Gibson CS-336 Plain Top

Bought a new Gibson CS-336 in Feb10. Black. I'm using EB Regular strings, on all my guitars for 30 years. I am the classic Baby Boomer who sat in their living room and watched the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and immediately knew what I wanted to do with my life. Early on I owned a Guild solid body single pickup, Fender Mustang, Gibson ES-330 burgundy metal flake, LP Goldtop with Soapbars, LP Deluxe Cherry burst. Damn; I wish I still had them all... traded, stolen, sold...

I'd been covetting a CS-336 for years and kept my eyes open for a used one. Found a used one online with Musician's Friend. Purchased it on line for $2100. Got a call from MF the next day to tell me that it was out of stock. I blew my top and screamed at the MF salesman. Got a call from the manager and they took care of me big time. They let me have a NEW one for the same price saving me $1200. The stars were aligned that day. OMG, what a beauty. MF has a customer for life.

Anyway, flash forward, 47 years of playing and a recent divorse inspires more music activity and guitar collecting fever... I'm in love with this instrument. Everything is impeccable and it's is the lightest guitar I've ever owned. The smaller body gives it a special feel and it just plain fits me. I like the jack is on the side and not the top like the 335. Tone for days... sustain from above and a neck that will make you a better player.

A minor flaw due the the size... this 22 fret guitar is difficult to play at the 20 - 22 fret position if you have big hands. I'm 6'2' and have long fingers so the horn on the treble side cuts very close to the neck.

Everything is the highest quality down to the case... Best I've seen from Gibson.

I play lots of styles and this baby I use for anything. I've played the ES-339 also and it's nice, but there is no comparison aside from the size and style. This Custom Shop gem is my main guitar until my final breath on the planet. I have a 2001 LP Standard, Custom Strat, Standard Strat, PRS CE-22, Fender Nashville Tele and to go with my VW Touareg, a VW First Act... the Gibson CS-336 is worth every penny of $3500 but you can find them used for $1900 in excellent condition.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com