El Degas ES 345

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Degaslore
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El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

Hello all. Pleased to present the ES style guitar I have been seeking for quite some time and brought home tonight. In remarkable condition with flawless electronics. Did not mind forking out $400 with a case for this rare beauty. A nice companion for my recently acquired maple neck El Degas Les Paul.

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charles
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by charles »

Congrats!!
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.

El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 :shock: (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
Degaslore
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

It`s really hard to capture the shade of what appears to this color-blind fellow as a dark wine red? Two of a perfect pair.

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I wonder where all the rest of these lovely hollow-body El Degas guitars ended up? They don`t show up on Kijiji all that often? A very nice grain is revealed when looking at the body under certain lighting conditions.

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charles
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by charles »

If I remember correctly from when I had this model it is more of a natural Walnut (which is a bit reddish) than a wine red.

You don't see them often, but they do come around once in a while. They are neat guitars, the varitone is interesting.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.

El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 :shock: (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
Degaslore
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

I`ll take your word on that color Charles. This El Degas does not feel much heavier than the 2008 Chinese Epiphone Casino I unloaded this morning happily for $400...the same as what I paid for this El Degas bad boy. Perhaps this is steep, but who cares? It walks all over the Epiphone in craftsmanship and feel. Interestingly, it lacks the center block of it`s 335 cousin. I went into this purchase with some knowledge but this pleasantry caught me off guard. I rather like the light weight. Only the superior appointments and perhaps wood itself add to the slight difference in weight over my departed Casino.
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charles
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by charles »

No centre block on the 345? Hmm! Mine had to have been the same, but some reason I though the 345 had a centre block.
I started ElDegas.com many years ago to help celebrate and inform about El Degas instruments. It all started with a used Ric 4000 bass copy I bought in circa 2000.

El Degas stable as of 03/2022: 42 :shock: (13 bass, 26 electric, 3 acoustic)
Degaslore
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Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2012 12:38 am

Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

The fellow had this advertised as a 335 which the varitone immediately proved otherwise. My first impression was 347 after dismissing the 355. An image search on Yahoo had me settle on 345. Now perhaps further research is warranted? The lack of a center block really introduces a curveball doesn`t it? Another mystery in the world known as El Degas?
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Barry
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Barry »

Yup, walnut, based on the pics. And yup, 345, basically a 330 with a Varitone circuit.
A quick way to identify these things: when you see a trapeze tailpiece, you can pretty much be sure it's open inside (330). A tone block down the middle (335) also serves as an anchor for a stop tail which is bolted into it, so no trapeze needed.

B B King is the most visible user of the Varitone circuit, and going way back, you'll also find Trini Lopez models so equipped. Many feel these are "tone suckers". I don't care much for them, but others obviously get on just fine.

She looks very good and should sound great! Congrats.
Degaslore
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

Thanks Barry !! I`ve been awaiting your words of wisdom. The varitone is a new thing for me. Always intrigued by the ES-355 that Alex Lifeson used so much in the late `70s and early `80s and has resurrected for some songs on recent tours. And I`m one that likes to keep things simple. The varitone is a novelty item I suppose, but I sure do like the host !! The fellow that sold me this last night is the same guy who sold me the maple Les Paul a couple months ago. He also had one of those El Degas whatchamacallit 6-string solid body electric guitars....you know the ones I mean. Original design of the late 70s early 80s often with the neck-through body and stubby double cutaways and coil taps. He was asking $250 with case. However, it was bolt-on. Nothing wrong with that of course, but with that particular guitar, I`d prefer to wait for the neck-through......tempting as it was. Thanks again Barry and Charles for sharing your knowledge.
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Barry
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Barry »

Don't know about wisdom, just lived a long, long, time. :mrgreen:
But hey, you're welcome!

Keep in mind that if the varitone is not your cup of tea, it can easily be removed from the circuit which would essentially leave you with a 330. Or, more likely, you'll experiment and find one setting you like, and just leave it there.
sambonee
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by sambonee »

That's the same 345 as my minty green one that was refurbished. In order to stabilize the previously delaminates body of mine the crafstaman decided to put a partial block inside to better hold the neck. I also changed all the electronics and funny enough I kept the varitone. Positions 1&2 are useable as fixed spots for soloing. Work quite well with overdrive or fuzz. I'm in milton / Mississauga if you ever wanna get together and compare their tonal differences.
ItchyFingers
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by ItchyFingers »

That guitar is absolutely gorgeous!
Degaslore
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by Degaslore »

Thanks itchyfingers ! Sounds remarkably good unplugged being that it`s 100% hollow {no center block}.
sambonee
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Re: El Degas ES 345

Post by sambonee »

The model that fellow was also selling is sometimes referred to as the Alembic clone. I had the set neck and now have the neck thru. Well worth the wait!!!!!! Amazing guitar.
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