They say the 335 can do it all. Seems that it can!
Those tones you have in your head? They are all to be found in this amazing reissue of the quintessential classic guitar in a classic year. This is the one Clapton played, albeit in red.
The neck feels great and the action was perfectly set up by the Thomann team for the 8s I asked to be put on. I like it light. The chords just flow out effortlessly. Easily the smoothest guitar to play I've ever had. You wonder if it's worth the extra outlay to go for the custom shop reissue. I mean, how much better can it be? And when you pick it up you understand. It has "the magic", whatever that is.
A few months ago I was fortunate enough to acquire the 59 Les Paul reissue from Thomann as well. Same pickups. Same electrics. Same neck, essentially. So the difference in sound between that solid body mahogany and this 335's maple-poplar semi-acoustic body is therefore just down to the bodies. And they do indeed sound and play very differently.
To use the technical terms we musicians often employ, the LP sounds more juicy. More attack immediately in the note. The note does feel more solid in the hand. And this 335 sounds more airy, more hollow. Which it should, I guess, since that's what it is physically. The chords feel more delicate.
One surprise was just how much top end there is. It really can bite. It has nylon saddles but they don't seem to make any difference to the sound in themselves. When I use the same amp settings as I use for the LP, this 335 really benefits from backing the tone off a little to get that blusey ambiance.
This is probably the best guitar I have ever played. Period. And Thomann service is as reliable as ever. Many thanks!
