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Wildcat vs Casino Coupe vs 339


hollowdan

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I am leaning toward selecting a full size semi hollow or a jazz box, but as I consider my options, how do these smaller bodied versions compare? Again, I am into Otis Rush, Albert King, Muddy Waters and write blues songs in that vain. I am wanting to add to my larger acoustic collection and my one Strat. Thanks, Dan (former RivieraLEP93)

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I am leaning toward selecting a full size semi hollow or a jazz box, but as I consider my options, how do these smaller bodied versions compare?

 

Um, they're smaller and lighter. ;) I've got a 339 and a Dot. For some reason, I like the Dot better, even though she's a big, heavy 335 guitar. Tonal difference? Man, don't ask me. But with Epi's ES-335 Pro at the same price as a Dot, I'd get that.

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Well, here's my story. I have a highly modded Dot (pickups, switches, etc.), a Gibby LP Standard and a Wildkat. I bought a Gibby 339 about a year after they came out because I "had to have one". Inside of a year or so, I discovered that as far as tones, sounds, etc., the 339 didn't do anything that the Dot or LP wouldn't so the 339 is long gone. I have no experience with the Epi Pro 339 but understand that they are great guitars.

 

If you're looking more for a jazzbox, you might want to look at Broadways, et al too.

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well, not sure what you are looking to spend.

 

have you looked at the Swingsters yet? http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ETS2PWGB3

 

I have had one of these for a few years now, It's very nice. check the specs for more info. Great sounding pickups.

I picked mine up on sale for $569 @Sweetwater, (that was a killer deal)

 

I also have a Regent and a Broadway,, Regents are no longer made so you'd have to shop out fleabay,

Broadways are really nice, great bang for the buck there. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ETBWNAGH

Very good player, and pickups are nice.. no need to think about a swap out.

 

BTW.. cases not included for either of these.

 

I had a Joe Pass a ways back, (late 90s version) has the same body/neck as the Swingster as far as I know.

 

I played around with a 339 pro a few weeks ago, for the money, it was nice,.. Needed a setup badly, but they ALL do.

 

no exp. with the coupes or a wildkat. the kat is a bit like the swingster, but way less $$$, p90 pickups,, you either love em or you don't.

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Hi Kidblast, I hadn't thought about the Swingster-- assumed it was too rich for my budget. I presently have $600. I think I am in striking distance with several of these you mentioned. The Regency, Broadway-- I have seen some of these represented on Ebay. Well, I have a larger group of instruments to consider than I thought. Thank you!

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I presently have $600. I think I am in striking distance with several of these you mentioned.

 

indeed, you are. you'll need to figure out what you want to do about a case which adds about 90 bucks to the ticket if you go with the Epi case.

 

one of the nicer things about Sweetwater is they have some very attractive financing terms. (2 years same as cash usually).. hard to pass that up if you've got the hots for something ! :)

 

The more versatile of all of the ones I mentioned IME is the Swingster. I play in a three piece band, and we can get a bit loud at times, I can use this guitar without having feedback issues. I have no tuning problems with the bigsby either. I would buy another one of these in a heartbeat if something unforeseen happened with this one.

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Thanks Kidblast! It helps to hear your testimony reflecting your experience. I think that the humbuckers they put in these guitars are hard to beat for quality. Yesterday, I played a beautiful, slightly used Dot that had a sweet neck, great intonation and the grovers seemed to be holding very nicely. I was playing through a Fender Deluxe Reverb, though, so it was a perfect combination! This guitar was in great shape for $299, but I kept thinking there are great deals on Emperors and Swingers used online. So I held out. The ES-339 Pro I played was a very nice guitar and I like the way the bound neck felt. The split coil and tulip tuners were nice touches as well. I wish Sam Ash had stocked a couple of the Epiphone hollow bodies. They had a bunch of Ibanez's. There was a blond Casino that I never asked to have taken down, though I regret it since I have never played one. Take care, Dan

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one of the nicer things about Sweetwater is they have some very attractive financing terms. (2 years same as cash usually)...

 

I just used their "3 months, no interest" using my own credit card - spreading out the full payment a bit. Getting their card, which is probably just as easy, opens up lots of options, I expect.

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  • 3 weeks later...

So what did you get, hollowdan?

I have a 339 Pro which is a great instrument and, a few days ago, I bought a 335 Pro which is equally good, in fact that guitar does sound very close to a Gibson as I remember mine from some years ago.

I also think that ALL Epiphones are great value for money, I also agree that they ALL need some kind of attention to the frets "out of the box". Having said that, I did use my 339 the day I bought it.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying whatever it was you bought.

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So what did you get, hollowdan?

I have a 339 Pro which is a great instrument and, a few days ago, I bought a 335 Pro which is equally good, in fact that guitar does sound very close to a Gibson as I remember mine from some years ago.

I also think that ALL Epiphones are great value for money, I also agree that they ALL need some kind of attention to the frets "out of the box". Having said that, I did use my 339 the day I bought it.

Anyway, I hope you are enjoying whatever it was you bought.

 

Hi Ratty, I bought a used Unsung built 2012 Sheraton. It will be here tomorrow! Thanks for following up.

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Pics. Don't forget the pics!

 

I can't wait for it to arrive so I can plug her in and give her a spin. Then, within the hour I will take some good pics outside where the colors will really show. Thanks so much, ratty, and all!

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Casino Coupe is a hollow body guitar that comes with P90s. ES 339 is a semi hollow guitar that comes with either humbuckers of P90s (I prefer the P90s myself).

 

The Wildkat is a semi hollow guitar that comes stock with a Bigsby and P90s, but the P90s are significantly darker than on either the Casino Coupe or the 339.

 

Of the three, I strongly prefer the ES 339 with P90s - don't have to worry about feedback. I've also found time after time that the playability on the ES 339 is better than on the Wildkat.

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Casino Coupe is a hollow body guitar that comes with P90s. ES 339 is a semi hollow guitar that comes with either humbuckers of P90s (I prefer the P90s myself).

 

The Wildkat is a semi hollow guitar that comes stock with a Bigsby and P90s, but the P90s are significantly darker than on either the Casino Coupe or the 339.

 

Of the three, I strongly prefer the ES 339 with P90s - don't have to worry about feedback. I've also found time after time that the playability on the ES 339 is better than on the Wildkat.

 

thanks for the great explanation! [thumbup]

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I’ve never played a Sheraton. I imagine them to be very versatile.

 

I spent between 4 to 5 months researching big box Jazz Archtops. I played an Epi Broadway, a couple of Godins, Peerless, De Angelico and even a couple of Ibanez models.

 

Some of these were beyond my budget. Some of them didn’t produce a ‘jazz tone’ at all. The Hofner J-17 ticked both boxes so I have one of those. None of these guitars are versatile however.

 

I have played Epi ES-339 PROs and like them a lot, especially with the split coil sound. I own a Gibson ES-339 and like that too, but it doesn’t sound like a hollow body at all.

 

I suspect that you just need more air to produce those tones and the smaller boxes just don’t have it.

 

If the Dot & ES-335 are anything to go by, the Sheraton should have a sweet sound.

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Thank you Mericful-Evans. I read with interest your discussion about seeking a jazz-box. The Hofner-- interesting that this one checked your boxes that you had established. I am thinking that Hofner has a strong name historically in the archtop world and I would love to have the chance to hear and/or play one like yours you selected. The variety of guitars you own gives you a lot to go on when advising other players. Thanks for the vote of confidence. I have set up my new Sheraton and am enjoy getting familiar with her.

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