Members ToneSage Posted April 28, 2009 Members Share Posted April 28, 2009 i have owned 4 gibsons; 1 '81 lp std ; 1 '78 lp cust. silv.brst; 1 '68? sg spcl w/p90; 1 ''40's?charlie christian type es125 i think. i have tried to fall in love with the post '85 gibs. i WANT TO!!!! but there is some THING that is just gone. the fact that this guitar(es339)has binding over the fret ends is very enticing. i miss that. all bound neck gibs used to be like that and i think that is something they have forsaken that has cost them dearly in my opinion. but even the guitars that have the binding wrap now days (that i have played) seem to have a cheaper and thinner, less pronounced "smoothness" to the fret ends that the old ones had. i know times have changed. i am going to give the 339 a chance. i have been playing a fender for almost 8 years now and to be honest i miss the gibson scale length. this review just gave me the go ahead to try one so if i buy it, and i will let the fat cats know you sent me, they need to compensate you with at least a few sets of strings Jon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Chappell Posted April 29, 2009 Author Members Share Posted April 29, 2009 Originally Posted by ToneSage this review just gave me the go ahead to try one so if i buy it, and i will let the fat cats know you sent me, they need to compensate you with at least a few sets of strings Jon. Thanks. I can always use strings. I go through them like potato chips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members axuality Posted September 24, 2009 Members Share Posted September 24, 2009 I owned a 1960 Gibson 335 for 36 years. It was my only guitar. I loved hollow body. I always knew subliminally that the guitar was overly large, but I never really complained to my conscious mind. I got a solid body bug finally, traded my 335 for a Les Paul, kept it 4 months and had to go back to a hollow. I chose the 339. I've had it for about 6 months now, and I realize it is the right guitar for me. It oddly has much the same sustain or 'power of notes' that an LP does, but of course it has the hollow body 'bloom' of a 335. I am a slender neck freak. My 1960 335 was like a flat toothpick. But I bought the larger 50's neck in the 339. I think it's partly responsible for the sheer power of the notes. At the same time, I have some getting used to on the larger size.I give thumbs up to the 339. It's might be the finest crafted guitar I've ever had. If I had $100,000 with which to buy a guitar, I would keep the one I have. I'm that satisfied. (I felt the same about my 335 too ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Chappell Posted September 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 24, 2009 Originally Posted by axuality It oddly has much the same sustain or 'power of notes' that an LP does, but of course it has the hollow body 'bloom' of a 335. Well said, sir! My "sediments" exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members firestone Posted September 30, 2009 Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 My blues and rhythm friends liked the ’59, describing it as “more organic.” My rock and lead friend preferred the 30/60 for its fast feel and for its ease of playing widely spread intervals and full-fingered chords. Both guitars ring out wonderfully on the acoustic side, and don’t sound appreciably different for their respective neck choices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Chappell Posted September 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 30, 2009 Originally Posted by firestone My blues and rhythm friends liked the ’59, describing it as “more organic.” My rock and lead friend preferred the 30/60 for its fast feel and for its ease of playing widely spread intervals and full-fingered chords. Both guitars ring out wonderfully on the acoustic side, and don’t sound appreciably different for their respective neck choices. And this is my quote from earlier in the review, which you can read in its entirety in #2.Please give attribution when quoting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Minning Around Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I tried a 339 out one day and thought it seemed kinda cheap for the money. But now I've got gas for a Collings I-35 so the Gibson seems like a bargain. Haven't tried the Collings yet but I'm expecting to be amazed. Better not disappoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members steve350 Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 I tried a 339 and it didn't do it for me. I ended up purchasing an Epiphone 65Casino Elitist. This guitar is amazing. One of the best sounding and playing hollow-bodys I ever owned. I got it used and in mint condition for $900. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Chappell Posted November 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 I tried a 339 and it didn't do it for me. I ended up purchasing an Epiphone 65Casino Elitist. This guitar is amazing. One of the best sounding and playing hollow-bodys I ever owned. I got it used and in mint condition for $900.I'm familiar with the Elitist 65 Casino. A good guitar, but not in the same class as the 339. And it's a used Epi, not a new Gibby. Totally different animal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members spoonie g Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 Originally Posted by steve350 I tried a 339 and it didn't do it for me. I ended up purchasing an Epiphone 65Casino Elitist. This guitar is amazing. One of the best sounding and playing hollow-bodys I ever owned. I got it used and in mint condition for $900.I'm familiar with the Elitist 65 Casino. A good guitar, but not in the same class as the 339. And it's a used Epi, not a new Gibby. Totally different animal. hey man, to each his own. ive played some epi's that were every bit as good as gibson counterparts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jon Chappell Posted November 26, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 Originally Posted by spoonie g hey man, to each his own. ive played some epi's that were every bit as good as gibson counterparts. Me too--from a playability standpoint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TrentenLD Posted December 3, 2009 Members Share Posted December 3, 2009 it looks sweet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ejbpesca Posted March 18, 2010 Members Share Posted March 18, 2010 That 339 kinda reminds me of my 64 es330. It was light as a feather an fretted easier than any guitar I've ever played. Of course it had feedback and vibration problems on a rock stage but sooo easy to play it spoiled me for the rest of my life. I compare all guitars to the es330's playability for a small hand person like me...thin neck with ease of access to the highest of notes like no bodies business. That guitar would make an instant blues player out of anyone. Lord I miss it after letting it go 10 years ago in a $ bind...but I've got a LP that a goodern too and now a new Strat. courtesy of a gift giver..(first one in my life). Thanks for the eval. What a guitar that 339 is. I think if I were still giggin I would have to get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr Followill Posted September 13, 2010 Members Share Posted September 13, 2010 I reckon I may just have found my next guitar...it's affordable, it looks great and from what I've heard they sound great in any environment too! Off to the bank I go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members svejkist Posted November 26, 2010 Members Share Posted November 26, 2010 Originally Posted by otaypanky I have owned a '66 ES-335 since '68. I bought it from a grade school buddy along with a '66 Deluxe Reverb and paid the handsome sum of $200. for both. Adjusted for inflation, that is $1219.75 in 2009 $. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rrrredrvr Posted May 3, 2011 Members Share Posted May 3, 2011 Has anyone done a back to back comparison with the Gibson ES-356? Curious to hear how the 339 and 356 compare? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GuitarDisciple Posted May 9, 2011 Members Share Posted May 9, 2011 Originally Posted by rrrredrvr Has anyone done a back to back comparison with the Gibson ES-356? Curious to hear how the 339 and 356 compare? Like that idea too; CS-356 would be another candidate for comparision...I have been toying with an 339, but the one's that I have seen "hanging" around seemed to have some of the QA problems that others have seen too. So I have been thinking about it's truly custom shop cousin the ES-359, but there are two things holding me back, the gold hardware and the price. Is it truly worth 50% more than the 339? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members icarusi Posted September 23, 2012 Members Share Posted September 23, 2012 I tried a few of the Gibson 339s when they were around but didn't like any of them. Stiff knobs, high actions and chunky 'cornered' necks. I did try a demo guy's 336 which had *exactly* the sound I was after. When the Epi 339s came out I tried an Ultra which was much closer to that 336 sound than any of the Gibson 339s I'd tried, also better setup and action and neck profile more to my liking. When the 'normal' Epi 339 arrived it was very close sound to the 336 and also had coil splits so I bought a Vintage Burst. I later got a 'natural' blonde which isn't quite as good higher on the neck and shows sanding marks close to the binding in certain lighting, but figured the 339 size may not be permanently around like 335 or LP so got it while I can. One guy tried 10-12 Gibson 339s before finding one he liked, then changed everything metal on it! I wouldn't recommend anything requiring 10-12 samples, but you may luck into a good one. Definitely not one to buy unseen or untried. One caveat about the Epi 339s, the 'both' PU setting is *very* OOP and lowers level too, so best with one of the vols backed slightly for most tonal blends. The Ultra acoustic PU is *much* louder than the mags, on mixed o/p, so best set low lest accidentally selected with the push pot, and only a little led on the PU bezel to show. I know one guy who played an entire 1/2 set on a Parker Fly with the acoustic pu selected accidently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members emme5732 Posted October 25, 2012 Members Share Posted October 25, 2012 Originally Posted by Mikeo The ES 335 is one of person favs that I own, I have seen the ads for the ES-339, which looks closer to the size a a Les Paul. The biggest hurdle of the ES 335 is the size, especially when some of us come from Les Paul and SG territory.Either way the 339 looks very sweet, and I personally don't think the street price is bad either. Now on that note and not to take the wind out of the sails of anything Gibson did on this one, but The Heritage Prospect has been around for years. With this being said, when I test drove both the Heritage and the Gibson ES 335 I choose the the Gibson. I have zero regrets, and personally prefer it to my Les Paul and my SG. I think when folks look at the ES 335 they think jazz box, which is to bad, cause it offers a lot more and delivers some sweet classic tones. Maybe with a slightly smaller body style folks that play more rock oriented music will look at this one.Would even mind test driving that 339 myself. So "the powers that be at Gibson" if you're out there just give me a call and I'll tell you where to send one. Oh my Birthday is also just around the corner too.Mikeo Concur with you Mikeeo thst the 335 is a great and versatile guitar.Not only great for jazz and most forms of blues but just look at the Cream '68 Farewell Concert at the Albert Hall where Eric screams out with that beautiful Cherry 335 in a high powered fashion.It makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.I've had a couple of 335's and they were great but now I play a 137 with mahogany centre block and vintage '57 pick ups which adds another aspect onto the semi-solid vibe.Another great guitar which is a preferable shape for me.regards,Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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