‘Flame’ Neck on New ES-335 IG

[alstrs]

I decided I wanted an Epiphone ES-335 IG, having heard so many great things about them. I found one marked down online that was allegedly in a local store, so I went in and asked if they could find it, which they did. It looked and sounded to be in good shape, although it was a bit dusty and had some rust on the strings, so I bought it. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the neck had some very distinct striping along its entire length, all the way up through the headstock. I’ve tried to find any other examples of this model with a similar look, and I haven’t yet. Has anyone else gotten any fun unexpected patterns in theirs?

And by the way, I love this guitar. It plays beautifully. I figuratively can’t put it down.

 

[Norton]

 

[Daz84]

Very nice guitar you have there mate, they are great guitars for the money. No, mine has not got a flamed neck, looks like the previous owner changed the knobs on it as well, looks really cool.

 

[Charles Carter]

View attachment 24131

That's gorgeous.
Great find.
Enjoy!

 

[stevekolt]

Nice! Play the heck out of it

 

[3bolt79]

That is so cool. Nice flame.

 

[barryflan]

I recently bought an Epi Wilshire in red, It also has a lovely flame in the neck. As soon as I saw that, I had to get it. It's also a 1-piece neck - no scarf, no heel piece, which surprised me.

 

[GenghisBomb]

Love that flame! Odd, as they're supposed to have mahogany necks. I dig it though!

There's some kind of magic in that 335 design. It can't be quantified or qualified, but it's just there. Definitely a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts!

Wait until you play a Gibson 335, you'll be cursed...

But those IBG's are good enough for any stage or studio!

 

[Robb Paholsky]

Yes, my 1981 Sheraton (Japanese) has that pattern. It's painted in "Tobacco Burst" so a lot of it is covered.

 

[alstrs]

Very nice guitar you have there mate, they are great guitars for the money. No, mine has not got a flamed neck, looks like the previous owner changed the knobs on it as well, looks really cool.

Hey, thank you for pointing that out! You helped me realize this is a different model than I thought. I was inspecting the knobs and found that they’re split-coil. So I now think this is an ES-335 Traditional Pro in Wine Red. It’s also under the Inspired by Gibson umbrella, so its model name just reads ‘ES-335 IG’ in the sound hole. Confusing. Thanks for your keen eye!

 

[soulman969]

I decided I wanted an Epiphone ES-335 IG, having heard so many great things about them. I found one marked down online that was allegedly in a local store, so I went in and asked if they could find it, which they did. It looked and sounded to be in good shape, although it was a bit dusty and had some rust on the strings, so I bought it. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the neck had some very distinct striping along its entire length, all the way up through the headstock. I’ve tried to find any other examples of this model with a similar look, and I haven’t yet. Has anyone else gotten any fun unexpected patterns in theirs?

And by the way, I love this guitar. It plays beautifully. I figuratively can’t put it down.

View attachment 24132
View attachment 24131

Welcome to our forum and congrats on your new ES335.

 

[Daz84]

Hey, thank you for pointing that out! You helped me realize this is a different model than I thought. I was inspecting the knobs and found that they’re split-coil. So I now think this is an ES-335 Traditional Pro in Wine Red. It’s also under the Inspired by Gibson umbrella, so its model name just reads ‘ES-335 IG’ in the sound hole. Confusing. Thanks for your keen eye!

Ah cool, yeah it definitely seems to have different specs to the standard es-335 IBG so you have got a really good find there, very nice. I only noticed the knobs as thats the sort of little mods i do on guitars, normally add thumb bleeders as well if it hasn't got them, sometimes the little details can really set the look off (the details that nobody else notices). I added a wide bevel (60 deg) pickguard to mine as well to give it the more ‘vintage look’. Tried to add a pic but it says too big…. something my wife has never said!

 

[FrieAsABird]

That’s a dreamy neck! I love mine, but it’s only got some standard figuring in the wood. Still a great guitar!