simon_62 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Just after a fair comparison of the two models from people who own both if possible. Im selling off my PRS245 to get one of the models as my head is just in a place where i "need" a semi-hollow tone lol!!! Ive heard that the 339's arent exactly a 335 but im not too fussed as the sc245 i have is a frickin' beaut so i would be happy to keep a similar tone anyway! Cheers ps, was there ever a CS-339? Ive been offered a plaintop one in a direct trade but have a feeling the owner may be confused between an ES339 and a CS336? pps, heres what im selling to get one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 The ES-339 is a Custom Shop guitar. Perhaps that's what he meant by CS? I've never owned a 335, but played some. The ES-339 just suited me best. I like the slightly smaller body. I gig bars in the U.S.A., mostly smaller 150/300 seat clubs. I've gigged Les Paul, S.G., Strats, Teles, ect., and the 339 is my #1 now. It just works best, I like everything about it. Best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 I've wanted a 335 for years, so I didn't even consider the 339...but they seem to be quite nice. I'd like to try one out, even though I'm too old and set in my ways to trade the 335 for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyH Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I compared both to pick the one I liked the best. The 339 simply did not sound as good as the 335, so I bought the 335. It was really no contest. The 335 felt better too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon_62 Posted December 16, 2008 Author Share Posted December 16, 2008 lol, no offence but thats a bit subjective!?! i know the main issue with guitars is personal preference but unfortunately i dont have the option to try a CS/ES-339 against a 335 as the nearest dealer that has both in stock is 6 hours drive away! :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ES345 Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Simon, Different construction, but similar in size guitars. it is tough buying one without playing at least a sample, but such is the internet life today. i have two links below just to show you the differences and what the approximate difference in prices are. you can still negotiate. personally i would not sell the prs. if you can keep it and still get what you want that is the way to go. unless you just don't like the prs. i have two prs's, custom 24, and a spruce top hollow body (a fabulous guitar) and they are no issue top quality guitars (as you know). I own a CS 356, the approximate size, shape of the 339, but i believe the same construction as the 359, solid piece of mahogany, for the sides and back with a maple top, great size and sound, with no feedback issues. Personally for an all around jazz, blues, rock guitar, i think the 335 is the standard, and i think the size is just right, nothing wrong with the size of the 339, 359, 356, in fact i think gibson uses this as a selling point, closer to the size of a les paul. but my opinion/recommendation is a 335, or better yet a 345, no bias here. oh, that prs you have is a beauty. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=es+339 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=es+359 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esch Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I compared both to pick the one I liked the best. The 339 simply did not sound as good as the 335' date=' so I bought the 335. It was really no contest. The 335 felt better too. [/quote'] Thats so funny and illustrates just how subjective this decision is because I would make exactly the opposite comments from the one above. I've owned 335s in the past and also when I found the 339s in my local store I compared both to pick the one I liked best. The 335 "simply did not sound as good" as the 339 to me, so I bought the 339. No contest. The 339 felt better too for the neck, body size and general playability. I own a number of gibsons and other guitars and the 339 is one of my two favorites (the other is my goldtop Les Paul). In my opinion gibson really hit a winner with the 339 there is so much about it that appeals to me. PS, that is one of the most BEAUTIFUL prs singlecuts I've seen. DO NOT GET RID OF IT!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Nahum Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Simon, If all 335s (and, without bias, 345s) sounded the same and had the same neck etc and all 339s sounded the same, and were always played through a standard amplifier playing standard songs, it might be possible to give you a definitive answer. Fortunately each guitar has its own character, amplifiers are not standard and we all play different music. About the only thing one can say with any certainty is that the 335 body is bigger than that of the PRS and this may or may not suit you in ergonomic terms. The 335 should have a bit more low end and midrange than the 339 because of the body size but the extent to which this is true will vary from one model to another. Even if you are after this warmer tone, you might find that the 339 offers enough of it if you do not want to be playing a larger guitar. I prefer to play out (jazz) with my 345 because of its big warm tone but will often practice with a (short-scale) Tele because it is a bit less guitar. Given that you are thinking about unloading your PRS and spending a good amount of dough, my advice is that you really need to try out a representative sample of each of these models before making any decisions. Is it an option to fly to New York? RN PS Have you thought about a 345 as another option? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weeladdie Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Simon' date=' If all 335s (and, without bias, 345s) sounded the same and had the same neck etc and all 339s sounded the same, and were always played through a standard amplifier playing standard songs, it might be possible to give you a definitive answer. Fortunately each guitar has its own character, amplifiers are not standard and we all play different music. About the only thing one can say with any certainty is that the 335 body is bigger than that of the PRS and this may or may not suit you in ergonomic terms. The 335 should have a bit more low end and midrange than the 339 because of the body size but the extent to which this is true will vary from one model to another. Even if you are after this warmer tone, you might find that the 339 offers enough of it if you do not want to be playing a larger guitar. I prefer to play out (jazz) with my 345 because of its big warm tone but will often practice with a (short-scale) Tele because it is a bit less guitar. Given that you are thinking about unloading your PRS and spending a good amount of dough, my advice is that you really need to try out a representative sample of each of these models before making any decisions. [b']Is it an option to fly to New York?[/b] RN PS Have you thought about a 345 as another option? I met a Welshman in a guitar store in NYC (Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island) and he said that the money he saved by buying a guitar here was enough to pay for his round trip plane fare. He was also buying a second guitar as a present and that was saving him enough to spend a few vacation days in NYC, before returning to the UK. Just something for you to think about...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I switched from a PRS to a 335 and could not get used to the larger size. I eventually ended up with a Johnny A which is a phenomenal guitar. The size and tone are perfect for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RudyH Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 esch: I am glad you brought up your observations too, which contradict mine. The important thing to a potential buyer is that they are different guitars and really should be handled and tried. I do like the 339, though, and agree that it should be an enduring winner in the Gibson line. It's a very good idea, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigormortis Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 I also live in a remote place, but I strongly agree you should travel someplace and play them yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esch Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 esch: I am glad you brought up your observations too' date=' which contradict mine. The important thing to a potential buyer is that they are different guitars and really should be handled and tried. I do like the 339, though, and agree that it should be an enduring winner in the Gibson line. It's a very good idea, too. [/quote'] Thanks rudy, & BTW I wasnt trying to be a jerk, I thought it was interesting to contrast our opinions that way. to illustrate how subjective it really is. They're both great guitars for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 After putting several months worth of gigs on mine, I am a huge fan of the ES-339. Everything else is a backup. Best of luck. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troels Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 The ES-339 is a Custom Shop guitar... ...and so is the 335.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted December 26, 2008 Share Posted December 26, 2008 I was just trying to explain why the seller may have been confused about the Model #. No offense. Murph. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarJunkie Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 The ES-339 is a Custom Shop guitar. ...and so is the 335.... But the regular production (meaning non-historic) ES-335 has a regular 8 or 9 digit Gibson serial number despite being a "Custom Shop" guitar. The ES-339 has a "CS" serial number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobv Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Yes all the ES guitars are made in the "Memphis Custom" shop except the Historic 335's are made in the Nashville Custom Shop. Some might say Nashville is the real custom shop and the other place is just under the same corporate umbrella. Not a knock, of course, I love my 339 even though I didn't add much weight to the CS decal on the back of the headstock. Well crafted guitars. I can't say I was as impressed with the fit and finish of the "Gibson USA" models like the Les Paul Standard or Traditional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.