Is the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson ES-335 the Best 335 You Can Buy?

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson ES-335 was released last year, and since then it has been very difficult to find one. That's because this guitar sounds great. The recreation of this iconic guitar for budget players is a sight to behold. Check it out!

Intro: 0:00 - 0:30
Why the Hype? The Center Block. :30-1:51
What You Should Look For in a 335? This Bridge. 1:52-2:38
The Best 335 Neck: 2:53 - 5:17
Pups 5:18-5:33
The Small Things 5:34-5:44
Jammin Cleans 5:45-6:43
Big and Washy 6:44-8:00
Wet and Shreddy 8:01-9:11
Shreddy and Dry 9:12-9:45
Outro 9:46-10:24

IkeGuitar is a YouTube channel designed to give intermediate and beginning guitarists the tools they need to take their next step in their guitar career. We seek to mentor and provide guitarists with practical tools, concepts, and ideas to bridge the gap in their knowledge that will take them from hobbyist to paid professional.

[IkeGuitar]

Hey guys! Thanks for checking out this video. Check out these cool videos where I compare this guitar to a vintage 1970 ES-335.

[guitargreg]

I've been looking at a Gibson ES-335, about $3000 bucks. I think I'll buy the epiphone and save $2300 bucks. Great video.

[davidharding]

I bought one recently. I am NOT the ES335 devotee that so many others are. In fact having bought 7 new Epiphones this year (yes true) it was the second to last one I bought. However.... firstly it is exceptionally well built. Mine is flawless. That can’t be said for necessarily all Epiphones I have, but this one is superbly built (mine is figured Raspberry Tea). Secondly the pickups are excellent. Great tone, great versatility with the CTS pots. Thirdly it has a great feel to the neck. It’s a really, really good guitar. I’ve got absolutely no desire for the Gibson version.

[yeahyeah]

Got it the other day, first guitar, love it so far

[davetang]

I have the olive drab version. Swapped out the pickups with Gibson Burstbuckers 1&2 I have lying around. Changed the cap to a full size orange drop n switchcraft pickup selector n input jack.

A keeper!

[gregmock]

Love mine...just dialed in the bridge height last night...great great value ....traded in a guitar I never played on it and it was a good move...I've never had one before although it's heavy.8.3lbs...I've always been a Casino player (6.2lbs) and still love it for recording, etc but this guitar can handle a live gig much better than the Casino...all in all I'm happy to have them both.

[eolden]

I went to a GC store for something else and saw this guitar. Took it into the amp room for 20 minutes and hammered it. It is beautiful and friking amazing

[PeteAxeShields]

I bought this very guitar a couple of months ago on the recommendation of my friend, who is a superb guitar player and who's opinions I trust implicitly. He said it was as close as it is possible to get to a Gibson ES 335 at a fraction of the price. He was not wrong. It is outstanding in every regard. It looks, plays and sounds superb right out of the box. All I had to do was tune it up. The string height ( for me ) and the intonation were absolutely spot on. I love this guitar. I can also highly recommend the new Epiphone Casino Worn guitars with their gorgeous matt finishes. They too are a bargain every guitar player should take advantage of. The Casino has always been a huge favourite guitar of mine. I also have the Casino Coupe - a lovely guitar with easier access to the " dusty end " of the fretboard ... and a smaller body for those who struggle with the full size version.

[darwinsaye]

Not gonna lie; I kinda like that 70s/80s idea of the centre block ending after the stoptail that you mentioned. That way it's solid under all the important vibrating bits where you might want it to be solid in order to tame feedback, but you get a bit more hollow body type air space. I'd like to hear/play one of those particular 335s to see how they sound.

[UncleBogator]

Epiphone inspired by Gibson line nailed it. I have a Les Paul Standard 50s and Firebird from this line and both are top notch. 335 is next.

[josephpickard]

This and the Les Paul Special are the two best value for money guitars available right now. Quality at Epiphone has skyrocketed.

[arsenaultgilles]

I love the professional sound it’s just great overtones and resonance ❤ gives any thing out there a run for the money possibly a equalizer rings the pickups right in good demo thanks for sharing

[SteveDunnBand]

This channel/video is fantastic! Thank you for sharing

[paulcantshutup]

Something about the background music in this review makes me want to cook... I can't say why, but... I think I've discovered a new recipe!

[marccarter]

I have the Natural Casino. It's a MIC Epiphone. OK build, but the Chinese stock components are not great. Over a year i replaced everything. Yep, totally worth it. It now has its own voice, and its a keeper. I loved it so much that when the Made in USA Epiphone Casino came out, i bought one on the credit card! I still kept the other one thou as its not a 100 miles off. Yep, once you have them in the room you can see with the fit and finish and fine details, there still really good in there own right!

[steveandrushko]

I bought that one same color 1 year ago love it

[jr]

I have an Ibanez AS73FM. Not the same materials as the 335, it has linden back & sides, a flamed maple top, Nyatoh neck, walnut fretboard. Good bones. I replaced the stock ceramic pickups with Duncan 59s, and had a custom wiring harness made. I’ve compared it to both the Epi and Gibson 335, and the difference is not massive. It is better than the Epiphone. But the Epi is still a great guitar

[viperBSG]

the HEADSTOCK DESIGN IS SO OLD IT'S NEW. This is the "Kalamazoo" Headstock design from the 1930's (sorry caps)

[Sam-xskr]

This video swayed me into just buying one. Your actual visuals of the guitar were really helpful. What have you conditioned your fretboard with? It looks really dark, and not dry like most I see.

[phillipholt]

This is no doubt it's a beautiful guitar but for some reason I love my 339. The Burst color looks good on the 335. I removed the logo on My 339 with a warm wash cloth.