TomHC Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Seen a rather shiny 339 on eBay in the UK, listed as brand new. But the serial number doesn't seem right. It's an ME number, and appears to be etched not stamped, starting with a 3 which would be a 2013 instrument? All the other 2013 339s I've seen are the Custom Shop branded ones, with CS serials. Is it possible a 339 could have a ME serial and I'm just being overly cautious? TIA. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Memphis-ES-339-in-Ebony-Gloss-302840/332471789278?epid=1718662896&hash=item4d68dce6de:g:dLkAAOSw0O5aJEh8:rk:3:pf:0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eades Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 (edited) Cheaper on there actual website rather than there Ebay site https://wildwireguitars.com/gibson-memphis-es-339-in-ebony-gloss-302840/ there also an authorized Gibson dealer Edited March 1, 2019 by EADES Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JO'C Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 A few years ago Gibson stopped calling the 339 Custom Shop guitars since they were being more massed produced. The ME designates Gibson Memphis. They also did this with Larry Carlton and Warren Haynes signature model ES-335's. I have a 2008 Larry Carlton that has a CS (Custom Shop) serial number but newer ones have the ME. So I think the 339 you are looking at is a 2013 and that is the transition year for that model so probably made later in the year and is likely still made in the exact same manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 (edited) A few years ago Gibson stopped calling the 339 Custom Shop guitars since they were being more massed produced. The ME designates Gibson Memphis. They also did this with Larry Carlton and Warren Haynes signature model ES-335's. I have a 2008 Larry Carlton that has a CS (Custom Shop) serial number but newer ones have the ME. So I think the 339 you are looking at is a 2013 and that is the transition year for that model so probably made later in the year and is likely still made in the exact same manner. ^This all^To further explain, that "Custom Shop" was actually referring to the "Custom Shop Series", literally just Custom Shop in name only. They were all made in Memphis, and there was never a "Custom Shop" in Memphis. A marketing ploy that was unfairly and I'm sure intentionally misleading.That all said, quality-wise they were actually really good. Many of the original employees of the Memphis facility were brought from the Custom Shop in Nashville as they needed skilled experienced employees for the ES production. So even though those 339 Custom Shop Series were not true CS, the quality is right up there! Also note that as ES production returns to Nashville, the higher end ESs are (as reported by Gibson) going to be made in the Custom Shop and the rest in the Gibson USA shop. (For example ES-335 standards are going to Gibson USA and ES-335 reissues are going to the Custom Shop) Edited March 6, 2019 by Wmachine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom brown Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 This is exactly what i was talking about in the other thread wmachine. I disagree with your post that you put on the other thread that Gibson is not responsible to put a spec sheet out . Gibson is responsible to label their guitars and market them honestly and disclose exactly what equipment is on them . The problem is they’re paying some guy a lot of money to make these decisions that are marketing plloys and the guy does not know what he’s doing . I have organized product lines and start offs with clients and Gibson seems to have no foresight of the future and intent just trying to make a quick buck and have no organization in regard serial numbers and types of 339‘s . I love the products though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom brown Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 You can "hold Gibson responsible", but they have no obligation to make all the past model specs available. FWIW Gibson specs. However the Gibson site never has had all the models them made available on the site. Did not include dealer ordered models, made for Japan, etc. Reference to previous post by wmachine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 This is exactly what i was talking about in the other thread wmachine. I disagree with your post that you put on the other thread that Gibson is not responsible to put a spec sheet out . Gibson is responsible to label their guitars and market them honestly and disclose exactly what equipment is on them . The problem is they're paying some guy a lot of money to make these decisions that are marketing plloys and the guy does not know what he's doing . I have organized product lines and start offs with clients and Gibson seems to have no foresight of the future and intent just trying to make a quick buck and have no organization in regard serial numbers and types of 339's . I love the products though ! You need to read more carefully. I said "past models". Please quote me correctly. The specs are all available through all authorized dealers when they are new, no matter where. Why do you think they are obligated to have them on their webpage? Especially when they are no longer available. I think it is in their best interest to do that, but that doesn't mean they have any obligation to. Same with the serial number. It is a unique number to a guitar. It does not have to mean anything more just because you want it to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom brown Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Wmachine I noticed if i put in gibson with model number i get a bunch of online vendors that still have up on website the year and model of certain guitars. The question is why gibson would not do the same ? Servers are dirt cheap if its a storage issue . Anyway, my main issue with my es 339 is that every website gives a different description of what pickups are in guitar. Thanks for any help T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Wmachine I noticed if i put in gibson with model number i get a bunch of online vendors that still have up on website the year and model of certain guitars. The question is why gibson would not do the same ? Servers are dirt cheap if its a storage issue . Anyway, my main issue with my es 339 is that every website gives a different description of what pickups are in guitar. Thanks for any help T To cut to the chase here, call, email, or contact Gibson online. Give them you s/n. They will give you at least some basic specs including what pups are in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom brown Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 Thanks wmachine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Thanks wmachine Well guess what Tom? Gibson webpage......brought back previous years models Reference material returns. Under "support" is "Gibson Guitar Specs (2015-2019)" http://legacy.gibson.com/ Pages are now titled "Gibson Legacy Archive" I notice they've wiped off the prices. But glad to see it back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted April 6, 2019 Share Posted April 6, 2019 When I first went to the factory in 2001, they mentioned that Memphis was under the umbrella of the Custom Shop. Eventually Memphis became on their own in later years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerony Posted May 12, 2019 Share Posted May 12, 2019 Thanks for the quick response to my post. I dont know how this will help you but here is the serial number on the frame I have. AE3120507 Its an A2E. Do you, or anyone you are in contact with, have decals for the head tube and down tube? Thanks for any help you can provide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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