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A few weeks back, Epiphone announced the launch of their Inspired by Gibson Custom line of guitars. Featuring classic, period-correct design details and premium Gibson appointments like Gibson Custombucker humbucker™ pickups, CTS® potentiometers and Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors, these models promised something of a step up for Epiphone, Gibson’s little-brother brand. So, as you might imagine, I was eager to get my hands on one.
You see, I’ve always liked Epiphone guitars. As a budding young guitarist and obsessive Beatles fan, I clocked John Lennon's Epiphone Casino in the Fabs' “Paperback Writer” video, and a lasting impression was made. I never had qualms with their quality, either, and have always viewed them as a great value in the budget guitar market. So the news that they were further stepping up quality and detail with this line in collaboration with Gibson was pretty exciting for me.
Cut to a couple of weeks later, when I was fortunate enough to receive a new Sunburst Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1962 ES-335, which is basically like the Casino I always wanted, but better—and here, I’m going to tell you why.
Quick Overview
Unboxing and First Impressions
The first thing that struck me about this guitar, besides the really nice Epiphone hardshell case it came in, was the finish. Epiphone describes this finish as “Vintage Gloss,” which, I think, was designed to replicate the look and feel of the original Nitrocellulose lacquer that was used on the originals (plus contemporary Gibson models).
It’s not quite the sticky high-gloss shell you typically get with a brand-new guitar—it’s a bit more matte, slightly satiny to the touch, and lends the guitar a vintage vibe that I can’t help but feel is begging for a relic job, or at the very least some genuine road- and stage-wear! Plus, I’m a sucker for sunburst (going back to that “Paperback Writer” video), so the Tobacco Burst finish is a win for me (although I would have been just as happy with Cherry Red!).
The guitar’s got a nice heft to it (there’s no official weight listed anywhere that I could find, but I would guess around 6 or 7 lbs) due mostly in part to the solid maple center block.
Visually speaking, the sheer degree of period-correctness is what makes this guitar so cool for a vintage nut like me. From the Ivoroid keystone buttons on the Epiphone DLX tuning machines, to the first-year-correct mother-of-pearl block inlays, to the ‘60s Top Hat knobs, the details are all spot-on, so you feel like you’re holding a piece of history in your hands.
Tone and Playability
All those period-correct details add up to a guitar that is not only a joy to behold but a pleasure to play as well. The ‘60s SlimTaper “C” profile neck is just what you would expect from a ‘62 ES-335—quite thin at the nut, with a gentle taper that makes it feel a bit meatier in the hand the further up the neck you go.
The rounded fretboard edges are another real plus here. Designed to make the guitar feel “played-in,” this slight beveling where the fretboard meets the neck makes this instrument feel extremely comfortable in the hand.
The 1962 ES-335 Reissue comes set up from the factory with .09s, a thinner string than I typically play these days (I have .11s on my Gibson Les Paul P90 Goldtop), and you know what? I’m actually not complaining. It’s just insanely shreddable this way, making for some really fun jam time, screwing around with different amp models and whatnot.
But the tone I really found this guitar feeling at home with was a clean Fender amp model (specifically the Dream ‘65 from Universal Audio), dialed right at the sweet spot with just the slightest bit of breakup, with the guitar on neck pickup. That’s how an ES-335 is supposed to sound, in my opinion—played loud through a big, high-headroom Fender tube amp the way B.B. King did. Sweet and punchy.
But that’s not to say that’s the only way this guitar sounds good—ES-335s have been used on iconic country, jazz, and even punk recordings, and this one is no different. I, for one, plan on using mine with my country band as well as with my rock band (sadly, I don’t have a blues band!), so that bridge pickup is going to be seeing a lot of action as well.
Other models to consider
1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue
Like the 1962 335 Reissue, the 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue is Epiphone's spin on a classic Gibson design. But the Les Paul Special is on the opposite end of the ubiquity spectrum from the 335—more of a collector's, IYKYK situation.
1964 SG Standard Reissue With Maestro Vibrola
1964 is peak SG—it was the year the Sideways Vibrato was replaced with the much more dependable Maestro Vibrola. The heart of this guitar is a center-seamed two-piece mahogany body, beveled for comfort in the classic SG style—and, oh yes, two USA Gibson Custombucker humbucking pickups with Alnico 3 magnets.
Verdict
Gibson and Epiphone have been on an absolute tear lately, making really cool guitars that pay tribute to their vintage forebears (and isn't that really what everyone wants?), and the proof is in the pudding with the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Reissue line.
Vintage instruments are incredibly cost-prohibitive for beginners, casual players, and working professional musicians alike. But just because you don't have a whopping budget for vintage gear doesn't mean you shouldn't be allowed to play instruments that look, sound, and feel like the real thing. So, kudos to the good people at Epiphone for making our dreams a reality with this collection.
While the price point is a bit higher than you would typically expect to pay for an Epiphone, what you're getting is a ton of premium Gibson appointments (and design!) packed into an Epiphone build. Which is to say, a really high-quality build that happens to have been done in China. I think these are great guitars, and I hope to continue to see a lot more of this type of thing from the folks at Gibson and Epiphone.
Quick Overview
A great review of this new epiphone 1962 es 335 reissue. I think the quality and price of this Epiphone guitars warrants a serious look. That being said, I researched the other similar Epiphone es335 and es 355 models. So while this a good reissue,I think another Epihone should also be considere. The Epiphone Shinici es 355 has features not found on this es335. An ebony fretboard, 5 ply binding , 5 color options,different pickups and the famous vari- tone switch gives the player more tone options for $100 less and used ones under $1,000.00. Epiphone is the real deal nowadays !
Good answer!