Gibson ES-225
Peter Franklin
ES-225 a bit. I have played so many classical and "boutique acoustics" that
if someone asked me which one is a good one to purchase, I would be somewhat
at a loss as there are many factors involved and it really is an individual
matter. So I know that it is not easy to just say "It is a great guitar, buy
it!" I just haven't seen many ES-225's around (are they rare?). The ES-175
obviously has a long history of devoted fans. Is the ES-225 kind of an
oddball model? There is only one pickup that sits sort of in the middle of
the guitar rather than just below the fretboard. Also, as it is a bit
thinner than the ES-175, I am curious as to how this affects the tone. Do
larger guitars have a richer acoustic sound (when plugged in)?
Thanks again and thanks for your patience with my "amateur hour" questions.
Peter
Greg
Peter, you are doing the right thing by asking.
First, ask yourself why you have not seen many ES-225's around. Are they rare
because they are so collectible? Or is it because it flopped as a model?
The ES-225 with the pickup in the middle can offer neither traditional jazz or
rock tone with the pickup situated where it is. It's tone will be different, not
necessarily worse, though.
I think that's the model with the barrel bridge attached directly to the trapeze
tailpiece where the string simple ride over it, right? There's no wood
bridge/saddle combo, AFAIK. Do you want that?
As for collectibility, there is a guy that ruins a Gibson/Gretsch collector's
site. He is a collector of vintage archtops and offers grading on various
vintage models. I'd give you the URL but I can't find it. As I recall, he graded
the ES-225 a "D" or "D-" for collectibility.
Personally, I think your $1,200 would be better spent elsewhere. I did a quick
check on EBAY and only could turn up one auction. THe ES-225 had the original
bridge/tailpiece replaced, bit was otherwise original. It only made it to $665
before dying.
For that same $1,200 you could get a used Heritage H575+case or a new Gibson
ES-135LE+case from Musicians Friend or Zzounds.com. Heck for $475 shipped, you
could get the one that JAZ is promoting - SAmick Royale RL-3 (no case - see:
http://marketplace.amazia.com/kwim-v/default.asp?page=3009)
The Gibson ES-135's only cost $999 shipped. They are a thinline, semi-hollow
archtop but share the exact other body dimensions as the ES-175 as well as body
material (maple), finish type (nitrocelluose [???]), and pickups/electronics
('57 Classic humbucks). The only thing about the ES-135 is that it doesn't yield
dark sounds like, say, a Washburn HB35S (which has a really dark neck pup). An
ES-135 is brighter, livlier. You have to like the '57 Classic pups to like an
ES-135 for jazz, but when you consider that both the ES-175 and ES-335 use the
same pups... The ES-135 is a master of versaility for blues/rock/jazz. No, it is
not a dedicated jazz guitar, but it literally can do anything with those 2 pups
(same as 175/335). The case is Gibbie's premium lined case.
To be honest, I prefer my Epi Joe Pass with SEymour Duncan '59 PAF humbucks for
low volume, normal jazz, but for anything else - high volume anything, rock,
blues, etc, my ES-135 is way better. I thought about swapping the neck pup on my
135 for a SD '59 PAF, but nixed it when i realized that I'd not be able to use
the neck pu for everythig else like I do now.
In the end, you must decide. You are going down a well-traveled road here in
RRMGJ, just don't get side-tracked like I and many others do lookig for that
perfect guitar. What we perceive as perfect today will be stale 12 months from
now, prompting many of us to get new gear. Get a jazz guitar and make it work.
Learn to love it and stick with it.
Of course, amps have a lot to do with it, but that's yet another road to travel
- and we've all been there. Currently, Clarus seems to be the darling hereabouts
but they are not super cheap (not real expensive either when compared to
boutique tube amps, which are over-priced anyways).
For $999 shipped, the 135 get's my nod for a new archtop with case and lifetime
Gibbie warranty.
Greg
>
>
> Peter
Clyde Spillenger
willing to pay upwards of $2000 you should try to find a double-pickup
version. I've always been negative about that single pickup sitting in
the middle. It does affect the sound, I think. I prefer to be able
to get a true "neck pickup" sound which is better achieved when the
pickup is in, well, the neck position.
Peter Franklin <peterf...@mac.com> wrote in message news:<B8D3E89B.3A22%peterf...@mac.com>...
Greg
Greg
I see from your prev post that you are willing to spend up to $2,000. I thought
you were in the $1,000 market which is why i suggested the ES-135. At the $2,000
price mark, the number of choices available to you for high quality jazz guitars
explodes - Heritage, Guild X-series, ES175's, ES-335's and many others.
May I suggest that you study the market and what's available before rushing into
a purchase. THe ES-225 might seem tempting in the condition it is in, but I
would plunk down over $750 for one of those with a single pup. They're just an
ES-125 when it comes down to it.
Here are some excellent resources for buying...
http://www.legatoguitars.com run by RRMGJ contributor and specialty archtop shop
owner Bill Fender. You may pay a little mroe buying from him as opposed to EBAY,
Harmony-Central, etc, but you'll be guaranteed to get what you want.
http://www.wolfeguitars.com/ run by RRMGJ contributor and Mr. Heritage himself,
Jay Wolfe. You wanna a brand new or almost new Heritage? I'd talk to him about
what he can offer.
Another person to contact is Robert Hardy at rober...@aol.com He buys and
sells archtops and stops in here now and then. Though I've never bought anything
from him (his stuff is usually outta my low-end league), I did sell him a guitar
awhile back. He's been around for ages and is trustworthy. In fact, due to his
rep, I sent him the guitar & case prior to receiving his payment. Email him and
see what he's got to sell.
Let's not forget JAZ (Jack Zucker) as he may be in the mood for something new
and be willing to part with something. He hangs out here, too.
To check prices, you might want to try http://www.ebay.com and, at the main
screen type in archtop or arch top (to hit 2 different groups of spelling) For
$2,000 I think I'd feel better dealing with Jay, Bill, fellow RRMGJ'er, a local
shop - just someone I sorta know.
Greg
Thom j.
We'll have to put you in one of the trade magazines as a reviewer now!
Go girl, Go! :)
P.S. Maybe GAS does pay off in the long run? :)
"Greg" <oas...@cox.net> wrote in message news:3CAF15F8...@cox.net...