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MGR/Lesley West « Gibson ES 333 »
Published on 10/11/07 at 15:00I started playing guitar at the age of 14 or so, that was some 40 yares ago. I gigged in bands and have owned a number of different guitars over the years, gibson and fender. I owned a 1966 ES 335 but sold it before going off to college. I currently have a Fender SRV reliced strat, gibson LP jr., a Hendrix 68 RI, an SG standard and ES 333 to name a few.
I have always yearned for that earlier 335 that I owned and when I came across a used 2003 ES 333 I thought what the heck I'll give it a try. I fell in love with it right then and there. I paid 900$ for it and it was absolutely mint - no wear or scratches, not a mark.
It is cherry red and the grain reminds me of my former 335. It is a plain jane but has that great 'pick me up and play me' mojo. The pickups were too hot for my taste so they were replaced by a pair of 57 classics. I added a Gibbo pickguard and had the satin nitro finish buffed to a nice shine, gave it a set of 60's control knobs with pointers to give it a more vintage look and voila I was back in the 60s again.
It has a fast, slim neck and the sound through a tube amp is pure 'sweetness'. I am a big blues and classic rock guy and this rounded out my collection of guitars quite nicely. There isn't a sound that I can't find when playing tunes from Clapton's early Cream days, mind you though it takes an SG with vintage PAFs to really nail my favorite riffs from Disraeli Gears.
I suppose the only thing I can think of that I didn't like about the ES 333 were the pickups, far to hot and aggressive but like I said that was my own personal taste as I have always loved the 'woman tone' that Clapton got and my 333 can get that in spades and then some with the 57s.
The guitar was flawless. The fit and finish was excellent. Even though it was used it had been well taken care of by the previous owner. For all intent and purpose it was a 60s guitar that was given that special attention before going out the door. I still take time throughout the day to stare at it and drift back to a time when Gibson was king and quality meant something - at least they got it right with this guitar. I have played some really nice cherry 335s at my local guitar shop but for 3300$ (I live in Canada) I have to admit they don't have much over my 333. Oh, and by the way, I know a lot of people don't like the black access panel on the back but it is greeat when you have to address pickup or eletrics problems. Letr me see you try that with 335!!!
Bottom line is I won't be parting with this gem, period!!!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
I have always yearned for that earlier 335 that I owned and when I came across a used 2003 ES 333 I thought what the heck I'll give it a try. I fell in love with it right then and there. I paid 900$ for it and it was absolutely mint - no wear or scratches, not a mark.
It is cherry red and the grain reminds me of my former 335. It is a plain jane but has that great 'pick me up and play me' mojo. The pickups were too hot for my taste so they were replaced by a pair of 57 classics. I added a Gibbo pickguard and had the satin nitro finish buffed to a nice shine, gave it a set of 60's control knobs with pointers to give it a more vintage look and voila I was back in the 60s again.
It has a fast, slim neck and the sound through a tube amp is pure 'sweetness'. I am a big blues and classic rock guy and this rounded out my collection of guitars quite nicely. There isn't a sound that I can't find when playing tunes from Clapton's early Cream days, mind you though it takes an SG with vintage PAFs to really nail my favorite riffs from Disraeli Gears.
I suppose the only thing I can think of that I didn't like about the ES 333 were the pickups, far to hot and aggressive but like I said that was my own personal taste as I have always loved the 'woman tone' that Clapton got and my 333 can get that in spades and then some with the 57s.
The guitar was flawless. The fit and finish was excellent. Even though it was used it had been well taken care of by the previous owner. For all intent and purpose it was a 60s guitar that was given that special attention before going out the door. I still take time throughout the day to stare at it and drift back to a time when Gibson was king and quality meant something - at least they got it right with this guitar. I have played some really nice cherry 335s at my local guitar shop but for 3300$ (I live in Canada) I have to admit they don't have much over my 333. Oh, and by the way, I know a lot of people don't like the black access panel on the back but it is greeat when you have to address pickup or eletrics problems. Letr me see you try that with 335!!!
Bottom line is I won't be parting with this gem, period!!!
This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com