Gibson ES335

[just strum]

Went to a music store at lunch today and came across a 1994 ES 335. It's a new guitar, not used. It was love at first sight (except the $3500 price tag).

It had a tag noting it as an ES335-A, but I haven't found anything on that model designation. I'm going back tomorrow to get the serial number and ask to see all the paperwork.

When I went back to work I could not get this thing out of my mind. Folks, this may be it. This just might be "the one".

Looks like this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...5_sunburst.jpg

[ZMAN]

Interesting. Does it have gold hardware or is that just the picture. Please JS take the 24 hours to think it over. I am sure you could buy two ES335s in this market for that amount of money. Also how can it be new and 15 years old. I know how it is when you get the G.A.S. for a guitar. It is pretty though.

[Kazz]

Don't listen to Z.....buy it strum....then turn around and sell it for a loss :-)

[just strum]

I hear ya. Well, the $3500 will certainly prevent a hasty decision.

I'll get more information on the guitar

1) Paperwork
2) Serial#
3) How did it go this long while remaining "new".

I could not find a single scratch on it. The pick-ups need cleaning, but they are not pitted.

According to the store owner it was built in Nashville.

No, the one I looked at did not have gold hardware (personally not a fan of gold).

Where are the ES335's made today? I heard Samick is making all of the Gibsons now and that Nashville is nothing more than a sales gimmick for Gibson. I have no clue. The guy that owns the store seems very knowledgeable, but a bore to listen to (his delivery just puts you to sleep).

I doubt I would be going $3500 for this guitar unless I find something about it that makes it unique and possibly increase in value faster than the average 335. Then again, if I bought it and I liked it, I wouldn't sell it.

[Blaze]

[tjcurtin1]

EDIT: Sorry, Strum... both for laughing at Blaze's gag and for your painful GAS as well.

[Neal]

Went to a music store at lunch today and came across a 1994 ES 335. It's a new guitar, not used. It was love at first sight (except the $3500 price tag).

It had a tag noting it as an ES335-A, but I haven't found anything on that model designation. I'm going back tomorrow to get the serial number and ask to see all the paperwork.

When I went back to work I could not get this thing out of my mind. Folks, this may be it. This just might be "the one".

Looks like this.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...5_sunburst.jpg

I know the feeling.
Only thing is, I was dumb enough to buy 5 Gibsons, when money was tight, but I never was sorry I did it

[wingsdad]

edit:
Nashville? I thought they made (or now make) the semi-hollows in Memphis...the s/n will reveal the year, month & day as well as the factory and production # off the line.

I clipped this from the Blue Book of Electric Guitars, 6th Ed. (1999):

In 1977, Gibson first introduced the serialization method that is in practice today. This updated system utilizes an impressed eight digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions. The pattern is as follows:

YDDDYPPP

YY is the production year
DDD is the day of the year
PPP is the plant designation and/or instrument rank.

The numbers 001-499 show Kalamazoo production, 500-999 show Nashville production. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinued in 1984.

The Samick thing? That's....incredible. They made Epi semi-hollows when their plant was in Korea (my Sheraton II is one) and they've contracted for some other pieces like some of the John Lennon EJ-160E's with thier Indonesian plant, but...

Mark, when you get the s/n, contact Gibson Customer Service and ask them about it. They should have a record of what dealer they originally sold it to. Ask them that. NOS is one thing, but a '94 is beyond reasonable for a guitar like that. My mom n' pop local GAS station here will sometimes have an expensive piece hang around for a year, but that's just too suspect. Even if it was a 2004...somethin's not adding up.

For that guitar to be a new '94, it must've been sitting forgotten & neglected in a back room somewhere (that happens with big stores...) or in a music shop on a desert island. But Gibson has long required big bucks annual inventory buys of their dealers; they're not a mom n' pop store guitar unless mom n' pop are Bill Gates family members.

I know you seriously, badly, want a 335, man, but good things come to those who wait. That one has you bitten like 'it could be the one', but I think it's probable that you'll find that feeling again with an obviously legit new (or even fairly new) one.

If $3500 were burning a hole in your pocket for a Gibson ES335 and you wanted to be certain of it, I mean this in all honesty & sincerity: check out a Heritage H535. One may be tough to find (check their site for dealers) but it will cost you less than that Gibson, it will have been made in the Gibson Kalamazoo, MI plant by a company of people who haven't forgotten what a great Gibson 335 was and how it was made. And if you wanted to, you could custom order it as you like it. And still be out less than $3500. I know, because I had Willie at ROB here (a Heritage dealer) spec one for me a couple of years ago; I just couldn't pop for $2000 or so at the time. This after a customer traded in one he'd bought from Willie a couple of years earlier that I could've picked up for about $1500...very 'base model'.

[Kazz]

The serious question I would have to ask since it is $3500....is is it significantly better than your Dot? What is to be gained here Strum? What is to be gained that could not be had by putting the same pickups in the dot?

[Algonquin]

The Heart Wants What The Heart Wants

[Blaze]

in residence at Cleveland this vintage one with Bigsby..

http://www.oodle.com/view/1966-68-gi...ar/1644681542/

[just strum]

Here is the info on the ES335. I will post a pic tonight.

I played it at lunch and I have never played a guitar that felt as good as this. However, I know I can find one for less, but she is a major GAS producrGuitar Info
Your guitar was made at the
Nashville Plant, TN, USA
January 22nd, 1991
Production Number: 55


Gibson: Nashville

Gibson’s Nashville plant was opened in Tennessee 1974. All electric models and some acoustic models currently made at this factory. This facility has an average production rate of 220 guitars a day. Each guitar is built by hand and takes about 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Note: Most hollow and semi-hallow body guitars are made at a separate plant in Memphis Tennessee. This facility has an average production rate of 40 guitars a day.

[aeolian]

I know sometimes nothing but a Gibson will do, but I have a Heritage 535 (their version of the Gibson 335) and it is a terrific guitar. As you likely know Heritage guitars are made by the same employees who used to work at the Gibson factory in Michigan. The advantage of the Heritage is that it is much cheaper than a Gibson.

[just strum]

in residence at Cleveland this vintage one with Bigsby..

http://www.oodle.com/view/1966-68-gi...ar/1644681542/

Blaze, I know how you like throwing temptation in front of me.

It's Cleveland, yes - but it's not Ohio. That guitar is located in Cleveland, Georgia.


As for the ES335 I've been looking at

It needs cleaning, but all I can say is this thing just flat out sings. I know I am not going to buy it due to the price, but I am just in love with the way this thing plays.



I looked it over again today and I cannot find a scratch on it.

Oh well, it is fun to dream.

[evenkeel]

Great Looking 335.

For grins I looked up the value in the 2009 Vintage Guide.

An ES-335 Reissue, '94 vintage is valued at $2,000 to 2,300.
The custom shop versions (any year in the '90's) are priced between $2,500 to $2,800.

There is a 335 called a "Centennial" that is valued upwards of $3,500. Gold medallion in the hedstock, diamond inlay on the tailpiece, made of cherry.

[just strum]

Great Looking 335.

For grins I looked up the value in the 2009 Vintage Guide.

An ES-335 Reissue, '94 vintage is valued at $2,000 to 2,300.
The custom shop versions (any year in the '90's) are priced between $2,500 to $2,800.

There is a 335 called a "Centennial" that is valued upwards of $3,500. Gold medallion in the hedstock, diamond inlay on the tailpiece, made of cherry.

What I am trying to figure out - does the fact that it was made in Nashville have any impact on price? The fact that it was made in 1991 and is still new (no previous owner) - does it have any impact on price.

Even if I don't buy it, I find it intriguing. I need to see what else I can find out about its history.

I could gush forever about the feel and sound of this guitar. Most of have had those guitars that we've picked up and everything was just right (except in this case, with the exception of the price). For me, this guitar was magic.

I know the guitar has been on the wall since at least March of this year (the first time I went into the store). What I question is the fact that a lot of people with more guitar knowledge than me have to stumbled across this guitar, yet it is still there.

For Sh*ts and giggles I offered him $2100 cash, but received a cold reaction. Hey, you never know until you ask.

[just strum]

I...The advantage of the Heritage is that it is much cheaper than a Gibson.

They are very nice guitars, but I wouldn't say "much" cheaper than a Gibson. Although they could be much better than today's Gibson.

[evenkeel]

You have likely found this by now, but just in case.

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson.html

[street music]

Strum, I think you tried very hard to pay them a very good price for it. Now the rest is up your family, put it on the once in a lifetime Christmas request list. NIce guitar but I would have a hard time living with my wife if I made that purchase.