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Vintage Guitars VSA500 Review – This could be the best 335 that isn’t a Gibson!
Introduction
I think we can all agree that 335-style and semi-hollow guitars are simply incredible! They’re fun to play, always sound fantastic, and look stunning. However, due to their design, materials, and manufacturing processes, they tend to be quite expensive. And even if you manage to find an affordable option, chances are slim it will be available in a left-handed version. But guess what? We think we’ve found the perfect solution! An affordable semi-hollow guitar that prioritizes quality, playability, and sound. Introducing the Vintage Guitars VSA500!
Having played several Gibson ES-335s and owning an Epiphone ES-335, I feel well-equipped to evaluate the Vintage Guitars VSA500. That said, I’ll approach this review with an open mind and judge the VSA500 as its own unique instrument, rather than comparing it too closely to Gibson or Epiphone.
So, let’s dive into the specs and features of this beautiful guitar!
Vintage Guitars VSA500
Vintage Guitars are designed in the UK and built to high standards, offering affordable instruments that deliver exceptional sound, tone, and playability. They’re designed to cater to everyone—from beginners picking up their first guitar to seasoned pros in need of a reliable touring axe. Vintage Guitars aim to provide the perfect tools for guitarists, and I happen to own one of their impressive Vintage VSA500 models.
So, what exactly is the Vintage Guitars VSA500? In short, it’s Vintage Guitars’ take on the iconic Gibson 335 semi-hollow design we all know and love. The twist? They’ve made it affordable while still packing it with impressive features! Curious about the specs? Well, like most ES-style guitars, the VSA500 keeps things straightforward when it comes to electronics and layout (unlike the more intricate Gibson ES-345). Let’s take a closer look.
Design and Construction
The slightly offset body is crafted from mahogany, as is the one-piece set neck. The neck is topped with a rosewood fingerboard featuring 22 medium-jumbo frets, a Graph Tech NuBone nut, and a sleek high-gloss finish. In fact, the entire VSA500 boasts a stunning high-gloss finish. True to its design heritage, the guitar has a 24.75” scale length.
When it comes to electronics and hardware, the Vintage VSA500 is equipped with Grover machine heads, dual volume and tone controls, and a 3-way toggle switch—all located exactly where you’d expect. These components work in harmony with two “vintage-voiced” Wilkinson humbucker pickups. At the bridge, you’ll find a Wilkinson Tune-O-Matic (T.O.M.), while Grover machine heads secure the headstock.
More on the Boss IR-2
The model I own is finished in a striking Cherry Red, though left-handed players can also opt for a Natural Walnut finish. I chose Cherry Red because it’s the color most closely associated with this style of guitar. It’s worth noting that the Vintage VSA500 doesn’t include a gig bag or hard case, and it’s priced at around £439, depending on where you shop.
The Sounds
For sounds, we kept it simple: we loaded up some jam tracks, dialed in a few tones, and let loose! It was an absolute blast to jam over different tunes and let the guitar shine. For the tones, we ran the Vintage VSA500 straight into the Boss IR-2 (check out our review here). All the gain you hear in the video comes from the IR-2, while the delay effect is Logic’s stock Stereo Delay plugin.
We explored a wide range of tones with the Vintage VSA500 by pairing it with various pedals. From pristine cleans to crunchy overdrive and wild fuzz, this guitar handled everything we threw at it, making the entire experience a ton of fun.
What do you think of the video style? Do you enjoy the jam-track approach? Would you like to see more content like this? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’d like to sample some of the jam tracks we used, head over to the Elevated Jam Tracks YouTube channel. The creator is a fantastic guy who produces some of the best backing tracks out there—perfect for practice or performance!
What are my thoughts?
I’m a huge fan of the offset design! If you’ve read our other reviews, like our Munson Avenger review (check it out here), you’ll know we love guitars that feel familiar yet carry a modern touch. The Vintage VSA500 captures this perfectly. At first glance, it seems familiar, but when you take a closer look, the offset design really stands out. The curves and shaping of the body and neck are simply lovely!
For this guitar, I chose the Cherry Red finish—and let me just say, I’m in love! A guitar of this shape almost demands to be either Cherry Red or black. However, the red was deeper than I anticipated. Still, it’s absolutely gorgeous!
"The sticky feeling on the neck can be easily managed with a quick wipe-down after playing or occasional cleaning."
Playability
Before we dive into the sound, let’s talk about how it plays. The neck has a lacquered finish, which can sometimes feel “sticky,” but the shape is excellent. It’s a fairly thick neck—not as chunky as a baseball bat, but not slim either. You know you’re holding something substantial, making the Vintage VSA500 a joy to play.
The sticky feeling on the neck can be easily managed with a quick wipe-down after playing or occasional cleaning. For a permanent fix, you could use steel wool (though proceed with caution and at your own risk).
One standout feature is the tuning stability. This guitar holds tuning remarkably well. During a two-hour rehearsal, I only needed to tune up a couple of times. For simpler strumming or chord work, I doubt I’d need to retune at all! This means the VSA500 is not only reliable but also gig-ready. I’d have no hesitation using it for casual gigs or even heavy gigging.
More on the Vintage Guitars VSA500
Now, let’s get to the sounds! I’ve truly fallen in love with how this guitar sounds. The stock pickups—two Wilkinson vintage-voiced humbuckers—are fantastic. I had my doubts initially, thinking affordable pickups might sound muffled or flat, but they proved me wrong.
The bridge pickup is punchy and clear, delivering excellent articulation, while the neck pickup is everything you’d want from a humbucker: warm and mellow. Together, they give this guitar a wide tonal range and versatility.
The volume and tone pots are responsive, providing smooth adjustments and a satisfying control curve. The question on everyone’s mind: “Does it sound like a 335?” My answer: absolutely! It carries that Gibson ES-335 aura and tonal character. When you play it, there’s no mistaking it for anything other than a semi-hollow guitar with that iconic shape and layout.
Price
Let’s talk price! The VSA500 is in a similar price range to the Epiphone ES-335 but is about £100 cheaper on average. In my opinion, it offers incredible value for money. In fact, I’d argue it’s just as good—if not slightly better—than the Epiphone.
"While this isn’t necessarily a downside, it’s worth mentioning. If you’re looking for a 335-style guitar that ages gracefully with a worn, vintage look, this isn’t it."
Any Negatives?
Of course, at this price point, the finish won’t rival what you’d find on a Gibson or Heritage. For instance, if you look inside the F-holes, you might notice some visible wiring. It’s not a big deal, but something I picked up while photographing the guitar.
Additionally, the VSA500 has a polyurethane (poly) finish. While this isn’t necessarily a downside, it’s worth mentioning. If you’re looking for a 335-style guitar that ages gracefully with a worn, vintage look, this isn’t it. The poly finish will keep the guitar looking brand new for its entire lifespan. Whether that’s a pro or a con depends on your personal preference!
Conclusion
I’ll be honest—I haven’t spent much time with Vintage guitars in the past. However, I’ve absolutely loved my experience with the Vintage VSA500! It’s got me excited to try out more of their models, maybe even explore their Custom line. Who knows? Perhaps a Les Paul-style guitar could be next on my list!
What about you? Could you see yourself choosing this guitar over an Epiphone? Personally, I’m incredibly impressed. I can’t wait to put the VSA500 through its paces with some heavy gigging to see how it truly performs in a live setting.
As always, I want to be transparent: this guitar wasn’t a freebie from Vintage Guitars. That said, they did offer me a small discount on it. However, they’ve had no involvement in this review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own!
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