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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Okay, so guitarwannabee didn't get flayed for asking about Strats on an Ovation board.. Hopefully it's safe to see what you guys (and gals) know about another market...
I'm looking for something with that bluesy humbucker/semi-hollow sound, like a Gibson ES-335.. a la BB King / John Lee Hooker, etc. But I'm a hobbyist/bottom feeder, so I'm looking to keep it under a grand. Don't restrict your input to that range, though.. if another few hundred bucks makes a night/day difference I need to know. Much more than that is out of my league but may be of interest to others.
I wasn't quick/rich enough to get one of Miles' Ovation Storm series guitars before he closed the door, but my understanding is that those are all fully hollow anyway, so they don't really have the sustain or the sound of a 335. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
My leading contender at the moment is an Epi Sheraton II. Anybody got one of these? What else are people playing to get this sound?
Thanks! |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Well, I was looking for a 335 waaaaay back when I bought the Ovation Thunderhead. I've been satisfied ever since. YMMV. |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I have a friend with one of the Ibanez ES 335 types. He is very happy with it and he's a pretty good player. |
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Location: Edmond, Oklahoma | My ES-335 wannabe is a Samick SAN-450. Reviews in Harmony Central indicate that it's exactly the same model as the Epiphone Sheraton II; now discontinued under the Samick brand. If it's any indication, I wouldn't have any reservations getting a Sheraton II. Actually, I did have some gear lust for a Sheraton II before I learned that I already (sort of) had one :D I did eventually choose to pay for expert fret-leveling and full setup. Now it's an extremely satisfying instrument. I plan to keep (and play) it forever. I'm thinking about replacing the stock pickups with name brand (probably the ever-popular Seymour Duncan). Not because the existing pickups are poor, but I'm hoping the tried and true name brand pickups may make it even better. Going for that 100%. Even with the a new case, pro setup, and full fret-leveling, I've only sunk about $500 or less into it. It was used (mint) when I got it in 2000 or 2001. |
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Location: PDX | David, did you get to play Phill's Thunderhead at the NW Gathering? I thought it had that funky BB King tone. With somebody who knew how to adjust the knobs, i bet it would fit the bill.
Miles has a few of them, maybe you could sweet talk him out of one -- but then again perhaps not.
_____
gh1 |
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Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | The Sheraton II is an EXCELLENT choice. But I'll offer something a little different....a Fender Telecaster 72 reissue Thinline. I tried one of those and thought it was cool. The Thinline is semi-hollow. Price, around $700.
Roger |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | hamer echotone an import that does not have to be THAT GOOD. hamer newport does 335 better than 335 |
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December 2004
Posts: 1673
Location: SoCal | I've been very satisfied with my Hofner Verythin Classic. There's the usual volume and tone for each humbucker. Rolling a tone knob past 8, kicks in a "Contour" feature giving the pickup a single coil sound.
Here\'s a link where one owner shows his and talks about the versions currently offered.
The last few I've seen on eBay went for a grand or less. |
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Posts: 171
Location: Oregon | I'am going to say Thunderhead. Definatly, they have great sound for anything from Blues, to Country, to 60's Rock. Thunderhead definatly. |
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Location: Scotland | Any of the Storm series are great value and are really cool guitars. Way cooler than imported 335-style guitars. They don't have a centre block and the pickups can be pretty microphonic so be prepared to spend a few bucks having them wax-potted to minimise feedback, especcially if you use distortion. I've played a Thunderhead for years, love it. |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I have a '79 ES-335CRS TD. Stereo with pups split, and a coil tap switch. Available only in '79. This one has the smallest neck I've ever seen and will cramp anybody with medium or larger hands. Mine are on the small side so the neck works for me. Great sound, particularly in single coil mode. I also have a Thunderhead Deluxe which is noticeably smaller and closer in size to an ES-135/137 which I personally prefer over the 335. The 135 sound isn't as good as the 335, but the feel for me is better. I need to have a good set-up on the T-Head before really comparing its playability against the ES-335. |
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Posts: 782
Location: Waurika OK | Not trying to turn this in a different direction, but about no sustain block in the Storm series. I bought the Eclipse that Miles had for sale. There is a piece of wood that looks to be about 1 1/2 inches thick that runs the length of the body. Can't tell how wide it is but looks to be maybe more than 2 inches. Since I don't know much about this series of Ovations, not trying to say it is a sustain block, but what is it's purpose?
Sorry, should have used "center block" rather than sustain block.
thanks |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | It's a while since I've seen an Eclipse, but every Tornado and T-head I've seen has had some extra material attached to the centre of the top, just like you describe. I guess this is to add some mass for the pickup rings and bridge posts to screw into rather than just a few mm of ply. The centre block on Gibson-type 335 runs the full length and connects the top to the back. I've never seen a Storm with this type of block. |
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Location: Waurika OK | Thanks,
It probably is for attachment of pickup rings and now that you mention it, especially bridge posts. You are correct it is not attached to be back, except for three small pieces of wood between it and the back. |
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Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | I had an Ibanez Artcore AS73 that was a fairly decent 335 knockoff. Played well, nice action, and was definitely more of that bluesy, gutsy sound. With a case, I think I paid about $250 for it. You get what you pay for, and it was no Gibson, but for VERY little start-up investment it was a decent guitar.
I haven't played the Sheraton, but I know a guy who has one and loves it. I changed out from my semi-hollow to a hollow-body AF85 flamed maple archtop with a floating bridge, which has a WAY fuller, meatier sound than the semi. Still a Chinese import, but for under $400, what do you want? |
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Posts: 11
| I agree with the takes on Hamer and Ibanez. I have an Ibanez AS200 that is better than all but one of the many ES335's I owned. Always depends if you're playing or collecting, though doesn't it. My AS200 is 25 years old now, so they may be available in used market. I also own a Hamer Duotone and have been looking at Hamer Newports and Artists. I had a Newport with Seth Lover Duncans in it that was amazing. One of my dealers talked me out of it though. |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | I agree with Al. |
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Location: New Hampsha | I vote for the T'Head - I love my mutt!
Second for the Tornado, and then the Sheraton. |
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Location: NJ | ditto on the Hamer Newport. |
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Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Sounds like I've got some homework to do!
The Hamer Newport is a sweet guitar.. I heard Bobbo's at the party. Way out of my price range, although I might luck into a used one.
I played with the Phil's Thunderhead at the party as well, but didn't get to experiment with tone. I loved the feel, and sounds like the tone is there to back it up per Phil, Temp, and others. Now if I could just my hands on one! Miles, you sure you don't want to part with one of yours?? :)
XNoel, I was actually eyeing that very same Eclipse before you jumped on it.. you were just a bit quicker. Enjoy it!
That Hofner is a beaut, and there's a couple of Ibanez models that caught my eye as well. Time for a field trip. Thanks everybody! |
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Posts: 165
Location: south of munich, Germany | you could try a Godin Flat Five as well..... |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | I'll gotta tell ya.. this is the best group of people on the Internet, hands down!!
A few months ago, I was commiserating here about missing out on yet another Redwood on eBay when Woz stepped in and fixed me up.
This time, not only did I get lots of great input on this thread, but yet another kind soul stepped up and offered me a minty Eclipse!
And thanks to GregoryS, while all this was going on I sold my Elite so I can afford to jump on the deal. Talk about a Perfect Storm! :)
Thank you all for a very cool day and a very cool community. |
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Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | And you found my Country Artist for me, David. Thanks. |
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December 2003
Posts: 1889
Location: Central Massachusetts | Happy to help, Mark. As long as I can point my wife at your signature inventory, I'll be doing alright.
I figure someday I will have had as many guitars as you, but one or two at a time rather than all at once! ;) |
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OT: That semi-hollow ES-335 sound...
