Does Memphis get a bad wrap?

[TheX]

.some folks think asian models with photo flames and poly are high quality!

Some Asian guitars are fantastic. Poly is a perfectly valid finish. It's used on Kauer guitars. It's used on PRS except for the Satins.

Ahhh, the joys of an open mind.

 

[mdubya]

I have a 2014 ES 335 Dot from Memphis, and a 2013 ES 330 VOS that says Custom Shop, but I am told was made in Memphis (no confirmation seems available one way or another, Custom Shop COA and case?).

Both are great guitars, with the 330 seeming to have a little something extra special. The VOS treatment makes it feel like a great old guitar where the 335 in gloss feels new. That is the biggest difference, IMHO. The gloss 335 has been my #1, unable to put it down since I got it, until a certain recent 2002 Custom Shop Firebird (Nashville). That doesn't diminish the 335, though. No issues, great guitar. Could be my one and only if forced to choose.

 

[moreles]

The somewhat negative rap does not come out of thin air. People want to love the guitars they buy and it's important to listen when there's disappointment and criticism. That being said, I believe that Gibson was in the process of developing its production processes, and has responded to its customers by improving quality. It's no surprise, then, that there are many pleased Memphis owners.

 

[mrfett]

The fact is that for years the regular production ES guitars were made in Memphis and the Reissues were made in Nashville. There was a significant price difference between the two. For years the only way to get a thick necked ES was to go with a Nashville model unless you got something like a "Fat Neck" model ES-335, which have things like a cutout for the wiring.

When people pay a thousand dollars more for no hole in the center block they're going to claim their guitars have other "intangible" qualities that likely don't exist in actuality. For years the mantra was, "you can buy a Nashville ES sight unseen but a Memphis guitar you have to play in person", similar to what people say about Custom Shop LPs vs regular production models.

I'm not saying people didn't find the Nashville guitars to be better: like many of us know, the VOS treatment coupled with a thicker neck can really make a guitar feel awesome. I just think that the differences were always relatively minor but the price differences meant those small differences became amplified on the interwebs.

 

[74JMP]

I don't know I've never seen them Wrap a guitar unless it was xmas

 

[74JMP]

wiring.

When people pay a thousand dollars more for no hole in the center block .

you know that's not just a hole! But a harmonic overtone convergence tunnel. It transfers all the woody goodness and resonance from headstock to tailpiece and body to the pickups for a laminated richness not found in other models


Henry is you PR Dept hiring?

 

[bluefrog]

I have a 335 warren haynes 2013 and a 345 TDC 2014 from memphis
both are outstanding guitars
the burstbuckers were not my thing on the 335 but with sheps it just is my no ONE to go fr blues and soul.
the 345 is so precious I dont like to take on stage ...

 

[uncajoey]

I've been flamed to death BEFORE on this topic on MLP, But here goes. I toured the Memphis facility in July 06, and the quality of the product I played there at that time was abysmal. Rough unfinished frets, really poor quality dry and rough rosewood, just lousy. They had some Nashville semis there on display that were beautiful, and the Japanese Epiphones were much nicer playing instruments than the Memphis models. The flame of the maple was outstanding, the nitro work was outstanding, but as musical instruments, they left much to be desired. Flame away boys!

 

[Sharp]

I have guitars from all three Gibson plants ( Kalamazoo anybody?). They are all really well put together instruments. My Memphis 2007 335 has a small amount of orange peel on the lower bout on the back. Other than that, it's flawless. A joy to play.

 

[modavis99]

One of the rumors on the intra-web-osphere was that quality at Memphis jumped in 2012 or 2013. IIRC they brought in a new plant manager. I have a 2014 335 '63 reissue that is a top shelf instrument

 

[mdubya]

I've been flamed to death BEFORE on this topic on MLP, But here goes. I toured the Memphis facility in July 06, and the quality of the product I played there at that time was abysmal. Rough unfinished frets, really poor quality dry and rough rosewood, just lousy. They had some Nashville semis there on display that were beautiful, and the Japanese Epiphones were much nicer playing instruments than the Memphis models. The flame of the maple was outstanding, the nitro work was outstanding, but as musical instruments, they left much to be desired. Flame away boys!

One of the rumors on the intra-web-osphere was that quality at Memphis jumped in 2012 or 2013. IIRC they brought in a new plant manager. I have a 2014 335 '63 reissue that is a top shelf instrument

I believe both of these are true.

I believe Mike Voltz was put in charge at that time and a new effort was made with all of the ES guitars starting around 2012.

That said, they are plenty of excellent pre-2012 examples out there.

 

[Crotch]

I love the Memphis products. I've had 3 and still have 2 with no thoughts of letting them go. I wasn't much for MHS pickups if I had to nit pick but it seems I hear more positive than negative about Memphis. Pretty much kept the interest for Gibson for me after the 2015 debacle with both the USA and Historic lineups.

 

[mrfett]

I'll say that my 2012 ES-330 and 2014 DG ES-335 (both made in Memphis) are the guitars that are still with me. Neither my 2010 ES-359 or 2008 Fat Neck are mine anymore. Maybe the Mike Voltz explanation has some validity to it.

 

[mdubya]

I'll say that my 2012 ES-330 and 2014 DG ES-335 (both made in Memphis) are the guitars that are still with me. Neither my 2010 ES-359 or 2008 Fat Neck are mine anymore. Maybe the Mike Voltz explanation has some validity to it.

I seem to remember a NAMM video with Voltz saying the 2012 ES 330 was their flagship for their renewed effort.

My 330 was packed in January 2013 but has a 2012 serial # with Custom Shop COA and case. I believe it was built in Nashville but haven't been able to confirm. It is a stellar guitar, wherever it was built.

 

[TM1]

I seem to remember a NAMM video with Voltz saying the 2012 ES 330 was their flagship for their renewed effort.

My 330 was packed in January 2013 but has a 2012 serial # with Custom Shop COA and case. I believe it was built in Nashville but haven't been able to confirm. It is a stellar guitar, wherever it was built.

You should be able to call Customer Service @ Gibson and they can tell you where it was made. Also the label inside the "F" hole should say as well at the very bottom under the Gibson logo in small letters.

 

[mdubya]

You should be able to call Customer Service @ Gibson and they can tell you where it was made. Also the label inside the "F" hole should say as well at the very bottom under the Gibson logo in small letters.

Sent 'em an email. No reply.

No label in my F hole, just a stamp.





I think Rick, who signed the COA might be with the Memphis Custom Shop, which could explain the origins of this one.

 

[mrfett]

The ES-330s with the regular neck joint (not the long necks) were made in Memphis.

 

[mdubya]

The ES-330s with the regular neck joint (not the long necks) were made in Memphis.

Thanks, mrfett.

That guitar (and case) sure goes with the decor of the room!

 

[SingeMonkey]

Tried a Memphis 335 in the store. Heavy. Dead. Sloppy, plasticy looking finish.

My buddy wound up buying a Tokai 335 which was in a completely other league, quality wise. Smoked that 335. I don't think the problem with Memphis is that they're bad. I think the problem is that they're not consistent.