Jeffery Smith Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 . . . . . so I walked into a local Guitar Center yesterday and found two ES339 P90's, one Cherry, one Pelham Blue. This one followed me home! Luv these things!! That exudes cool! Let us know how it plays and sounds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffery Smith Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Could not resist on this one… Model: Epiphone ES-339 P90 PRO Ebony Purchased at Session Music Frankfurt Germany, available from stock Price 349,-€ incl. VAT (that is astonishing 50,-€ less than the ES-339 PRO EB model) Some observations • First optical impression of the guitar is stunning. Cool look with the black P90s on black finish, classic tuner knobs. Reminds me a bit of the first Les Paul Black Beauties with P90/Alnico V pickups. • Overall build quality is very good, flawless finish, proper set hardware. • Guitar is very well balanced in terms of weight. It has 3,12kg and is not neck heavy at all with that classic Kluson type tuners. • Neck profile is a nice beefy D-shape, pretty much like on the Gibson 60s Tribute Les Paul Studio, or the MIK late 1990s Sheratons. Funny: The neck heel is "square" like on the Sheraton '62 Reissue, we had another discussion on the board about that. • Electric has some flaws: Bridge pickup Tone control does not work properly. Most times it doesn't work at all, rarely it starts to work if you push up the pot against its lower end point repeatedly and hard. An issue I already observed on the Sheraton '62 Reissue. • The P90 pickups sound nice, good frequency response with open high end, not too much low end on the neck pickup. However this P90s are by far not as dynamic as the Gibson ones in the 60s Tribute Les Paul. On this particular guitar the P90s are *not* hum canceling when used both together (pickup switch middle position). Probably wrong wiring. • Fretwork is done pretty well, no sharp edges on the fret ends, no buzzing. Probably you can gain a little bit more with a fret dress done by a pro guitar tech. • Setup is done nicely. The nut is cut well, slightly on the safe side. Action is medium high, very playable. Again you could improve it to be even better with a setup done by a pro tech. Intonation is set up well. For a factory setup it meets all my expectations though, you would only miss something if you know how a perfect set up guitar plays. Overall the ES-339 P90 is a great value, I'm really glad I pulled the trigger on this one. You guys are giving me GAS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 You guys are giving me GAS! Why?? Btw: This seems to be a rare bird. When I searched the web for it, only 3 dealers in Europe had one for sale. A wine red in UK, a natural in Germany, and that black one also in Germany. And black is my favorite color for the ES-339. Now call me lucky, I'm located in Germany, and the next dealer I found that offers the black one is in Japan . The guitar comes with a QR code on the pickguard. The link takes you to the Epiphone archtop web site. All kinds of guitars, but no ES-339 P90! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LPS1976 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Why?? Btw: This seems to be a rare bird. When I searched the web for it, only 3 dealers in Europe had one for sale. A wine red in UK, a natural in Germany, and that black one also in Germany. And black is my favorite color for the ES-339. Now call me lucky, I'm located in Germany, and the next dealer I found that offers the black one is in Japan . The guitar comes with a QR code on the pickguard. The link takes you to the Epiphone archtop web site. All kinds of guitars, but no ES-339 P90! yeah, this is an exclusive model for certain dealers. the black one definitely looks the coolest to me too! nice buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakabony Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 I ordered a Pelham Blue ES339 P90 Pro from Musician's Friend. Here is my review. The outward appearance is flat out beautiful. The Pelham Blue actually has a silver sparkle to it that you cannot see in the pictures. The fit and finish is good, but not great. It's definitely well worth it for the price, but not as good as a Gibson obviously. The neck is thin and flat. Reminds me of my Lite Ash Tele neck. I love it. The P90's sound GREAT. The neck pickup booms and the bridge pickup has awesome twang. Overall, this guitar plays and sounds great. I feel like this might be the steal of the decade as far as guitars. Hopefully they won't make them for long and they will retain and increase in value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongMan Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Update: The guitar now got a decent setup from a pro guitar tech. Fret dress, new nut, set up action, neck relief and intonation. That setup makes a world difference! Did cost me a hundred bucks, but doubles the value of the instrument in terms of playability. Strongly recommended to anybody who wants to play one of these guitars seriously! Just for the beauty of it I changed the original pickguard bracket to a Gibson style pickguard holder. Still waiting for a set of Kloppmann SB-52 pickups, I'm curious how they will sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofaplayer Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Can somebody please tell me what kind of wood the centerblock is made of on this model? Mahogany? Maple? Something else? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacealf Posted September 24, 2014 Share Posted September 24, 2014 As far as I know I think or am guessing that it is spruce wood for the center block of wood. Have to check it to make sure though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sofaplayer Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 Spruce? That's interesting. Please confirm once you have checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZie Posted September 29, 2014 Share Posted September 29, 2014 I think there are more than 3 dealers in Europe now: http://www.musicstore.de/pl_PL/PLZ/Epiphone-ES-339-P90-PRO-EB-Ebony/art-GIT0031513-000 http://www.musik-produktiv.com/epiphone-es-339-p90-pro.html http://www.andertons.co.uk/semi-hollow-amp-hollow-body/pid34719/cid670/epiphone-es339-p90-pro-electric-guitar-in-ebony.asp http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_detail.asp?stock=14020713503188 http://www.gak.co.uk/en/epiphone-limited-edition-es-339-p-90-pro-ebony/93936 http://www.dawsons.co.uk/epiphone-eclub-2014-es-339-p90-pro-vintage-sunburst Possibly there are some more who have this model. I'm surpised Thomann does not have this model, nor the new Nighthawk Quilt Top. I'm thinking how these new P90's compare to Alnico Classic Pro or Probuckers in ES 339 body. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VinceS Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I've got a 339 Pro in Vintage Sunburst with the humbuckers and love it. That said, I've always been a big P90 fan. I'm going to start looking around for a black one as I'm just not a fan of the natural finish and the black one looks amazing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 The black P90 guitar looks really cool to me. I really like my "natural" humbucker ES-339 Pro...again...another one of my "loves" but that black one is calling to me...oh no...lol I really like the weight, size, and the beautiful "Natural" finish on these things is super...take a look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 woah...I guess now you get the "big picture" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I'm just not a fan of the natural finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 The Ebony Epiphone ES-339 Pro with 2 black covered P90's doesn't have an ebony fret board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomse Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I think this will be my next epi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 Me too! I'd like a black one, but they seem to not exist in America. I guess I'd settle for a blue one. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J4T5 Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 yeah these are really nice. I like the red one but that black one is sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Me too! I'd like a black one, but they seem to not exist in America. I guess I'd settle for a blue one. rct I am getting one of these in the very near future. I thought I'd be getting a Pelham blue model, but then I saw the wine red finish—which, like the black and sunburst finishes—doesn't seem to available yet. I'll hold-out for one in that finish as long as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Me too! I'd like a black one, but they seem to not exist in America. I guess I'd settle for a blue one. rct rct, FYI... the black (and sunburst) finish will be available through Musician's Friend early in 2015. I am out of luck for the wine red, however. That finish might be available towards late Summer, I am told. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 rct, FYI... the black (and sunburst) finish will be available through Musician's Friend early in 2015. I am out of luck for the wine red, however. That finish might be available towards late Summer, I am told. Hey thanks! I'm slow to move on such things, and I'm glad I didn't get hasty with the two nice blues ones I've tried. I can wait. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Hey thanks! I'm slow to move on such things, and I'm glad I didn't get hasty with the two nice blues ones I've tried. I can wait. rct Yeah, sometimes it's good to exhibit restraint... sometimes. Ha! I think the Pelham blue is actually quite nice, and it would represent a bit of a change of pace for me—being I am someone who gravitates towards bursts, browns and "natural" finishes. Depending on my mood at the time, it will either be Pelham or a sunburst. I can't hold out until "maybe end of Summer" for a wine red. Kind'a wish I never saw it. <_< LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 My wife made me a deal: I sell a guitar, and she'll buy me a guitar for my birthday. Well, I sold my Casino Elite (finally!), and I have chosen this 339 P-90 as that guitar. The wine red was my first choice, but is not available in the U.S. at the moment—and I can't wait as long as I'd have to before it will be. So, I am going to order an ebony one—hopefully in the next week or so... with Cherry as my next choice if that finish takes too long, as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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