Gibson Custom CS-336 Figured Top Review

My go-to axe

I've owned my CS-336 for 15 years now and it is my favorite guitar hands down. When I was shopping I was looking exclusively at semi hollowbody jazz guitars. I went in to demo the more common and famous ES-335 but this one caught my eye. My experience with this guitar was one of love at first strum. I demoed tons of guitars, this one just felt right. To me, the measure of a… read more great instrument is when I feel that I can fully express myself through it, when I'm no longer thinking about the axe, just the feeling the music. This is a guitar that allows me to get to that happy place. It feels amazing and sounds completely, utterly, fantastic. You get the whole hollowbody experience without the extra big body of a 335, and you get solid body-like sustain from the mahogany block. The neck plays lightning fast if you need to. I play it primarily clean through a Fender Princeton Reverb for jazz/blues stuff, but it is a total rock and roll weapon and the 57 humbuckers scream when overdriven with my trusty tubescreamer. I also like that it's relatively understated- no over the top headstock or fretboard inlays, just straight up premium construction. Everyone's different, but for me this is the gold standard of how an electric guitar should look, feel, and sound. I'd encourage anyone seriously searching for a semi hollowbody guitar to give it a try.

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Nice axe

Comparing this to a 335, I find the 336 to have a tighter sound, which does nice things in large venues. The 336 has more presence and clearer tone in a big venue. It to me is a more versatile guitar if you play more than jazz. Try it out for yourself and see if you don't agree.

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The hidden gem of Gibsons

Make no mistake- The 336 is its own, unique sounding instrument. "Musical" is the best way to describe it... Sonically, it's 70% Les Paul and 30% ES-355. Vast is its range. I've played it for up to six hours in one sitting without fatigue. (completely lost myself and track of time in this guitar.) You know it's special when you forget to turn your amp on because it sounds so good… read more unplugged... I am re-inspired like never before! And as always— The Sweetwater staff members were all incredibly helpful and patient as I narrowed down my choice and made my decision!

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Dream Guitar

One expects a level of quality and craftsmanship in this price range, and the CS-336 delivers. This guitar isn't painted up with dazzling cosmetics. The value is in design, materials, and Custom Shop construction. The result is one of the greatest guitars every made. Les Paul once said the 336 represents one of his personal dream guitars. A semi-hollowbody with back, sides, and… read more center-block "carved from a single piece of mahogany". The only one of it's kind. The most labor intensive union of hollowbody and solidbody. Increased sustain, reduced feedback, with warm acoustic tonal characteristics you expect from an f-hole Gibson. Accept no substitutes. The price makes you want to lock it away from the elements, but this guitar is built to be played and enjoyed. You'll get over the financial hit quickly, but you will love this guitar for a lifetime. I named mine "Sugarfoot", after guitar legend Hank Garland, because every time she passes through a studio, she always leaves sweet tracks.

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