John Gatski is the Publisher & Executive Editor of Pro Audio Review.
Gibson's low-frill entry version of the classic dot-neck ES-335 is a steal at $1,699, duplicating the essence of its big brother, but with a signature of its own that is just a delight to hear.
Features
The Gibson Memphis model ES-333 is similarly proportioned to the ES-335 with a double cutaway laminate maple/poplar body. It sports a 24.75-inch scale mahogany neck, kluson knock-off tuners and the sustain-enhancing 17-degree headstock angle. The satin-finish, which brings out the acoustic tone better than poly or thick lacquer layers, is thinly applied the way I like it.
Electronics-wise, the 333 contains alnico magnet humbuckers (490R and 498T). Tone controls and volume for each channel per the 335. The familiar stop tail piece and tune'omatic bridge complete the hardware.
To keep costs down, Gibson only provides a gig bag, but it is well padded, and with the money you save over a 335, you can buy a nice case and still have cash left over.
The Audition
The ES-333's sound and playability was shockingly impressive. Its acoustic tone was louder than many of its brethren due to the satin finish, and with .010-.46 inch Gibson strings, it nailed that 335 tone immediately. You could play the warm jazz (courtesy my 66 Deluxe Reverb, funky rhythms on Gibson's GA15RV reissue or make a crunch overdriven sustain via a early 1980s Marshall JCM800. Setup right out of the bag was excellent. There was no buzz, intonation was dead-on, and it held tune perfectly.
The only negative was a slightly muddy sounding neck pickup; no amount of tweaking of height and pole piece adjustment could brighten it up. I have played many 490Rs and have always found them to be balanced; thus, I chalked this one's dense sound to this particular pickup. Conclusion
Gibson's Memphis factory is cranking out some nice guitars at good prices that sound good and appear to be consistent in quality. We reviewed the Memphis-produced ES-337 last year and liked that one as well.
If you want the 335 sound, you owe yourself a visit to a Gibson dealer, and try the ES-333.
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