What is the body construction of the Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed?

It features a semi-hollow design with a layered maple body and a solid maple centre block. This configuration is designed to provide the resonance of a hollowbody while controlling feedback like a solid-body guitar.

Which pickups are installed in this model?

The guitar is equipped with a pair of Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers. These pickups are designed for high output and clarity, delivering a thick and articulate tone.

Is this guitar specifically for left-handed players?

Yes, this specific model is manufactured with a left-handed orientation. All controls, the cutaway, and hardware are mirrored to accommodate left-handed musicians.

What finish is available for this specific model?

This model comes in a classic Cherry finish. It is a traditional aesthetic that is closely associated with the ES-335 series since the 1960s.

How does the semi-hollow design affect the sustain?

The semi-hollow design, combined with the solid centre block, provides 'endless sustain.' This allows notes to ring out longer, which is particularly beneficial for melodic solos.

What is the typical price range for this guitar?

The typical price for the Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed Cherry is approximately GBP 495. Prices may vary slightly based on the retailer and current promotions.

Can this guitar handle high-gain settings?

Yes, the solid centre block helps to suppress the feedback issues common in fully hollow guitars. The Alnico Classic PRO pickups are also high-output, making it capable of handling rock and blues overdrive.

How does this compare to the Gibson ES-335?

The Epiphone version is a more affordable alternative that retains the basic design and dimensions of the Gibson original. While it uses different materials and electronics, it offers a similar aesthetic and playing experience at a lower price point.

What genres is the ES-335 best suited for?

It is a highly versatile instrument suited for jazz, blues, rock, and indie music. Its ability to produce both warm clean tones and thick overdriven sounds makes it a 'workhorse' guitar.

How does it differ from the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue?

The standard ES-335 is a modern production model, whereas the 1962 Reissue is designed with specific vintage-accurate specifications and hardware. The 1962 Reissue typically targets collectors and players seeking a specific era-accurate feel.

Is the Epiphone ES-335 heavier than a fully hollow guitar?

Yes, because it contains a solid maple centre block, it is generally heavier than a fully hollow instrument. However, it is often lighter than many solid-body electric guitars.

What is the difference between this and a Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body?

The Gretsch Nashville is typically a fully hollow instrument with different pickups (often Filter'Trons), leading to a 'twangier' sound. The ES-335's semi-hollow build and humbuckers provide a warmer, fatter tone with more sustain.

Gear article

Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed Cherry

The Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed in Cherry is a semi-hollowbody electric guitar designed as an accessible alternative to the legendary Gibson ES-335. Built specifically for left-handed players, it features a double-cutaway design and Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers to deliver a balance of sustain, resonance, and articulate high-output tone.

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Overview

The Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed Cherry is a modern interpretation of the historic 'Electric Spanish' design that first debuted in the late 1950s. This model provides left-handed musicians with a classic aesthetic and a versatile tonal palette. The guitar is defined by its semi-hollow construction, which incorporates a solid centre block to reduce feedback at higher volumes while maintaining the airy resonance of a hollowbody instrument. The Cherry finish is a signature look for this model, evoking the 'Sixties Cherry' aesthetic found on more expensive vintage counterparts.

Design and Hardware

The guitar features a layered maple body with a solid maple centre block. This construction is essential for the instrument's sustain and structural integrity. It is equipped with a pair of Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers, which are designed to provide a high level of output. These pickups are engineered to produce a thick, fat sound while ensuring that individual notes remain articulate and clear. The hardware typically follows traditional ES specifications, providing a reliable platform for both rhythm and lead playing.

Sound and Performance

In terms of sonic character, the Epiphone ES-335 is noted for its superb resonance. The semi-hollow design allows chords to ring out with prominence and provides a singing quality to solos. The Alnico Classic PRO pickups offer a versatile range; they can deliver warm, jazz-inflected tones or punchy, overdriven blues and rock sounds. The high-output nature of the electronics ensures that the guitar can cut through a mix, while the clarity prevents the low-end from becoming muddy during complex riffing.

Target Audience and Comparisons

This instrument is primarily suited for left-handed guitarists seeking a versatile, all-rounder guitar that covers genres ranging from jazz and blues to indie and rock.

When compared to alternatives, it serves as a budget-friendly entry point relative to the Gibson ES-335 Sixties Cherry or the Gibson ES-345. While it lacks the premium price tag of a Gibson, it retains the core functional design. Players looking for a smaller body might consider the Gibson ES-339, while those seeking a different tonal profile might look at Gretsch models like the Nashville Hollow Body. For those specifically seeking vintage-accurate specs within the Epiphone line, the 1962 ES-335 Reissue is a notable alternative.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the body construction of the Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed?: It features a semi-hollow design with a layered maple body and a solid maple centre block. This configuration is designed to provide the resonance of a hollowbody while controlling feedback like a solid-body guitar.
Which pickups are installed in this model?: The guitar is equipped with a pair of Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers. These pickups are designed for high output and clarity, delivering a thick and articulate tone.
Is this guitar specifically for left-handed players?: Yes, this specific model is manufactured with a left-handed orientation. All controls, the cutaway, and hardware are mirrored to accommodate left-handed musicians.
What finish is available for this specific model?: This model comes in a classic Cherry finish. It is a traditional aesthetic that is closely associated with the ES-335 series since the 1960s.
How does the semi-hollow design affect the sustain?: The semi-hollow design, combined with the solid centre block, provides 'endless sustain.' This allows notes to ring out longer, which is particularly beneficial for melodic solos.
What is the typical price range for this guitar?: The typical price for the Epiphone ES-335 Left-Handed Cherry is approximately GBP 495. Prices may vary slightly based on the retailer and current promotions.
Can this guitar handle high-gain settings?: Yes, the solid centre block helps to suppress the feedback issues common in fully hollow guitars. The Alnico Classic PRO pickups are also high-output, making it capable of handling rock and blues overdrive.
How does this compare to the Gibson ES-335?: The Epiphone version is a more affordable alternative that retains the basic design and dimensions of the Gibson original. While it uses different materials and electronics, it offers a similar aesthetic and playing experience at a lower price point.
What genres is the ES-335 best suited for?: It is a highly versatile instrument suited for jazz, blues, rock, and indie music. Its ability to produce both warm clean tones and thick overdriven sounds makes it a 'workhorse' guitar.
How does it differ from the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue?: The standard ES-335 is a modern production model, whereas the 1962 Reissue is designed with specific vintage-accurate specifications and hardware. The 1962 Reissue typically targets collectors and players seeking a specific era-accurate feel.
Is the Epiphone ES-335 heavier than a fully hollow guitar?: Yes, because it contains a solid maple centre block, it is generally heavier than a fully hollow instrument. However, it is often lighter than many solid-body electric guitars.
What is the difference between this and a Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body?: The Gretsch Nashville is typically a fully hollow instrument with different pickups (often Filter'Trons), leading to a 'twangier' sound. The ES-335's semi-hollow build and humbuckers provide a warmer, fatter tone with more sustain.