Product: Electra SA-35 335-Style
Price Paid: US $325 used
Submitted
09/22/2001
at
09:45pm
by
Vee Lucie
Features
:
10
If you can find an Electra from the late 70's consider it a find. What we have here is a fantastic example of 70's Japanese excellence.
Just as with Yamaha's, Ibanez's and Aria's of that era this example was most likely made at the Fuji Gen-Gakki plant in Matsumoto, Japan.
It is a true to form ES 335 (Gibson) type of guitar. But it has a high end finish. It is what the THE Les Paul is to the Les Paul series, but in this case it is a semi solid ES 335 body shape. The F-holes are the same as a Gibson and not like the recent Korean oversized holes that dominate guitars of this type these days. The binding is black/white/tortoise and exudes a quality feel. The hardware is gold plated nickel but as this model is a 1977 most of the gold is gone. It has two humbuckers as you would expect and is replete with large diamond/trapezoid abalone/MOP inlays much like a Yamaha SA2000. The neck seems to be maple with an ebony board and is very very playable. And as with all Electras (Howard Roberts, MPC's, etc) the headstock has the double E/inverted peace sign logo in Abalone. There is binding everywhere and this model must have been at the top of the line. The size and proportions are almost exactly Gibson and this adds to its authenticity. Whereas recent Epiphones fall short in this department, Electras are right on!!!
Sound
:
10
Sound wise it is a virtual ES 335 what more can I say. I love Japanese guitars of this era and seek them out fervently. It was the same with the American auto industry of that era. America slacked off and so did Gibson and Fender. And the Japanese were there to pick up the slack.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
see above...as I don't want to be redundant.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
The guitar is already 24 years old and it looks fantastic.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
SLM (St. Louis Music, you know, Crate Amps. et al) distributed them in this country. But Electra, sadly, is out of business. That is a pity. But if they were made today they would probably come from Korea and while these guitars are improving they do not match the Japanese output of that era.
Overall Rating
:
10
I have been playing for 33 years and have had all of the great guitars at one time or another. I won't wait for it to get stolen...if I can find some more I will buy them. It is every bit equal to a Gibson or an Ibanez of that era.
