...very interesting comparison. I think the Guild sounds richer overall but I wonder if the ES-335 doesn't record better in a thick arrangement. I could see the Guild better for a one guitar band and the ES more suitable when a more focused niche is needed when your splitting duties on guitar...splitting hairs though - both sounds really great. Youtube needs more comparison videos like this though.
@glimmertwin1977 Thanks for the feedback. The recording quality was poor, but better than nothing. The Guild is still with me, the 335 sold to finish paying for law school. The Guild has been refretted and had some restoration work done by Guild (headstock veneer redone, pickguard fitted, neck refinished back to original color after a poor refin in the past). I am happy with only having the Guild left between the two, although the 335 was one sweet guitar.
I have a '67 Starfire IV and a '79 ES335 and like you say, they both have strong points, love em both. The 335 is more punchy and better for a lead sound like rock, blues, or country due to the stronger pickups. The Guild is more subtle sounds great on smooth jazz when you need a fat warm tone or rhythm to my ear. Either can be used for any music except maybe metal which I guess they could be utilized if boosted enough. Thanks for the video, too much reverb, not enough lead playing, (for me).
They both sound great,.the Guild sounds better to my ears. The Gibson has a chunkier neck. But IMO,.the guild just has a better tone. They are both amazing guitars. Nice demo!!
@Bulletman426 Thanks! I ended up selling the 335 during a financial crunch. The Starfire had the neck refinished at Fender/Guild Nashville along with a refret (the neck had been refinished before and was not the correct color - body is original). I absolutely love the Starfire, and while I wish I still had the 335, I don't miss it as much as I would have the Starfire.
@dicemansr77 LOL,..I should like the guild better because I have the first year made 1963 starfire ebony with the bigsby. All original and I just got it back on my 50th birthday this past Jan after a total restore. It was a surprised by my family as a gift. After all said and done it was a little over $800 to have it restored,.but the finish product is just amazing. I will have to make a video of it and let you know when I post it. The guitar is just beautiful. Thanks for posting your video
@Bulletman426 Please do let me know when you've posted that video - I'd love to see/hear it! I've only had my hands on one old Guild, which is my own.
I have a '67 Starfire V and a '74 ES-335. I find the pickups stronger, more punchy and the neck wider (better for me) in the 335. Also it's a little lighter. I still love the warm tone of the Starfire, more like a true hollowbody and the master volume on the V's. The neck on the Starfire is a little too narrow for my big hands but would suit smaller hands better. Quality is about the same. I would take the 335 for a rock or blues job first and might take the Starfire for a jazz job. love both
One last remark on the Guild, you cannot use anything heavier than 010 strings, I tried 011 chomes on the guild and found te guild beautiful sounding but very difficult to play,the Gibson you can easily use 011 strings or heavier
I had both,a 78 ES335 and now a 65 starfire 1V, the difference is larger than this video portrays, the neck is alot different as well---I found the gibson neck alot easier to play--the starfire had a tighter bottom not boomy at all--they both had pro's and cons--if I had a choice I would keep the Gibson, but it is a personal desicion-
I thought they sounded pretty much the same acoustically. I liked the Starfire plugged in better. It sounded more colorful than the 335. The 335 sounded darker. But that's just me. Buddy Guy used to play a Starfire. That guy(No pun intended) never sounded better when he played it. Once he switched to a Strat his tone sounded thinner.Not bad, just thinner. Alot of really great player use the 335, so it's hard to not like the 335. But head to head...well you heard it.
Rather than spending time saying which one has a better sound, alot like the majority of comments here. I will just simply say that in the hands of a musician who knows what they want, either has strong and low points. I personally for the type of music I like to listen to, have a strong taste for the guild. But the 335 has been a mainstream staple for a long time. So it really boils down to what, who, when and where, and why rather than which is best.
@dicemansr77 Aye, I have been starring at one for awhile. While I have no idea how to play the guitar. I plan on learning. And I'd rather learn on something I prefer hearing. There are a great many options out there. But I know what i like and what I want to do as well. Videos like yours make informed decisions easier.
Hi, cool video. I like 'm both. The snapjack is a nice gadget I never saw before.
I started looking for more guild starfire video's after I saw Feist playing one in this video doing a Ron Sexsmith secret heart cover. I notice you play the same chords :P Coincidence?? :P
The Es 335 gets annoying in the middle and bridge. It has too many highs. The guild has a more saturated tone. I like the Starfire. I have a starfire III but this IV sounds good.
Guild is special man, theyre underrated guitars
wisesatyr72 1 month ago
Sweet
Savedfromhim 2 months ago
...very interesting comparison. I think the Guild sounds richer overall but I wonder if the ES-335 doesn't record better in a thick arrangement. I could see the Guild better for a one guitar band and the ES more suitable when a more focused niche is needed when your splitting duties on guitar...splitting hairs though - both sounds really great. Youtube needs more comparison videos like this though.
glimmertwin1977 7 months ago
@glimmertwin1977 Thanks for the feedback. The recording quality was poor, but better than nothing. The Guild is still with me, the 335 sold to finish paying for law school. The Guild has been refretted and had some restoration work done by Guild (headstock veneer redone, pickguard fitted, neck refinished back to original color after a poor refin in the past). I am happy with only having the Guild left between the two, although the 335 was one sweet guitar.
dicemansr77 7 months ago
Starfire sounded better
clickswitchh 8 months ago
The guild sounds better to me
stuco 9 months ago
I have a '67 Starfire IV and a '79 ES335 and like you say, they both have strong points, love em both. The 335 is more punchy and better for a lead sound like rock, blues, or country due to the stronger pickups. The Guild is more subtle sounds great on smooth jazz when you need a fat warm tone or rhythm to my ear. Either can be used for any music except maybe metal which I guess they could be utilized if boosted enough. Thanks for the video, too much reverb, not enough lead playing, (for me).
garyguitar 10 months ago
They both sound great,.the Guild sounds better to my ears. The Gibson has a chunkier neck. But IMO,.the guild just has a better tone. They are both amazing guitars. Nice demo!!
Bulletman426 1 year ago
@Bulletman426 Thanks! I ended up selling the 335 during a financial crunch. The Starfire had the neck refinished at Fender/Guild Nashville along with a refret (the neck had been refinished before and was not the correct color - body is original). I absolutely love the Starfire, and while I wish I still had the 335, I don't miss it as much as I would have the Starfire.
dicemansr77 1 year ago
@dicemansr77 LOL,..I should like the guild better because I have the first year made 1963 starfire ebony with the bigsby. All original and I just got it back on my 50th birthday this past Jan after a total restore. It was a surprised by my family as a gift. After all said and done it was a little over $800 to have it restored,.but the finish product is just amazing. I will have to make a video of it and let you know when I post it. The guitar is just beautiful. Thanks for posting your video
Bulletman426 1 year ago
@Bulletman426 Please do let me know when you've posted that video - I'd love to see/hear it! I've only had my hands on one old Guild, which is my own.
dicemansr77 1 year ago
@dicemansr77 I lost my Father when I was 7 and he left this to. He purchased it new in 1963. Awesome!
Bulletman426 1 year ago
I have a '67 Starfire V and a '74 ES-335. I find the pickups stronger, more punchy and the neck wider (better for me) in the 335. Also it's a little lighter. I still love the warm tone of the Starfire, more like a true hollowbody and the master volume on the V's. The neck on the Starfire is a little too narrow for my big hands but would suit smaller hands better. Quality is about the same. I would take the 335 for a rock or blues job first and might take the Starfire for a jazz job. love both
garyguitar 1 year ago
One last remark on the Guild, you cannot use anything heavier than 010 strings, I tried 011 chomes on the guild and found te guild beautiful sounding but very difficult to play,the Gibson you can easily use 011 strings or heavier
rickso12 1 year ago
I had both,a 78 ES335 and now a 65 starfire 1V, the difference is larger than this video portrays, the neck is alot different as well---I found the gibson neck alot easier to play--the starfire had a tighter bottom not boomy at all--they both had pro's and cons--if I had a choice I would keep the Gibson, but it is a personal desicion-
I play it through a Victoria 20112,
rickso12 1 year ago
I thought they sounded pretty much the same acoustically. I liked the Starfire plugged in better. It sounded more colorful than the 335. The 335 sounded darker. But that's just me. Buddy Guy used to play a Starfire. That guy(No pun intended) never sounded better when he played it. Once he switched to a Strat his tone sounded thinner.Not bad, just thinner. Alot of really great player use the 335, so it's hard to not like the 335. But head to head...well you heard it.
Paulsworks 1 year ago
Rather than spending time saying which one has a better sound, alot like the majority of comments here. I will just simply say that in the hands of a musician who knows what they want, either has strong and low points. I personally for the type of music I like to listen to, have a strong taste for the guild. But the 335 has been a mainstream staple for a long time. So it really boils down to what, who, when and where, and why rather than which is best.
xavier0307 1 year ago
@xavier0307 I love that old Starfire... I miss the 335, but for me, the Starfire just works.
dicemansr77 1 year ago
@dicemansr77 Aye, I have been starring at one for awhile. While I have no idea how to play the guitar. I plan on learning. And I'd rather learn on something I prefer hearing. There are a great many options out there. But I know what i like and what I want to do as well. Videos like yours make informed decisions easier.
xavier0307 1 year ago
Hands down the 335....
mayito714 1 year ago
Thanks for this, wish you had a dry sound without reverb to color the tones.
garyguitar 1 year ago 2
Hi, cool video. I like 'm both. The snapjack is a nice gadget I never saw before.
I started looking for more guild starfire video's after I saw Feist playing one in this video doing a Ron Sexsmith secret heart cover. I notice you play the same chords :P Coincidence?? :P
Tjhungwell 1 year ago
Hmm...I like the 335 better in this particular comparison. However, I have a '66 Starfire III that I like better than both of these. Such a gem.
Billysrocketnards 1 year ago
@Billysrocketnards
I just got the Guild back from the Guild repair center - it got a refret and rewire. It sounds even better than before!
And... you're not exactly getting the true sound of these guitars through my crappy camera mic!
I'm selling the 335 to pay some bills - but the Starfire won't be going anywhere. That is one fantastic guitar!
dicemansr77 1 year ago
I´ve had a 1967 starfire V, i´m glad i changed it to a Gibson 335. 335 has much more tone and depth.
ac81017 1 year ago
@ac81017
I'm sure that there is plenty of variation between individual guitars as well. The 335 definitely has a broader range than the Starfire...
dicemansr77 1 year ago
The Es 335 gets annoying in the middle and bridge. It has too many highs. The guild has a more saturated tone. I like the Starfire. I have a starfire III but this IV sounds good.
lolita48230 2 years ago
@lolita48230
I think I'm with you. I love the 335, but for the warmer tones I commonly associate with a semi hollow, the Starfire is great!
dicemansr77 1 year ago
Nice guitars. Overall, I prefer the 335, especially on the neck pickup. The Guild seemed to shine best on the bridge.
ruleta74835 2 years ago
Guild produces heavier mids.
Gibbys brighter
crazyfreak1919 2 years ago
I like the sound of the Gibson more. I really like that guitar man, your lucky!
Zeptallica13 2 years ago
Nice demo. I recently tried both and ended up with a SF iv and couldn't be happier. What a great guitar.
sPop75 2 years ago
@sPop75
The Starfire has become one of my favorite guitars, without question. Congrats on yours!
dicemansr77 1 year ago
Think i like the guild better.
adamglock 2 years ago
cool
TheOjedad23 2 years ago
Both guitars sound great!
BluesZep 2 years ago
thks for the demo, the guild sounds darker sounding, not as bright, I find them a close comparison, it just depends how the neck feels
rickso12 2 years ago