Product: ACS S101 ES-335
Price Paid: US $219
Submitted
10/18/2004
at
11:17pm
by
Anonymous
Features
:
10
3 month old Chinese made 21 medium-jumbo fret, beefy set-neck, es335 dot semi-hollow body electric. No lables inside the f-holes, or anywhere visible. Multi-bound body front and back and bound rosewood fretboard and headstock. Two volume, two tone, vintage amber knobs, two humbucker, one toggle (3-blade switch = nice, but mine needs replacing), one top mounted jack, all with the same configuration as Gibson and other 335s. 24-3/4" scale mape neck, and what appears to be maple-laminate body, but done well. Sunburst finish looks great, but there are tiny finish cracks around the neck, and a few areas with dust and crap in the finish, mostly on the f-holes. Tune-O-Matic bridge, schaller-like tuners. Overall great for what it is
Sound
:
9
Sounds okay clean or with a little reverb through a 50w Rocktron, but it isn't great (but GOOD for the price). The sound though seems to be from the electronics, that is, when I can get the toggle switch to work (easy replacement, but annoying). Neck and bridge p-ups do their job. I can get some really sweet tones in all positions, which is expected from a 335 design. For the price, I'm happy with it, but I will replace the toggle switch.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
Decent action with 11 guage strings. I haven't had to readjust the truss, but I may just to see where it goes. As purchased it was quite playable, as much as my Epiphone. Evident right away is the nice grain and the tight construction. Some finish cracking around the neck. There are a few tiny grain imperfections on the back and neck, but the top is nice. Again, for the price its nice. The headstock is much more proportionate than my Epi, very Gibson-like.
Reliability/Durability
:
7
Except for my toggle switch problem, this guitar could stand up to live use, and should last some time. Thick finsh may be the cause of the minor checking. Although, my Epi has neck-checking, too. I need to change some electronis before live playing, though, so I'll score lower even for the price.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:
10
I've played electric and classical since 1983. I own a Strat, Tele, LP, Epiphone, and now this (I was curious to see about this one). These days I play mostly jazz on my electric. If lost I would definitely replace it, and may very well sell my Epi now. A good 335 design true to form and playable is tough to come by for under $250 new. I was very pleased when I opened the box, and more so after about an hour of playing.
