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Thoughts on the Epiphone Es 339


Pete-

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Hi all,

 

Christmas is coming so i guess that means it's time to buy some new gear. I've never owned an electric before so i think it's about time i took the plunge and i've been eyeing the 339. I love the look of the semi hollow and it seems to be a pretty versatile guitar but unfortunately i don't have the option to try it out as none of the music stores over here sell them. Therefore i would be really grateful if people who own one or who have played one could give their opinion on whether it is worthy of consideration. Pros and cons.

 

All apinions would be very welcome,

Pete

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My buddy has a cherry Epi 339 PRO. he's a bit of a horse trader, nothing usually hangs around in his house for too long.

 

Except for this one.

 

He says he still can't stop playing it. knowing him like I do, that says quite a bit about this one. I have a Sherry PRO II with the same electronics, the Probucker pickups are nice. Also note that the better hardware (like machine heads, toggle switches, and pots) used on the newer models is a vast improvement too.

 

Buy from one of the larger online stores (like sweetwater) and the return policy and service after the sale will never be an issue.

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They are very nice.

 

They are closer to a solidbody in sound than a full hollowbody and not too much louder than some solidbodys acoustically. The Casino Coupe is exactly the same shape but without the feedback-taming wood inside it. Therefore that is lighter and louder acoustically.

 

The shape is based on the larger ES-135 / Casino models, and the body shape is scaled down.

One advantage over those larger bodies is that the body is joined farther up the neck allowing better upper neck access. A disadvantage is that the smaller horns can be awkward to fit your hand through!

 

The ES-339 is coil tapped. I usually prefer the tapped sound to the full humbucker.

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I own and play the ES-339 P90 Pro. Pelham Blue.

 

She plays like a dream, and sounds terrific. Now some are not fans of the P90's as they can be a bit noisey with gain and high volumes, but if you work the volume knob, or get a noise gate that could cut down on it.

 

I play mostly hard rock and she holds up just fine. She was playable right out of the box, but I prefer low action, and had the pickups lowered just a touch as the P90s can be a little hot if too high.

 

Can't speak on the regular ES-339 with the Alnico Humbuckers, but if its anything like mine.....she's a dream.

 

Good luck!

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Thanks for the opinions guys. I'm in Europe so i'll probably be ordering with Thomann. The Pelham blue looks absolutely stunning, pity they don't make the pro in that colour. Having said that i think the cherry and the sunburst both look great too. I don't think they even sell the p90 version at Thomann and one of the great features that appeal to me as someone who knows nothing about electrics is the ability to coil tap in the original model. I like the fact that you get some added versatility out of the guitar.

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I had the opportunity to buy either an Epi ES339 Pro or Epi ES339 P90 Pro. Both were great as far as I was concerned and I would have been happy with either. However, I opted for the P90's as I already have a number of guitars with humbuckers (EPI Dot, Getch G5135, Epi LP PlusTop Pro, Gibby 2014 Les Paul Studio Pro. PRS Se Single Cut Trem). The P90 is a lot of fun, and like most, easy to play and sounds great.

 

My feeling is, whatever you decide, you will be happy with your new guitar.

 

Rather hard to get the Epi ES339 P90 in this country now.

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