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es 335 vs es 339


guitarmann199

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I bought the ES-339 because I liked it better. Money was not a problem. At all.

 

I play small clubs,150/300 seats and I'll probably do 50 weekends this year, and the 335 is a large guitar. I loved the size and sound of the 339. It also gets a lot of looks from musicians and wannabees. I'll get a 335 someday, because I'm now hooked on the semi hollows, and prefer a double cut, but for bangin' it out in bars this is my axe of choice for now.

 

Best of luck.

 

Murph.

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I would have never bought my 339 unless it was a great guitar, but it was the price that initially got me interested. I would have loved a 335, but not for $1000 more. Now that I've owned and played it for almost a year, I would have to say the 399 even if they were the same price. I like the body size and the the fact that the tone falls somewhere between a Les Paul and a 335 (mind you, much closer to the 335). And as far as looks, I've even had guitar players that thought it was a 335. Unless they're side by side, it's not always that obvious...

 

es339_006.jpg

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I'll say I like the 335 better because I just bought one. Having said that, the 339 has me curious at this point. It's just so damned hard to actually see one here let alone buy one. They don't seem to stay in stock very long. When I bought the 335 on Oct, I inquired about getting a Red one in for me to test but they said it would be months with no certain date so I passed. I did see a 359?? but the neck was like a bat.

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hmmm yea the smaller body may definatly be a plus for me (im a small guy 5 4 - 5 so i dont want the guitar to take up 50% of my body haha) i love the idea of the jack on the side because i imagine having a jack on the front is a total pain in the ***

 

I'm 5' 8" (okay' date=' maybe 5' 7.5") and as I said, I think the size is perfect. I have a Casino, so I'm used to the slightly larger body, but the 339 just feels "right". Especially by the end of the second set. Those extra couple of inches and another pound or two [i']do[/i] make a difference.

 

200AR0408lr.jpg

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Everything I have read about the 339 says it's a very good guitar especially for the price. Guitars should feel comforable to the player. 335's are just to big for some players, same with neck sizes. It has to feel comfortable in your hand. Someone with a huge hand will not want to hold onto a 60's slim neck. I personally like all the features of the 339, it is built like a 335 but there is no way it is intended to replace the 335. I went with the 335 because it felt good to me and yes it is a classic.

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I wouldn't bother voting at this point - it's literally 6 on one hand, half a dozen on the other, so let's leave the score 6 to 6. ES335 is a classic. 339 is something new, and different. Yes it's on the spectrum between a 335 and a Les Paul. Hey why can't we have all three? okay reality sets in, so the price point of the 339 is a real big plus.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Let me say this.

 

For a new guitar to stand up 57% / 42% (at this point in the poll) to the Classic ES-335, Gibson bean counters HAVE to realize they built a classic here in the ES-339.

 

I sure like mine.

 

Murph.

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I have a 335. The 339 doesn't do it for me' date=' sorry, just not my style of instrument.[/quote']

 

Yea thats how I feel. I played the 339 at a few stores but always walked out thinking about the 335

Now I am the proud owner of a 335 and I have to say it is my only guitar that I will never sell.

 

I enjoy opening that case today just as I did the day it arrived. Its perfect

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  • 1 year later...

I'm torn between the two right now, so I can't vote for one over the other. There's something, though, that I'd like to bring up. The price difference between the 335 and the 339 IS a big gulf when you look at new vs. new. But I can buy a fine used 335 right now for the same price as a new 339. I have found quite a few 335's in great condition, even mint for $1995 --- the typical discount price of a new 339. Buying a used guitar doesn't bother me in the slightest. My only problem is deciding which one of these guitars to get.

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I thought I wanted a 339 as a compromise mainly because of the price. But I could never find one in a store to actually play. When I played a 335 I had to have one. The size is not an issue for me (I'm 6') and the tone and playing feel is amazing. It brings a smile to my face everytime I open the case.

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I think they're both great sounding guitars. I prefer the ES-335, 'cause to me, it's more balanced aesthetically,

and it's not "too big," in my opinion. But, I'm used to my Gibson "Lucille," as well as a AIUSA Sheraton, and some

other semi's, of that size, as well. So, that body size and weight, are "natural" for me. Besides...I started out,

(with hollowbodies) on a Gretsch Country Gent, so...335's, and the like, are quite comfortable, to me.

 

CB

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I think they're both great sounding guitars. I prefer the ES-335' date=' 'cause to me, it's more balanced aesthetically,

and it's not "too big," in my opinion. But, I'm used to my Gibson "Lucille," as well as a AIUSA Sheraton, and some

other semi's, of that size, as well. So, that body size and weight, are "natural" for me. Besides...I started out,

(with hollowbodies) on a Gretsch Country Gent, so...335's, and the like, are quite comfortable, to me.

 

CB[/quote']

 

Hi, CB! I just joined the Gibson Forum today. You may remember me as Paulp_Sheraton2 from the Epiphone Forum.

Well I just got a CS-336 which is the same size as the ES-339, only solid woods on the former as opposed to laminate

on the latter. I'd have to go with the smaller body, probably because of my small stature (5'5"). I've had a Gibson ES-335 and I still have my Epiphone Sheraton II and I have to say the CS-336 is more comfortable than either, and in my

opinion plays/sounds better. So if I had to choose between the two in the subject, I'd have to say the ES-339.

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Hi' date=' CB! I just joined the Gibson Forum today. You may remember me as Paulp_Sheraton2 from the Epiphone Forum.

Well I just got a CS-336 which is the same size as the ES-339, only solid woods on the former as opposed to laminate

on the latter. I'd have to go with the smaller body, probably because of my small stature (5'5"). I've had a Gibson ES-335 and I still have my Epiphone Sheraton II and I have to say the CS-336 is more comfortable than either, and in my

opinion plays/sounds better. So if I had to choose between the two in the subject, I'd have to say the ES-339.[/quote']

 

Hey Paul...Welcome! Yeah...it's really a matter of personal preference, more than which is "better"....to me, anyway.

So....Congratuations, on your new "baby!" I'm sure you'll enjoy it, for a long time to come. The full sized ES Thinlines,

and USA Sheraton, are just "My" preferences. ;>)

 

Cheers,

CB

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  • 3 years later...

hmmm yea the smaller body may definatly be a plus for me (im a small guy 5 4 - 5 so i dont want the guitar to take up 50% of my body haha) i love the idea of the jack on the side because i imagine having a jack on the front is a total pain in the ***

 

I prefer smaller guitars myself, and I'm 6' and 188 lbs. Just prefer less mass in front of me and less weight on my shoulder. So I have two Gibson BluesHawks that are close to the ES 339, but like a Les Paul - ES 339 hybrid.

 

A Les Paul body, perhaps just a bit smaller. Semi-hollow with f-holes. And a Fender-scale neck. A great guitar and I'd encourage anyone who likes a top quality axe that's small & light... [thumbup]...check it out.

 

Cheers,

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I have owned two ES-339's. Down to one with the '59 neck. I also own two ES-335's. From a stability perspective, the 335's are not nearly as fussy as the 339's.

 

I do love how my 339 sounds though and after a long day, it is nice to have such a comfortable guitar to hang off my shoulder.

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