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I have a 335 and a 339. Really love the ergonomics of the 339 and the fact that it fits my electric gigbag so easy to take on a plane or a bus etc. But it doesn't have the sound of a 335, it's like a cross between a 335 and a Les Paul, a bit more compressed, less airy, faster attack and a bit smaller sounding (so easier with effects) than the 335.
So it's missing the sonic heritage of both the 335 and the Les Paul. If you don't care about that it's a great guitar to have.
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12-08-2025 06:57 AM
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Me too. I still haven't found what I'm looking for... basically, that woody, airy 335 tone, but in a smaller package. The 339 does seem to be the most likely candidate. I'd love to have a fully-hollow tele, but I'm not going to have on built or buy some expensive boutique thing. The ES-Les Pauls are a possibility. The PRS hollowbodys sound really good as well...
Originally Posted by TF
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[QUOTE=ruger9;1437916]Me too. I still haven't found what I'm looking for... basically, that woody, airy 335 tone, but in a smaller package. The 339 does seem to be the most likely candidate. I'd love to have a fully-hollow tele, but I'm not going to have on built or buy some expensive boutique thing. The ES-Les Pauls are a possibility. The PRS hollowbodys sound really good as well...
I was looking for the exact same thing...and found it with a Fibenare Basic Jazz hollow body. It's a full hollow body les paul style with only two round wood posts anchoring the wraparound bridge to the back. The lower bout is slightly wider and the body is slightly thicker than my Les Paul. It's a stunning guitar, super light and gives you that hollowbody airiness, even more so than my ES-335.
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[QUOTE=joebloggs13;1437923]
She's a beauty! I'd prefer covered pickups (more classic look), but it's gorgeous and I'll bet it sounds gorgeous as well! Originally Posted by ruger9
Me too. I still haven't found what I'm looking for... basically, that woody, airy 335 tone, but in a smaller package. The 339 does seem to be the most likely candidate. I'd love to have a fully-hollow tele, but I'm not going to have on built or buy some expensive boutique thing. The ES-Les Pauls are a possibility. The PRS hollowbodys sound really good as well...
I was looking for the exact same thing...and found it with a Fibenare Basic Jazz hollow body. It's a full hollow body les paul style with only two round wood posts anchoring the wraparound bridge to the back. The lower bout is slightly wider and the body is slightly thicker than my Les Paul. It's a stunning guitar, super light and gives you that hollowbody airiness, even more so than my ES-335.
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I have one of these below. It’s single cutaway, but semi hollow. The Seymour Duncan 59’s give you a sound that to my ears is equal the Gibson PAF pickups, such as a 57 classic. Comfortable and the workmanship is flawless. Excel SS XT - D'Angelico Guitars
Last edited by Zigracer; 12-09-2025 at 10:24 AM.
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LOVE that Reeves!
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[QUOTE=ruger9;1437938]
I'm the opposite lol...the pickup bobbins are Ebony and the pickup rings are flamed maple. The craftsmanship is off the charts. Originally Posted by joebloggs13
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The 335 size doesn't really bother me, and haven't explored this too deeply, so grains of salt ...
I've tried a few 339's, and I don't really agree that they sound markedly different from the 335's I've tried, though maybe it comes down to comparing specific guitars, plus a bit of subjectivity as to what one thinks of as the 335 sound. The one I tried most recently (custom shop variant with a flamey top and block markers) was a great guitar and has me somewhat thinking about what I'd have to sell to get one.
Chez Gibson, there's also the Gibson Midtown. I've tried a couple of those, and I would agree with the consensus that they sound more like solid bodies than semis (definitely brighter sounding than any 335 I've played), but they're nice guitars otherwise. I once tried an ES-235 -- sounded good, but it was a mess (this was in the midst of the bankruptcy when Gibson flooded the market with defective guitars). Maybe you can find a good one, but caveat emptor. There's also the ES-139, though I haven't tried one. They pop up occasionally relatively cheap.
D'Angelico makes a few smaller semis (both single cut and double). I've heard other people (but not tried) the Mini EX DC, and I they sound good to me. One guy I know plays both one of those and a 335, and he sounds pretty much the same on both. I've tried the EX-SS, which is very nice.
If you can afford it, Collings's semis are all a bit smaller than 335's and are really nice guitars.
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It's been my no. 1 amp for almost 10 years. Right now running a stereo rig with my Bartel Starwood. Originally Posted by jim777
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[QUOTE=joebloggs13;1437953]
ooohhhh.... can't tell that from the pic, I thought they were just black/cream! (I was actually a little shocked that such PLAIN pickups would be on such a gorgeous guitar) Originally Posted by ruger9
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My CS 339 amd Studio 339 were thinline construction. My Pat Martino was solid wood construction like the 336, just a different shape and Ebony fingerboard. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
The Studio I actually ended up liking best sans the thinner neck shape. Should have never sold that! It had a baked maple fingerboard,Lol!
Ive figured out how to make thicker neck shape with wood bondo and paint. It actually works great sans my poor finishing skills,Lol!
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That sounds like some hillbilly engineering! Originally Posted by jads57
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[QUOTE=ruger9;1437979]
In the second pic you can see the grain in the ebony on the bobbins. Originally Posted by joebloggs13
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Definitely! No qualified repair person would do it for me,Lol! But I had read an article about Howard Roberts Black guitar, where he had someone put auto bondo on his neck and reshape it to his preferences. Originally Posted by ruger9
That sounds like some hillbilly engineering!
I just get tired of pleading with companies to spec a larger neck for me. And so I just took a chance,and it’s actually worked out!
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My first real guitar was an 83 Matsumoku Epiphone Riviera. Still one of the best I’ve ever played. It’s a little over 16” and while gassing over a Michael Stevens Classic I made this one. Slightly less than 15” across, maple neck thru, chambered mahogany body, carved maple top. It’s not as airy as the laminate Riviera but it’s certainly more comfortable sitting on the sofa. I have a memory of the 80’s Ibanez AM Stagemaster models being great guitars.
Never played a 339 that got me excited, but I have drooled over the CS356.
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Wow,being able to make your own guitar would be dangerously interesting for me! I’d probably never have time to play them,Lol!
Wonderful job on your Michael Steven’s style guitar!
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The Collings semi-hollow offerings (i35, i35LC etc) are a bit smaller than a Gibson 335, somewhere between the 335 and 339 in body size.
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Thanks Jads, that’s always been my curse. I’ve enjoyed building way more than listening to my own playing.
I’ve never had my hands on a Michael Stevens but I sure love his aesthetic and design choices.
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I'd love an I35-LC, I just can't pay that much for a guitar (not singling out Collings, I won't pay those prices for a Fender Custom Shop either). But on paper, the Collings 35's seem about perfect TO ME. Especially if they have those ridiculously-priced Throbak pickups in them. Originally Posted by David B
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People have said that the Collings does sound different from a 335. I don't have any experience with Collings tho. Originally Posted by ruger9
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The Collings "335" type guitars are a little different. They are 15" at lower bout and the I-35 and I-35 deluxe model are from a solid mahogany body that is hollowed out. The I-35LC and I-35 LC deluxe are made from laminate construction like the 335 and would probably sound closer to the 335.
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