This is a great reply and I just want to vouch for Epiphone. If you don't like the size of the ES-335, try the ES-339. Best guitar I have ever owned and it cost over 3X less than my expensive Gibson Les Paul that was mostly a waste of money. After wasting over 12 years of trying to play Les Pauls and Strats, I have no idea why I never tried the 339 sooner. It weighs significantly less than a Les Paul, and even has a better sound (more balanced instead of being blaringly loud at full volume like the LP is). Being a semi-hollow body, you can definitely hear a difference when switching string types on it and the versatility of the ES guitars cannot be understated, they truly can handle every type of music.
We have reached a point in guitar manufacturing where cheaper guitars made in China and other countries are just as good as the super expensive USA built guitars. I've had some great Squiers made out of China, and a Mexican built Fender Strat that was a solid gigging instrument, but my ES-339 being my best guitar was a China build.
Just wanted to point out too for anyone who is into classic rock, Epiphone's AlNiCo Classic Pro pickups are the best bang for your buck pickup set for trying to achieve that PAF humbucker sound. They came in my 339 and I was seriously blown away by how good they sound. They are light years better than the USA made Gibson pickups in my Gibson Les Paul and far better than the pickups Epiphone was using just 5 years ago. With a good clean amp, they instantly get that sweet 60s Eric Clapton Bluesbreaker/Cream tone and the Allman Brothers sound.
This is a great reply and I just want to vouch for Epiphone. If you don't like the size of the ES-335, try the ES-339. Best guitar I have ever owned and it cost over 3X less than my expensive Gibson Les Paul that was mostly a waste of money. After wasting over 12 years of trying to play Les Pauls and Strats, I have no idea why I never tried the 339 sooner. It weighs significantly less than a Les Paul, and even has a better sound (more balanced instead of being blaringly loud at full volume like the LP is). Being a semi-hollow body, you can definitely hear a difference when switching string types on it and the versatility of the ES guitars cannot be understated, they truly can handle every type of music.
We have reached a point in guitar manufacturing where cheaper guitars made in China and other countries are just as good as the super expensive USA built guitars. I've had some great Squiers made out of China, and a Mexican built Fender Strat that was a solid gigging instrument, but my ES-339 being my best guitar was a China build.
Just wanted to point out too for anyone who is into classic rock, Epiphone's AlNiCo Classic Pro pickups are the best bang for your buck pickup set for trying to achieve that PAF humbucker sound. They came in my 339 and I was seriously blown away by how good they sound. They are light years better than the USA made Gibson pickups in my Gibson Les Paul and far better than the pickups Epiphone was using just 5 years ago. With a good clean amp, they instantly get that sweet 60s Eric Clapton Bluesbreaker/Cream tone and the Allman Brothers sound.