Kenny V Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I had a few hours to waste tonight so I stopped at my local Guitar Center tonight to see what they. What do I see hanging on the wall was a brand new antique red ES 339 with a 30/60 neck. I was told they just got the guitar in, and it was the first one they had ever received at the store. I have been looking at a Rickenbacker 330 and 360 the last month or so and the ES 339 was in the mix, but no guitar store in Cleveland has a new one or even a used one in stock. I am not one to buy a guitar without trying it out first. So I played the ES 339 for about a half an hour and as they say the rest is history. It now resides at my house. The build date on it is October 27, 2010. I purchased a new Fender Stat a couple months back that Strat sat at Sam Ash for about a year, so it new to me, but it was broken in. The ES 339 is so new it even smells new. I am not use to having a guitar that is not even a month old. I did notice the guitar does go out of tune a bit, which I attribute to new strings that have to be stretched out a bit. Of course as soon as I got home I started playing my new purchase. Due to being somewhat congested and my ears a little blocked it almost sounded as though the A and D strings buzzed a bit at a loud volume, (4 on a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue) At my normal playing volume I did not hear any buzz, and I was too lazy to take out another guitar to hear if it was the guitar or my ears. GC does have a 30 return policy so I will have time to check out any buzz issues when my hearing is normal. Is there anything I should know about regarding a break in period for an almost 1 month old guitar? I do like the guitar. Thanks, Kenny V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sproggie Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Hi Kenny, I bought my ES-339 mail order around 6 months ago, I live in Greece so there was no chance of seeing one first. The finish was good but I didn't like the angle of the neck pickup so I turned the mount around so the pickup is now parallel to the strings. At the start mine just wouldn't stay in tune and I'd read that a lot of people were complaining about this so I was a little worried. I cured it by changing the strings. I suspect the guitar comes with 10's fitted. I fitted 9's which I prefer and straight away there was a big improvement so I think that the nut was cut a bit tight. Since then the guitar has just got better and more stable. I can't say how well mine was set up when it came. I set up my own and it's been easy to get it how I want it. If I were you I'd take yours straight back to the shop where you bought it and have their tech look at the nut and set it up for you. Don't let them take it off you though cos it's worth keeping. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDRR Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Kenny , I`m glad you decided on the 339 instead of the 330, I mean what can you play with the 330? You can play everything with the 339. I have a Red on too! K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G McBride Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Congrats on the 339. I bought one a couple of months ago and they are fantastic. I hear a little ping once in a while when I tune mine so I would agree the nut may be cut just a little snug for 10s. I don't have any trouble keeping mine in tune since changing out the strings and stretching the new ones good while installing. Enjoy that guitar, you made a wise choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayville Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Is it possible the A & D string "buzzing" is really more of a rattle coming from the bridge/saddle area? If so, your saddle-screw retaining wire may be just a bit loose. You can fix that by carefully bending a downward notch into the wire between a couple of the screws using the edge of a flathead screwdriver. Absolutely protect the top with a piece of cardboard before trying this - but it's very easy to do if you're careful, and the resulting little notch puts added tension on the retaining wire and stops the rattle. Alternately, you can remove the bridge and dab on a little clear nail polish to sort of "glue" the wire on enough to stop the rattle. On the nut ping/tuning issue: (assuming your strings are stretched out properly) because of the angle between the nut and the tuning pegs on a Gibson Headstock (especially on the middle strings) it's not uncommon to experience a little binding on a brand-new guitar. A pro with the proper files can address that for you in a matter of minutes, but if you're feeling brave you can draw a little piece of sandpaper through the slot and try to remove a bit of material from the slot walls (not the bottom). People sometimes use an old and thicker guitar string as a file too. And a soft pencil can lubricate the slot and reduce binding issues... but you end up with a bit of a smudgy looking nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidl Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 I've had my new ES-339 antique red for about a month and absolutely love. I too had the little ping sound when tuning and had a little trouble keeping in tune. I just lubricated the nut and saddles with a graphite product when I changed the strings and no more problem. One brand name is Nut Sauce I think. I don't remember which product I used but it will be applied to all my electrics at string change time. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Kenny , I`m glad you decided on the 339 instead of the 330, I mean what can you play with the 330? You can play everything with the 339. I have a Red on too! K You can play oodles of things on a 330 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDRR Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 You can play oodles of things on a 330 Your oodles bag isn`t as big as mine! I had a Kay 3 pickup guitar in 66, I could play some things with that , but it was Firewood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versatile Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Your oodles bag isn`t as big as mine! I had a Kay 3 pickup guitar in 66, I could play some things with that , but it was Firewood! Just re-read the first post....for some reason I was thinking ES330 The Rick is lovely and slightly more specialised So the ES339 is the best for 'versatility' Kays started a lot of famous careers, but were a bit mediocre! V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDRR Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 I guess you could say a Kay started my career? I know what career? I own a Tele and I like the twang but I was surprised to hear the twang out of my 339. Another little added thing with the 339. This is now and back then was back then but I have to believe that if 339`s were around in the 50`s and 60`s they would of been used. I think more than the 335! Just my thought! Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny V Posted November 18, 2010 Author Share Posted November 18, 2010 Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. The Tech at GC had put new strings on the guitar, set the guitar up and after I played the guitar for a total of 6 hours I was let down with this guitar. I loved the look, the feel, and how the guitar felt in my hands, but the sound was horrible. It would not stay in tune for one complete song and the intonation was way way off. I play guitar daily for relaxation and as a stress release from my job, and I found myself at the end of my playing sessions to be frustrated and not relaxed. So, with munch regret, I returned the guitar for a refund. I am not here to bash Gibson, or GC. I own an ES 135 and a LP Standard, both of which I love, and would never consider getting rid of either one. My LP is my favorite guitar. I have had no issues with either one. I also took a tour of the Gibson plant in Memphis this past September and was extremely impressed with how the men and women, who I would consider craftsmen/women and not factory workers, went about their job building quality guitars. I will simply say that this guitar was one that probably went south during transit or had bad tuners from the factory. Kenny V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G McBride Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Sorry you gave up on it so soon. I think that mine is probably the most versatile guitar I have ever owned. Guitars are a personal thing though and while I may love them others hate them. Are you getting something else now or just hanging on to the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hall Posted November 18, 2010 Share Posted November 18, 2010 Congrats, Kenny. Just a toothpick end of good old 3/1 oil through the nut slots and saddle notches also works well on,"pings". Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny V Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 G McBride, I think I will hold off making any purchases for now and keep my eyes open. Maybe I'll look for a used 339 at the next guitar show or on Craigslist. Kenny V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KDRR Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 G McBride, I think I will hold off making any purchases for now and keep my eyes open. Maybe I'll look for a used 339 at the next guitar show or on Craigslist. Kenny V Sorry that 339 didn`t work out. The Red 339 I own I bought from a friend, hes a circut player and he needed a Les Paul , I had one and we worked out a deal and I have his 339. Now he bought it 3yrs ago but it was the second one he got. The first one, he couldn`t get the 6 string to intoneate and the neck pickup ring was broke. He sent it back and got another one and I have that one now. The only problem I`ve had and it seems to be common is they could of cut the nut (grooved) a little better, I get that ping from time to time when you tune. I have 10`s on it. I will put on a bone nut down the line. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Sorry to hear about the 339. It is a fine guitar. I love mine. Hearing even one story that is most likely related to QC is not good in my opinion. I have no major problems with my Gibsons but I do see flaws in them. The is NOT the case though with any PRS guitar I played. The one I bought is flawless, which was bought sight unseen. I know that Gibson is trying with their QC, but if PRS can do it then I think that Gibson can too. It's a shame because you lost out on a truly great guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G McBride Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 My 339 was the last guitar I purchased. Had it have been the first, I probably wouldn't have as many as I do now. I still play my other guitars but the 339 is my go to guitar. At 57 years of age, I have played a lot of junk and I have played some of the best guitars every made. I can honestly say that I can't think of one that I liked any better than my 339. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StijnV Posted November 26, 2010 Share Posted November 26, 2010 Sorry to hear Kenny ! Our Custom Shop guitars from Memphis and Nashville are being plekked at the nut as well since 2007. We really do everything we can to check each guitar very well before it's being shipped out. Stijn Vergeest Gibson Europe Customer Service 00800-4GIBSON1 00800-44427661 www.gibson.com service.europe@gibson.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny V Posted November 26, 2010 Author Share Posted November 26, 2010 Thanks for the new input. A couple of days ago I looked at a used Rick 360. A really great guitar, but I still think I will hold off and keep an eye out for a 339. I am sure another one will show up in my area either new or used in the near future. I could not imagine having to deal with shipping a guitar back to an online vendor if there were problems, not that they would not stand behind their return policies. It would be a hassle especially if the original box started to fall apart and I believe that one should play a guitar before purchasing it. I have purchased lots of small sized equipment from online vendors with no issues, but I am reluctant to buy a guitar in this fashion. G McBride, from one old guy to another, thanks for your input. I agree with you about not buying junk. In my later years I have always bought quality equipment, that's one of the main reasons I was upset with this purchase. I own guitars that cost more than the 339, but at 2K one would have thought there would be no real issues other than setting the guitar up. Stijn, thanks for your input, it nice to know that Gibson does monitor and respond to posts in a appropriate manner, even if is from the Europe office. Again I will restate that I am not bashing Gibson or the craftsman/women who made this guitar. I have toured the factory in Nashville and was duly impressed. I am only disappointed that this guitar did not work out. The search goes on. Kenny V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 I wouldn't trade my ES-339 for a solid gold monkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G McBride Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 Murph, sounds like you like yours about as much as I do. I seriously doubt that I would have as many Gibsons if I had bought the 339 first. Oh, who am I kidding, I would have wanted to see if they all played this good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidl Posted December 7, 2010 Share Posted December 7, 2010 The 339 really does have a special feel and sound. But so does my historic re-issue and Robot LP. The 339 is my newest and does get more play time than the others but I think there is a definite place for each of my guitars depending on what I'm doing. Heck, you couldn't pry any of them out of my hands with a crow bar. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 Kenny, when I purchased my 339 last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to choose from three in stock (between two GCs). One sounded great, while the other two paled by comparison, I kid you not. Luckily the winner in tone also had the best overall playability as well. Earlier this year, the same experience played out (literally) when purchasing an Elitist Casino. Three were in stock at the same store (not a GC). Once again, one had a superior tone & playability (and the other two also had slightly twisted necks!). Lastly, about four months ago, I purchased a Martin OM-1. Once again, there were three in stock between two GCs. This time, the tone was pretty close on all three, but the playability on one was far & away better. Moral of the story: No matter who the builder, each guitar will be different, and you are far better off if you can play before you buy. That said, if the guitar you're after simply never shows up locally, going the mail order route is really not a scary proposition, as long as the return policy is similar to MF's. I have done this once, and it was a breeze. Just be prepared to eat the shipping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qblue Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 I had a few hours to waste tonight so I stopped at my local Guitar Center tonight to see what they. What do I see hanging on the wall was a brand new antique red ES 339 with a 30/60 neck. I was told they just got the guitar in, and it was the first one they had ever received at the store. I have been looking at a Rickenbacker 330 and 360 the last month or so and the ES 339 was in the mix, but no guitar store in Cleveland has a new one or even a used one in stock. I am not one to buy a guitar without trying it out first. So I played the ES 339 for about a half an hour and as they say the rest is history. It now resides at my house. The build date on it is October 27, 2010. I purchased a new Fender Stat a couple months back that Strat sat at Sam Ash for about a year, so it new to me, but it was broken in. The ES 339 is so new it even smells new. I am not use to having a guitar that is not even a month old. I did notice the guitar does go out of tune a bit, which I attribute to new strings that have to be stretched out a bit. Of course as soon as I got home I started playing my new purchase. Due to being somewhat congested and my ears a little blocked it almost sounded as though the A and D strings buzzed a bit at a loud volume, (4 on a Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue) At my normal playing volume I did not hear any buzz, and I was too lazy to take out another guitar to hear if it was the guitar or my ears. GC does have a 30 return policy so I will have time to check out any buzz issues when my hearing is normal. Is there anything I should know about regarding a break in period for an almost 1 month old guitar? I do like the guitar. Thanks, Kenny V I would raise the ABR-1 bridge on the low E string side by a 1/4 turn. Your action won't be seriously impacted, and the guitar will 'sing' better. Then maybe your intonation will need readjustment, but that is an easy fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted December 9, 2010 Share Posted December 9, 2010 Murph, sounds like you like yours about as much as I do. I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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