MartyGrass Posted November 22 Posted November 22 So I weighed the 2022 ES-345. It is 7# 14 oz. My H-535 from 2016 is 3 oz heavier despite being slightly thinner. The neck on the Gibson is slightly thinner. I wonder if there is a difference in the density of the center blocks. 1
rockabilly69 Posted November 22 Posted November 22 On 11/21/2024 at 6:41 AM, MartyGrass said: I did get a replacement for my 1960s Gibson ES-345 with a 2022 version. I've now played it enough to have an opinion. First, the Varitone and the stereo features I didn't ever need. Gibson stopped putting them into the ES-345. The new version has a fuller neck than the '60s and is built to be at least as good as the earlier builds. The finish and woods look the same. Thumbs up. The guitar has Phat Cats in it, which really sound fine. I have the original pickups as well, which I haven't tried. The reports on them are generally very positive. I have a fairly recent H-535. The build quality between the two are comparable. Most "the guitar that got away" stories don't have a happy ending. This one does. That's a sweet looking guitar, with some nice looking wood, and the split inlays look great too! Unless you love the Phat Cats, I would put back the stock pickups. If they are the MHS pickups, they are some of the best Gibson has done in a while. And I love that they dumped the tonesucker varitone! One thing, I think a proper set of reflectors would look great on it too, ones that have an insert that actually reflects. Here's a set of nice non aged ones for a reasonable price. https://toneshapers.com/products/toneshapers-kit-reflector-knob-set-black-silver-black-tip
pressure Posted November 22 Posted November 22 7 hours ago, MartyGrass said: I wonder if there is a difference in the density of the center blocks. When Heritage built custom guitars for me that needed a center block, I always specified that they use Spruce for the block. I like light guitars.
MartyGrass Posted November 23 Posted November 23 20 hours ago, rockabilly69 said: That's a sweet looking guitar, with some nice looking wood, and the split inlays look great too! Unless you love the Phat Cats, I would put back the stock pickups. If they are the MHS pickups, they are some of the best Gibson has done in a while. And I love that they dumped the tonesucker varitone! One thing, I think a proper set of reflectors would look great on it too, ones that have an insert that actually reflects. Here's a set of nice non aged ones for a reasonable price. https://toneshapers.com/products/toneshapers-kit-reflector-knob-set-black-silver-black-tip The reflectors do look good. The stock pickups are these: https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guitar-amps-gizmos/97937-new-gibson-t-type-calibrated-pickup.html Some love them and some hate them. Go figure. I don't know what "calibrated" means really. Phat Cats sound close enough to P-90s for my purposes. They may not be as warm. I'm not sure.
rockabilly69 Posted November 23 Posted November 23 3 hours ago, MartyGrass said: The reflectors do look good. The stock pickups are these: https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/guitar-amps-gizmos/97937-new-gibson-t-type-calibrated-pickup.html Some love them and some hate them. Go figure. I don't know what "calibrated" means really. Phat Cats sound close enough to P-90s for my purposes. They may not be as warm. I'm not sure. ..."calibrated" is just a little hotter bridge pickup to get good balance. I don't see why they would be hated I think they sound great. This is a pretty good demo, with no BS talking...
MartyGrass Posted November 23 Posted November 23 1 hour ago, rockabilly69 said: ..."calibrated" is just a little hotter bridge pickup to get good balance. I don't see why they would be hated I think they sound great. This is a pretty good demo, with no BS talking... Thanks. They sound good to me.
greatmutah2112 Posted November 26 Posted November 26 (edited) I had a Gibson Firebird V when I was in High School in the late 90s. Traded it towards a Music Man Silhouette and an effects processor. Stupid stupid move I never should have done Edited November 26 by greatmutah2112 1
Gurbz Posted Sunday at 11:45 PM Posted Sunday at 11:45 PM 80’s Heritage H-170 goldtop, I sold it with EMG’s (81 and 85) 2
bolero Posted Tuesday at 09:46 PM Posted Tuesday at 09:46 PM Is that a Smokey & The Bandit model Trans Am on the sill? Or maybe a Corvette?
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now