Fake Chinese Import DG model 335 Guitar Upgrade

At the time I was writing the script for this video I found several Gibson Dave Grohl Signature model guitars used on Reverb. The metallic gold model is the least expensive model with the lowest price I found was in the mid $7k. The Pelham Blue model started around $17k and went up depending on condition. On average they were in the $20ks. I could never justify spending that type of cash on a guitar.

Dave Grohl has been seen playing a DG model guitar with the Epiphone logo on the headstock. He was seen playing it during a recording of Austin City Limits. I wish that Epiphone would come out with a DG model 335 although I am guessing it would be $1200 to $1400 for a signature epi model if they follow the Kirk Hammett Greeny pricing.

In the meantime, I was watching YouTube videos on the import models of this guitar that come from China and folks upgrading them to the specs of the Gibson guitar. I know, I know, this is a controversial subject. If you are a content creator on YouTube and want light up the comments section on a guitar video – just release a video on a Chinese made Gibson knockoff guitar. Very polarizing subject.

I had never worked on a 335 model guitar before and wanted to see if I was up for the challenge.

I took a look at AliExpress and ordered mine from a company called Xanadu Express for a total of $ 283.94 delivered.

I was not expecting much in the way of quality.

My plan was to replace the tuners, nut, pickups, electronics, and bridge. In my experience these parts on a Chinese knockoff are for as I would put it – looks only. Otherwise utter trash in the quality department.

I purchased a set of Gibson Burstbucker 1+2 pickups in mint condition for $200 on Reverb. New they run about $150 each so $300 per set. Most references show this as the pickup set being used in his signature model guitar.

Next, I ordered a Premium 335 Pre-Wired Harness
for Gibsons, EPl's with CTS550k Custom Pots for $119 from Atlantic Custom Guitars on Reverb. It is described as –

• CTS Pots:- Are 550k with less than 5% tolerance.
• Switchcraft 3-way toggle switch
• Pure Tone Jack
• Gavitt Braided Wire

This kit uses short shaft pots. If your 335 is an import, your 4 pot holes and jack will
need to be opened out to 3/8" – this is something I did need to do later in the video.


For the tuners I ordered a set of Grover Mini Self Locking Rotomatic Guitar Tunning Machines, Chrome, 6-in- line, 18:1 Gear Ratio for $65.

For the nut I ordered Graph Tech TUSQ XL Epiphone Style Slotted Nut for $14

And last I ordered a used Epiphone ES-335 Tune-O-Matic LockTone Bridge Tailpiece for $30 used on eBay.

I have since ordered the correct knobs since I broke all four of the ones that came with the guitar. I really do not consider this a loss as the quality was horrible. What is seen in the video are 4 black Stratocaster knobs that I am using until the correct ones arrive.

I have been apprehensive to do this modd project because as I said earlier, I have not upgraded a 335 style guitar before. I do not know if you have noticed but my fingers are about the size of a loaf of bread, and I anticipated having a horrible time getting the wiring harness through the F hole and installed.

I was amazed that using a few tricks and tools I did the whole wiring harness swap out in about 15 minutes.

I did need to enlarge the four potentiometer holes to 3/8s with a drill. The reamer I have did not work because it would bottom out on the back of the guitar inside the cavity.

I fed a string through the center of the output jack, and this helped me easily feed it into its hole.

I used the Stew Mac 335 wiring helper tool. Yes, if I had wire coat hangers, I could make this tool for nothing. My wife does not allow these in the house, so therefore it was easier for me to just buy one from Stew Mac.

I am glad I did because it really helped with feeding the pots into the holes inside of the guitar. I would use the wire tool to feed the neck of the pot into the hole and then grab it from the top side with a pair of forceps.

Observations

The 335-wiring installation is a lot less difficult than I had anticipated and will do more 335 guitar projects.

I hate the headstock. It is just a neck break waiting to happen and has me nervous. The cool thing is I do not have that much invested in this guitar and could remove/harvest all of the parts back out and reuse them. This is why I did not trim the length of the wire on the pickups.

Once I removed all of the old parts off of this guitar the neck and body is actually very serviceable. The neck is straight. The frets need some work, and I will do that in a later project. Overall, the guitar is okay. A huge improvement over the last Chinese made copy I purchased.

I removed the Gibson logo off of the headstock. I have no intention of ever selling this guitar, but I think having the Gibson logo on the headstock is just a million ways inappropriate.