Epiphone vs Gibson ES-335 vs Tokai 335 (145L)

I’ve been a longtime fan of semi-hollow guitars, especially the Epiphone Dot 335. My first one, bought around 2002, was a revelation—great playability and a tone that echoed Eric Clapton’s Live from Hyde Park vibe. As a less-than-virtuosic player, I chased that warm, singing 335 sound, and the Epiphone Dot delivered. It was the backbone of my first band’s demo recordings and a faithful companion for years.

Eventually, I sold it to fund a Fender Stratocaster—a decision I quickly regretted. By 2006, I grabbed another Epiphone Dot, but it wasn’t the same. The neck felt chunkier, the Cherry Red finish was different, and while the tone was close, it lacked the magic of my original. Disappointed, I didn’t keep it long.

In 2008, I decided to splurge. Torn between a Gibson ES-335 and an Epiphone Sheraton II, I was swayed by the “real deal” allure of the Gibson. Big mistake. The guitar needed a new nut right out of the gate, and its tone was consistently muddy and lifeless through every amp I tried. Even the shop’s amp masked its flaws during the test. A friend bought a right-handed 2008 Gibson ES-335 in the same color, and his sounded just as lackluster. After years of frustration, I sold it at a loss on eBay, relieved to move on.

Then, in 2012, everything changed. A left-handed guitar collector was offloading part of his collection, including a 2008 Gibson ES-335 and a Tokai 145L, a Japanese-made 335-style guitar built with the woods and craftsmanship reminiscent of 1950s Gibsons. I tested them side by side through my Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, and the difference was night and day. The Gibson was, as expected, dark and uninspiring—like a wet blanket over the pickups. The Tokai, though, was a revelation: clear, dynamic, and rich across all pickups, with none of the muddy low-end I’d grown to dread. It played effortlessly, felt lighter, and sounded incredible through every amp. Best of all, it cost $1,500 brand new—half the price of the $3,800 Gibson.

I’m no Gibson hater. I own two other Gibsons that sound fantastic. But the 2008 ES-335 series was a tonal letdown. A friend’s Yamaha 335, by comparison, was bright, full, and smooth—everything my Gibson wasn’t. I later learned that Gibson’s modern center block design might be the culprit behind the ES-335’s lackluster sound.

If I had to rank them, it’s Tokai first, Epiphone second, and Gibson a distant third. I wanted the Gibson to be the best, but it wasn’t. I hope their quality has improved since then. Knowing what I do now, I’d have jumped on a Tokai back in 2008 without hesitation. It’s been a game-changer—proof that sometimes the underdog outshines the legend.

Tokai 335 !