Head to head
ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White vs Gibson ES-335
The verdict
The ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White comes out ahead overall — 84 to 71 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
ESP XJ-2 Ht Snow White wins on
- Better build (97 vs 87)
- Better playability (78 vs 67)
- Better sound (77 vs 63)
- Better value (81 vs 60)
- Lower price ($1,699 vs $2,500)
Gibson ES-335 wins on
No standout advantage.
Scorecard
| Metric | XJ-2 Ht Snow White | ES-335 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 84 | 71 |
| Build | 97 | 87 |
| Playability | 78 | 67 |
| Sound | 77 | 63 |
| Value | 81 | 60 |
Full specifications
| Spec | XJ-2 Ht Snow White | ES-335 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | ESP | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | 1958 |
| Country | JP | US |
| Body wood | Swamp Ash | Maple (semi-hollow) |
| Neck wood | 3Pc Roasted Maple | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Macassar Ebony | Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 25.5" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) / Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) | HH humbucker |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,699 | $2,500 – $3,800 |
| Bridge | Hipshot w/ String Thru | Tune-o-matic |
| Bridge pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Ceramic Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) | — |
| Case | XJ GUITAR FORM FIT CASE | — |
| Case Included | N | — |
| Construction | Bolt-On | — |
| Controls | Master Volume(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch | — |
| Finish | Snow White | — |
| Fretboard radius | 350mm | — |
| Hardware | Black | — |
| Neck pickup | Fishman Fluence Modern 3-Voice Humbucker Alnico Brushed Stainless *(Pull Volume for Voice 3) | — |
| Neck profile | Thin U | — |
| Nut | Black Bone | — |
| Nut width | 42mm | — |
| Scale length | 25.5" | — |
| Strap Button | Standard | — |
| Tuners | LTD Locking | — |
| Body shape | — | Semi-hollow |
| Weight | — | 3.8 kg |