• Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
  • Posts: 269

Topic: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

A couple weeks ago my brand new JB 335 arrived but the neck tone knob was off and when I went to push it back on it wouldn't stay so I canceled the purchase.  For a couple more bucks I placed an order for a Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 VOS.

While searching the net I discovered a 2004 or 05 Collings I-35 Deluxe from a nationwide store and they only wanted a few more bucks than what I paid for the Gibson.  I contacted the store's AM and he rambled on about the great conditions the guitar was in.  The top is quilted, the neck inlays are parallelograms and the color is cherry.

Those that know Collings guitars know about their handmade quality so my question is, which guitar do I choose?  I am able to still cancel my Gibson order.

The big difference is tone and where the Gibson has the growl from the 57 pups the Lollar's less so.  I mostly play classic blues rock and never travel to the jazz darkside.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  • From: Adelaide, South Australia
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 1,339

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Indy wrote:

A couple weeks ago my brand new JB 335 arrived but the neck tone knob was off and when I went to push it back on it wouldn't stay so I canceled the purchase.  For a couple more bucks I placed an order for a Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 VOS.

While searching the net I discovered a 2004 or 05 Collings I-35 Deluxe from a nationwide store and they only wanted a few more bucks than what I paid for the Gibson.  I contacted the store's AM and he rambled on about the great conditions the guitar was in.  The top is quilted, the neck inlays are parallelograms and the color is cherry.

Those that know Collings guitars know about their handmade quality so my question is, which guitar do I choose?  I am able to still cancel my Gibson order.

The big difference is tone and where the Gibson has the growl from the 57 pups the Lollar's less so.  I mostly play classic blues rock and never travel to the jazz darkside.

You canceled a guitar because a tone knob came off?? That sounds really silly to me. All you would have had to done was wedge a flat-head screwdriver into the gap of the shaft of the pot and separate the shafts slightly, easy fix.

http://www.stefanhauk.com

stefanhauk's Website

  • Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
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Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

It sure should be an easy fix and after three or four tries by their tech to spread the shaft the knob stayed on but with an easy tug you could pull the knob off.  This is not an issue one should have to deal with when spending $3K+ on a guitar and so it all comes back again to Gibson's QA or lack thereof.

This is probably why the Collings I-35 appears to be a better choice…tone questions aside.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

The build quality on Collings is second to none.  If I didn't already have a Yamaha SA2200, which covers my semi acoustic needs brilliantly, I would be saving up for the I-35.

Heard nothing but good reports about it.  Very expensive new, but I've seen a couple of second hand ones come up on TGP lately.  Still quite a lot of money, but probably down to the ballpark of a Gibson ES-335...

I've got a Collings 290 en route from the US as we speak... can't wait.

Good luck with your purchase.  I would say go for the I-35!!  Look forward to your tone report... smile

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

I think Collings Guitars are going to blow away a lot of anything on the market really.  You pay more for them too.  Big thing is they are owned and operated by 1 guy not corprate companies like Gibson.  I don't think he even has 50 works.  If you can swing it go with the Collings they got cooler knobs anyway ;P

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with a Collings handbuilt guitar.

They're a bit pricey but the details and the tone seem to please their owners.

conorb

  • Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
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Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Went with the used Collings I-35 Deluxe.  Fit and finish of the Collings won hands down but tone is in the ear of the beholder so I won't cover that ground.  The Collings is brighter I think due to the Lollar pups but with a tube screamer I get plenty of growl especially with my Plexi.  The difference in price between a new Gibson vs. used Collings was $400…money well spent.

Here are some pics:
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35g.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35d.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35a.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35c.jpg

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Indy wrote:

Went with the used Collings I-35 Deluxe.  Fit and finish of the Collings won hands down but tone is in the ear of the beholder so I won't cover that ground.  The Collings is brighter I think due to the Lollar pups but with a tube screamer I get plenty of growl especially with my Plexi.  The difference in price between a new Gibson vs. used Collings was $400…money well spent.

Here are some pics:
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35g.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35d.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35a.jpg
http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc4 … _I-35c.jpg

That's a stunner!  Congrats!

conorb

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Did you consider the I-35 LC?

  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Congrats Indy!  Fantastic looking I-35... a beauty!

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2011-01-01
  • Posts: 411

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Very nice.....congrats.

Bonaburst #18, JB Epi #191, MusicMan Darklord, LP Cherryburst Traditional Plus, Gigliotti GT, Takamine, Takamine 12 string, Martin D-28 & GPCPA1, Fender Amer STD Strat, Fender Custom Shop Gold Metalflake, Custom "OSU" Wagner Tele, Gibson SG Limited Govt Model, Jim Kelly Combo
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2010-11-23
  • Posts: 192

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

Sweet !!!!! :-)

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

"Nice" one...congrats.........the flame looks good!

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • Indy
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  • From: Philly
  • Registered: 2011-01-04
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Re: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 or Collings I-35 Deluxe?

wharris wrote:

Did you consider the I-35 LC?

Actually I was looking for a 335 and had ordered one from GC which was suppose to take 8 to 12 weeks and then I saw the Collings on their used gear website and had it shipped in from the South Field, MI store.  I was in no position financially to buy a new Collings whether it was an LC or Deluxe.  I did research the LC thought and it sounds great and I wouldn't think twice about adding one to my collection.  Collings are really fine guitars.

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.