Epiphone ES-339

[IM4Tone]

The last guitar I was jonesing for was the Epi Nighthawk and I didn't pull the trigger

I just learned that Epiphone is releasing an ES-339 this November (2011). I favor the semi-hollowbodies (such as the ES-335) for tone, but not for their height in the rear bout, a common complaint by many. I've been looking and looking and listening to demos of Gibson's ES-339 since it came out, but I just can't spend $2000. Now we have an alternative for $499. (There's also another version with additional acoustic type pickups and electronics for, I believe, $799.)

So, perhaps I'll buy myself a Christmas present

[zagatron1]

That's one heck of a coincidence 'cause I would often wonder if Epi would consider coming out with a ES-339. If that's the case, I'm on board!

[diaper head]

gibson/epi aren't the only ones who make nice semi-hollow guitars. and epi isn't the only company making nice ones for a reasonable price.   mine is a dillion, and after a little tweaking, it stands toe to toe with any gibson i ever played.  for less than the price of the good epi, and that includes parts and labor on all the stuff i did to it.   http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/cheezyridr/?action=view&current=websize.jpg

then there's hagstrom, godin, and indie, just to name a few more.  just fyi, the indie guitars are made in the same factory as the dillion.  that same factory has also made  roxbury, tokai (actualy, the legendary "fakai's came from there) and some prs, iirc.  epis can be hit or miss.   every one of the korean guitars i've ever checked out were well finished and nicely set up right out of the box.

[zagatron1]

I never implied that Gibson/Epi were the only ones that were any good 'cause I've had Hagstrom, Tokai, Gretch to name a few but I like the concept of the ES-339 'cause of it's size mostly. Bottom line is you buy what moves you. You know... what YOU want. I don't buy a guitar 'cause I think it's better that that one over there, or this one over here. It's about gettin' what pleases you, and what feels good in your  hands, and most of all brings out the best in you. Play on! (and enjoy!)

[IM4Tone]

I like the concept of the ES-339 'cause of it's size mostly.

My sentiments exactly! Most of the hollow and semi-hollowbody guitars are on the large side (rear bout height) except for the Epi "kat" series, which I have the Wildkat. But can you ever have too many guitars? .....NOT

[DetroitBlues]

Korean made guitars have been of the most consistant guitars of great quality from the Far East.  The guitars made in China, Indian, and others are all hit or miss. 

[zagatron1]

I don't know but who knows what you'll get these days? Hit or miss can apply to alot of stuff made just about anywhere. Well anyway, I see that Epiphone's ES-339 is $499. I also see that there is a Ultra model as well for $799. That one has that Nano Mag pick up, the USB port and all the goodies like the Les Paul Ultra III for example.

[reb]

when i see the word 'nano', i think of Mork from Ork:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mork_%26_Mindy

nano. nano. a lot of decent quality in foreign guitars, but i find i do best if i can 'audition' any prospect before i'm stuck with it.

someone on another forum said something to me like 'i don't know if i can take someone's music seriously who plays a Squier.' 

i told him, 'no one's asking you to take anything seriously.'.

[IM4Tone]

when i see the word 'nano', i think of Mork from Ork:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mork_%26_Mindy

nano. nano. a lot of decent quality in foreign guitars, but i find i do best if i can 'audition' any prospect before i'm stuck with it.

someone on another forum said something to me like 'i don't know if i can take someone's music seriously who plays a Squier.' 

i told him, 'no one's asking you to take anything seriously.'.

As far as "auditioning" prior to buying, that's the best way to do it, but if you live in a very remote area as I do, you can't usually find what you're interested in locally. So, next best bet is to buy on-line @ one of the big music houses that has a "no questions asked" 45 day return policy for full refund and to have done as much on-line research of demos, reviews, etc. before ordering. It's worked OK for me. Not like a test drive, but it usually works.

I've heard some very good music come from someone playing a Sqier. I don't pay a lot of attention to "brand name" snobs . I have two good friends who both are excellent, long-time guitar players, and both have Gibsons. When they played my 'Gibson' wanabes, $500-$600 clones, they were amazed and were highly complimentary of them.

[zagatron1]

That's the primary reason why I gave up on "other" forums. Too many "Brand Name Snobs". Actually just plain snobs. If all you can afford is even a bottom of the line Squier or any other so called cheap guitar for that matter and you can play your tail off and have fun doin' it, that's all that matters. I'm not gonna look down on anybody havin' fun and enjoyin' themselves playin' the git fiddle whether they're good or not. I like listening to folks playin'. The guys here are down to earth folk and my hat's off to all of you guys! Sooooo...Play on!!! (and enjoy of course)

Much respect!
-zag

[pictoratus]

I'm pretty sure that's his Squier Jeff Healey is rocking out on in this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikHI7_PMFNc

I've found a lot of guitar player are a pretty superstitious lot, or maybe it's more they subscribe to myths such as the label matters, what kind of wood, size of the pots, etc.

[zagatron1]

Sweet video Pic! Thanks for sharing. I see that some other guys I'm familiar with are participating as well... Dr. John, Marcus Miller, and Steve Jordan. I'm sure that some stuff like woods, and designs among other tangables are important but I just don't think that they make THAT much of an impact on sound that the differences jump out at you. Especially the name on the headstock. But who am I, thats just my take on the situation. Oh well.

[reb]

dang, pic! never seen that 'un!  guy gives me chills....stands up, no strap on the guitar, doesn't miss a lick standing up or going back to sit down. amp sounds like it's going to throw parts out on the floor. what a loss to guitardom....

i have tried that 'woods/pickups/strings/setup' thing. the only thing i can find that makes a big difference for me is the neck shape and the strap. if i have my strap too low, it messes me up...i'm even slower than usual.  i don't think i own a basswood bodied guitar, but some day i'm gonna try one (as well as a godin something or other).

what i notice makes a difference in ampflifiers for me is one that is 'touch sensitive'....some amps will go dirty on a hard strike, go clean on a lighter one.  i really like that...like hitting a pedal with no click.

great vid! thanks

IM4, i do that '45 day' thing myself.  about 50% of the time, i can't get on with what i get, though. if they don't pay return shipping, guitar shopping can get expensive. for me, it's 80 miles to a shop. at perhaps 15 mpg, that's about 10 gallons, or $37 bucks or so (depending). that's about what it costs to ship a guitar back to kc or jersey. so....one pays one's penny, and takes ones choice. i think you have more variety to pick from online, but you have more to get your hands on in a good shop.

i had to quit looking in the 'sent back guitars' online. too expensive to look....then i 'want to try'.

[weelie]

I have a Epi Alleykat. Sort of like semi hollow Les Paul deluxe kinda thing. I like it. Also have an Epi Dot that I bought as I wanted to be more semi-hollow... oh well... not playing at all...

I tried a Gibson ES-339 back when I got the Dot. Sticky neck, and although it was great, felt that it missed the depth of the Gibson Dot (that I tried in another store)... but anyway, cheap skate me didn't buy a Gibson.

Epi ES-339... will it be as light as the Gibson... but not neck heavy! On the Alleykat I had the neck strap button moved to neck heel (from the side). It's a lot better now, doesn't feel neck heavy anymore.

[IM4Tone]

I have a Epi Alleykat. Sort of like semi hollow Les Paul deluxe kinda thing. I like it. Also have an Epi Dot that I bought as I wanted to be more semi-hollow... oh well... not playing at all...

I tried a Gibson ES-339 back when I got the Dot. Sticky neck, and although it was great, felt that it missed the depth of the Gibson Dot (that I tried in another store)... but anyway, cheap skate me didn't buy a Gibson.

Epi ES-339... will it be as light as the Gibson... but not neck heavy! On the Alleykat I had the neck strap button moved to neck heel (from the side). It's a lot better now, doesn't feel neck heavy anymore.

I have a good friend who has the Alleykat...nice guitar, but I think they're discontinued now. I liked his so well, that I bought a Wildkat. Same body, but with P90's and a Bigsby. I have an Ibanez AS83, which is a Gibson ES-335 wanabe and since it has humbuckers, I wanted something a bit different in the "kat". Now I'm thinking I just have to have an Epi ES-339. AGAIN: You can NEVER have too many guitars!