What are my options with the ES330?

[Larry Mal]

I am going to get one fairly soon, and I'm not sure what direction I want to go in.

I was originally going to get one of the brand new reissues, which has the advantage of not only being new and something I won't be terrified to actually play and modify, but also of supporting Gibson.

On the other hand, though, the vintage ones cost the same and will go up in value. There is also the advantage that I much prefer the Slim Taper style neck to the 50s profile, so I could with a little work get a late sixties model. I'm not sure if I really will care that much, though... I'm pretty sure if I get a reissue and love it then I'll get used to whatever neck is on it.

I came across this, and it's a stunner:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/22104818891...:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_14923wt_1392

Anyone know what kind of neck would be on it? It also says "long neck profile", which I think will mean it joins the body at the 19th fret. I'm told to avoid those since they are apparently very fragile. I'm not going to be shredding on the thing, I don't mind if it joins at the 16th fret or what.

I do care if it's not completely hollow bodied, though, although I see this one is, I understand others aren't. Any thoughts?

 

[mdubya]

I wouldn't worry about it being fragile. I personally would look at one of the new ones. They are supposed to be killer. Or if you can swing an early 60's vintage one.... .... I doubt you would ever regret that purchase.

I would rather have a vintage one with some issues like non original parts than a new one. But I wouldn't turn down a new(er) one, either.

ETA: I have never seen an ES 330 that wasn't a full hollow body. I have seen P-90 ES 335's though.

 

[Larry Mal]

I thought the ES330L had a center block, for some reason. But no:

Gibson Custom ES-330L Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

Which means I have to do more research. I'll probably still get the new reissue, though. It seems they put a lot of thought into it, and like I say, I do want to slip some money in Gibson's pocket these days.

And how.

 

[CA-8-5799]

I am going to get one fairly soon, and I'm not sure what direction I want to go in.

I was originally going to get one of the brand new reissues, which has the advantage of not only being new and something I won't be terrified to actually play and modify, but also of supporting Gibson.

On the other hand, though, the vintage ones cost the same and will go up in value. There is also the advantage that I much prefer the Slim Taper style neck to the 50s profile, so I could with a little work get a late sixties model. I'm not sure if I really will care that much, though... I'm pretty sure if I get a reissue and love it then I'll get used to whatever neck is on it.

I came across this, and it's a stunner:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221048188914?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_14923wt_1392

Anyone know what kind of neck would be on it? It also says "long neck profile", which I think will mean it joins the body at the 19th fret. I'm told to avoid those since they are apparently very fragile. I'm not going to be shredding on the thing, I don't mind if it joins at the 16th fret or what.

I do care if it's not completely hollow bodied, though, although I see this one is, I understand others aren't. Any thoughts?

I've got a 64 es-330-tdc.Got it new in 65.It is a full hollowbody,not blocked up front like a 335.It made em weak at the joint,which is why they went to the 16 fret neck.I love mine,and play the hell out of it at home,but would never use it for a road guitar.I'm sure they probably cured all that on the re-issues.They'd have to,no matter how stupid they got.You memtioned a 330L.I don't know what that is.You can find something like a 347,beautiful guitars.Guitar Center in Klackamas Otrgon had a white one,gold trim,mint cond,for around $2500,
I think.I was thinking about it seriously,but decided to pay my taxes.Might still be there,don't know.

 

[Larry Mal]

Interesting, I'd never heard of the 347. Nice guitars... I'm allergic to humbuckers, though. And they seem to say it's a semi-hollowbody?

I'm a Jazzmaster aficionado, and I love the "third bridge" on those models, which is why I'm really turned on by the trapeze tailpiece on the ES330. I have a Casino, but I put a Bigsby on it and ruined that aspect of it. I'm a little excited to see how the trapeze style "third bridge" works on a hollowbody guitar with single coils.

Probably a ton of feedback. But sometimes I like that, you know?

 

[CA-8-5799]

Interesting, I'd never heard of the 347. Nice guitars... I'm allergic to humbuckers, though. And they seem to say it's a semi-hollowbody?

I'm a Jazzmaster aficionado, and I love the "third bridge" on those models, which is why I'm really turned on by the trapeze tailpiece on the ES330. I have a Casino, but I put a Bigsby on it and ruined that aspect of it. I'm a little excited to see how the trapeze style "third bridge" works on a hollowbody guitar with single coils.

Probably a ton of feedback. But sometimes I like that, you know?

Yeah,I've got the trapeze and dog ear P-90,s.Every now and then I'll use the trapeze for a little bit of trem.I love it for a studio guitar,just always scared to use it for a gig guitar.Theres a picture of it in my pics on a wood wall.The red one.I love it.They just had that weak point but I,ve never had a problem
with it.It's a factory ebony board,I did'nt know was unusual.

 

[Ob Com]

ES 330's are fantastic guitars. Here's the skinny from my POV

ES 330L- these are the 2010ish reissues with the L standing for Long neck. As you say this refers to where the neck joins the body.

I've had two of these guitars and wouldnt worry about strength of the neck joint.

They are lovely guitars.

The key factor will be the affect on the sound that the different pick up placement has.

On the newer reissues and the vintage non-longnecks (they did a few that are the same as the 330L) the pickups are positioned differently and this fundamentally affects the sound you will get out of the guitar.

The new 1959 reissues are fantasic guitars- the attention to detail and construction are of a higher order than the ES 330L, but correspondingly they are significantly more expensive.

Killer guitars though. They have the "correct" pickup/neck join placement so will sound similar to the original vintage.

The vintage guitars can be found for not much more than the cost of the new reissues so its a question of whether you like buying vintage or not.

Bottom line, try an ES 330L and a reissue and see which you prefer, because they will sound quite different for the reasons above.

Personally if money were no object I would have both because they are both great guitars in their own different ways.

If I had to choose and could afford it I would go with the new 1959 reissue. Memphis are really getting it right with these and the new 1959 ES 175's.

 

[CA-8-5799]

I am going to get one fairly soon, and I'm not sure what direction I want to go in.

I was originally going to get one of the brand new reissues, which has the advantage of not only being new and something I won't be terrified to actually play and modify, but also of supporting Gibson.

On the other hand, though, the vintage ones cost the same and will go up in value. There is also the advantage that I much prefer the Slim Taper style neck to the 50s profile, so I could with a little work get a late sixties model. I'm not sure if I really will care that much, though... I'm pretty sure if I get a reissue and love it then I'll get used to whatever neck is on it.

I came across this, and it's a stunner:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221048188914?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_14923wt_1392

Anyone know what kind of neck would be on it? It also says "long neck profile", which I think will mean it joins the body at the 19th fret. I'm told to avoid those since they are apparently very fragile. I'm not going to be shredding on the thing, I don't mind if it joins at the 16th fret or what.

I do care if it's not completely hollow bodied, though, although I see this one is, I understand others aren't. Any thoughts?

Mine's not even drilled for the straphanger on the heel of the neck yet.This is the one I'll never part with for personal reasons.Good Luck,man.Theres some nice ones out there.

 

[Larry Mal]

Thanks all! I probably will go with one of the reissues. I know more or less what I'm getting into there, can support Gibson with the purchase, and don't have to worry about looking after a vintage instrument.

I'm a little leery of the neck, but I own a few Gibsons now, and I love the neck on all of them, with the exception of my 1991 Les Paul Studio. Chances are good that I'll like the neck on the new one also.

I even hauled out my made in Korea Casino last night, if it's like that, then it'll be just fine. I sort of doubt my MIK Casino is vintage accurate, though.

 

[guitar whiskey]

I bought a '59 Reissue a few months ago. Can't put it down. IMO, both pickups sound wonderful and well balance. The tone is to die for and the neck is very comfortable; very similar to an original 1959 Les Paul. If you are in to slim taper necks, this might not be your cup of tea, but if you get a chance to play one you might find it works for you. For reissues I generally favor LP R0 necks over the R9's, and this one is just about in between the two. Personally I think the Bigsby adds a nice element to the tone and increases the sustain.

 

[Larry Mal]

I'm sold. That's a beautiful guitar. I'll make do with whatever neck. I've been playing for over a couple of decades now, and I don't claim be be great or anything, but I can find my way around a guitar neck.

No Bigsby for me, though. I want that trapeze bridge humming.

 

[Frutiger]

The new 330's are meant to be excellent, I haven't tried one myself but I do own two vintage ones - a 1961 cherry dot neck and a 1964 sunburst block, both are superb guitars. If you do go vintage then it's worth playing as many as you can as they can be hit and miss, more so than many other models.

The vintage long necks from the late 60's can be unstable, I've personally seen three which have started to collapse around the neck pickup, although that may just be coincidence. This doesn't seem to be an issue with the new ones though. Personally I think there's something about the 16th fret join that's inherent in the sound of a 330 and a really good 330 will hold its own tone wise with anything out there, I don't like the longer neck ones (that's just my preference though).

The modern reissues certainly sound more consistent in terms of build quality/fell/tone and if you wanted a dot neck specifically are your best bet, as early dots seem to be going up in value still (at least with UK dealers they are). If you don't mind blocks and the skinny neck then start looking for a late 60's vintage one.

If you don't mind a few issues then you could find an early 60's model for the same sort of money - the neck profile on most of the 64's I've played has been perfect.

 

[OBX351]

These guitars have 60s slim taper necks. At volume some 330s squeal like Ned Beatty in the GA woods and others have feedback problems. I would play it loud first. I've owned several late 50s and early 60s 330s and liked them at lower volumes. But I have never liked the fact that it's hard to get to all the frets with these guitars. HOWEVER, if you do find one that doesn't feedback then it's PARTY time.

 

[OBX351]

i bought a '59 reissue a few months ago. Can't put it down. Imo, both pickups sound wonderful and well balance. The tone is to die for and the neck is very comfortable; very similar to an original 1959 les paul. If you are in to slim taper necks, this might not be your cup of tea, but if you get a chance to play one you might find it works for you. For reissues i generally favor lp r0 necks over the r9's, and this one is just about in between the two. Personally i think the bigsby adds a nice element to the tone and increases the sustain.

i dig it!!!!!