Jump to content
Gibson Brands Forums

New Epi model - the ES-339 P90 Pro!


d55124

Recommended Posts

For those tired of waiting for the much delayed Casino Coupe, GC, MF and a few others are now stocking a custom ES-339 with soapbar P90s and a modified (smaller) center block I just picked one up in Natural and will post some pics after I finish the set-up. Initial observations are very positive!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

...GC, MF and a few others are now stocking a custom ES-339 with soapbar P90s...

 

Nice. Still $399 new. They really ought to change their "Description" though: "Featuring a reduced size ES-style body with Alnico Classic PRO humbucker pickups..." #-o

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did a search and it looks like it only comes in Natural if you're in the States whereas you can get it in Pelham Blue, Ebony, Sunburst, and Wine Red if you're in the UK. Why would they do this--limiting potential buyers in the U.S. to one bland color? It might be a great guitar, but if that's the only color, I'll pass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree on the color (colour) selection - Natural is not my first choice - maybe it's just a staged roll-out by Epiphone and the others will be available in time.

 

That being said, I really like this guitar - the tone is fabulous, playability & workmanship very acceptable (and I own a Gibson es390, es339 and es335 for comparison). The 335 is still my absolute fave, but it's big & heavy. The new Epi 339 P90 makes me strongly consider selling the other two. And if the wine red one ever shows up in the states, I'll be all over it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those tired of waiting for the much delayed Casino Coupe, GC, MF and a few others are now stocking a custom ES-339 with soapbar P90s and a modified (smaller) center block I just picked one up in Natural and will post some pics after I finish the set-up. Initial observations are very positive!

 

Yes, I played an ES 339 P90 unplugged a few days ago at the local Guitar Center. It looks and feels great. I really liked the natural finish + black P90 covers and black pick guard. By the way, I was there to order a Casino Coupe! They are available online now from GC and other retailers. I should have mine in a few days. It will be interesting to see if the Coupe's full hollow body makes for noticeably more volume. Otherwise it should be very similar to the 339 P90 Pro.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I did a search and it looks like it only comes in Natural if you're in the States whereas you can get it in Pelham Blue, Ebony, Sunburst, and Wine Red if you're in the UK. Why would they do this--limiting potential buyers in the U.S. to one bland color? It might be a great guitar, but if that's the only color, I'll pass.

 

I dont think that is the case. I just played a pelham blue one last weekend at Guitar Center. A local seller who advertises on Ebay has a refurbished red one as well

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPIPHONE-ES-339-P90-PRO-NEW-MODEL-Custom-Shop-Limited-Ed-Intl-Buyers-Wel-/301247406507?pt=Guitar&hash=item4623bea1ab

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those tired of waiting for the much delayed Casino Coupe, GC, MF and a few others are now stocking a custom ES-339 with soapbar P90s and a modified (smaller) center block I just picked one up in Natural and will post some pics after I finish the set-up. Initial observations are very positive!

 

How do you know the center block is modified/smaller?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont think that is the case. I just played a pelham blue one last weekend at Guitar Center. A local seller who advertises on Ebay has a refurbished red one as well

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EPIPHONE-ES-339-P90-PRO-NEW-MODEL-Custom-Shop-Limited-Ed-Intl-Buyers-Wel-/301247406507?pt=Guitar&hash=item4623bea1ab

 

I just looked on GC's website and the only P90 Pro listed is in Natural. Same for Amazon, Musician's Friend, and Sweetwater. [confused]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hiya everyone! Long time Paul/SG user... Back to Epi on this one. It'd be 10k from the custom shop or sumthin otherwise!

 

GC in Cali had 4 on the West coast as of Saturday...

 

2 cherry, 2 blonde.

Played and put a cherry in layaway, then played the cherry one another store and grabbed that one instead. Just played better!

After I demoed the 2nd cherry one for some young dudes, (per request) the went and bought the blonde one! Lol

 

So.... 1 and 1 left..... In the west... The West LA store had the cherry I left behind. High action... Board blonde streaked....

 

They sound awesome! I need specs....

 

What's with the narrow center block previously mentioned?

 

These pickups are P90 PRO's. They are humbucking. Sounded real good thru a Vox, great thru a Peavy classic combo

 

 

Play one! Grab em, they are touted as Epi custom shop limited runs...

 

Any reps please verify that, the body spec, and pickup info plzzzzz!

 

Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

everything I've seen on these models doesn't mention a smaller center block. all that's mentioned is "Reduced-size laminated maple body with solid center block". it shouldn't be any different than the 339 with the exception of the P90's.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After further analysis, I also believe the center block to be the same as the humbucker based Epi ES-339. I don't have one to make a direct comparison, but the block appears to be about the same size as a Gibson 339 (from what can be seen). The initial information came from a GC rep, logic being the block didn't need to be as wide as P90 soapbars mount with the center screws (sorry, my bad).

 

I played this a lot during the past week or so, mostly through a '68 PRRI, and really, really like the tone- restrung with DR Pure Blues 11's (all nickel) and it presents a great vintage fat P90 tone with hardly any feedback. My lust for the Casino Coupe may be on the wane.

 

I'm still not in love with the Natural finish and it's good to hear some of the other colors are now popping up. The ones on eBay are all refurb - Can't see paying the same for them as a new, warranted one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After further analysis, I also believe the center block to be the same as the humbucker based Epi ES-339. I don't have one to make a direct comparison, but the block appears to be about the same size as a Gibson 339 (from what can be seen). The initial information came from a GC rep, logic being the block didn't need to be as wide as P90 soapbars mount with the center screws (sorry, my bad).

 

I played this a lot during the past week or so, mostly through a '68 PRRI, and really, really like the tone- restrung with DR Pure Blues 11's (all nickel) and it presents a great vintage fat P90 tone with hardly any feedback. My lust for the Casino Coupe may be on the wane.

 

I'm still not in love with the Natural finish and it's good to hear some of the other colors are now popping up. The ones on eBay are all refurb - Can't see paying the same for them as a new, warranted one.

 

Do you agree the pickups are noiseless? Couldn't get any of the 3,to hum at all... Most excellent!

And great P90 tone. Not swapping these our. Git is perfect

 

Ya'll don't want to know what I paid either... Hee hee... It was mismarked.... : )

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

. . . . . 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!!

 

 

Love the color and hope the GC by me gets one.

 

They have the Natural and Cherry right now.

 

Does anyone know about these P90 Pros are they a new PU?

 

If so how do they compare to the Epiphone P90 of old?

 

Now that I have guitars with Gibson P90s the standard Epiphone Casino and Wildkat P90s are wound way too hot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love the color and hope the GC by me gets one.

 

They have the Natural and Cherry right now.

 

Does anyone know about these P90 Pros are they a new PU?

 

If so how do they compare to the Epiphone P90 of old?

 

Now that I have guitars with Gibson P90s the standard Epiphone Casino and Wildkat P90s are wound way too hot.

 

it seems they are re-designed P90s. not sure how they are different.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No access to a traditional Casino, but on the two es339 p90 models I've measured, neck pickups are about 7.8, bridge 7.9-8.0, on my Casino Coupe measurements read about 12 (K ohms, measured in guitar). To my ear, the CC sounds just a bit mellower on top!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Do you agree the pickups are noiseless? Couldn't get any of the 3,to hum at all... Most excellent!

And great P90 tone. Not swapping these our. Git is perfect

 

Ya'll don't want to know what I paid either... Hee hee... It was mismarked.... : )

 

 

I doubt they are humbucking.

 

GC is very good at wiring so there is no or very little noticeable hum on any guitar I've ever played there. I am not sure how they do it.

 

My casino did not hum at all in the store, but it sure is hell hummed once I got it home.

 

Thankfully, the p90s in that one are reverse wound so at least they don't hum with both pickups engaged.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No access to a traditional Casino, but on the two es339 p90 models I've measured, neck pickups are about 7.8, bridge 7.9-8.0, on my Casino Coupe measurements read about 12 (K ohms, measured in guitar). To my ear, the CC sounds just a bit mellower on top!

 

 

Thanks! that is about where P90s are supposed to be, 1950s and 60s anyway.

 

By that I am guessing I will really like them. Glad to see Epiphone keeps upgrading stuff.

 

I am not in need of a new guitar and looked at the Cherry and Natural but did not plug in.

 

If my GC does get a Pelham in going to have to try it out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could not resist on this one… [biggrin]

 

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.

 

ES339_P90_EB_zps684bbe46.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...