I own an ES-330L.

[Larry Mal]

So, I finally was able to buy one. I've been waiting for some time. It hasn't even shipped yet, but it's the long neck Custom Shop model from 2010, from before they began doing the '59 reissue VOS models.

I picked the "L" designation model because I got to thinking that the "30/60" neck was going to suit me better than the thicker '50's neck on the VOS, and anyway I got this guitar for a pretty good price.

Of course I haven't seen it yet... only the eBay description. I'm excited and nervous. All I know, for now, is from the eBay sale:

Gorgeous Gibson ES 330 | eBay

So wish me the best.

 

[g6120]

Very nice guitar and congratulations Im sure you will love it great burst .

 

[tolm]

Very nice! I picked up a second hand Tobacco Burst 335 recently and will, hopefully, shortly be putting a set of BKP humbucker-sized P90s in it.

 

[Larry Mal]

Thanks! I'm pretty excited to move into the world of the hollow bodied guitars. I have plenty of solid body electrics, and this should complete my guitar collection pretty well.

I had a Casino for a while, but I just could not get along with the neck on it, so I gave it away. But I liked a lot of things about the model.

But the Casino had a Bigsby on it, which meant no vibrating "third bridge" behind the bridge. My favorite guitar in the world is the Jazzmaster, and one of the reasons is that they have a similar arrangement in which the strings break behind the bridge, which adds a lot to the sound of the guitars... harmonics pop out in very pleasing ways.

I am thinking the ES-330 will be even better in that regard, since the strings aren't anchored to the body of the guitar at all, and of course it's a completely hollow body guitar.

Looking forward to it! Thanks for the well wishes.

 

[dspelman]

I own an ES-330L.

I haven't seen it yet... only the eBay description.

The original 330 connected to the body at the 16th fret. The scale length is the same as the 335, but the 335 connected to the body at the 19th fret.

Gibson had a lot of people asking for a P90 version of the 335, but with the same number of frets free of the body. So Gibson produced the 330 with the longer neck. And since it has no maple block down the center of the body, several of them promptly folded themselves in half. Took Gibson a while to fix that. So you have a reissue of that guitar.

What you'll find is that the 330L is more prone to noise (P90 single coils) and feedback (hollowbody) than, say, a 335 clone (humbuckers, semihollow), and eBay descriptions rarely tell you that. Just be aware that these are pretty significant differences from the 335, and that the 330L is NOT a 335-type guitar.

Other than that, have a great time with the new toy when it arrives.

 

[dspelman]

Very nice guitar and congratulations Im sure you will love it great burst .

That 330L has a rim burst -- do you like it better than the traditional teardrop bursts?

Teardrop on my old 335-12:

 

[vcnyls]

Beautiful and you got it for a great price!

 

[Larry Mal]

The original 330 connected to the body at the 16th fret. The scale length is the same as the 335, but the 335 connected to the body at the 19th fret.

Gibson had a lot of people asking for a P90 version of the 335, but with the same number of frets free of the body. So Gibson produced the 330 with the longer neck. And since it has no maple block down the center of the body, several of them promptly folded themselves in half. Took Gibson a while to fix that. So you have a reissue of that guitar.

What you'll find is that the 330L is more prone to noise (P90 single coils) and feedback (hollowbody) than, say, a 335 clone (humbuckers, semihollow), and eBay descriptions rarely tell you that. Just be aware that these are pretty significant differences from the 335, and that the 330L is NOT a 335-type guitar.

Other than that, have a great time with the new toy when it arrives.

Right, I did know most of that... I took a lot of time and read up a lot on this model, which I had to, since there is a lot to learn about it.

The neck folding is why I went with the "L" model as opposed to a vintage one. I knew the 19th fret join was likely to have the slimmer 60's neck which I wanted, so I naturally found my way to the 330L. I also discounted the vintage 60's models because I was scared of getting a very narrow neck as measured across the nut. The Custom Shop 330L has a fairly broad width across the nut, not as much as on my Firebirds I found out, but it should still be just fine. I had a Casino, and it was narrow there... three millimeters narrower than my Telecaster, when I measured them both.

And the standard text of the 330L Custom Shop model mentioned "musical feedback", stating that feedback occurred at a lower volume than most guitars and is thus easier to control. Some writer also mentioned that by feeding back after playing a note, this guitar had "endless sustain", which is not what I think of when I think of sustain.

Regardless, I am looking forward to the feedback, actually.

 

[James Carney]

Congrats! The ES-330L rocks.
I love my blue One.

 

[Larry Mal]

Ouch! The Beale St. Blue was the guitar that got me looking at this model some time ago.

Wonderful guitar!

 

[lily_taeko74]

I've been curious about 330s since I never liked the way Casinos are joined at the 16th fret as opposed to the 19th fret. Maybe if I found one at the right price too....

 

[toppsseller]

I was just on MF looking at the 330L. If I understand correctly the differences and similarities between the 330L and 335 then the 330L has no soundblock and P90's. The 335 has a soundblock and buckers. Different tailpieces. They both have a 60's style neck. I'm only talking in terms of buying an new one.

 

[Larry Mal]

That's all correct. But don't dismiss what a big difference the center blocks and the pickups make.... they aren't the same guitar, basically.

 

[toppsseller]

I really love P90's. I want to love humbuckers but always feel they sound too muddy. Maybe I should have looked at this first.

 

[OBX351]

Nice! That's one guitar I've always wanted to try. I've owned several 330s but wanted more neck access. Anyway, I am sure those p90s scream. HNGD!!

 

[djjagdish]

Congrats! One of these days I've got to have a 330 - I played a vintage one from the 60's @ Chicago Music Exchange and was smitten, but couldn't afford the $$.

 

[Larry Mal]

I drive back from Chicago to St. Louis tomorrow with my love-Christmas day- and the guitar will be waiting for me at my dad's house. Also, her present, because I screwed up and sent it there also.

Things are good!

 

[mapleflame]

Don't forget that Gibson did make a Version of the 335 with P90's that has the center block. I think they came out 08-09.

 

[Eric Smith]

So jealous. This is the guitar that I have the most GAS for at this time. I kind of gave up on the Telecaster Gas since I can't find one that has called back to me. This however is the guitar that I want. Too bad I'm a pauper.

 

[Larry Mal]

She arrives today! I hope I am able to get her.