oK I always wanted a ES 335 Gibson which this Epiphone is a copy of. I play professionally for most of my life at age 53  saw this guitar for this price and wondered how good can this copy be. My main guitar is a 78 Les Paul deluxe, top of the line Gibson gold plated the works. Had it since I was 18 and there is nothing like it in any way. I went to Gibson factory last year in Nashville and tried all Les Pauls below the deluxe level they were nice but not as smooth at any level untill you get the top of the line Les Paul. In fact I found the basic to mid range Gibsons no better quailty then this Epiphone. The difference really comes in the top level models.