Gibson ES-339 - Informed Opinions?

**jads57** · 07-06-2021, 09:15 PM

I ended up trading the ES-335 for a new Original ES-345. I preferred the the neck shape a bit more since it was more even tapered.
I know I'm a bit manic when it comes to neck shapes,LOL!

Both were excellent sounding and same finish as well. Highly recommend the new Original Series ES models!

**alpop** · 07-06-2021, 10:23 PM

Hi, OP here. Bought the guitar yesterday! 2013, near mint, with 57 Classics. Guitar and case had never been out of the owner's house. Cost me 2,00.00 CAD or 1,600.00 USD, of course no tax. I'm pretty sure I will have no trouble getting my money back should I need to sell it one day. (Let's face it, there is ALWAYS another one.....)
This is a real pro instrument, currently strung with 10's which I will keep on for a while, and may end up sticking with. I'll try and load a few pics and see how they come out. Second photo is for Gitterbug to show what 1,200.00 worth of headstock looks like.

Gibson ES-339 - Informed Opinions?-img_126812046-jpg

Gibson ES-339 - Informed Opinions?-img_126712043-jpg

**mr quick** · 07-07-2021, 05:22 AM

Cheers, OP. I have an ES-139, which is a single-cutaway and no soundhole-variation of the 339. Mine's a 2013 as well.

I work at a major instrument store, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that 2013 was a particularly good year at Gibson. Not saying the QC was any good - my guitar is orange peel galore and needed a fret levelling when it was brand new - but there is MAGIC in this guitar. My dad bought an SG the same year which has that same, undefinable magic. I've had customers in with their 2013's too, and they all have "something"... It's strange, and purely anecdotal, but I'm convinced that 2013 Gibsons are unusually good in how they feel.

Here is my guitar, 1 owner and a million miles.... 3 or 4 fret jobs and last year a full refret with the biggest stainless steel frets on the market (Jescar 51118)

It is currently strung with Thomastik Swing 011's, I can make you a recording if you want. Don't know if that'll actually tell us anything, though, as my pickups are custom made - though according to the guy who made them, meant to be a classic "PAF" sound, so can't be too far off from 57's.

Congratulations on your new guitar!

**339 in june** · 07-07-2021, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by alpop

Hi, OP here. Bought the guitar yesterday! 2013, near mint, with 57 Classics. Guitar and case had never been out of the owner's house. Cost me 2,00.00 CAD or 1,600.00 USD, of course no tax. I'm pretty sure I will have no trouble getting my money back should I need to sell it one day. (Let's face it, there is ALWAYS another one.....)
This is a real pro instrument, currently strung with 10's which I will keep on for a while, and may end up sticking with. I'll try and load a few pics and see how they come out. Second photo is for Gitterbug to show what 1,200.00 worth of headstock looks like.

Good choice, the guitar looks pristine !
Happy NGD !

**Gitterbug** · 07-07-2021, 07:24 AM

Second photo is for Gitterbug to show what 1,200.00 worth of headstock looks like.

[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I've got two and have had four more. And yes, they kept the value all right. Congratulations!

**alpop** · 07-07-2021, 10:04 AM

Mr. Quick: That is a cool guitar you have there, used as intended. Magic guitars- absolutely! TI Swing 11's are most likely going to end up on mine. That would require a pro set up so I think I'll play it for a while, and maybe it will convince me to stick with the 10's.

339 in june: Thanks, not a mark on the guitar, no high/low frets, good relief, a real find for sure. I've always been a johnny lunchbucket working guy without much disposable income so I don't make these kind of purchases lightly. So, when I do, I get a lot of happiness from them.

Gitterbug: Thanks! My reference to to your post about about the Epi was intended as a good natured rib. Glad it was received as such.

I'll post the guitar in action sometime this month on the Practical Standards thread so it can be heard in it's current state. (albeit in my less than pro hands

)

**lammie200** · 07-07-2021, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by mr quick

...
I work at a major instrument store, and I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that 2013 was a particularly good year at Gibson...

My ES-390 is a 2013. Pretty much flawless craftsmanship. I don't have the orange peel and the thing was set up properly when I got it. I think that I will be playing it tonight and start the rotation with it for the next 4-5 nights.

**alpop** · 07-07-2021, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by lammie200

My ES-390 is a 2013. Pretty much flawless craftsmanship. I don't have the orange peel and the thing was set up properly when I got it. I think that I will be playing it tonight and start the rotation with it for the next 4-5 nights.

Wow, just looked up what an ES 390 is, didn't know they existed. Thanks a LOT, another object of desire added to the list! Feel free to post a pic of yours if you want.

**steve burchfield** · 07-08-2021, 08:02 PM

I had one with a 10DB boost engaged by pushing down on the neck pu vol pot. Came in handy to supercharge solos.

**steve burchfield** · 07-09-2021, 10:16 AM

My 339 had a 10DB boost that was stock that you engaged by pressing down the neck pu pot.It came in handy to increase amplitude on solos.

**lammie200** · 07-09-2021, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by alpop

Wow, just looked up what an ES 390 is, didn't know they existed. Thanks a LOT, another object of desire added to the list! Feel free to post a pic of yours if you want.

Here it is.

**Hammertone** · 07-09-2021, 08:34 PM

I like that the size of the pickups matches the size of the guitar. They didn't quite get the horns right IMO, but it's still a nice-looking guitar.

**GNAPPI** · 07-09-2021, 11:40 PM

OP, you did good getting one with 57's. Later on Gibson followed some unknown business model and did with the 339 what they were doing with the 335 changing pups around. My 2018 has MHS pups, and while in general I do not like them, in my 339 they're actually pretty good... good enough to not swap them out with 57's.

**alpop** · 07-10-2021, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

OP, you did good getting one with 57's. Later on Gibson followed some unknown business model and did with the 339 what they were doing with the 335 changing pups around. My 2018 has MHS pups, and while in general I do not like them, in my 339 they're actually pretty good... good enough to not swap them out with 57's.

I became totally sold on Classic 57's about 5 years ago when I picked up an Epiphone ES175 Premium and it sounded better than my Gibson ES165. (set pickup)

**alpop** · 07-10-2021, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by lammie200

Here it is.

That looks great! I was caught off guard by the mini humbuckers. When I googled ES390 I got this:

Gibson.com: Gibson Memphis ES - 390

**lammie200** · 07-10-2021, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

I like that the size of the pickups matches the size of the guitar. They didn't quite get the horns right IMO, but it's still a nice-looking guitar.

Yeah, probably not the classic shape for the horns but I like the overall design. Super comfortable. I think the biggest issue is whether one is OK with the Gibson mini-hums or if they would want to go down the rabbit hole of replacing them. I have been tempted but I will probably keep them stock.

Originally Posted by alpop

That looks great! I was caught off guard by the mini humbuckers. When I googled ES390 I got this:

Gibson.com: Gibson Memphis ES - 390

That is the version that replaced the mini-hum version that I have. The P-90 version is probably pretty great. I have never played one. Also, I have only seen one like the one on that page that you linked with a clear finish to the the back of the neck. All the other ones that I have seen have black finishes. Mine is clear and I prefer clear which is more like an original feature for Gibson archtops. Also, when I got mine it was $800 less than that catalog price. Now they seem to be going for at least $800 more.

Also, I know that it is controversial but I like the 490R pickup in my ES-165. Never feel the need to change it.

**Alter** · 07-10-2021, 10:50 AM

Grats OP for the guitar! I would have probably bought one if left handed ones were to be found. I've played a couple, and thought they were somewhere between a 335 (339 sounds less woody, has less bass and thunk) and a les paul (339 has less bite, more thunk, more of an open sound). What sold me was the shape that's perfect for me.

The scarf joint was mentioned earlier in the thread. I don't think Gibson has ever used a scarf joint in their guitars, the 339s don't have one (Epiphones on the other hand use it).