[JohnnyCrash]

I'd like to hear an update on gerry's 345

+1 59Bassman, 5E3's are pretty magical.

I was going to say the Valco/Gretsch is likely similar to a 5E3 tweed Fender Deluxe, but darker on the top (no cathode bypass on the 6V6's) and thinner in the mids (smaller coupling caps, which may actually balance the top a bit). If coming from single coils to humbuckers and wanting similar sounds, but brighter and meatier, a 5E3 would be close to the Valco/Gretsch, but maybe brighter for a single coil guy using humbuckers.

Otherwise, the Bandmaster and Showman should sound fantastic.

As far as emulating hero's tones... aint nothing wrong with that.

Plug your hero into any guitar/amp and you'll still recognize the playing - plug any of us into our hero's guitar+amp and we'll still sound like ourselves - and not like our hero. It's all bought from the same mortal factories, regardless of who you are

Tone is in the equipment, talent/individuality is in the hands.

[eggman]

Howdy,

First, I'd like to give a big Texan "Howdy" to my TDPRI buddy JohnnyCrash! I recently acquired a Dr. Z Carmen Ghia and couldn't be happier! This amp is so touch sensitive with my ES-335CRR. The SD '59s replacement P/Us are perfect for this guitar.
Plugged straight into that Carmen Ghia (w/ a 12-inch Weber AlNiCo Silver Bell) and turned up to around 11 O'Clock, I'm in puuure raunch heaven. Makes me feel and sound very Keith Richards-ish. Also, remember the solo from Rod Stewart's "Hot Legs"? The 335 into the Ghia gets you there.

Eggman

[johnreardon]

There isno 'best' in anything whether it is amps or guitars. It's all down to personal tastes. You have some nice amps, so I would just learn how to adjust the controls on those to get the sound you like in your guitars.

I use valve amps with my guitars, but can easily adjust to using SS amps if attend a jam and that's all they have, as I had to last week.

I still sounded roughly the same as I do when using my own valve amps

[59bassman]

UPDATE to my earlier post of Nov 08:

I did get a 57 Deluxe and yes the 335 can sound very nice through it, but the best guitar for that amp is a Les Paul by a mile...!

No, I still looked and found by mistake somewhat, an excellent mate for my 335 in the form of the Fender Super~Sonic!

I got a nice Blonde combo version with spring reverb and when dialed into the Vibrolux channel, well, you get natural harmonic vibrato with these two - as if they sing to each other!

This is now my nos 1 choice for my Gibson 335 in clean conditions, well, any conditions come to that!