I bought one of these back in 2019 when they were still $500 and had the coil tap push/pull knobs, Kluson style tuners and pau ferro fretboard. So many affordable guitars have jumped to crazy prices in inflation, but this only had an additional $50 added, so that's great. Some of the Epiphone Les Paul models have really jumped in price, and the Mexican Fender Player Series is now up to $870. Like you, I also ordered from Sweetwater and they did an amazing job with the setup. I play a Telecaster too, and you could not have picked a better guitar to compliment it in a mix. The ES-339 can do just about any genre. I've even managed higher gain and hard rock on it. The only downside I had to mine was one of the volume pots had a short and needed a bit of fixing. The main thing is the pickup set in it is some of the best humbuckers I've ever heard. They're a little hotter than the Gibson '57 set. If they sound muddy to some people's ears, an adjustment to pickup height will fix that.
The more I play it the more I like it. The only thing that has happened since this video is the input had to be tightened. The surprising thing to me is it holds tuning as well as my Tele.
@@1earguitar Same thing happened to mine. I had a short in the neck pickup volume pot, and the toggle switch had a little short in it. Other than that, it's been a great guitar for nearly 4 years now. The only thing I'd like to do to it is have the gloss on the back of the neck sanded down to satin.
I agree! I love them so much I bought both the P90 and humbucker versions. I will probably buy a 3rd one with P90s that I will swap out with DeArmond pickups. I love where the pickup switch is on these. So easy to switch pickup positions, I don't even have to look down when switching. I also like the separate volume controls for each pickup.
I just bought a used Epi 339 w/case form GC for $359 and took it straight to my fav looth for a new nut and set up. It will be ready in 2 weeks- VERY EXCITE!!!
I could really hear the bass tone on Damascus Road. Thank you so much for the video. It really helps people decide on a guitar they have been thinking about. You sounded great! Keep playing my friend and God Bless you and yours. Love you all Bill.
Ha Ha... You can demonstrate and play that ES-339 ALL DAY and NIGHT... and I will stay tuned in ! Beauty of a Guitar... Lovely Tones played by a skilful musician... Longer 'Vids' ? and... even some of your "Church" songs ???? Cheers !
I got one last week and I think it's great and the action was so damn low I raised it just a little bit I am amazed at the quality for the price and it's got Gibson written all over it. Very nice and not clunky like the 335
The 339 is one of BEST GUITAR purchases i have made. I have replaced POTS and switch with Gibson 339 kit. The pu;s are SD PEARLY GATES. What a fantastic instrument. T O N E BLISS. NEW EPI FIREBIRD in the works. Thank you SWEETWATER. You rock STEVE G.
I agree. I've had mine for a while now ( a natural beauty with no pickguard ). It screams !!! Mellow tone or excess gain this guy 'Les Pauls' with the best of 'em. Correct with your observation about the upper fret access - I'm guessing it's the 24 3/4 scale length as opposed to the tele's 25 1/2 & the cutaway diameter, but the Gibson 339's similar. One other little glitch I found was the pickguard was pretty sharp (as are the string saddles) n it tried to take a slice out of my little finger, subsequently removal of pickguard, BUT the guitar looks GREAT without it... there's even an alluring little knot in the grain which was only revealed by removing the guard .... almost gives me Marilyn M vibes ... a cute little beauty spot. As much as it urks me, well done you Chinese chaps
Having watched this..... I have ya beat for price... I ordered mine quite a few years ago ...or should say my wife did as a present long before your purchase .. Turned out Sweetwater at the time had 4 available in the Natural finish & that they were actually new to the line having first come into the states apparently in Sept. and mine was also gotten in November. ( early Christmas gift ) Well the price for them in the beginning was $379 if memory serves. As you I purchased a hard shell Epiphone case , with guitar in the case for protection during shipping which my salesman suggested I do rather than ship separately . So in the end....to the lucky side for me. Guitar / Case / music stand/ strap all came to just about what your guitar cost itself. How timing makes a difference. It got me playing again after 30 or so years with some high school friends.....The best guitar in the world.....not doubt it isn't....but as you state.... " Band for the Buck " absolutely Thanks for your video
First thing to do if you get this guitar is new strings and adjust the pickup height. I also bought new locking tuners. The ones on it don’t seem to hold tuning very well.
The reason you have a little trouble fretting that high is the scale length. The shorter scale leaves less roombetween the frets, so if your fingers are a little bit fat, you have trouble because there's less space to fit your fingers.
Great video and sweet playing! The only thing sweeter would be playing Damascus Road on that guitar using Damascus Steel strings ;-P. That does seem like a pretty stellar deal for such a fine-sounding instrument! Great editing as well by the way!
Hope you enjoy it. A little while after this video the strap button started getting loose and the output jack had to be tightened too. Other than that the more I play it the more I like it.
I tried a Gibson 339 today. The shop didn't have an Epiphone 339 in stock. Woo Wee what a nice feel. I can't afford it. Is the Epiphone 339 that big of a difference? Thanks!
Thank you! No it’s not neck heavy. After answering I got to thinking about an experience several years ago and decided to test it. I found an old nylon strap and did experience neck dive with it. But since I use a leather strap it’s not noticeable.
looking into one of these guitars at the moment. seems like a great value. also as a fellow southerner, where are you at in the deep south? I'm in Hattiesburg, MS
We are almost neighbors. I’m halfway between Laurel and Collins on Hwy 84. A little community called Hebron. About the Epiphone I really like it as an option that’s different from my Telecasters but I would recommend playing one before buying to check out the upper fret access.
Buy one !!look very carefully find one with a zero fret if you don't know what a zero fret is there's a fret next to the nut the intonation on all those bars near to perfect as you can get some of the three 399 have coil split allso
