Electra 2281 Elvin Bishop

2 humbucker semi acoustic

beautiful tone sings like nothing else

this is the best guitar i have ever played and i've played a lot, matsumoku build quality frankly amazing

this will outlast me without a doubt

it seems amazing to me that electra prices are still pretty low, i;ve been playing for 25 years and this is the best guitar i've ever had or played it is a joy i'll be looking for another one of these for a backup if you ever see one for sale buy it as you will not be disappointed

This copy of a Gibson 335 was made in Japan in 1977 by the Electra Guitar Co. and I'm told it was the same factory in Japan that made the early Yamaha, Ibanez and Aria guitars. The "build quality" of this guitar is amazing and rivals ANY Gibson of the same era. In fact, I'd put this Electra up against ANY Gibson made in 1977. It would literally destroy the Gibson in terms of...EVERYTHING! I know of what I speak having owned many Gibsons from the 'boat anchor' Norlin years. God, those Gibsons were awful guitars no matter how you try and talk yourself into thinking differently.
The body is maple laminate and I'm not sure on the top but I would assume a maple laminate just like the Gibsons. You see, the f-holes are wonderfully bound so I can't see the actual top. The neck appears to be mahogany dark stained but could be maple as well I suppose. Whatever it is it's perfect! The Japanese are truly masters of copying and I'm afraid they actually surpassed the original here from the same era.
This model is the 2281 Electra 335 Elvin Bishop with the gorgeous 'tree of life' inlay all over the fretboard and it is just plain stunning! I do remember actually seeing Elvin Bishop with one of these on TV way back when I was a kid. He was one of my favorites when his album came out....'Travlin Shoes' I believe it was called.
With it's stop-tailpiece and surprisingly wonderful humbuckers, it just sustains forever!
The finish is a beautiful tobacco sunburst with a hint of red on the quilted top. The body and neck binding is perfectly seated and has turned an ever so slightly shade of green. KILLER! Oh yeah!
The hardware is chrome with the headstock having the inverted mother of pearl peace sign on the "wave" headstock. Too cool.......
The weight of this guitar is actually a little on the heavy side believe it or not and I once had a ' 64 Gibson 335 that even heavier than this Electra.
By the way, this Electra simply kills my old '64 Gibson 335. I know it may be hard to believe but it is the truth.
Rating for this guitar is a 10! It's a 335 isn't it!

The sound of this guitar through an old Marshall is nothing but glorious. It also just might be the 'biggest sounding' guitar I have ever owned and I have owned many.
The pickups are horribly microphonic and they squeal at higher settings BUT, I gotta tell you, the ToNe coming from these pickups is as perfect as any humbuckers I've ever played.
Once these are wax potted (dipped) look out!
I'm still freaked out on how great the neck pickup sounds. WoW!
Other than the microphonics....This is an easy fix.....a 10 !

I pulled the guitar out of it's original green velvet case and tuned her up and the set-up was superb and flawless. I swear you'd think this guitar was a couple of years old. It does beg to be played.
The top is bookmatched and there are absolutely no flaws on this guitar whatsoever. I have never been able to say that about any other guitar I have purchased.
Now, the pickup selector switch was bad as were the two volume pots but the dealer I bought it from reluctantly agreed to reimburse me for the parts and labor so that part worked out as well finally.
Given the fact that it's 26 years old and the switch was bad.....big deal......9.

I have not played out with this guitar but would in a heartbeat and hope to do so very soon.
I have no doubts about the reliability of this guitar!
I can't imagine playing out 'without a backup'.........would you?

Electra Guitar Company is long gone so this warrants no opinion.

I've been playing about 25 years off and on and have owned my share of "great" and "not so great" gear and I only wish I had this particular guitar in 1977 when it was made and I was young. I have a feeling I would still own it! I have tired on more than one occasion to warm up to the 335 thang and this is the only 335 that has "killed me".
The others I have had INCLUDING that '64 Gibson 335 just did not have the vibe or sustain of this guitar. This guitar really does have a soul and it just vibrates when you play it and it just feels ALIVE!
Lost or stolen........let's not even think about that...........
If you have have the chance to play an original Electra Elvin Bishop 335 don't pass it up. It just may become your favorite guitar...TOO!

I'm guessing this was made in the late 70s as I bought it used in 1983. Of course it was made in Japan. This is a 335 replica that I wouldn't trade for any 335 on the planet. It is a tabacco sunburst with the vine of life inlay in the ebony fretboard. Like the 335 it is equiped with dual humbuckers, set in neck, wood block through the center of the body, stop tail piece and does not contain any special electronics like some of the electras. Large frets and tuners that are as good as any i've used. The Neck is slightly thinner and very easy to play than the 335.

This guitar realy sings. I've played it over the years through a 60's Fender Super Reverb, a 60's Fender Deluxe Reverb, a Roland Cube 100, and a Mesa Boogie Mark IIb. All were amazing together.

Over the years I've play rock, blues, jazz, R&B and some pretty heavy fusion. This guitar held up through it all. I have about a dozen guitars today, including a 50s Les Paul jr., a Yamaha SG, and an Ibanez Metheny. Of all, this is still my favorite.

Mostly this guitar is like a custom shop 335 with a higher finish quality than your standard 335. the fretboard inlay, highly figured front and back and emaculately done binding really everyone's attention when I bring it out to play. And then I play, the can't believe that it sounds equally amazing

I've had the frets dressed in 20 years. Thats it.

Never had to deal with it. The best costomer service is to have no complaints.

Best Guitar I've ever owned or expect to. I've had many. If I can keep only one, this is the one.