MTJR
New member
Hey guys, anyone seen the ES-335 in the buy/sell section. It can't be the real deal can it? http://soft.com.sg/forum/guitar-buy-sell/130745-wts-gibson-es-335-a.html From my knowledge, i only know 335s to have the 'Crown' headstock?
Real deal?
- Thread starter MTJR
- Start date
Request for serial number, then e-mail gibson for confirmation if you need clarification.
Headstock logo denotes "Custom shop", but you're right, most ES-335 do not have the custom shop inlay. Even tho the current ES-335 are made in the custom shop, they have the crown inlay.
Headstock logo denotes "Custom shop", but you're right, most ES-335 do not have the custom shop inlay. Even tho the current ES-335 are made in the custom shop, they have the crown inlay.
LadyInTears
Well-known member
if its too good to be true it prolly is
neuro182
New member
$700 for a used ES-335 is too good to be true.
It is definitely a fake. Why?
1. The inlay on the headstock should be a crown instead of that custom-ish diamond inlay that you would find on those les paul custom
2. There is no border on the headstock (if you understand what I mean *see pic below*)
3. The inlays on the headstock aren't even mother of pearls to begin with.
4. Compare the inlay of this guy ES-335 and that of the real ES-335 Custom.
5. Tuner pegs aren't even the jade green type (I mean seller could have changed it, but . . .)
6. Knobs are not original (I mean seller could have changed it, but . . .)
7. The pots/knobs alignment are wrong. The volume and tone knobs for each position should be parallel (don't know how to explain in words, but can show you).
8. Check out where the input jack is for that guy's ES-335 Custom and the original ES-335 Custom (It should be distinctly away from the pots/knobs)
This is the real deal...
Taken from the Gibson website - http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/ES-335-Block-Inlay.aspx
The verdict: FAKE!! :lol: I sound so bad, but $700 for a Gibson ES-335 Custom. Think again.
It is definitely a fake. Why?
1. The inlay on the headstock should be a crown instead of that custom-ish diamond inlay that you would find on those les paul custom
2. There is no border on the headstock (if you understand what I mean *see pic below*)
3. The inlays on the headstock aren't even mother of pearls to begin with.
4. Compare the inlay of this guy ES-335 and that of the real ES-335 Custom.
5. Tuner pegs aren't even the jade green type (I mean seller could have changed it, but . . .)
6. Knobs are not original (I mean seller could have changed it, but . . .)
7. The pots/knobs alignment are wrong. The volume and tone knobs for each position should be parallel (don't know how to explain in words, but can show you).
8. Check out where the input jack is for that guy's ES-335 Custom and the original ES-335 Custom (It should be distinctly away from the pots/knobs)
This is the real deal...
Taken from the Gibson website - http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/ES/Gibson-Custom/ES-335-Block-Inlay.aspx
The verdict: FAKE!! :lol: I sound so bad, but $700 for a Gibson ES-335 Custom. Think again.
theunknown
New member
DIME: when did you take a pic of my guitar?! you #$@%$^#=P.
milkmesto
New member
neuro, conclusion correct but disagree with some of the reasoning.
you're dead on about the arrangement of the pots and the input jack positioning. that's a total giveaway to the lack of pedigree on this "gibson" IMHO.
Athere's something fishy about the headstock but i wouldn't be so quick to denounce the inlay. Given that the 335 is a block inlay instrument, that already makes it an atypical 335 hence variations on headstock inlay are possible. The split diamond inlay isn't restricted to LP customs only - as Dime has already demonstrated. By the same token, neither is the headstock binding a giveaway. Still, it doesn't look like it is a special run / custom instrument or else we'd see classier appointments like gold hardware and a higher grade maple flame on the top. Still, i'm surprised that no one has mentioned the incongruity in the condition of the binding on the headstock vis a vis the binding on the neck and body - all in different stages of yellowing. Mysterious!
I'm amazed at your visual acuity - you must have better than perfect eyesight to detect that the headstock inlays are not MOP... maybe i am "old flower eye" as fehlupkid would say... but i wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the headstock inlays as not being MOP. Viewing the inlays in the context of the headstock, it can be observed that the inlays have aged, as has the binding on the headstock. MOP will lose its lustre and yellow like that - my '91 SG has got yellowed inlays on the headstock and from some angles they look a bit like that. However, i'm surprised again that no one has mentioned that the MOP on the headstock and the MOP fretboard inlays do not look consistent - the headstock inlays look considerably more aged.
Tuning pegs and knobs can always be changed hence not valid considerations.
My two cents. My personal opinion is that the instrument is not a real Gibson.
Still to be fair, the buyer isn't asking Gibson prices for it. If it sounds good, plays well and doesn't fall apart when you pick it up, i'd say its a fair deal for a relatively convincing Gibby copy - to the undiscerning eye at least.
you're dead on about the arrangement of the pots and the input jack positioning. that's a total giveaway to the lack of pedigree on this "gibson" IMHO.
Athere's something fishy about the headstock but i wouldn't be so quick to denounce the inlay. Given that the 335 is a block inlay instrument, that already makes it an atypical 335 hence variations on headstock inlay are possible. The split diamond inlay isn't restricted to LP customs only - as Dime has already demonstrated. By the same token, neither is the headstock binding a giveaway. Still, it doesn't look like it is a special run / custom instrument or else we'd see classier appointments like gold hardware and a higher grade maple flame on the top. Still, i'm surprised that no one has mentioned the incongruity in the condition of the binding on the headstock vis a vis the binding on the neck and body - all in different stages of yellowing. Mysterious!
I'm amazed at your visual acuity - you must have better than perfect eyesight to detect that the headstock inlays are not MOP... maybe i am "old flower eye" as fehlupkid would say... but i wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the headstock inlays as not being MOP. Viewing the inlays in the context of the headstock, it can be observed that the inlays have aged, as has the binding on the headstock. MOP will lose its lustre and yellow like that - my '91 SG has got yellowed inlays on the headstock and from some angles they look a bit like that. However, i'm surprised again that no one has mentioned that the MOP on the headstock and the MOP fretboard inlays do not look consistent - the headstock inlays look considerably more aged.
Tuning pegs and knobs can always be changed hence not valid considerations.
My two cents. My personal opinion is that the instrument is not a real Gibson.
Still to be fair, the buyer isn't asking Gibson prices for it. If it sounds good, plays well and doesn't fall apart when you pick it up, i'd say its a fair deal for a relatively convincing Gibby copy - to the undiscerning eye at least.
nosepicker
New member
Looks like someone picked up some gear from Dan Enterprise :mrgreen:
neuro182
New member
I was making a comparison to the Gibson ES-335 Custom on the Gibson website.
Also, you are right in saying that through the years, the inlays may fade and turn yellowish. That on my part, I might have made an error.
I did noticed the incongruity in the yellowing of the headstock, neck and body, but quickly dismissed it as I was clouded by the mindset that their Custom ES-335 has not have that binding on the headstock. If you have been to the website to check out the ES-335, only the Custom model has that block inlays and do note that their block inlays are small and they do not have the block inlay on the 1st fret.
However, I do spot one over there, which I overlooked bec it is not a Custom ES-335. This is the Custom ES-359.
It is possibly closer to the one mentioned, but then again, pickguard binding and the gold hardware are hard to detect on that one + they only have vintage sunburst finish (or perhaps they might have discontinued the cherry red finish, i don't know).
As mentioned in his thread, it is in pristine condition 9/10, so I am guessing this guitar could either be an old piece, but kept in good hands or it is one of the new pieces, but built to look like a relic-ed piece.
Whatever it is, I agree with you that the seller is not asking "Gibson" price for it, so the title can be misleading to newbies who might mistake it for a "too-good-to-be-true" Gibson and thus, parting their $700 for a piece they think is an authentic Gibson when in actual fact, it is not
Just some concern and some videos for leisure viewing...
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKo9Y52CEU
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oi9BJ2Mw8
Also, you are right in saying that through the years, the inlays may fade and turn yellowish. That on my part, I might have made an error.
I did noticed the incongruity in the yellowing of the headstock, neck and body, but quickly dismissed it as I was clouded by the mindset that their Custom ES-335 has not have that binding on the headstock. If you have been to the website to check out the ES-335, only the Custom model has that block inlays and do note that their block inlays are small and they do not have the block inlay on the 1st fret.
However, I do spot one over there, which I overlooked bec it is not a Custom ES-335. This is the Custom ES-359.
It is possibly closer to the one mentioned, but then again, pickguard binding and the gold hardware are hard to detect on that one + they only have vintage sunburst finish (or perhaps they might have discontinued the cherry red finish, i don't know).
As mentioned in his thread, it is in pristine condition 9/10, so I am guessing this guitar could either be an old piece, but kept in good hands or it is one of the new pieces, but built to look like a relic-ed piece.
Whatever it is, I agree with you that the seller is not asking "Gibson" price for it, so the title can be misleading to newbies who might mistake it for a "too-good-to-be-true" Gibson and thus, parting their $700 for a piece they think is an authentic Gibson when in actual fact, it is not
Just some concern and some videos for leisure viewing...
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvKo9Y52CEU
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8oi9BJ2Mw8
Dime
New member
Yeah noticed that.The ES-335 with a custom headstock are harder to find.There is one model but it comes with Bigsby as default.
Wildchild666
New member
Hey ppl, abt the gibson.....Im juz helping my friend to sell it. I have no idea about it.
Anything that u guys wanna know, text to my friend's cellphone, 91506535.
I'm like being in the middle situation here since everyone been asking me. Haha
Thx
Anything that u guys wanna know, text to my friend's cellphone, 91506535.
I'm like being in the middle situation here since everyone been asking me. Haha
Thx
junkiemanxl
Active member
Anyway, Sellers should always try to be open about what they are selling to avoid misunderstanding. It's ok to sell replica's for what it is. Just have to be transparent about it.
Glad to see so many vigilant softies
Glad to see so many vigilant softies
junkiemanxl
Active member
Hey ppl, abt the gibson.....Im juz helping my friend to sell it. I have no idea about it.
Anything that u guys wanna know, text to my friend's cellphone, 91506535.
I'm like being in the middle situation here since everyone been asking me. Haha
Thx
Hey bro,
U should check with your friend if it's an original gibson. Would be wise to indicate it in your post if it's a replica