Echotone Comments

Michael_B

Michael_B

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I'm toying around with idea of trading down my 335 (life changes) and getting a copy.  I'd welcome folks' thoughts on the model.  I've read conflicting reports on the scale length.  What's the neck contour like?  Any other low-cost copies that I should consider?

 
I think you might like one of these.

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I have had two of these and sold the second one cause after really digging it, I am not a big bodied guitar guy. Having only played a few 335s I can't give you an accurate comparison so I will leave that to others. I thought the neck on the Echotones I had were nice D shaped pieces where as every 335 I have played had a thin-ish neck to them. Reminded me of a few SGs I have played. Pretty standard import neck sizing really on the Echotones. I think this version of the model would suit your tastes. IIRC, these had the Duncan Design Duncan Distortion in the bridge and a DD 59 in the neck. Bridge pickup on both was real nice for getting Ted Tones. 

 
Michael_B said:
I've read conflicting reports on the scale length.
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They're not conflicting as much as they're both correct depending on country of manufacture.

The earlier MIK models were long scale and the later MIC models were short scale.

 
I've heard the Epi Dot series is pretty good for the price. I think you can get them on sale at GC sub $200

I know the Gibson 335 can sell for some coin so for about half that you can get a used Heritage 535. I love mine. 

ETA: I have no experience with the Ecotone, sorry.

 
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Just don't trade down your camera.    You produce some of the best Hamer guitar portfolios on the HFC. 

BTW there is a red MIK Echotone on Reverb for $400 or offer.

 
Had this:

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Sold it after getting an original 1960 ES-330. Great guitar. Nice medium C and really well made. I changed out the tuners and pickups, and it was gig-worthy. After looking at  similar stuff by many manufacturers, I thought I got the best of the lot.....

...until a buddy got an Epiphone Sheraton II (I think).  It's probably the best import (of any type) I've ever played. I would have guessed it at 3 times the money. Definitely one to consider.

 
+2 on the Epiphone Sheraton.  Not sure if there are different countries of manufacture or not, but I've played several and they were all better guitars than the price.  I didn't feel the same way about the Echotones. OK guitars and good for imports, but I'd drop the $250-300 for the Sheraton in a heartbeat before spending $350-400 on an Echotone.  

YMMV.

 
Don't forget about the various Yamaha and Ibanez offerings (though I am not as fond of the Ibby's shape). Great guitars for the money.  Saw an advertisement for some new Ibanez signature model that actually had a beefy neck - some time last year.  I'll see if I can find that.

Ah, here it is: the Eric Krasno Model, EKM100

Any color you like, so long as it is wine red:

EKM100_WRD_00_01.png


Ah, scratch that.  No longer available and was very spendy when it was.  Used one here, at just under two grand.  Not the step-down you were looking for.  Sorry.

 
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Another vote for the Epi Sheraton II.  I just picked the newer "Pro" version and love it.  The pickups and electronics (including coil splits on the volume pots) are surprisingly good, and it plays very easily.  Fret ends were a bit sharp and needed a basic set up to clean up intonation, but I expect that with a new import guitar - no big deal.  It's more expensive than the Epi Dot, but the 5 piece Maple/Walnut neck and the upgraded pickups over the Dot were worth it, IMO.

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Check out the Washburn HB35.  They are excellent and can be had used sub $500.  Some of the older mik models are buzz feinten from the factory (if that matters to you).  

 
The Ibanez AS-180 is a worthy contender. I'm fortunate enough to have one. They were made in Ibanez's premium Japanese factory. They're very much like the Scofield or AS-200 models, except they have dot markers and rosewood FB instead of ebony. I've taken the pickups out on mine and determined that the center block is spruce and routed just like an original ES-335. Instead of a one-piece mahogany neck, it's primarily mahogany with a couple of maple layers to improve neck stability. The neck is on the thin, fast side rather than the hand-filling original 1958-60 Gibson profile. Still, it's a very stable neck and great for upper fretboard chording and solo work.

They've been out of production for some time, but nice ones go for around $1200. Not only do they cop the vintage ES-335 sound/vibe well, but the sunburst is much clasier looking than a late '50s Gibson, and with the coil splitter the tonal range is broader. I put a Duncan Jazz at the neck and '59 at the bridge. Hot and versatile combination. If you search Reverb and eBay you'll find some.

 
Ting Ho Dung said:
Doesn't Gibson also make a Manhattan or Marathon or some such named guitar that sells used sub 1k? 
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Midtown. - love mine. Inbetween a 339 and 335 in size. Actually its a chambered solid mahogany body, not a hollowbody w/ a center block like the 335 types. Got it to do jazzy solo gigs, then I had Stike add a TV Jones Powertron Plus (the Billy Gibbons signature pup, a cross between a filtertron & an PAF, sounds like a P90 on steroids) so I could use it on rawk gigs.

Midtown.jpg

My pal Dave has an Echotone, its a nice guitar after pup upgrades but too big of a body for me (I'm 5'7"). I also briefly had an Epi 339, very small body size and very good tone but the upper fret access was limited. The Midtown is a keeper, it has the best tone and upper fret access, and is the right size for me. FWIW, despite their larger sizes,  the Ibanez 335 types I've played were also pretty cool, as were the Epi Sheratons and 335s.

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Eastmans are quite good too, and a grest value. Used market on them seems to be good for buyers. MIC, but made well with top quality materials. Something worth a gander.

 
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