Les Paul Vs ES-335 – That Pedal Show

Mick has a 335, Dan has a Les Paul – what about you?

Life too short for long YouTube videos? See the 'Interesting bits and go-to sections' timings below.

This isn't really a video for those of you who know these guitars inside out, though you may enjoy it anyway. Moreover it's aimed at those of you who have an interest in one or the other and/or have been maybe thinking about taking the plunge. Just how much do they differ, given they have more or less the same hardware and electronics complement?
Now clearly, there have been MANY different Lesters and Threethirtyfives down the years and their sounds can vary radically. So don't be all up in our comments section about that. We have what we have and that's what we're using. Two guitars, a bit of fun.

Both of these guitars are 'modern' Gibson reissues of classic year 1958, interestingly enough the same year the ES-335 debuted and the Les Paul Standard turned sunburst.
Sorry we never got to playing the Goldtop… despite promising to at least twice!

Enjoy the episode!

Pedals, amps and stuff in this episode:
• TheGigRig Three2One

• Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300

• JAM Pedals Fuzz Phrase Limited Edition

• ProCo Rat 2 Classic Distortion

• Browne Amplification Protein Dual

• Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini

• BOSS DD-200 Digital Delay

• JAM Pedals Harmonious Monk

• TheGigRig G3

Interesting bits and go-to sections:
- Intro playing: 00:00
- What are we doing today?: 01:15
- Today’s guitars: 02:30
- Clean tones: 04:25
- Tuning and intonation?: 09:45
- What Mick loves about the ES-335: 12:35
- …and with more gain, 335 & Les Paul: 15:40
- What about feedback?: 20:46
- Mid-focussed fusiony stuff?: 24:15
- Mid-gain rock?: 30:50
- Knock the volume pot back: 33:25
- Both pickups – Clapton? And woman tone?: 38:50
- Fuzz? 45:33
- Harmonious Monk!: 49:15
- Woss yer fave then?: 53:20

Guitars in this episode:

Amps in this episode
• Two Rock Classic Reverb Signature with Two-Rock 112 cabinet / WGS12L speaker
• Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb

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[ComfortablyNumb]

To me, this channel is “That Tone Show.” I love it when you guys venture beyond pedals.

[rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha]

Here’s what I find in these “shootouts” and when I do them with my own gear and with friends. It basically comes down to what you’re comparing it to and eventually it becomes swings and roundabouts. If you have two guitars that are tonally similar like these two then generally the guitar with a little more higher end appears better. That’s why they call ES’s “burst killers”. But if you then take that 335 and compare it with an SG, the SG is the shoutier guitar and appears to win out. Compare the SG with a V and the same thing happens. Now come full circle and compare the V with the Les Paul and they’re not tonally similar enough that all of the sudden the V starts sounding a bit like a tin can next to the Les Paul. If they’re tonally close the brighter guitar wins, if it’s not close the warmer guitar wins. My .02

[dizzyrider]

I love cranking my full hollow. The feedback is just another, fully controlable, feature of the guitar. I'm the knob.

[dalezjc]

Love the fact that you guys (primarily) play classic guitars (Teles, Strats, LPs, 335s) and tube amps. Don't ever change! :-)

[galogamoth]

Let’s try and get through this without it ending in me browsing reverb and wishing I was wealthier

[robertlewis]

Mick: "Catherine is womaning the cameras" Catherine: "ooh yeah!"

[denismguitar]

Catherine(Katherine) thank you for womaning, and for all you do in support of this addiction we deal with.

[tonygairomusic]

As a pro sax player infiltrating the guitar world, I am compelled to say the following: I learn so very much from you guys and I really dig this channel. Enjoy hearing each of you play too. I own a 335 and a Les Paul and this video reiterated - quite enjoyably, I might add - what I've gleaned from my own pursuit, which is that there is much that is alike in the performance of each of these classics but so much, nuance in particular, that is unique to each that one should own at least one of each in a complete collection. Please help me explain this to my wife...

[steverolfeca]

Here’s the thing: My dad ran a store, and received new guitars every week. Everything sounded warmer and rounder in his hands than in mine. The difference was greater than 335 VS Les Paul. So much so, that I had to go to the amp to match his tones. Chasing the right guitar will just lead you round in circles. Try chasing the right tone instead, and let that lead you to the guitar that fits your playing.

[WillyPDX]

Equally wonderful sounding guitars, but noticeably different tonal qualities. As a Fender single coil guy, I gravitate toward the 335 over the LP because it does tend to have a more open harmonic sound. As Clapton (and many others) proved, however, you can sound equally amazing on a Tele, Strat, 335, or LP if you have the skills to adapt to the playing characteristics of each guitar. And I've proved you can sound equally bad on all four. 🤪

[mattcooper]

This really shows the tones that can come from just one guitar. More people need to learn to play their guitar, pedals ares the icing on the cake. Great show guys, as much as is good on 10. Some times is nice to take the back seat and dime it down and enjoy the ride !!

[denismguitar]

The thing I love about the Gibson layout is rhythm on neck rolled back a touch and flick the pup switch to bridge for full-on lead. With an amp just at it’s pretty-break up. Perfect.

[erikzen]

I love the chemistry between Dan and Mick. There's no apprehension about touching each other's knobs.

[rickflippin]

This channel is the pinnacle period if i have a question about gear i find it here unbiased and just stellar entertainment and infotainment. I have quit watching anything but the truth this channel is truth for the musician. Thank thank thank you for this channel you’ve actually made me a better musician and made me listen more. Cant thank you enough for breathing new life into guitar based music. I wish I could hit unlimited subscribe. Lol

[RubyRoks]

around 13 minutes in, Mick switched to the middle position on a clean tone and i immediately thought "That's THE classic blues sound"

[angbernardo]

It’s as is you fellas stepped into my head and said “let’s do an episode just for this guy!” These are two of my favourite guitars and I own both... and both are equally loved ! Thanks for the episode fellas 🤘🏽

[EddieG]

335 for me, every time. That hollow body gives it much more twang than the Les Paul, and when overdriven it is absolutely THE guitar tone of rock n' roll.

[rdb]

Great show, as ever! You absolutely hit the nail on the head at 37:45, talking about the difference in dynamic range/intrinsic compression between 25.5 and 24.75 inch scale length guitars. LPs really shine when you let them breathe by not attacking the strings quite as hard.

[aaronpwalls]

Mick: "a little bit more reverb"

Dan's face: "oh yeah, it's all coming together"

[olivergodelie]

It’s not quite as close of a comparison but I’d love to see a Gretsch vs es-335/330