Nathan3157 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Well I'm looking into buying a semi hollowbody. I've been eyeing the es-339. Mainly because I'm a smaller framed guy. Thoughts and opinions on playability and tone from some other models would truly be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 My two cents, it's pretty hard to beat a Casino (I know, technically it's a hollow body), but a great all-around guitar. And if you don't have something with p-90s, you're missing out. But if you can find a 50th Anniversary, '62 Reissue Sheraton, I'd go for that. Excellent build quality, good components and a comfortable neck. I love mine and it's my go-to guitar now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon S. Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 My two cents, it's pretty hard to beat a Casino (I know, technically it's a hollow body), but a great all-around guitar. And if you don't have something with p-90s, you're missing out. But if you can find a 50th Anniversary, '62 Reissue Sheraton, I'd go for that. Excellent build quality, good components and a comfortable neck. I love mine and it's my go-to guitar now. Â +1. I'd also recommend the Casino Coupe model, http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Electrics/Archtop/Casino-Coupe.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 One 'path' to fulfilment might be to consider types of music to be played...  ES 335, 330, 135, 137, Sheraton, Casino etc each have their aficionados built up from the 50's and 60's on  And now there are smaller bodied equivalents...  There are also excellent offerings from the likes of Fender, Gretsch, Deusenberg, Rickenbacker etc  So many guitars...  So little time...  :blink:   V  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensh999 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I have a Casino Coupe and I give it a big thumbs up. I would buy this guitar again in a second. You're getting nearly the full Casino experience for $150 less, in a more convenient body size. Seems like a no brainer. Also this guitar is well made, and my Natural finish model looks classy. Needless to say it plays and sounds great (after a new set of strings and a bit of tweaking). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnjguy Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Although It seems they have lost some popularity, I suggest you look at a Sheraton II. I purchased a 2012 model and was impressed with the build quality, the playability, and sound. I also suggest you play some Gibson guitars to get an idea of what so many players rave about. Set a base line so to speak. Â most of all enjoy trying out as many guitars as possible. Remember guitars vary even within the same model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt4356 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 All of them, just get them all! I can personally recommend the union jack or 50th aniversary sheratons, excellent build and upgraded electrics! The Sheraton 2, again excellent build, sheratons tend to have thin necks! Finally and possibly my favorite is the dot studio, i have a cherry one and for the money its amazing,it has a thicker neck than sheratons, after i set it up properly it plays excellent and i like the plain fingerboard! Try as many as you can and pick what suits, for me their all good for different reasons and i depends what fits you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Don't forget to check out the "Wildkat!" Not a true "Semi-Hollowbody" (as it's merely hollowed out), but it's a very popular alternative! And, it sports a nice, smaller, body size, as well. Â CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Do you use vibrato/tremolo when you perform ? If yes, then you may like the Wildkat. If not, a ES 339 may be more appropriate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 or an LP Florentine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 oh heck, get all 3 Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 A wise man once said "so many guitars...so little time..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacealf Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I have a es-339 and it is what I use and play with. Although lately I thought of also buying a Casino Coupe (same size as 339 but hollowbody with p-90 PUs). The es-339 is nice but may be a bit thin sounding compared probably to a Gibson same type, but then again, changing PUs can always be considered and it may depend on how you use it and play it.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWw90TR-Erw  and athough the price as gone up, and probably will again next year to me, the guitar is good enough. The neck is a little wider than my Gibson which is more radius than a fender so it may seem not thick but a little wider so bigger I guess. But for me, it is easier to play than my Gibson Les Paul Traditional.  To me the Epiphone for the price can not be beat (unless there is something wrong with it and you buy from a dealer that does not mainly set it up or look at it first before selling).  I question the Casino coupe though because it is not semi-hollow body, and well, small screws holding the PUs in just the shell of the guitar seems thin to me, but then....................guitars are made that way also.  I fail to see as many buyers though buying a Casino Coupe with the P90s compared to buying the es-339 with the humbuckers and coil taps volume controls on it.  Buy both I guess maybe, well............................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kensh999 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I question the Casino coupe though because it is not semi-hollow body, and well, small screws holding the PUs in just the shell of the guitar seems thin to me, but then....................guitars are made that way also. Â Hi, actually there is a reinforcement block glued in to the back of the guitar top on a Casino. I was curious myself so I stuck my pinky in there, feels like about 1cm thick. It's more substantial than it looks, and it's a time-tested design from the 60's, so I would not worry about structural problems at all on the modern Casino Coupe. The glued-in block is how they can mount both the P-90 pickups and the tune-o-matic style bridge, but still keep it technically "hollow". Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan3157 Posted January 1, 2015 Author Share Posted January 1, 2015 Thank you all for all the great advice and opinions! @Crust I don't have much need for tremelo so it's looking like the es-339 pro is gonna be my next buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffery Smith Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 Sweetwater has the 339 in VSB, ebony, cherry, and natural. The cherry ones look nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan3157 Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Well I may get hung for saying and doing this but I went to pick out a hollowbody today with my heart set on an epiphone dot, es339 or etc.... Well I found an Ibanez as73 that was used. And by used I mean "put in a case and forgotten for a year" for the meager price of $250. I put $20 down on it and am waiting for a setup and clean up to be done on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Well I'm looking into buying a semi hollowbody. I've been eyeing the es-339. Mainly because I'm a smaller framed guy. Thoughts and opinions on playability and tone from some other models would truly be appreciated. Â I am eyeing the same guitar (with the P-90s) for, more or less, the same reason as you. Â Good luck in finding and acquiring your new guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Well I may get hung for saying and doing this but I went to pick out a hollowbody today with my heart set on an epiphone dot, es339 or etc.... Well I found an Ibanez as73 that was used. And by used I mean "put in a case and forgotten for a year" for the meager price of $250. I put $20 down on it and am waiting for a setup and clean up to be done on it!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s  LOL! Just kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Well I may get hung for saying and doing this but I went to pick out a hollowbody today with my heart set on an epiphone dot, es339 or etc.... Well I found an Ibanez as73 that was used. And by used I mean "put in a case and forgotten for a year" for the meager price of $250. I put $20 down on it and am waiting for a setup and clean up to be done on it! Â Â Â I have a few, and have had a few various Ibanez instruments. How about a pic or 3, I dig Ibanez guitars as much as the Epiphone's...they're all good imho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crust Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Oh, you don't have it yet, cool, sounds like a great price. I have a couple cool guitars on time pay at the pawn shop. lol, I love that place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan3157 Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 The one and only thing I don't like is it doesn't have a pickguard and Ibanez doesn't make them but some say a slight modification to a 335 pickguard works well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Well I may get hung for saying and doing this but I went to pick out a hollowbody today with my heart set on an epiphone dot, es339 or etc.... Well I found an Ibanez as73 that was used. And by used I mean "put in a case and forgotten for a year" for the meager price of $250. I put $20 down on it and am waiting for a setup and clean up to be done on it! Those things get great reviews, although I can't personally speak for them, but that's a great price. Congrats, and yeah, pix when you get it. And I'm sure you know but that will not be your only hollow/semi hollow body guitar. Don't ask how I know this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 The one and only thing I don't like is it doesn't have a pickguard and Ibanez doesn't make them but some say a slight modification to a 335 pickguard works well! Just Google "custom pickguards" and you'll get a variety of sources that I'm sure will satisfy your needs. Even w/o one, that's a nice score. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweed2 Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 I had an AS 80 before my foray into Epi's, and I liked it a lot. I had Terrapin make me a guard, that was perfect. The owner, who had a vast collection of templates squirreled away, died a year or two ago, but his wife is carrying on and should have access to them. If they don't have your model, get some heavy paper or cardboard, and trace out the shape you want, they can do it. The other option is to take one of the online templates they have (I'd do this even if they have an Ibanez AS73 template, as they are sure to vary from year to year), that's close to what you want, make slight changes (pickup locations, etc.)to fit yours and mail it to them. I've done this several times and it works great. A handy tip: when shipping templates to these guys (or anyone, for that matter), put it in a magazine and ship it Media Mail. It's cheaper, and the magazine protects the template. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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