Les Paul Vs ES-335 - Solid Or Hollow?
Les Paul
|
|
ES-335
|
The Les Paul is known for its versatility and played by guitarists of all styles.
But for those of a more traditional rock, blues, funk or jazz persuasion, and who won't be cranking the gain/distortion so much, the ES-335 is worth considering.
Many guitarists avoid hollow bodies because they believe they're only good for jazz or clean playing. But over the decades the ES-335 has proven its cross-genre capabilities.
Note: We can only ever approximate these comparisons as there are many different models spanning over five decades of production. However, there are some key, "timeless" features that define both guitars which we'll look at further down the page.
But for those of a more traditional rock, blues, funk or jazz persuasion, and who won't be cranking the gain/distortion so much, the ES-335 is worth considering.
Many guitarists avoid hollow bodies because they believe they're only good for jazz or clean playing. But over the decades the ES-335 has proven its cross-genre capabilities.
Note: We can only ever approximate these comparisons as there are many different models spanning over five decades of production. However, there are some key, "timeless" features that define both guitars which we'll look at further down the page.
Gibson Les Paul Standard Vs ES-335
Let's first look at the benchmark Gibson Les Paul Standard and ES-335 (2015 models) side-by-side before moving on to the lower priced offerings.
| Model | Les Paul Standard | Gibson ES-335 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 89 (over $1000) |
88 (over $1000) |
| User Reviews |
Ultimate Guitar Musicians Friend Amazon |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
| Model | Les Paul Standard | ES-335 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Website |
gibson.com | gibson.com |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs | 8.5 lbs |
| Tuners | G-FORCE 40:1 |
Grover Rotomatic 18:1 |
| Neck | Mahogany Slim Taper (Asymmetrical) |
Mahogany Slim Taper |
| Scale Length | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Nut Material | Brass | Bone |
| Nut Width | 1.795" | 1.675" |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | Compound 10"-16" |
12" |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Inlays | Mother of Pearl Trapezoid |
Pearloid Block |
| Body | Mahogany, Maple Top Solid |
Maple Semi-hollow |
| Pickups | Burstbucker x2 Coil Splitting |
Burstbucker x2 |
| Bridge | Tune-o-matic, Titanium saddles | TonePros AVR-2 |
| Hardware | Zamack, Chrome Plated | Alloy, Nickel Plated |
| Les Paul Standard | ES-335 |
|---|---|
| Comparison | |
| Model | Les Paul Standard | Gibson ES-335 |
|---|---|---|
| Check Price at |
   |
|
Gibson Les Paul Studio Vs ES-335 Studio
On to the Studio models, which strip away the cosmetic bling and more specialist parts of the Standards yet retain the tone and playability expected from a Gibson USA instrument... at half the price.
| Model | Les Paul Studio | ES-335 Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 90 (over $1000) |
84 (over $1000) |
| User Reviews |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Amazon |
Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
| Model | Les Paul Studio | ES-335 Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Website |
gibson.com | gibson.com |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs | 8.5 lbs |
| Tuners | G-FORCE 40:1 |
Grover Rotomatic 14:1 |
| Neck | Mahogany Slim Taper |
Maple Traditional C |
| Scale Length | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Nut Material | Brass | Corian |
| Nut Width | 1.795" | 1.675" |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | Torrified Maple |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12" |
12" |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Inlays | Mother of Pearl Trapezoid |
Pearloid Dot |
| Body | Mahogany, Maple Top Solid |
Maple Semi-hollow |
| Pickups | 57 Classic (neck) 57 Plus (bridge) Push/Pull Coil Tap |
'57 Classic Super '57 Classic |
| Bridge | Tune-o-matic |
TonePros AVR-2 |
| Hardware | Zamak, Nickel Plated | Alloy, Nickel Plated |
| Les Paul Studio | ES-335 Studio |
|---|---|
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Vs Dot 335
At the budget end we have Epiphone's best selling Les Paul and ES-335 equivalents.
| Model | Epiphone Les Paul Standard | Epiphone Dot |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 88 (over $1000) |
89 ($300-$500) |
| User Reviews |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
Ultimate Guitar Harmony Central Zzounds Musicians Friend Amazon |
| Model | Epiphone Les Paul Standard | Epiphone Dot |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Website |
epiphone.com | epiphone.com |
| Weight | 8.5 lbs | 8.2 lbs |
| Tuners | Grover |
Grover |
| Neck | Mahogany Slim Taper |
Mahogany Slim Taper |
| Scale Length | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Nut Material | Plastic | Plastic |
| Nut Width | 1.68" | 1.68" |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | 12" |
12" |
| Frets | 22 Medium Jumbo |
22 Medium Jumbo |
| Inlays | Pearloid Trapezoid |
Pearloid Dot |
| Body | Mahogany Solid |
Laminated Maple Semi-hollow |
| Pickups | Alnico Classic Humbuckers | Alnico Classic Humbuckers |
| Bridge | Locking Tune-o-matic Stopbar | Locking Tune-o-matic Stopbar |
| Hardware | Chrome | Nickel |
| Epiphone Les Paul Standard | Epiphone Dot |
|---|---|
Key Differences Between The Les Paul & ES-335
Solid vs Semi-Hollow Body
Let's start with the obvious. The 335's semi-hollow body offers a balance between solid body arch tops (such as the Les Paul) and the full hollow "jazz boxes" such as the ES-175.
The difference is that semi-hollows have a solid block running through the center of the body.
The advantages of a semi-hollow over a full hollow is that they can handle gain/distortion with less feedback while retaining those warm and chunky box tones.
However, semi-hollow players who are playing loud and dirty do have to learn to control the inevitable feedback using their amp and guitar settings.
The solid body Les Paul players won't have this problem to nearly the same degree, but they also don't get that distinctively depthy tonal character for which hollow bodies are loved.
The difference is that semi-hollows have a solid block running through the center of the body.
The advantages of a semi-hollow over a full hollow is that they can handle gain/distortion with less feedback while retaining those warm and chunky box tones.
However, semi-hollow players who are playing loud and dirty do have to learn to control the inevitable feedback using their amp and guitar settings.
The solid body Les Paul players won't have this problem to nearly the same degree, but they also don't get that distinctively depthy tonal character for which hollow bodies are loved.
Look & Feel
The f-hole design does add a degree of elegance to the 335, and on semi-hollows they are mostly ornamental due to the solid core dominating the timbre.
With a larger body, many players find the 335 more comfortable to sit with than most electric guitars, as it fits snugly between lap and chest.
The weight difference between the modern Les Paul and 335 is also minimal, so you shouldn't have any more problems bouncing around on stage with a 335 as you would an LP.
There are minor differences in neck, fretboard and nut profiles (see the Gibson comparisons). For example, the nut is slightly narrower on the Gibson 335's and the Standard Les Paul has a compound radius fretboard, meaning more consistent, smoother fingering up the neck.
However, in general, they're both cut from the same Gibson spec with the now standard C profile necks.
With a larger body, many players find the 335 more comfortable to sit with than most electric guitars, as it fits snugly between lap and chest.
The weight difference between the modern Les Paul and 335 is also minimal, so you shouldn't have any more problems bouncing around on stage with a 335 as you would an LP.
There are minor differences in neck, fretboard and nut profiles (see the Gibson comparisons). For example, the nut is slightly narrower on the Gibson 335's and the Standard Les Paul has a compound radius fretboard, meaning more consistent, smoother fingering up the neck.
However, in general, they're both cut from the same Gibson spec with the now standard C profile necks.
Sound
Many words have been used to describe the hollow body sound - warm, rich, full, boxy, chunky, juicy, even... squishy.
There's more of a natural resonance to the 335 that can't be covered by effects. The Les Paul, on the other hand, is more of a blank canvas in terms of layering effects and distortion.
It could be said that the Les Paul has a simpler, flatter tone, still known for its warm depth, but lacking that subtle, secondary, almost percussive layer provided by the ES-335's hollow chamber.
The decision on your part is whether you'll want the option of modern, high-gain capabilities the Les Paul can handle. Clean, there may be no contest, but for harder rock and metal, the ES-335 simply can't match the gutsy yet smooth drive of the LP.
There's also feedback to think about, especially for loud rehearsals and stage shows.
But if you're looking for those more complex, deeply resonant tones for an overall more traditional rock, blues or jazz based sound, the 335 will be a good place to start.
There's more of a natural resonance to the 335 that can't be covered by effects. The Les Paul, on the other hand, is more of a blank canvas in terms of layering effects and distortion.
It could be said that the Les Paul has a simpler, flatter tone, still known for its warm depth, but lacking that subtle, secondary, almost percussive layer provided by the ES-335's hollow chamber.
The decision on your part is whether you'll want the option of modern, high-gain capabilities the Les Paul can handle. Clean, there may be no contest, but for harder rock and metal, the ES-335 simply can't match the gutsy yet smooth drive of the LP.
There's also feedback to think about, especially for loud rehearsals and stage shows.
But if you're looking for those more complex, deeply resonant tones for an overall more traditional rock, blues or jazz based sound, the 335 will be a good place to start.