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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 Ibanez vs. ES 335
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| Author | Topic: Ibanez vs. ES 335 |
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Tom Gorr Member From: Three Hills, Alberta |
posted 11 December 2004 10:18 PM
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Has anybody compared off the Ibanez guitars (GB ??) vs the Gibsons? Thoughts & Comments? I've played neither and will probably have to take my chances on ebay to get one. |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 12 December 2004 02:25 AM
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I can't remember the model number, but I bought an Ibanez semi-hollow guitar, after playing several 335's. NO CONTEST! The Ibanez's neck felt better, the finish was cool, the guitar sounded, well, better, and I saved about 1500.00! Wish I still had it.  |
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retcop88 unregistered |
posted 12 December 2004 06:07 AM
I have had an ES335 and the comparison is like a Honda vs a Caddy. You can go a long way with either but there is no comparing the ride. ------------------ |
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David L. Donald Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand |
posted 12 December 2004 08:37 AM
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The Artist 335 type guitar was very very nice. I still have a solidbody version with the exact same type of neck. |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 12 December 2004 12:35 PM
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The Gibsons cost 3 to 4 times as much. All you have to do is decide whether the "name" is more important to you than what you're actually getting. |
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Bill Simmons Member From: Keller, Texas, USA |
posted 12 December 2004 04:47 PM
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I had an Ibanez "2630" (about 1979)335 in an "Antique Violin" finish; gold parts and a coil tap. I also had a Gibson 335 and a Gibson 347. The Ibanez was somewhat better for tone and was great looking. By the way, it was the much cheaper and was the best sounding...I wish I still had it!!! |
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Tom Gorr Member From: Three Hills, Alberta |
posted 12 December 2004 08:42 PM
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Thanks Guys! Name is not important - I'm obsessive about getting high quality at a "reasonable price". For me that is rarely less than $1000, and rarely as high as $2000. Sounds to me like the Ibanez's are the bargains of the century from that perspective. Please continue to provide more recommendations on Ibanez models that I should focus on. Also, is there quality issues or preferences by year of manufacture? Thanks Again |
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Jerry Hayes Member From: Virginia Beach, Va. |
posted 13 December 2004 05:13 AM
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The Ibanez guitars are doing well in the Jazz world (George Benson, Pat Metheney, etc) with players who could afford anything they want. I had one of the 335 styles years ago and sold it in favor of keeping my Gibson which was a mistake. I do still have an Ibanez Artist solid body which is about 25 years old and is the absolute best guitar in my collection. I was going to get rid of some instruments a few years ago and kept the Ibanez and sold my Les Paul standard as the Ibanez looked, sounded, and most importantly, played better. The phase like comparing Hondas to Cadillacs doesn't work in the guitar world. I've got a Korean made Epiphone Sheraton that I'd compare to any 335, 345, or whatever Gibson you could put up against it and I only paid $250 (used) for the dang thing. JH ------------------ |
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Darvin Willhoite Member From: Leander, Tx. USA |
posted 13 December 2004 05:44 AM
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Peavey has a nice 335 style guitar available now, the JF-1. It is an import but the quality and finish is really nice. I have two of them, the first one I bought new from Musicians Friend as soon as they were available for $299 with free shipping. I had to do very little tweaking on it to make it play and sound great. I bought another one used for $170 but it had a high fret, so I did a level and polish job on the frets and now it plays great. The two I have are red and sunburst. They have a black one available too, I guess I need to buy one of them to have the complete collection. Peavey does not offer a case for these yet and they are just a little too large for a 335 hard case. I bought gig bags for mine at about $50 each. They are definitely worth checking out if you're in the market for such a guitar. ------------------ |
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Don Joslin Member From: Trapped in Minnesota and longing for New Mexico |
posted 13 December 2004 06:24 AM
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I used to have a George Benson and I really liked it over the Gibsons. And, I REALLY liked the price. I'd probably still have it but I traded it in on a solid body Ibanez Artist. Wish I still had that one too. I also used to have a Black Lab named Ibanez! Don ------------------ |
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retcop88 unregistered |
posted 13 December 2004 06:45 AM
How many antique Hondas do you see at car shows? Ibanez is a good axe and a great priced guitar. Carlos Santana at one time was their main man. If an ES 335 can look and sound as good as the day it was purchased (1972 case looks like it has been to war though)I would like to play a thirty something year old Ibanez.Other than that the only thing foreign I am buying is gas.(oil)  ------------------ |
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Charles French Member From: Ms. |
posted 13 December 2004 07:55 AM
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I have a 1985 ES335. I love this guitar. I sold my Ibanez 335 copy. Personally, there is no comparison in sound to me. I didn't have any complaints with the Ibanez, played good, sounded pretty good. But seriously my Gibson's sound is head and shoulder's above the Ibanez IMO. Oh and new don't mean nothing to me. I bought my 335 from a friend of mine, paid $1200 in 1994. |
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Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway |
posted 13 December 2004 08:07 AM
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quote: Though perhaps not 30 years old, I have played several Ibanez and Tokai models from around 1980, and I can assure you they age very well. Steinar ------------------ |
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Jerry Hayes Member From: Virginia Beach, Va. |
posted 13 December 2004 11:17 AM
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Steinar, have you seen the Tokai Tele copies which have the B-Bender in them? I'd like to score one of those babies. I saw one in a store once and played it a little but didn't have the bucks at the time to buy it. The thing was every bit as good as any Tele out there. Back to Ibanez, they have the Artcore series out right now which has hollow body jazz type thick body guitars, 335 style, and the single cutaway thin body F-hole guitars. I have a single cutaway model in blue with the Ibanez vibrato which works just like a Bigsby. I use it on some gigs I do with an Elvis Impersonator for the Scotty Moore stuff and it does the job great...JH ------------------ |
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Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway |
posted 13 December 2004 12:00 PM
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Jerry,- I tried one at a jam session many years ago. As I recall I was as impressed with it as I've been with most Tokais I've tried. I friend of mine has a Tokai strat and "Pastorius" fretless jazz bass, both pretty old, and though many have tried, there's no way to make him sell any of those. Steinar ------------------ |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 13 December 2004 12:20 PM
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"Other than that the only thing foreign I am buying is gas.(oil)" So what kind of TV you got? Microwave oven? Where was your shirt made? |
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retcop88 unregistered |
posted 13 December 2004 03:34 PM
Steve you got me.  ------------------ |
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Stephen Gambrell Member From: Ware Shoals, South Carolina, USA |
posted 13 December 2004 04:25 PM
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Not trying to insult anybody, James, but I heard a radio guy say that if Wal-Mart were a country, it'd be China's 8th largest customer. I drive a Chevrolet Monte Carlo---engine built in mexico, body in Canada---and BMW has a HUGE plant, right here in South Carolina??? To get this back on topic, I would RATHER have a good ES-335, than an Ibanez. But when I was shopping for mine, I ABSOLUTELY could not find, new or used, a 335 that knocked me down like that Ibanez did. And, for what it's worth, my Mexican Fenders sound just as good as any American Fenders I've played. |
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Dyke Corson Member From: Urbana, IL USA |
posted 13 December 2004 09:22 PM
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If you want a quality American Made 335 style guitar at a very fair price consider the Heritage 535. These are hand made in the oldest original Gibson factory building in Michigan by some of the original Gibson employees. My stores here in Illinois have done very well with this line. We have sold several in the $1595 - $1795 price range (prices vary with wood, finish, pups, etc.) Includes deluxe hardshell TKL case. We are sold out at this time but hope for more soon. |
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Henry Nagle Member From: Santa Rosa, California |
posted 14 December 2004 12:46 AM
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I've got a Tokai telecaster ("breezysound") that I've had since I was 17 ( I'm presently just about 29). I've bought and sold some pretty nice guitars in that time and I never considered selling the Tokai. It's as good as any Fender I've played. I payed $250 for it. Does any one know how to date these guitars? The headstock is shaped just like a Fender. I heard that that practice didn't last too long. Late 70's, maybe? I've also got a newer Epiphone Casino. I got it because I couldn't afford a Gibson 330. It's been a great guitar for me. I had an older Fernandes Stratocaster too. It was stolen two days before I got the Tokai. That was a pretty nice guitar too. [This message was edited by Henry Nagle on 14 December 2004 at 12:50 AM.] |
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Tony Prior Member From: Charlotte NC |
posted 14 December 2004 02:25 AM
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ok..I'll buzz in.. I've had 3 real deal 335's, one was a 63 Red with factory Bigsby..this WAS..IS..a great guitar..I sold it to my friend in the early 70's as I was collecting cash for my first Steel. He still has it. I have had 2 new 335's since then, neither could stand up to the first one. a mid 70's and a mid 80's. Interestingly I sold the mid 80's Tobacco burst just a few yeas ago as I was collecting cash for another Steel in 2001 ! ?? . Do I sense a cycle going on here ? Both the mid 70's and the 85 ( pretty sure) looked great but were terrible players. The fret dressing on the 85 was the worst, the edges were rough and it just didn't feel right. So..here we are , 2004 almost 2005..I recently bought a Korean Epiphone 335 off of EBAY for $200 BUY IT NOW..I figured, how bad could it be..well..it's not bad..in fact...it's great ! So great I bought another Epiphone being the Wildkat . 2 P90's with a Bigsby and this in my wacky 60's left over opinion is maybe the nicest Hollow Body Electric Guitar I have ever owned. Quality, Craftsmanship, playability, sound, neck, frets.. OK..my thoughts on the Ibanez guitars is the same..I think they are great for the money..I think that both the Epi's and Ibanez guitars are more consistent and have "Immediate Playability" . What you don't get is the headstock bragging rights and the continued value that the brandname demands. And Stephen is right abouth the Tele's..although my main axe is a 1989/52 RI , I also have a 50's classic ( MIM) which is probably one of the finest Tele's ever put on the market..it sold new in the $600 range. And I also have a mid 80's MIJ Squire Tele..hard to beat these little baby's as well.. oh..and the Tokai's from the early period were excellent..very desirable guitars... Before you buy the Ibanez, at least pick up the Epiphone 335's.. happy Tuesday.. [This message was edited by Tony Prior on 14 December 2004 at 02:30 AM.] |
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Steinar Gregertsen Member From: Arendal, Norway |
posted 14 December 2004 06:32 AM
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quote: I think they changed the headstock in 1984. Steinar ------------------ |
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Jim Cohen Member From: Philadelphia, PA |
posted 14 December 2004 06:49 AM
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quote:First, buy some nice flowers... (Sorry, guys, but I had to do this before HowardR got to it; it coulda been much worse, y'know, if he had...) |
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Darvin Willhoite Member From: Leander, Tx. USA |
posted 14 December 2004 11:11 AM
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Here is one of my favorite guitars, a Ventura "lawsuit" Howard Roberts model, made in the Ibanez factory in Japan. I bought it used in 1979 in a Pawn Shop, so I really don't know what year it was made. I changed the original pickup to a Bartolini Hi-A a few years ago. The original pickup was kind of weak. It plays and sounds as good as any of my Gibsons. I have a couple of Heritage jazz guitars too, and they are nice, but the price is up there pretty high, although they are generally cheaper than Gibsons, and the quality is probably better. ------------------ |
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Chris Brooks Member From: Providence, Rhode Island |
posted 14 December 2004 01:17 PM
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Like Tony, I bought a Korean copy--and I really like it though I haven't played out with it. It is a DeArmond, carbon copy of a Guild (I like Guilds). Two gold DeArmond pickups, the Guild pickguard, distinctive tailpiece, headstock, etc. $800 with hard-shell case. Works for me. Chris ------------------ |
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Pete Burak Member From: Portland, OR USA |
posted 14 December 2004 02:13 PM
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Does anybody have a mid/late '70's Ibanez "Musician" guitar (MC200, MC300, MC400, etc)? Kind of an Alembic copy, neck through body. Any feedback on this model (do they intonate and stay in tune, playability, tone, etc...). Thx, Pete B. Here's a pic of one: http://www.ibanezregister.com/Gallery/musician/gal-mc500.htm [This message was edited by Pete Burak on 14 December 2004 at 03:28 PM.] |
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Eddie Malray Member From: South Fulton, Tennessee, USA |
posted 14 December 2004 04:42 PM
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I have an ES335 that I bought new in 1963. It's still about a 9 out of 10. It has spent most of it's life in the closet because being a country music nut, I think the Fender sound fits better. When I do get it out it does,nt take but a minute to reming me that it,s the best guitar I've ever had my hands on. I paid 350.00 for it brand new. Gruhn says it's worth about ten grand today. I doubt that any Ibanez will ever be worth that, even though they may(and I doubt it) play and sound as well. Strictly my openion.-------------Eddie |
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Jerry Hayes Member From: Virginia Beach, Va. |
posted 15 December 2004 04:39 AM
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A lot of what's the best guitar for any given type of music is also in the hands of the player. Remember the group Shenandoah? The lead player (Jimmy Seals) used an Ibanez Artist solid body exclusively on records and live and got that country tone to the bone thing. I'd heard that he had two or three of them. They're a wonderful guitar and very versatile. Does anyone know what ever happened to Seals after Shenandoah broke up? I always liked his playing, especially on "If Bubba Can Dance, I Can Too".........great player...JH ------------------ |
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Pookie Anselmi Member From: Galliano, Louisiana, USA |
posted 15 December 2004 05:32 AM
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I own a George Benson GB10 (1978) model and a Joe Pass JP20 (1980) model and they have held up really well. They play and sound great to me. Ibanez makes a great neck on their guitars. Very easy to play. I also recently (last year) bought the new AM73. Its a 335 style body, but the lower bout is smaller (15"). Just my two cents. Pookie |
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Bob Markison Member From: San Francisco, CA |
posted 15 December 2004 09:01 AM
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I'm very fond of my Ibanez Artstar AF120 hollow body jazz guitar. I don't have a Gibson, but the guitarist I work closely with does have several Gibsons, and agrees that my Ibanez sounds great and is very comfortable to play. I got the Ibanez used for $550.00 from Phil's Guitars 5 years ago when he was still in So. SF. - Bob |
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Ian Finlay Member From: Kenton, UK |
posted 15 December 2004 02:12 PM
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I have an Aria "Paul Brett" signature model acoustic from the 70s. Apparently this is quite rare, and was pretty much hand made. A friend of mine is a trained guitar builder, and says it's a good as any Martin he's seen. I think the weak point on Japanese (and Korean etc) guitars are the pickups. But then, current Fender ones are pretty poor too (IMHO) and the reissue DeArmonds suck for me. Ian |
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Jim Peters Member From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA |
posted 15 December 2004 02:38 PM
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Ian, the real weak point is resale value. I paid $350 for my MIM Nashville Tele, new 3 years ago. It is worth maybe that now but I would never sell it. A new American Tele costs more, but holds it value. Yesterday I bought an Ibanez AEG10n, nylon string A/E, with a narrower neck than most classicals. It has Fishman eletronics, plays and sounds great. I paid $289 with hardshell case,new! I wish I had $1000 to get an American brand name, but I bought what I could afford. JP |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 15 December 2004 04:18 PM
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Well I just have a 1968-335 which can be bought if the price is right any takers email me [This message was edited by Bill cole on 15 December 2004 at 04:22 PM.] |
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Bill cole Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA |
posted 15 December 2004 04:21 PM
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sorry [This message was edited by Bill cole on 15 December 2004 at 04:22 PM.] |
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