 for sale on the Gear Page, and, very nervously, bought it. What if this was more like a $300 Epi VS my Gibson?! When I opened the case, I was blown away by the look of the guitar. Beautiful! I picked it up to play it, and it was the best set up guitar and best feeling neck I had ever felt on ANY guitar, ever. This was a problem; I had paid about half (used) for this guitar than I had my Gibson. To be honest, it sounded OK, but didn't match my Gibson's tone until I replaced the Schaller pickups with SD Antiquities. Now it cannot be beat. This speciment may not be QUITE as pretty as my Gibson, but it is a wonderful guitar, and started me down the path to visiting 225 Parsons Street and the Henderson Compound for PSP. What a wonderful, fun trip it's been! All it needs is a PG and it would be absolutely poifect!
FredZepp Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 There are lots of hot semi-hollows there... a bunch of nice porn in telling this tale. A great way to bring us home to Heritage.
DetroitBlues Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 I can't help but wonder how different my tone and playing would be playing a semi-hollow versus a solid body.... The Dot Deluxe (Korean model) is on my radar. But I've convinced myself to go strictly with a Cherry 535. My hope is I'll love it so much, my 140 won't be necessary....
H Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I can't help but wonder how different my tone and playing would be playing a semi-hollow versus a solid body.... The Dot Deluxe (Korean model) is on my radar. But I've convinced myself to go strictly with a Cherry 535. My hope is I'll love it so much, my 140 won't be necessary.... You'll want both, believe me.
Bruhan Posted February 12, 2012 Posted February 12, 2012 Great story. I too am hunting for that first 535. It will be my first semi-hollowbody as well. Searching for over 2 months now. Lot's of 535's on ebay and a couple of nice one's here, but I haven't seen the right one. The One is out there. Chunky neck in Antique natural. Patience Pays
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