Epiphone ES-335 vs: Gretsch G2622 - Guild Starfire 1 - Squire CV Starcaster - Hofner Verythin

At long last 'part two' of the series where I present alternatives to the ubiquitous es-335. This time we include original reissues from Gretsch, Hofner, Guild, and Fender... will any of these beauties tempt you away from the everyman choice??

Time stamps:

00:00 play in and coming up
01:18 what's happening today
02:44 the line-up
05:32 Epiphone ES-335
08:33 Gretsch G2622
09:41 Guild Starfire 1
10:35 Hofner Verythin
11:55 Squier CV Starcaster
13:43 let's compare the weights
15:00 feeling & unplugged sounds
21:07 today's rig
21:55 let's start playing something
22:32 neck profiles & measurements
23:07 let's carry on playing something
25:19 what just happened
26:21 what do I think of them
33:07 final words on the matter
35:17 play out jam

Signal Chain Info:
TC Polytune / Boss CS3
Drive Pedals (when on): Soul Food / Big Muff
Boss DD7 / Boss RC5 Looper
Amp: Fender Princeton 65 Reverb Tweed 1 x 12
Mics AKG C414 & SM57
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 into Protools

I AM NOT AN EXPERT. Some things I do know and some things I don't know but think I know and sometimes I say things that are not entirely correct. Once I have said things it's too late to correct them so please check any 'so called facts' with an adult, google, wikipedia, or someone else that knows.

We run this channel to provide therapy for our gear addiction and for an excuse to buy more. Please like and subscribe and keep coming back to watch our films if you would like to support the channel!

#es335 #guitar #guitaraddict #theguitaristas #guitarist #guitarporn #gretsch #starcaster #hofner

[theguitaristas]

Correction: The ES-335 was of course first released by Gibson in 1958 and not 1960 as I repeatedly stated. Sorry!

[danieli.]

Why do I watch these videos, knowing I’m going to want a guitar I don’t need? I watch because I enjoy your playing, and I really enjoy the way you talk about guitars. You have a good energy and it’s nice that you put it out into the world.

[drewrutberg]

I love this guy. He plays great. He had a wonderful demeanor and I always lean something from his videos

[dorianmoon]

Yet another enjoyable & informative treat! I have orbited the sun 65 times & have never come across "ubiquitous". I have now googled & have been enlightened. Cheers Colin.

[jamessutherington]

Got to say Colin I’m an avid watcher of your channel and always look forward to 12.00 on Fridays! I remember the mods you done on that epiphone 335 and now it sounds amazing! ❤

[TheRealChetManley]

The Gretsch is my favorite of this bunch. I’m probably going to buy one after watching this. You’re right, everyone needs a 335 style guitar in their collection.

[chicagoblues]

You have become my go to for a wide array of information. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these videos. Us blokes across the pond dig you sir!

[Steve-B]

Once again another terrifyingly honest comparison. I enjoyed it immensely although it must be hard to distinguish between the feel, look and personal opinion. I have the epi inspired by I love it although I do hope to do a similar upgrade to the ones you did. Well everything except the wiring loom I still wake up in cold sweat thinking about that episode. Im off to become a patron. Enjoyed that although my coffee went cold about half way through.

[whittlad]

I really liked the Starcaster and to be honest i love most semi/hollow body guitars and I own two or three. I just like the different tones and look of the guitars. With these models being at the cheaper end of the market, they are perfect for modding👌👍

[jamesbaynton]

Cool, this time last year I was choosing between these, and fell in love with the Hofner Verythin in a local shop. Now I've played it for a year and still happy. It looks so understated next to the others that are too blingy for me.

[LGuitarB]

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: one of the reasons that I like watching this channel so much is the easy pace; often videos like these will have all the natural pauses between sentences cut out to just compress it in as little time as possible, but that makes for very tiring and intensive listening. This is just GREAT relaxing time at a Friday night!

[laurifinlandia]

i have grown fond of your videos, they are informative, they are openly opinionated, but most of all they are very relaxing; you have a comfortable and benevolent air about you, and it translates well as you create content. keep it up!

[tomz]

That's how I heavily upgraded my G2622:

Gibson tailpiece
New handwiring
New toggle switch
New pots
Locking tuners
New strip post (no neck diving)
Seymour D. Psyclone Hot set .

Turned into a BRILLIANT guitar.
Hope this comment will help those who want to let shine this beautiful Gretsch!

[thelastperfectman]

I recently bought a Squire Starcaster. Really nice guitar. A great marriage of semi-hollow Gibson and Strat, with a fantastic mix of the styles. I had trouble for years picking out a new guitar; finally went with Starcaster precisely because it combined everything I liked into one guitar.

[aitken]

Your playing on this video is particularly fun and tasteful! You’ve gotten great tones out of each of those guitars. I have the Epi IG ES335 in Cherry and a G2622 with Fidelisonic P90s, and my mate has the CV Starcaster. (I’m a bit envious of that Starcaster to be honest)

I particularly enjoyed this review. Thank you 😊

[jfiery]

Gretsch have been putting out affordable and high quality outstanding guitars for at least a decade now and they never seem to get much love . I would love for The Guitaristas to prove that to everyone amd tackle some more Gretsch models in the new year. Colin does the best reviews on YouTube and always seems to come up with the best licks the highlight the strengths of each guitar he reviews. While I have a feeling he wouldn't love the broadtron pickups we've seen him take other affordable guitars and turn them into absolute monsters with new pickups so I hope he'll check out some of the electromatic series. I owned a Gretsch g5220 that I absolutely loved and Jade gray with a walnut fingerboard. I did not love the broadTron pickups so I put in real filtertrons and it was a truly wonderful guitar. Unfortunately I had to sell it in order to get my dream guitar which was a Gibson Les Paul but I still think about that guitar. And now I see they offer it in a burst called Bristol fog. Despite being in the States my best friend is a Brit and fellow veteran who happens to live in Bristol so I got a feeling that I'll be making a purchase in the next few months. I'd love to see Colin get his hands on one of those to get his opinion on it but in my opinion Gretsch is underappreciated and their guitars are spectacular. Well the electromatic and up anyway.

[roswellminard]

In reference to the Squier Starcaster: "I'll play this over a 335 any day of the week." That's a BOLD statement my man! Now you've got me considering giving one a shot - especially at that price. Excellent rundown, thank you!

[NickHumphrey_music]

I only discovered your videos recently, but I am so hooked on them! You are the only person doing detailed dives into each guitar you present and include difficult to find info in a down-to-earth, enjoyable way. Please keep making more videos so that for each guitar I shouldn't buy, I can find out every detail about it here! Best regards!

[timfaul]

So I’m one of those people that watched the entire 335 upgrade series, having a 2017 Epiphone 335 Pro. I bought it after someone replaced the original pups with Gibson 57 Classics and had the frets leveled and dressed. I always wanted to change out the wiring harness, but haven’t had reason to until my switch went out. So I dropped an RS Guitarworks harness in and while I was at it, replaced the bridge and tail piece with Faber components. You never know how it’s going to turn out, but the difference is definitely noticeable. Way more open and responsive. Is it worth it? Meh. Maybe. I’d love to have a Gibson, but this suits me fine. It’s a substantial improvement over stock. But the fun for me is in having a project to experiment with. I want to thank you, Colin, for the inspiration! It’s a journey for sure.

[simonplimbley]

Mate really look forward to the videos at the end of the week so thanks for making the effort. You never let us down with your input and observations/comments. Would love to have a video on how as an older player (me too) & how you have developed over the years … like the point about bar chords with the Hofner, using the thumb due to the neck. I still have lessons and on occasions go back to doing the odd exam … always looking for inspiration. Keep up good work Colin & all the best… if you weren’t so far South it be great to see you at a gig mate👍🎸