Incoming 335 figured blueberry burst

[Enjoicube]

Just ordered the last 335 figured blueberry burst from Sweetwater this morning (after waiting too long for one of their exclusive Les Pauls). These things seriously look a notch above the old Dot series (I had a dot deluxe back in 2005 or so). I really like where Epiphone is headed these days.

Will post more pics once it arrives on Thursday!

 

[JMP]

Aesthetically, it looks fantastic. The color isn’t my jam, but it still looks awesome. I’m looking forward to your feedback once you get it. My 1998 Dot is awesome. There’s no doubt that Epiphone makes awesome semi hollow guitars.

Are they still using the same old Alnico Classic pickups in these? They are decent, but the ProBuckers are better.Curious why they chose the old pickups.

 

[elephantrider]

it looks killer. I loved the look of my es335 pro, but always reached for the lp.

 

[Enjoicube]

Are they still using the same old Alnico Classic pickups in these? They are decent, but the ProBuckers are better.Curious why they chose the old pickups.

I thought the same at first, but it appears they are using the alnico classic pros, which as I understand are epiphones version of the ‘57 classics. We’ll see how good they are, but I also have a set of tone rider rebel 90s in case I don’t like them.

 

[JMP]

Yea

I thought the same at first, but it appears they are using the alnico classic pros, which as I understand are epiphones version of the ‘57 classics. We’ll see how good they are, but I also have a set of tone rider rebel 90s in case I don’t like them.

In my experience, the Alnico Classics are good. Tough to bash them considering the overall huge value and high quality Epiphone provides. No doubt the new Dots/335s are awesome.

The new headstock looks great. But I also really liked the traditional/original headstock they used on for decades (on Casinos and Rivieras for example). Again, it’s all good! Epiphone is killing it!

 

[Enjoicube]

Yea

In my experience, the Alnico Classics are good. Tough to bash them considering the overall huge value and high quality Epiphone provides. No doubt the new Dots/335s are awesome.

The new headstock looks great. But I also really liked the traditional/original headstock they used on for decades (on Casinos and Rivieras for example). Again, it’s all good! Epiphone is killing it!

Yeah, I like the classic elongated headstock shape as well Though I think the Riviera (coming soon) will have the classic headstock shape. I’m definitely interested in seeing what those are like when they come out.

I think the new shape fits the 335 well though - I also have an elitist 335 and this shape kind of reminds me a bit of that.

 

[Namelyguitar]

Great, enjoy! Those pickups are a huge step up for Epiphone.

 

[JMP]

Yeah, I like the classic elongated headstock shape as well Though I think the Riviera (coming soon) will have the classic headstock shape. I’m definitely interested in seeing what those are like when they come out.

I think the new shape fits the 335 well though - I also have an elitist 335 and this shape kind of reminds me a bit of that.

I really hope they bring back the Riviera with mini humbuckers and the trapeze tailpiece.

 

[Enjoicube]

I really hope they bring back the Riviera with mini humbuckers and the trapeze tailpiece.

They are doing just that! AMS posted a listing for them a few weeks back, royal tan and sparkling burgundy .

 

[Enjoicube]

It’s here, and I’m very impressed! Epiphone has stepped up their game for sure. Comparing to my Korean Sheraton II, and my elitist 335 this guitar fits nicely between, probably closer to the elitist side in many respects.
The things I really like about this guitar:

• All the work is CLEAN! No sloppy frets, no buzzing, no sloppy f hole paint, no cavity full of shavings, all wires tucked away neatly, tuners on straght. Somebody at the factory actually cared that this guitar was assembled correctly. This is one are where this guitar stands much closer to my elitists than my 2007 saein Korean Sheraton.
• This is actually a 335! I know it sounds kinda stupid, but I’m used to epis being “close enough” . My Sheraton (and the dot I had before it) both had a solid slab of mystery wood running down the center (looked like the typical Epi mahogany). I don’t know about the Sheraton, but a 335 should have a solid maple block sitting on top of Kerfed spruce, and after looking through the f hole, that’s exactly what it looks like in there (at least to the best of my wood identifying ability)

• I do like the new headstock on this guitar. Shallow, but it definitely helps it seem more like the Gibson it was inspired by. If they do Epi originals, they should use the correct Epi headstock though.
• Pots and controls feel nice and smooth! Full size CTS pots on a semi hollow is so nice because of how painful it is to swap out the electronics.
• Pickups sound great so far! Perfect for what I want to do, so they are staying.
• I was worried about the Indian laurel, but the board on this guitar isn’t any different qualitatively than my other guitars with rosewood. I hope it will get a bit darker once I oil it, but it’s fine as is.

About the only thing I can nitpick is that the finish still feels a little plastic-y, and the inlays are a little dull (as is often the case with plastic inlays)

Over all, I am extremely happy. I went in thinking that this guitar would be nice, but still fundamentally an entry level instrument. I didn’t expect this. I won’t say it surpasses my elitist, but it comes so so so much closer than it ought to for $599, and the places where it falls short are mostly aesthetic (thinner finishes do feel nicer). For sure a big step over my Korean Sheraton, that was surprising.

 

[JMP]

Wow! That’s a shining review. Congrats. Myself, I may hold out for one of the forthcoming Rivieras or get a Casino.

 

[mgrasso03]

That looks great.
Is anyone else as surprised as no on the amount of new Epiphones not only announced, but available for delivery art the online outlets?

Chrestwoods, Wiltshire’s and Coronets.
2 styles of 335s, plain top and figured.
solid wood J-45s, J-200s and Hummingbirds including a 12 string.

My mind is blown.
I just acquired the Masterbilt Frontier.
Great guitar.
Was going to buy the Excellente, but that 12 string is calling me
Epiphone Hummingbird 12 String, has Fishman Matrix pickup, with HSC
https://reverb.com/item/5522548-epi...hare&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=5522548

 

[Enjoicube]

I had some time to look inside while changing strings

Looks like pine on the bottom? 5 Layer top though!

There's a long tenon under that sticker

Alnico Classic Pro Pickups

 

[Enjoicube]

Figured I’d post an update here after doing some major upgrades:

- got frets leveled and guitar setup
- rewired w/bourns pots and orange drop caps, switchcraft switch and jack (I have never been so frustrated as rewriting this guitar, will seriously reconsider before undertaking any such projects in the future…)
- golden age parsons street humbuckers ( I believe PAF clones)
- Faber E-SERT + Gotoh bridge (basically an ABR-1 style bridge with the posts integrated into the bushings)
- Dunlop strap locks

My god, this guitar is amazing now!!! I think the Faber E-SERT made a huge difference to the tone - much warmer and woodier + louder. Also, I liked the alnico classic pros, but nowhere near as much as the parsons st. humbuckers, these pickups are much richer sonically than the AC pros.

Epiphone is putting out some great guitars these days!! After the upgrades,this guitar is definitely a keeper.

 

[JMP]

Nice upgrades! ES style guitars are where Epiphone has alway excelled! Such great guitars and a huge value…even in their stock format they’re great.

 

[truckermde]

That thing's great!!

I love those Parson Street p'ups, too. I've had a pair, and they're awesome!

 

[Enjoicube]

Yeah, I was kinda surprised at how much more I like the parsons st. P’ups than the stock p’ups - and those were great compared to the old epiphone alnico classic stuff. I didn’t anticipate how much better epiphone would get in the ~15 years since I got my Korean Sheraton. Thinner finish, nicer pickups and electronics, rolled fretboard edges. The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the relatively small frets - epiphone says medium jumbo, but it seems more like the vintage fret size on my old MiM 50s telecaster.