Gibson ES335

[just strum]

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.

LOL, I hear you (and all of you other folks - except Blaze and Kazz) Street and some others are like the little guy on one shoulder telling me to do the right thing. On the other shoulder is Blaze and Kazz telling me the kids can get their college education from a school that advertises on the matchbook cover.

I know that despite the advise, good intentions are meant from all.

I just got off the phone with a friend of mine that owns a 335 and he was laughing at my excitement over the 335 performance. Someday I will find the one that makes me smile and I can afford.

However, that won't stop me from having erotic 335 dreams tonight.

[Rockette]

Simple - If you like it, buy it. Who cares what others think, ain't their money!

[just strum]

Simple - If you like it, buy it. Who cares what others think, ain't their money!

That is true, but can I get another for less that offers the same satisfaction?

No question on whether I like it or not, just what am I willing to pay and then what are they willing to accept.

However, for now I am playing my Dot and still find it enjoying.

Just finished playing "Move On" -Jet (acoustic song, but Dot makes it even sweeter)

[Rockette]

Funny observation about guitars - you can pick up two identical models and get a different "vibe" from each. Gotta go with the magic when you can find it.

[Blaze]

LOL, I hear you (and all of you other folks - except Blaze and Kazz) Street and some others are like the little guy on one shoulder telling me to do the right thing. On the other shoulder is Blaze and Kazz telling me the kids can get their college education from a school that advertises on the matchbook cover.

[Kazz]

Hey Strum....Check this out.

http://www.tdpri.com/phpclassifieds/.../product/16295

[wingsdad]

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.

You sure have a beautiful specimen of the model I referred to.

One of the details in finish that Heritage pays attention to that Gibson apparently does not, perhaps a lesson learned by the ex-Gibsonites who founded the company, is the stained wood pickguard like yours has. It's an option; you could settle for the mandatory plastic one you get with a comparable Gibson 335 for another ... $500-$1,000?

But you get the Gibson logo and mystique in the bargain.

[ZMAN]

Hey JS: I am wondering what "The Rest of the Story" is with this 335. How it could never have had an owner since 1991. BTW The black one I own is a 1990, and I agree with you there is something about the tone from these guitars that is just sweet. The neck and the pickups are just amazing. I think it is the fact that they are so responsive. I was told that mine may have the "circuit board" pickups by Bill Lawrence. I have never pulled them but you would be able to tell immediately if they were.

http://media.photobucket.com/image/b.../SGNeckPUP.jpg
According to history they put these in some SGs/LPs/ and 335s.

[wingsdad]

The guy is calling a '91 new & wants a new-today going (e.g., MF) price it.

Vintage Guitar Mag's Price Guide (I have the '08 ed. here) puts that guitar ('91-'97) in a value range of Low $1,900 - High $2,200.

VGM's High Value is for "all original, excellent condition with original case".

Strum, you made a righteous offer @ $2,100, because that's on the high side of what the guitar is worth, regardless of whether it's 'new' or used in mint condition.

As sweet as it is, my friend, I don't know you to be a guy who'd throw away $1,300-$1,400 walking out the door with a guitar. (Actually, I doubt if you'd be willing to throw a C-note away... )

Demanding $3,500 for a $2,200 guitar is practically criminal. (at best...the range in value is dependent on the actual market it's sold in, be it on land or via the web) The guy's a crook.

OK, so I suggested looking at a Heritage. My bad. Forget it. Walk away and find the 335 you want, that you've longed for, at a fair price.

[ZMAN]

Maybe that is why it is still there after 18 years. LOL
Just so you know JS. I paid 2000 Can. for mine because that was what my buddy paid for it brand new in 1990. I was able to give him it piece meal, 500 here 300 there over a 6 month period. It was a museum piece when I got it.
Actually it still is!

[wingsdad]

And probably will be for another 18, when it may be worth $3,500...

[just strum]

OK, so I suggested looking at a Heritage. My bad. Forget it. Walk away and find the 335 you want, that you've longed for, at a fair price.

Why would you say that. From everything I read, the Heritage is a great guitar, I just don't see that significant of a price difference.

Oh and you are correct, I would get concerned over a C note, just imagine how I would be about $1,300.

Hey JS: I am wondering what "The Rest of the Story" is with this 335. How it could never have had an owner since 1991.

I don't know, but I am searching for more info.

The attraction now is the investigative work and the thrill of negotiation. He has the price so high that it will be interesting how much I can get him to reduce the price. The next time that I go in there (maybe this weekend) I will let him know that he should have jumped on the $2100 because after further research the price has gone down -maybe $1750.

Hey Strum....Check this out.

http://www.tdpri.com/phpclassifieds/.../product/16295

Interesting, I will have to look into it just to see where he is willing to go with the price.

[wingsdad]

Why would you say that. From everything I read, the Heritage is a great guitar, I just don't see that significant of a price difference.

Because you've been all over that Gibson for what seems like an eternity; don't settle if that's the emotional bond thing.

FWIW, though, per the same reference source I used for the 335, a Heritage H535, '87-'99 ranges around A Grand less than the 335. Low $1,100 - High $1,175; same period w/ flamed maple top, Low $1,200 - High $1,275. One from 2000 - '06: Low $1,250 - High $1,350. Seems right, because Willie (ROB) offered me a shot at an '02 about 3 years ago for $1,100 that he was asking $1,200 for. The timing wasn't good financially, as in I was unemployed.

The attraction now is the investigative work and the thrill of negotiation. He has the price so high that it will be interesting how much I can get him to reduce the price. The next time that I go in there (maybe this weekend) I will let him know that he should have jumped on the $2100 because after further research the price has gone down -maybe $1750.

Now you're talking. If you want me to scan the VGM price guide page for you, just PM or email me. Put the market value facts in his face; land on $2 G's.

If you can find any recently closed/sold bids on e-bay for a similarly aged 335, they're only semi-relevant; depends on where the buyer/seller are from.

In any case, it's only worth what he can get for it. This guy's name isn't Barnum, is it?

[tjcurtin1]

Is that Robert in the red?

[ZMAN]

Is that Robert in the red?

It might be but the Suhr has a little different headstock!

[The Accentrix]

I've been reading this thread...and was wondering if you ever bought that sweet guitar Just Strum

[progrmr]

I went to guitar lessons night before last and my instructor had the door to his studio locked - I could hear him wailing away, he was playing at the King of Blues regional finals yesterday. When he opened the door I saw the guitar he was playing - Gibson ES-335.

Such a beautiful guitar, especially in the hands of a pro. Now this same instructor has been telling me that he needs eye surgery for cataracts (sp?) but hasn't been able to save up the money (no health insurance). I was thinking "Well, maybe you should sell that guitar and get your eye fixed".

It's a killer guitar - but for that price there's a lot of other stuff I'd rather have. Personally I think it's pretty crappy for Gibson to put such an obscene price tag on one of the most beautiful and storied styles...you'd think they'd want everyone to have one. At that price - there's a lot fewer people playing them and playing a dot instead.

[hubberjub***]

How dare Gibson want to make money. I do think that most Gibson guitars are overpriced but I doubt that's going to change anytime soon.

[progrmr]

How dare Gibson want to make money. I do think that most Gibson guitars are overpriced but I doubt that's going to change anytime soon.

LOL - I don't mind them making money...but $3500?? I'm sure they make a HUGE markup on that.

Not too many people can pay that much for a guitar. Like me