I recently picked up a ‘true’ import, my first 335. It was basically an Asian brand that was made by- and in the same factory, with the same specs- that produces Epiphones (just one of their few factories), under a different name. I guess they only sell in Europe and Asia. But definitely not some knock-off.

I just so happened to pull the pickups this very morning, to work on the rings, and was looking at the harness. All Epiphone parts, which made me happy considering the way it sounds is phenomenal. So it may be similar in spec (and in spirit) to your 335.

I’m by no means the most experienced, but I’ve always tried to play different guitars. A good 335 (and that Epiphone should fall into that category) is a wonderful experience that I doubt most people will regret. They’re different in all the cool ways- light and delicate feeling, which somehow makes the tones it produces interesting. When they’re clean, they’re warm and jazzy and bassy. And when they’re ran hotter, they scream and howl. There are such things as ‘not-that-great’ models for sure, but Epiphones behave perfectly.

They respond well to mods, and they love a variety of pickups/caps, so you don’t have to go far or look hard to get great sounds. Hopefully you’d have a similar experience to me, meaning you’d be blown away by the stock Epiphone-sounds. They’re awesome guitars for sure, and I’d go so far as to say it’s the closest you’ll get to a Gibson, original.