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D'Angelico Deluxe DC
Epiphone ES-335 Figured
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Playability
72
Sound
77
Build
74
Value
69
Score
74
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Playability
73
Sound
65
Build
58
Value
70
Score
65
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D'Angelico Deluxe DC vs Epiphone ES-335 Figured

Reasons to Get
D'Angelico Deluxe DC over Epiphone ES-335 Figured

Country of Manufacturing
South Korea vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2022 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Pickups Brand
Seymour Duncan vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Scale Length
25'' (635mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone

Reasons to Get
Epiphone ES-335 Figured over D'Angelico Deluxe DC

Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25'' (635mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Value Score
70 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
D'Angelico Deluxe DC vs Epiphone ES-335 Figured

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Bridge vs Alnico Classic PRO
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Neck vs Alnico Classic PRO
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Maple vs Flame Maple
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs NuBone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
D'Angelico Deluxe DC vs Epiphone ES-335 Figured

Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Semi-Hollow
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the D'Angelico Deluxe DC is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the Epiphone ES-335 Figured's 65 score, although not by a lot.

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Epiphone ES-335 Figured has the upper hand when it comes to playability, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the D'Angelico Deluxe DC.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the D'Angelico Deluxe DC is the better choice.

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Epiphone ES-335 Figured meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

D'Angelico Deluxe DC
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone ES-335 Figured
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

D'Angelico Deluxe DC Overview

  • From D'Angelico's 2022 Deluxe series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Laminated Maple body
  • 3 piece: Maple/Walnut/Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Neck (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gold Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • C-Shape Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover 509 Super Rotomatic, Locking tuners
  • Weight between 7.2lbs (3.3kgs) and 7.45lbs (3.4kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone ES-335 Figured Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2020 Inspired by Gibson Original ES Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Layered Maple, AAA Flame Veneer body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Rounded C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Epiphone Deluxe tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the D'Angelico Deluxe DC

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Woods Used in the Epiphone ES-335 Figured

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel
Flame Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Flame Maple

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

Winner: Epiphone ES-335 Figured.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC has pickups from a more specialized brand than the Epiphone ES-335 Figured. Its pickups should simply give you a better, fuller sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: D'Angelico Deluxe DC.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the D'Angelico Deluxe DC comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

D'Angelico Deluxe DC pickups switch and push knobs diagram
D'Angelico Deluxe DC's switch options
Epiphone ES-335 Figured pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone ES-335 Figured's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: D'Angelico Deluxe DC.

Final Sound Quality Scores

D'Angelico Deluxe DC
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 63
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Epiphone ES-335 Figured
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 65

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the D'Angelico Deluxe DC compares to the Epiphone ES-335 Figured.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The D'Angelico Deluxe DC is built in South Korea while the Epiphone ES-335 Figured is made in China.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: D'Angelico Deluxe DC

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Epiphone ES-335 Figured comes with a NuBone nut. It's made by the same company that makes TUSQ nuts. It's slightly softer but hard enough to give you a brighter sound when playing open strings. It's also self-lubricating, so it's good for tuning stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: D'Angelico Deluxe DC.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
D'Angelico Deluxe DC
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone ES-335 Figured
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

D'Angelico Deluxe DC
Quality of materials 66
Features 75
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 74
Epiphone ES-335 Figured
Quality of materials 58
Features 55
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 58

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

D'Angelico Deluxe DC Nut Width
D'Angelico Deluxe DC Nut Width
Epiphone ES-335 Figured Nut Width
Epiphone ES-335 Figured Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Epiphone ES-335 Figured has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Epiphone ES-335 Figured, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

D'Angelico Deluxe DC's Scale Length
D'Angelico Deluxe DC's Scale Length
Epiphone ES-335 Figured's Scale Length
Epiphone ES-335 Figured's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The D'Angelico Deluxe DC has the longest scale: 25". The Epiphone ES-335 Figured is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.25'' (6.4mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

D'Angelico Deluxe DC Neck Profile
D'Angelico Deluxe DC's neck profile
Epiphone ES-335 Figured Neck Profile
Epiphone ES-335 Figured's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the D'Angelico Deluxe DC and the Epiphone ES-335 Figured have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

D'Angelico Deluxe DC Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the D'Angelico Deluxe DC and the Epiphone ES-335 Figured have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Epiphone ES-335 Figured favors large hands more than the D'Angelico Deluxe DC.

D'Angelico Deluxe DC:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone ES-335 Figured:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

D'Angelico Deluxe DC and Epiphone ES-335 Figured Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

D'Angelico Deluxe DC
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Epiphone ES-335 Figured
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

D'Angelico Deluxe DC vs Epiphone ES-335 Figured
General D'Angelico Deluxe DC Epiphone ES-335 Figured
Brand: D'Angelico Epiphone
Year: 2022 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea China
Series: Deluxe Inspired by Gibson Original ES Collection
Colors: Yellow Blue Burst, Sunburst Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Laminated Maple Layered Maple, AAA Flame Veneer
Bridge: Gold Tune-O-Matic Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover 509 Super Rotomatic, Locking Epiphone Deluxe
Fretboard: Ebony Indian Laurel
Neck Material: 3 piece: Maple/Walnut/Maple Mahogany
Decoration: Mother of Pearl Split Block Small block
Scale Size: 25" 24.75"
Shape: C-Shape Rounded C
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Bone NuBone
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover A4 Neck (Humbucker / Passive) Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Bell
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 2 2