I actually had a Gibson 335 and a small Gibson amp on my ninth birthday 1964, it was way to big for me, I was tiny then, so OK I still have it and I've always loved the tone of the guitar, and have bought some other variants, but you know, the first kiss like.
But this one as53 came as a surprise.....jeez, the workmanship and fretwork....you name it, friggin' amazing, neck is perfect and it's minimalistic beauty really appeals to me, even the insides of it is better than my 335, no loose wood, and the binding is immaculate, tuners, bridge are in perfect working order.
I took the ceramic magnets out and replaced them with alnicos, a no 2 in the bridge position and a no 5 in the neck position, but that is most on a personal preference because it does sound really good as it comes.
How anyone can call this a beginners guitar is beyond me, in my opinion this is a full blown hollow body as good as they come!
Only thing, headstock is a bit heavy, and I'm lazy as they come, so while in my couch half lying down, it goes out tune a couple of cents.....I play a lot half lying down, hahaha!