Been playing for 45 plus years. Still learning. Started with folk then punk, then ska, now ol' slow blues. Many great guitars have passed through my hands. The Epi 339 does it all, it is my favourite electric of all time, and it just gets better. Holds it's tuning perfectly, it looks better with wear. It's an early edition wine red, a little darker than cherry with a rosewood fretboard. Incredible 'fat' clean jazz tones when played with 11's. So get one play it daily for 7 or so years. Let the varnish wear, let it get the scars of use. Keep it in a hard case - like all es 's the necks are fragile at the headstock. 5 stars.
Can I ask you what the difference is between the P90s and the humbuckers? There is an ES-339 P90 Pro for sale that is GORGEOUS! but I just want that sweet smooth jazz, no acid here. Not yet anyway! lol. I've been playing 50 years and just getting started wanting to go beyond what my acoustics provide. Anhywho which would be better for me, the p90 pro or the regular pro with the humbuckers?
@@hotwireman49 P90s are single coil. So they hum! Humbuckers don't they are dual coil. However, the es 339 humbuckers can be split to single coil if needed. They have a very similar tone to the original Gibson '57 PAF's. With that lovely full fat creamy clean tone. YT has many comparisons. So I'd definitely go with Humbuckers than P90s. Hope that helps
@@hotwireman49 90s can absolutely get you a jazz tone, theyre what people used before humbuckers. Personally I preferred the casino coupe with p90s, same size but lighter weight and airier, comes with p90s. the 339 sounds closer to a les paul than a full 335, idk why. but the 335 has a jazzier sound, 339 has a more solidbody sounding attack and upper midrange focus
I have this very same model in this finish. Bought it in 2013. I liked it so much I bought the P90 pro version in Pelham blue in 2015. I love playing both of them. Great review, thanks!
what a clear, thoughtful, balanced review -- what pushes Rumbling Man beyond 11 is that he flawlessly uses the intransitive verb "exuberate" -- 2. archaic: to have something in abundance : overflow. I'm 70 years old, retired English professor, and I've NEVER heard someone use the word. Rumbling Man, Rumble On!
I have had my Epiphone ES-339 Pro for 5 years now and I love it. Mine has Grover tuners, newer humbucker pickups like a Les Paul, a built in tuner that is turned on at the bridge pickup, 2 output jack plugs for stereo, and a USB interface plug in beside the output jacks. There is a 9 volt battery compartment on the left side to power the string tuner. This is the way it came when I bought it brand new.
I have this same model and colour and love it. I was not really in love with the pickups though and swapped them for some used real Gibson 57's. To my ears was a big improvement though I lost the coil splitting option as the Gibson's were one wire. No big deal losing that option, love the tone I get now. So for the price I don't think anyone could hear a difference between a $2000 more expensive Gibson now. Has anyone else tried that?
I had a cheap LP but it's tuners wasn't good. Instead of upgrade I went with warranty and were going to replace my guitar and I wanted the 339 it was now in my price range and I traded the LP toward guitar. No upgrade good modeling amp and still a lot of good to learn!
I updated my comments because I've learned new things. I have a set of grovers but I don't mind tuning it up. I started trying out my Acoustisonic amp and it sounds amazing by adjusting the Chorus function. It gives you a good reverb effect. For example the song Wolly Bully the keyboard sound.
@@jeromeleoterry Will do the same tomorrow 😉 Had a Dot, very nice guitar, but as a srat player I never felt comfortable with that big thing though I loved the sound, nice neck and good finition for such a cheap guitar
Hi, I just wanted to say I have this guitar but it never goes out of tune and if I don't use it for a couple weeks or longer it's always still intune. This is probably the best guitar I've ever had, tha action is brilliant, I think Andersons in the UK set this up prior to delivery, so looking for a good all round guitar ?, Don't question it buy it , you won't be sorry, this feels like a guitar that cost a lot more than it was.
By the way, bought mine second hand, my action is a schosh high but maybe that’s why mine does not go out of tune.Good to give both sides (Pros and Cons) This guitar that I have is exactly what you’re playing. It’s way awesome!!
I think this guitar is great. I don't want to take that away, but the negative for me is the size. Most people prefer the size. over me the larger 335 body but it fits me better. I found the distance from the narrow point of the waistline is so close to the same latitude as the end of the neck with it resting on my right knee it puts the fretboard closer to my right and I have to twist around to the right to get my left hand over up the neck. I'm a big guy though, and the distance from the narrow point of the guitar and the end of the fretboard is nearly double on the 335 over the 339. So if you're a larger person or really anyone for that matter, try them out and see how it fits, ergonomics are important.
Totally true!! It can also get uncomfortable when playing on the knee without a strap because you might tend to bend your chest over, that gets uncomfy over the time and I suppose that this is even more annoying for larger players...
im having no problems keeping my es 339 pro in tune. very satisfied with this guitar. i owned a epiphone es 335 before this es 339 pro and im much more satisfied with the 339 pro.
Great review I just bought one mint 2018 when I played it it was going out of tune but bought it anyway took it home and while changing the strings I noticed all the nuts on the tuner head was loose I tightened them up and have no tuning issues. Thanks I also learn about the split pickups from this video because the guy that sold it rarely played it.
Thanks for the demo. I owned a 335 Knock off that wasn't a bad sounding guitar, but I had the same irritating problem...it would NOT stay in tune. I did my best to fix the problem, but had no luck. The guitar wasn't worth putting a lot of money into, so I ended up selling it.
Yep, I feel ya on that. I actually just got rid of my 335-style guitar because of the same problem. If it can’t stay in tune for a whole song, I have no use for it.
This was by far the favorite ax of the late John Lennon of the Beatles. If you are looking for that slide guitar,,this is it. I never had the success playing one of my Les Paul’s as I do with this ES 339 Pro. It comes with those paf pick ups people search for. This is as great guitar for playing blues as you will find anywhere. The quality combined with the cost makes this the best guitar value you will find. Try one,,then try it over a few days and see how it suits you before buying. Just a great guitar for any level of play. I have a close friend who is a very strong name when it comes to the studio,,and all he will play is his ES 339 Pro. Great guitar and a great cost.
This is going to be my next guitar. It's the perfect "all in one" type guitar for doing Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B and it can handle the harder rock stuff. This is a complete steal from Epiphone. It's cheaper than the better Les Pauls they offer. Affordability is my main thing, cause some of us simply don't have the budget for those Gibson guitars that are massively overpriced.
Well said and very true! I have both, the Gibson CS 339 and the Epi 339, and the Epi is so close, I switched PU to Seymour Duncan Hot-Rod-Set and the Epi really is killer👍🤘and btw, my Epi 339 never had any tuning issues it stays in tune over days, in contrast to my Gibson CS 339...
hey this is a great guitar and looks güdd❕ 🐸 so i recently bought a similar Epi , same pups but not coil tapping , but it is gibson inspired es-335 flame maple raspberry ice tea burst 😊 anyhow i also have on delivery as i write the Epi Sheraton II Pro all black , so that should take care of all my es-335 body type needs ❕🐸🍀
I bought one of these when they first came out. Not the PRO model yet i think. I wanted to like it, after having played the Gibson. But I didn't. It felt clunky, the sunburst paint job looked cheap, the neck was way too thick for my taste. Maybe I sold it too quickly. But instead of it I bought a '90s Samick 335-like model (SAT-450). It also doesn't look quite right (cheesy red/orange sunburst) but it plays and sounds great. Slim neck. And i find the 335 shape is just so comfortable..
Nice review! I've had one since 2014 and I love it. More expensive guitars have come and gone, but I will never part with this Epi. Build quality/fit & finish are fantastic and it has held up perfectly over the last six years. It's stupidly versatile and just overall a lot of fun to play. I'm still in disbelief every time I pick it up at how great this guitar is, considering it was $400 when I bought it. Still maybe the best bang for buck semi-hollow HH on the market now.
Nice review RM. I have an early model Epi 339 Pro and it came with the Grover Deluxe tuning machines which have a very good feel and stay in tune great. After playing for a couple of years though I have found I can't really get along with the D shaped neck. I am getting the shoulders on the neck taken down to get a C shape on it. It may just be perfect after that is done. :-)
Epiphone ES-339 Pro, Gretsch G2655 Streamliner Center Block Jr., Ibanez AS73FM - Green Valley Gradation, Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster - Ultra Violet or Fender Modern Player Tele Plus - Honeyburst? I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!
@@RumblinMan Is it because how it handles gain? I tried one and it cuts through distortion better than any guitar i've heard. I play a lot of Rnb and Jazz but I like making rock music too.
@@themessiahsgovernmentofint2169 I was just thinking in terms of overall quality, honestly. But... for jazz and R&B, it's hard to beat the Epiphone's sound. I'd more likely go for a D'Angelico than the Epi, though.
Hey RM. Thanks for the review. I have serious right shoulder issues and I can't get my arm around large bodies. I've got a Telecaster that is pretty good, only heavy. I'm thinking the 339 might be a better all rounder. Love an electric hollow body sound. Probably should have bought it instead but I'm a sucker for a Tele playing slides. I suppose a tuner upgrade would solve any tuning issues. Feedback?
Cixelysd hey bro! Thanks for commenting. I’m a tele guy too... nothing beats it. The 339 is cool. Lighter in weight. Plays nicely. Sounds awesome plugged in. I had tuning issues with it though, and had difficulty using it live because of that. To improve tubing stability on your tele, upgrading the tuners is always helpful. Also, lubricate the nut of consider upgrading the nut. A cheap bridge also can contribute to tuning instability.
Hello Rumblin Man, thank you for your video on this guitar. Quick question, is this guitar heavy on the neck? Does it feel heavier than the back? I've had a Grestch G5655TG came out last December 2018 the white limited edition. sounds great and playability feels great but feels neck heavy and the parts are cheap the guitar was made in China :( I'm looking for a guitar like this. I love the Gibson ES 335! Played one this summer 2019 and fell in love! However, love to have what a ES 335 gibson offers. Saw this Epiphone ES 339, and i was like WOW looks and offers just that. Also is the fingerboard ROSEWOOD? I would love if it is. :) This ES 339 sounds amazing for the price too! Really thinking about getting one now. Awesome man! Thank you again! Happy playing!
Wilda Mendez thank you for your feedback! I don’t have this guitar anymore but I don’t think it was neck heavy. Seems like it was a lightweight guitar and pretty evenly balanced. There’s been some confusion as to the fretboard material. It’s advertised as pau ferro, but some of the older models have rosewood. 2018 & 2019 have the pau ferro, so the guitar in this video was most likely pau ferro. It sure felt like rosewood, though!
Good review, I have been thinking about getting a semi hollow specially to play in church as I think it would be exactly the sound I want to play worship ( I currently have a squier custom with Les Paul configuration, 2 volume and 2 tone knobs) but I am struggling to decide between the es 339 and the Sheraton. Any opinion on the Sheraton? I live in Spain and it doesn't seem to be any shops with epis so I could try before buying. There are Ibanez, gretsch and recently tried a tokai made in China that sounded pretty good. But still thinking about that Sheraton... any thoughts are appreciated God bless
Dario Cintra hello sir!! Nice to be in touch with you! The tone of the ES339 is excellent for worship music. I used it at a worship night earlier this year and loved the sound. The only problem was that I couldn’t keep the guitar in tune. It was definitely a tough issue to deal with. Also, there is a significant volume difference when you split the humbuckers. I would go with the Sheraton because it has modern Grover tuners which are excellent tuners. It seems like an awesome guitar! God bless bro.
Hey bro! Thanks for the feedback! I have tuning issues with my squier telecaster and since I am looking for a better guitar I would go for the Sheraton. I bumped into a used Ibanez as 103 and seemed pretty good on the reviews I have seen. This one I can try before I buy so I will try to do that just to feel the guitar. Any experience on semi hollow Ibanez? God bless bro
Dario Cintra God bless you too sir! I have played an Ibanez Artcore live before, and hated it. I couldn’t keep it in tune and didn’t like the sound. That said, with a good setup, I’m sure they could be decent guitars.
Hey Rumblin Man... Great Demo. After careful consideration and watching your Review of coarse, I've finally decided (After about a year of thinking about it) to pull the trigger and purchase my own Epiphone ES-339 Pro. I do have another question though. I noticed after clicking on the Link you provided in your description from Amazon, that the Guitar was advertised as an ES-339 and NOT an ES-339 Pro. Even the plastic Model identifier at the Head didn't have "Pro" on it. Am I missing something here? Is that Guitar really a "Pro" and there's no difference between them, or if I really want a "Pro" Model I need to look elsewhere? If there are differences between the two, can you outline them so I can make an informed purchase? Thanks in advance....
DividedWeFall1000 hey be. Thank you for the kind words. I too am confused about this. Safest bet would be to go with another retailer to make sure you get the right product. My personal thought is that the one without the word “pro” is still the same model. But not sure!!
Great review! I have one in Cherry. How do you think it compares to the epiphone les Paul custom pro? I have been eying that . The Les Paul pro has pro burst pick-ups. How much difference does that make? I would love your opinion..
Sheila Simpson very cool! Really the key difference is that this is semi hollow and the LP is a solidbody. Pickups do make a big difference, but it all boils down to whether you want a hollow or solid sound.
Rumblin Man, I have replayed your video several times. It is great! Thank you for taking time to respond! In your opinion, Is the solid sound different enough to dive in and pickup the Epi-Custom Pro LP? Admittedly, it was the aesthetics of the Custom Pro LP that caught my eye, but then when I played it, it was surprising light weight and seemed to have a slightly slimmer neck which was very comfortable. I think I am talking myself into having the LP join my ES 339. Your thoughts?
Sheila Simpson thank you for the kind words! Yeah, if it’s something you’re wanting and you can afford to do it, I’d say go for it. There are things about the sound that are similar, but also things that are a lot different. Semi-hollow guitars have a slightly more “woody”, round sound to them. I find solidbody guitars to have a more articulate, clear, “in-your-face” kind of tone. It’s good to have the versatility of both.
Thank you so much for explaining that it is smaller body....Ive been curious about the difference to the 335... Is there a white version of 339 or similar?
orlee santillana my pleasure! I don’t think there’s a white version of this model, but look around on Sweetwater. There’s gotta be something out there.
Chuck S thank you bro! For great clean tones I recommend a VOX AC-30, honestly. But if that’s too hefty and expensive, honestly I think the BOSS Katana 50 is pretty cool - amzn.to/2WTjk7I
Pharmer David I have both, they are both great guitars for the money. Get a pro set up right away and your fine. My wife works in commercial music, and needs an array of sounds so these covered quite a bit of ground without breaking the bank, we have a tele and a strat as well. The Casino coup is really unique sounding and the 339 is more typical 335 /339 sounding. I guess the only thing I might do would be swap the 339 pups out for really authentic PAFs. But would that make it better? I don't know? The pups already sound great. Kind regards.
I was choosing between this and the Es-335. I think I’m going with the 339! Question though, what was your amp/effect set up on the very first song you played. Beautiful
Rumblin Man nice! It was lovely. I’m a worship pastor, so it’s nice to hear the effects typically used in a worship context. Really awesome review! Very helpful. I had a Gibson Les Paul, but sold it because I didn’t play it very often. I feel that a semi-hollow is better fitting for my needs.
Britt Taylor awesome man!! I used to be a worship pastor as well and totally get the need to use something that will give you some nice ambient tones, while still being a reliable instrument to lead services with. I never could keep this guitar in tune, but it always sounded great. That semi-hollow tone definitely ads a little something extra for worship style playing.
Rumblin Man I might need to get it set up and check into replacing the nut if I have that issue. My Gibson Les Paul actually never could stay in tune either, so who knows
Britt Taylor I believe Gibson’s are notorious for tuning issues. Try some Big Bends Nut Sauce on the nut and bridge saddles... I’ve noticed it usually helps improve tuning. Have you considered a Fender thinline ‘72 deluxe by chance?
Hey Rumblin Man I recently aquired this 339, i don't find it comfortable for me to buy an amp and i want to use some software to get the best sound out of it. I bought an audio interface scarlett 2i2 and the guitar rig 5 but i can't get that nice and clean sound. I'm using a windows machine. Could you please help me with that?
Cristian S I’m glad to help however I can! I used GarageBand sounds in this video but am using a Line 6 HX Stomp now. Have you thought about getting one?
Hey, man! Great demo! Can you help me? I would like to know if the ES339s have "longer necks" like the SGs...I mean necks that go further from your left hand to reach the 1st fret...I don´t know if I was perfectly clear, but I don´t know a better ways to say this hahaha
Daniel Lopes hey bro! Thank you for the kind words and for reaching out. The ES-339 PRO has a scale length of 24.75, which is the same overall scale length as the G-400 PRO. The two models also have the same number of frets. Because of this, I would assume neck lengths of the two guitars are very similar. That said. SG’s are particularly known for having great access to all the frets - possibly more than any other popular guitar model. The 339 seems like it comes close though!
@@RumblinMan Thank you for the feedback! I recently sold my Gibson Sg Standard and what bothered me a little was the fact that the neck is almost "out of the body", so, although the length is similar or equal to other guitars, the first frets are more distant from my left hand than what happens in other guitars...Was it better now? hahaha I live in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil...So it´s not very easy for me to test guitars and get rid of silly doubts like this one. So, sometimes, I have to make "blind choices". That´s why I'm bothering you with such a small "issue" hahaha Cheers, man! Thanks again!
thst's rosewood, not pau ferro. pau ferro is much more light brown than that. some models of this guitar has pau ferro, but not this one. thank you for the review, i'm considering this model, sunburst or cherry.
It's actually *not* in my head, because I play many guitars, some expensive / American-made, and some very cheap / Indonesia-made. This guitar does not feel like an expensive instrument to play. That said, it does play very nicely and is a joy to have in your hands.
I own this guitar and I will say it sound better and plays better than some of my $1000 guitars. Great buy.
Jerry Osborne nice!
Been playing for 45 plus years. Still learning. Started with folk then punk, then ska, now ol' slow blues. Many great guitars have passed through my hands. The Epi 339 does it all, it is my favourite electric of all time, and it just gets better. Holds it's tuning perfectly, it looks better with wear. It's an early edition wine red, a little darker than cherry with a rosewood fretboard. Incredible 'fat' clean jazz tones when played with 11's. So get one play it daily for 7 or so years. Let the varnish wear, let it get the scars of use. Keep it in a hard case - like all es 's the necks are fragile at the headstock. 5 stars.
Can I ask you what the difference is between the P90s and the humbuckers? There is an ES-339 P90 Pro for sale that is GORGEOUS! but I just want that sweet smooth jazz, no acid here. Not yet anyway! lol. I've been playing 50 years and just getting started wanting to go beyond what my acoustics provide. Anhywho which would be better for me, the p90 pro or the regular pro with the humbuckers?
@@hotwireman49 P90s are single coil. So they hum! Humbuckers don't they are dual coil. However, the es 339 humbuckers can be split to single coil if needed. They have a very similar tone to the original Gibson '57 PAF's. With that lovely full fat creamy clean tone. YT has many comparisons. So I'd definitely go with Humbuckers than P90s. Hope that helps
I wish mine held its tuning :(
@@jw_au check the capstan nut is tight.
If it's loose, the tuning will slip.
Best of luck P
@@hotwireman49 90s can absolutely get you a jazz tone, theyre what people used before humbuckers. Personally I preferred the casino coupe with p90s, same size but lighter weight and airier, comes with p90s. the 339 sounds closer to a les paul than a full 335, idk why. but the 335 has a jazzier sound, 339 has a more solidbody sounding attack and upper midrange focus
I have this very same model in this finish. Bought it in 2013. I liked it so much I bought the P90 pro version in Pelham blue in 2015. I love playing both of them. Great review, thanks!
what a clear, thoughtful, balanced review -- what pushes Rumbling Man beyond 11 is that he flawlessly uses the intransitive verb "exuberate" -- 2. archaic: to have something in abundance : overflow. I'm 70 years old, retired English professor, and I've NEVER heard someone use the word. Rumbling Man, Rumble On!
Dan Damerville awesome! Haha! Man thank you so much. I really appreciate your encouragement. It helps!!
I have had my Epiphone ES-339 Pro for 5 years now and I love it. Mine has Grover tuners, newer humbucker pickups like a Les Paul, a built in tuner that is turned on at the bridge pickup, 2 output jack plugs for stereo, and a USB interface plug in beside the output jacks. There is a 9 volt battery compartment on the left side to power the string tuner. This is the way it came when I bought it brand new.
That's not an ES-339 Pro, it's an ES-339 Ultra. The Ultra came with all those mods, that set it apart from the Pro model
thinking about buying this guitar. thanks for the great review
I have this same model and colour and love it. I was not really in love with the pickups though and swapped them for some used real Gibson 57's. To my ears was a big improvement though I lost the coil splitting option as the Gibson's were one wire. No big deal losing that option, love the tone I get now. So for the price I don't think anyone could hear a difference between a $2000 more expensive Gibson now. Has anyone else tried that?
Well, I was leaning towards this guitar, but you've convinced me. Great video. Thank you.
James Galpin thank YOU!
I've got the one with natural finish since almost a year. I'd say that I have nearly no issue with tuning stability on mine.
That's the best guitar I was lucky enough to make the decision to buy this guitar!
Phillip Holt awesome! Thanks!
I had a cheap LP but it's tuners wasn't good. Instead of upgrade I went with warranty and were going to replace my guitar and I wanted the 339 it was now in my price range and I traded the LP toward guitar. No upgrade good modeling amp and still a lot of good to learn!
I updated my comments because I've learned new things. I have a set of grovers but I don't mind tuning it up. I started trying out my Acoustisonic amp and it sounds amazing by adjusting the Chorus function. It gives you a good reverb effect. For example the song Wolly Bully the keyboard sound.
Thnx bro for a very good review. Good demos of tones etc. I'm lucky to have one already in Pelham blue. Best guitar ever. God bless.
@@jeromeleoterry Will do the same tomorrow 😉
Had a Dot, very nice guitar, but as a srat player I never felt comfortable with that big thing though I loved the sound, nice neck and good finition for such a cheap guitar
@@jeromeleoterry Pics?
Hi, I just wanted to say I have this guitar but it never goes out of tune and if I don't use it for a couple weeks or longer it's always still intune. This is probably the best guitar I've ever had, tha action is brilliant, I think Andersons in the UK set this up prior to delivery, so looking for a good all round guitar ?, Don't question it buy it , you won't be sorry, this feels like a guitar that cost a lot more than it was.
Thanks Rumblin man,always enjoy,your videos,nice guitar God bless.
Thanks so much!! God bless you too.
By the way, bought mine second hand, my action is a schosh high but maybe that’s why mine does not go out of tune.Good to give both sides (Pros and Cons) This guitar that I have is exactly what you’re playing. It’s way awesome!!
I think this guitar is great. I don't want to take that away, but the negative for me is the size. Most people prefer the size. over me the larger 335 body but it fits me better. I found the distance from the narrow point of the waistline is so close to the same latitude as the end of the neck with it resting on my right knee it puts the fretboard closer to my right and I have to twist around to the right to get my left hand over up the neck. I'm a big guy though, and the distance from the narrow point of the guitar and the end of the fretboard is nearly double on the 335 over the 339. So if you're a larger person or really anyone for that matter, try them out and see how it fits, ergonomics are important.
Totally true!! It can also get uncomfortable when playing on the knee without a strap because you might tend to bend your chest over, that gets uncomfy over the time and I suppose that this is even more annoying for larger players...
im having no problems keeping my es 339 pro in tune. very satisfied with this guitar. i owned a epiphone es 335 before this es 339 pro and im much more satisfied with the 339 pro.
Great review I just bought one mint 2018 when I played it it was going out of tune but bought it anyway took it home and while changing the strings I noticed all the nuts on the tuner head was loose I tightened them up and have no tuning issues. Thanks I also learn about the split pickups from this video because the guy that sold it rarely played it.
Burt Orr awesome! Glad the review was helpful and the guitar is working for you!
Epiphone is such an incredible value. Coil tapping and pro buckers... grovers. Had to grab one.
Just won a black one. So happy. 🎸
My man, super helpful stuff here. Was wondering about it's high-gain capabilities and I think your rock-section settled that for me. Well done! :-D
Mr. See thank you so much!!!
Great review Rumblin Man! A beautiful guitar, so versatile! Thank you.
shardnz thank YOU! God bless.
Great demo, good playing 👍
Thank you!
Thanks for the demo. I owned a 335 Knock off that wasn't a bad sounding guitar, but I had the same irritating problem...it would NOT stay in tune. I did my best to fix the problem, but had no luck. The guitar wasn't worth putting a lot of money into, so I ended up selling it.
Yep, I feel ya on that. I actually just got rid of my 335-style guitar because of the same problem. If it can’t stay in tune for a whole song, I have no use for it.
@@drsrsv8884 yes. I could never keep this guitar in tune.
This was by far the favorite ax of the late John Lennon of the Beatles. If you are looking for that slide guitar,,this is it. I never had the success playing one of my Les Paul’s as I do with this ES 339 Pro. It comes with those paf pick ups people search for. This is as great guitar for playing blues as you will find anywhere. The quality combined with the cost makes this the best guitar value you will find. Try one,,then try it over a few days and see how it suits you before buying. Just a great guitar for any level of play. I have a close friend who is a very strong name when it comes to the studio,,and all he will play is his ES 339 Pro. Great guitar and a great cost.
Beautiful tone
Excellent honest review
Thank you
I love the tones and versatility. This has to be the guitar I get. This is a great review with everything I wanted to know. The price is great also.
Beautiful guitar, thanks for the review.
Thank YOU! God bless.
Dude yes!!! Beautiful!
I have this one, but I need to have it set up!
Nice sound coming out of both pickups on delay.
This is going to be my next guitar. It's the perfect "all in one" type guitar for doing Classic Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B and it can handle the harder rock stuff. This is a complete steal from Epiphone. It's cheaper than the better Les Pauls they offer. Affordability is my main thing, cause some of us simply don't have the budget for those Gibson guitars that are massively overpriced.
Mike Murdock go for it! It’s really a great guitar. Thanks for the input!
Well said and very true! I have both, the Gibson CS 339 and the Epi 339, and the Epi is so close, I switched PU to Seymour Duncan Hot-Rod-Set and the Epi really is killer👍🤘and btw, my Epi 339 never had any tuning issues it stays in tune over days, in contrast to my Gibson CS 339...
hey this is a great guitar and looks güdd❕ 🐸
so i recently bought a similar Epi , same pups but not coil tapping , but it is gibson inspired es-335 flame maple raspberry ice tea burst 😊
anyhow i also have on delivery as i write the Epi Sheraton II Pro all black , so that should take care of all my es-335 body type needs ❕🐸🍀
I bought one of these when they first came out. Not the PRO model yet i think. I wanted to like it, after having played the Gibson. But I didn't. It felt clunky, the sunburst paint job looked cheap, the neck was way too thick for my taste. Maybe I sold it too quickly. But instead of it I bought a '90s Samick 335-like model (SAT-450). It also doesn't look quite right (cheesy red/orange sunburst) but it plays and sounds great. Slim neck. And i find the 335 shape is just so comfortable..
Nice review! I've had one since 2014 and I love it. More expensive guitars have come and gone, but I will never part with this Epi. Build quality/fit & finish are fantastic and it has held up perfectly over the last six years. It's stupidly versatile and just overall a lot of fun to play. I'm still in disbelief every time I pick it up at how great this guitar is, considering it was $400 when I bought it. Still maybe the best bang for buck semi-hollow HH on the market now.
Nice review RM. I have an early model Epi 339 Pro and it came with the Grover Deluxe tuning machines which have a very good feel and stay in tune great. After playing for a couple of years though I have found I can't really get along with the D shaped neck. I am getting the shoulders on the neck taken down to get a C shape on it. It may just be perfect after that is done. :-)
chisolm5 very nice bro!! Sounds like a beast of a guitar.
Great guitar! Ma favourite on stage, great sound for punk rock and rock n’roll!
I wonder if a String Butler would help with the tuning issues.
Just got mine yesterday. Pelham Blue. By the way. Love the Ripper Bass in the background.
Raul Montesdeoca awesome! And thanks so much!
Love this
Thank you bro! It's a sweet axe.
Epiphone ES-339 Pro, Gretsch G2655 Streamliner Center Block Jr., Ibanez AS73FM - Green Valley Gradation, Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster - Ultra Violet or Fender Modern Player Tele Plus - Honeyburst? I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!
Personally, I'd go with the Gretsch!
@@RumblinMan Is it because how it handles gain? I tried one and it cuts through distortion better than any guitar i've heard. I play a lot of Rnb and Jazz but I like making rock music too.
@@themessiahsgovernmentofint2169 I was just thinking in terms of overall quality, honestly. But... for jazz and R&B, it's hard to beat the Epiphone's sound. I'd more likely go for a D'Angelico than the Epi, though.
Telecaster...classic, extremely versatile, tough as nails, and easy to upgrade...jazz, blues and rock!
Yes lovely Epiphone guitar i have the same model also i use the Epiphone LP 50s Standard great guitars for the money just subscribed to your channel
Thank you!
Great review, subscribing!
Meritocrate thanks so much!
P.S. it's a beautiful guitar. I have the red with the beautiful headstock also I have a hummingbird pro beautiful!
Phillip Holt very nice bro!! Gotta love a great Epiphone.
Hey RM. Thanks for the review. I have serious right shoulder issues and I can't get my arm around large bodies. I've got a Telecaster that is pretty good, only heavy. I'm thinking the 339 might be a better all rounder. Love an electric hollow body sound. Probably should have bought it instead but I'm a sucker for a Tele playing slides. I suppose a tuner upgrade would solve any tuning issues. Feedback?
Cixelysd hey bro! Thanks for commenting. I’m a tele guy too... nothing beats it. The 339 is cool. Lighter in weight. Plays nicely. Sounds awesome plugged in. I had tuning issues with it though, and had difficulty using it live because of that. To improve tubing stability on your tele, upgrading the tuners is always helpful. Also, lubricate the nut of consider upgrading the nut. A cheap bridge also can contribute to tuning instability.
Hello Rumblin Man, thank you for your video on this guitar. Quick question, is this guitar heavy on the neck? Does it feel heavier than the back? I've had a Grestch G5655TG came out last December 2018 the white limited edition. sounds great and playability feels great but feels neck heavy and the parts are cheap the guitar was made in China :( I'm looking for a guitar like this. I love the Gibson ES 335! Played one this summer 2019 and fell in love! However, love to have what a ES 335 gibson offers. Saw this Epiphone ES 339, and i was like WOW looks and offers just that. Also is the fingerboard ROSEWOOD? I would love if it is. :) This ES 339 sounds amazing for the price too! Really thinking about getting one now. Awesome man! Thank you again! Happy playing!
Wilda Mendez thank you for your feedback! I don’t have this guitar anymore but I don’t think it was neck heavy. Seems like it was a lightweight guitar and pretty evenly balanced. There’s been some confusion as to the fretboard material. It’s advertised as pau ferro, but some of the older models have rosewood. 2018 & 2019 have the pau ferro, so the guitar in this video was most likely pau ferro. It sure felt like rosewood, though!
Do you still have this guitar? if yes dou still having issues with it staying in tune? any intonation issues with it? great review btw.
Great guitar. Don’t have it anymore. But yeah, I couldn’t keep it in tune.
Sounds like something in the way I groove need it like I do the others arghhh.
Good review, I have been thinking about getting a semi hollow specially to play in church as I think it would be exactly the sound I want to play worship ( I currently have a squier custom with Les Paul configuration, 2 volume and 2 tone knobs) but I am struggling to decide between the es 339 and the Sheraton. Any opinion on the Sheraton? I live in Spain and it doesn't seem to be any shops with epis so I could try before buying. There are Ibanez, gretsch and recently tried a tokai made in China that sounded pretty good. But still thinking about that Sheraton... any thoughts are appreciated God bless
Dario Cintra hello sir!! Nice to be in touch with you! The tone of the ES339 is excellent for worship music. I used it at a worship night earlier this year and loved the sound. The only problem was that I couldn’t keep the guitar in tune. It was definitely a tough issue to deal with. Also, there is a significant volume difference when you split the humbuckers. I would go with the Sheraton because it has modern Grover tuners which are excellent tuners. It seems like an awesome guitar! God bless bro.
Hey bro! Thanks for the feedback! I have tuning issues with my squier telecaster and since I am looking for a better guitar I would go for the Sheraton. I bumped into a used Ibanez as 103 and seemed pretty good on the reviews I have seen. This one I can try before I buy so I will try to do that just to feel the guitar. Any experience on semi hollow Ibanez? God bless bro
Dario Cintra God bless you too sir! I have played an Ibanez Artcore live before, and hated it. I couldn’t keep it in tune and didn’t like the sound. That said, with a good setup, I’m sure they could be decent guitars.
You mean you can get them new in black? I have only found some used ones but not many.
Hey Rumblin Man...
Great Demo.
After careful consideration and watching your Review of coarse, I've finally decided (After about a year of thinking about it) to pull the trigger and purchase my own Epiphone ES-339 Pro.
I do have another question though.
I noticed after clicking on the Link you provided in your description from Amazon, that the Guitar was advertised as an ES-339 and NOT an ES-339 Pro.
Even the plastic Model identifier at the Head didn't have "Pro" on it.
Am I missing something here? Is that Guitar really a "Pro" and there's no difference between them, or if I really want a "Pro" Model I need to look elsewhere?
If there are differences between the two, can you outline them so I can make an informed purchase?
Thanks in advance....
DividedWeFall1000 hey be. Thank you for the kind words. I too am confused about this. Safest bet would be to go with another retailer to make sure you get the right product. My personal thought is that the one without the word “pro” is still the same model. But not sure!!
@@RumblinMan Thanks Bro'
What tone configuration of amp did you use for this video?
Is it comfortable to play with it on your lap? Or does it want to slip back like a Les Paul?
Many thanks
I always found it comfortable to play, but I would definitely recommend checking one out for yourself to see if it’s a good fit.
Great review! I have one in Cherry. How do you think it compares to the epiphone les Paul custom pro? I have been eying that . The Les Paul pro has pro burst pick-ups. How much difference does that make? I would love your opinion..
Sheila Simpson very cool! Really the key difference is that this is semi hollow and the LP is a solidbody. Pickups do make a big difference, but it all boils down to whether you want a hollow or solid sound.
Rumblin Man, I have replayed your video several times. It is great! Thank you for taking time to respond! In your opinion, Is the solid sound different enough to dive in and pickup the Epi-Custom Pro LP? Admittedly, it was the aesthetics of the Custom Pro LP that caught my eye, but then when I played it, it was surprising light weight and seemed to have a slightly slimmer neck which was very comfortable. I think I am talking myself into having the LP join my ES 339. Your thoughts?
Sheila Simpson thank you for the kind words! Yeah, if it’s something you’re wanting and you can afford to do it, I’d say go for it. There are things about the sound that are similar, but also things that are a lot different. Semi-hollow guitars have a slightly more “woody”, round sound to them. I find solidbody guitars to have a more articulate, clear, “in-your-face” kind of tone. It’s good to have the versatility of both.
18:54 name of song...???
Thank you so much for explaining that it is smaller body....Ive been curious about the difference to the 335... Is there a white version of 339 or similar?
orlee santillana my pleasure! I don’t think there’s a white version of this model, but look around on Sweetwater. There’s gotta be something out there.
There's a natural finish which is really bright, or a Pelham blue... Which is almost sparkly, very nice, to my eyes anyway
What would be a good Clean amp to get?
Thanks for the nice review.
Chuck S thank you bro! For great clean tones I recommend a VOX AC-30, honestly. But if that’s too hefty and expensive, honestly I think the BOSS Katana 50 is pretty cool - amzn.to/2WTjk7I
@@RumblinMan A Vox AC15 is also a good choice, it works well for me. Great Video :D
jurassicrock1950 thanks very much! I’d love to try an AC15. God bless you!
Still liking this guitar?
Dan S. I actually traded it back because I couldn’t afford the payments and couldn’t keep it in tune. I loved the sound and playability though.
I was planning on getting a Casino Coupe, but this is my second choice, or maybe my first.......?
Pharmer David I’d go Casino!!
Pharmer David I have both, they are both great guitars for the money. Get a pro set up right away and your fine. My wife works in commercial music, and needs an array of sounds so these covered quite a bit of ground without breaking the bank, we have a tele and a strat as well. The Casino coup is really unique sounding and the 339 is more typical 335 /339 sounding. I guess the only thing I might do would be swap the 339 pups out for really authentic PAFs. But would that make it better? I don't know? The pups already sound great. Kind regards.
I was choosing between this and the Es-335. I think I’m going with the 339! Question though, what was your amp/effect set up on the very first song you played. Beautiful
Britt Taylor thanks SO MUCH!! I believe for this video I actually used the built-in guitar effects in GarageBand.
Rumblin Man nice! It was lovely. I’m a worship pastor, so it’s nice to hear the effects typically used in a worship context. Really awesome review! Very helpful. I had a Gibson Les Paul, but sold it because I didn’t play it very often. I feel that a semi-hollow is better fitting for my needs.
Britt Taylor awesome man!! I used to be a worship pastor as well and totally get the need to use something that will give you some nice ambient tones, while still being a reliable instrument to lead services with. I never could keep this guitar in tune, but it always sounded great. That semi-hollow tone definitely ads a little something extra for worship style playing.
Rumblin Man I might need to get it set up and check into replacing the nut if I have that issue. My Gibson Les Paul actually never could stay in tune either, so who knows
Britt Taylor I believe Gibson’s are notorious for tuning issues. Try some Big Bends Nut Sauce on the nut and bridge saddles... I’ve noticed it usually helps improve tuning. Have you considered a Fender thinline ‘72 deluxe by chance?
Hey Rumblin Man
I recently aquired this 339, i don't find it comfortable for me to buy an amp and i want to use some software to get the best sound out of it. I bought an audio interface scarlett 2i2 and the guitar rig 5 but i can't get that nice and clean sound. I'm using a windows machine. Could you please help me with that?
Cristian S I’m glad to help however I can! I used GarageBand sounds in this video but am using a Line 6 HX Stomp now. Have you thought about getting one?
@@RumblinMan Everything is great, i just bought a good monitor and it solved the issue. The sound is nice and warm.
Thank you
Cristian S wonderful to hear!
Hey, man! Great demo! Can you help me? I would like to know if the ES339s have "longer necks" like the SGs...I mean necks that go further from your left hand to reach the 1st fret...I don´t know if I was perfectly clear, but I don´t know a better ways to say this hahaha
Daniel Lopes hey bro! Thank you for the kind words and for reaching out. The ES-339 PRO has a scale length of 24.75, which is the same overall scale length as the G-400 PRO. The two models also have the same number of frets. Because of this, I would assume neck lengths of the two guitars are very similar. That said. SG’s are particularly known for having great access to all the frets - possibly more than any other popular guitar model. The 339 seems like it comes close though!
@@RumblinMan Thank you for the feedback! I recently sold my Gibson Sg Standard and what bothered me a little was the fact that the neck is almost "out of the body", so, although the length is similar or equal to other guitars, the first frets are more distant from my left hand than what happens in other guitars...Was it better now? hahaha I live in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil...So it´s not very easy for me to test guitars and get rid of silly doubts like this one. So, sometimes, I have to make "blind choices". That´s why I'm bothering you with such a small "issue" hahaha Cheers, man! Thanks again!
Daniel Lopes not a bother at all bro! Pleasure to talk with you. God bless!
Too bad they don’t sell this with coil splitter since 2020 area.
Name of the hard rock song please 🙏
Ty
It’s an original.
I bought the same guitar but dark red and I cant get my coils to spit, do all of the have split coils?
Hannah Banker that’s weird! I thought they did.
There is a p90 version, which is single coil, so no coil tap obviously 😉
Man, just wish it had block inlays!
David Lombardo me too
what is the nut made of?
Plastic.
Help please - any difference between 335 and 339 other than size?
Other than size, I personally don't know of any differences.
But...does it djent?
Couldn't resist from saying that
Just wish they didn’t use a sticker on the pick guard, makes it look cheap.
Get the one with P90's....
It's so awesome
thst's rosewood, not pau ferro. pau ferro is much more light brown than that.
some models of this guitar has pau ferro, but not this one.
thank you for the review, i'm considering this model, sunburst or cherry.
vhsukhfkdbncjkshfuhf it’s Pau Ferro 🙂 www.epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/ES-339-PRO.aspx
Why "Pro"?
Is there an "amateur" version?
I don’t have the answer for you.
That “does not feel as an expensive guitar” it’s all in your head just because you know the cost difference but Epiphone’s quality is awesome
It's actually *not* in my head, because I play many guitars, some expensive / American-made, and some very cheap / Indonesia-made. This guitar does not feel like an expensive instrument to play. That said, it does play very nicely and is a joy to have in your hands.