Guitar Tone Tuesday: Episode 5: Comparing Gibson ES 335 Alternatives

Lucas Haneman of the LH Express showcases lesser known gear, as well as known gear in this new series.

Lucas uses his ears and hands to guide him when choosing gear and not the brand name stamped on it. Will you hear the difference or agree with his assessment? Subscribe and follow to let your voice be heard!

Guitar Tone Tuesday: Episode 5: Comparing Gibson ES 335 Alternatives

In this episode Lucas compares cheaper alternatives to the Gibson ES 335. In 2018, you can buy a brand new Gibson ES 335 starting at around $3000(USD) and up depending on whether you customize or not. For those of us, who may not have that kind of money lying around, here are two great alternatives that instead will run you half the price depending on whether you buy new or used.

The first is an Orville by Gibson ES 335. They were manufactured between 1988 and 1998 in Japan at the Gen Gakki factory. Gibson licensed them to produce and market exact replicas of their guitars. Some guitars only said "Orville" on the headstock and had Japanese humbuckers and a poly finish, while guitars reading "Orville By Gibson" on the headstock had authentic Gibson PAF '57 Classic humbuckers and a nitrocellulose lacquer finish. These "By Gibson" models are worth slightly more running around $2000 (CAD).

Manufacturer: Orville
Period:1988-1998
Body type: Semi-hollow
Neck joint: Set neck
Scale: 24.75 in (629 mm)
Body: Maple (plywood) with maple center block
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: Rosewood
Bridge:Ebony
Tune-O-Matic with stopbar
Pickup(s): 2 PAF ‘57 humbuckers

The second is an Eastman T185MX. Back in 1992, Eastman Strings began selling violin-family instruments that were built by hand with minimal assistance of power tools. So it was only natural—given the design, structural, and construction attributes archtops share with violins—that Eastman would enter the archtop market a decade later. They are handmade and built in Beijing. The one featured in this video was made in 2011 and not much has changed since they started producing them except now they come with Seymour Duncan humbuckers. To buy this guitar used it will run you anywhere between $1000 to $1200 (CAD).


Manufacturer: Eastman
Neck Material:Mahogany
Fingerboard:Ebony
Fingerboard Radius:12"
Neck Profile:Traditional Even "C"
Nut:Bone 1 3/4"
1st Fret String Height:.022"
12th Fret String Height:Bass .078" & Treble .062"
Fretwire:22 Medium Jumbo Jescar 47104
Scale Length:25"
Body Style:15" Thinline
Body Dimensions:15" x 1 3/4"
Body Top:Solid Maple
Body Back/Sides:Solid Mahogany
Truss Rod:Single Acting
Binding:Body, Neck, Headstock
Binding Material:Flamed Maple
Logo:Pearl Headstock
Inlay:Pearl Dots
Finish:Nitrocellulose
Hardware Color:Nickel
Tailpiece:Gotoh
Bridge:Gotoh Tunomatic
Tuners:Gotoh SG301-05
Knobs:Amber Speed Knobs
Neck Pickup:Kent Armstrong design humbuckers
Bridge Pickup:Kent Armstrong design humbuckers
Pickup Height:3/32" bass side, 3/32" treble side
Pickup Frame:Black Plastic
3 Way Switch:Switchcraft
Switch Tip:Amber Switchcraft
Capacitors:0.047" Ohms
Potentiometers:500K AudioTaper
Output Jack:Switchcraft

For more info on Lucas check out these links below:
http://www.lucashaneman.com
http://www.lhexpress.ca
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/LucasHaneman/?...
Twitter: @LucasHaneman
Instagram: lucas_haneman_express