XMAS GAS

Shock and surprise! I'm 'allowed' a new guitar for Christmas! I would love a Gibson ES 335, but can't afford it, even 2nd hand. What would you recommend, new or used? Epiphone, Ibanez??

The budget is £400, or thereabouts.

Check out the Hamer Echotone. I think Soho Soundhouse sell them.

You can find some reviews here:

The Vintage 335 copy looks fantastic, have to say I've not played it though...
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vint%20el.html and scroll down a bit

I've got an Aslin Dane Jazz (335 copy) which I think is a great guitar. Having said that, I've now changed the pickups but that was to get a different sound. They are remarkably good value for money as I've seen them for as little as £250.

other reviews are here : http://www.harmony- central.com/Guitar/Data4/Aslin-Dane/Jazz-335-Copy- 01.html

well worth trying, if you can find one.

cheers

Andrew S

'JNugent' wrote <snippage for brevity>

Hi Jim,

I upgraded the pups on my flying V with Seymour Duncans; a '59 PAF in the neck and a George Lynch 'Screamin Demon' in the bridge position.

However, the stock pups were fine, if you're not into high gain/high volume playing.

I can confirm that Andrew Sinclair's Aslin Dane '335-alike' is a fine guitar, having played it at The National PU. Well worth checking out.

HTH,

regards,

Trev Ridney

I have to put another hand up for the DOT, It has to be Epi's best value for money guitar!, also they have changed the pickup design so they are closer to Gibson's specs.