I haven't seen your youtube channel before, but its a shame you don't do more reviews because this was really informative and down to earth, and thanks for putting tone, vol etc info when you were playing. I wish more people would do that!
Thanks Col, I’d do more reviews if I got sent things to review! But reviews aren’t really the focus if this channel. I’m glad you found it useful, though - and I appreciate your kind words.
Great Review, Thanks for taking the time to do it. Just about to buy a semi hollow for mainly jazz and blues. So this has been a Great help. Take Care. 😊
Two years later I found this video. It seems that you play they Sheraton better. Maybe the body size fits you better than the 339 does. I own a 339 and it is truly a great guitar, after my hands got used to the neck. Plus, someone convinced me to put flat round strings on it. I absolutely love the sound with the flat rounds.
Thanks for making this video. What was really interesting was how good they were in different ways. The 339 had this real cut through tone that was fantastic, while the Sheraton has this full, almost chorus type tone - fuller tone. Both were really great.
Hi! Great video and one of the best comparison I be seen. A few years back I tried the Sheraton and I do remember falling in love. Came back a few month later and tried the 339 and for some reason I ended up buying ( probably because it was cheaper! Hahahahah). Honestly mine also came with a really bad setup, I remember saying “ something is wrong with this guitar” . I didn’t know much about setups at that moment, but a full setup make the trick with my 339. Now it feels great. Agreed with the pickups, they bassier and probably the frequencies a bit unbalanced, but still delivers a great sound once you manage it. If helps, make sure to what’ve San Deeks 339 setup. Let us know how it goes!
I just bought the Sheraton II Pro, I played 3 of them in the store, the one I chose spoke to me, it felt better in the hands than the other two. From the store, the action was a bit too high for my taste, and there was zero relief in the neck. After setting 0.0010 relief at the 8th fret, adjusting the action at 1.7mm at the 12th (low E), intonating the guitar, then setting the pick-up height (neck 4/64 Bridge 3/64) it is now just wonderful to play and sounds great -and less than half the price of the Gibson ES335, noting that the finish on my Sheraton is floorless. And it's nice to know that the Sheraton is actually 'Hand Made' - possibly why the 3 I played in-store felt a little different to each other, albeit maybe just a subtle difference.
Thanks for the video Phil ... it helped me decide in my purchase . I took your suggestion and held the Sheraton ... fell in love with how it felt in my hands .... over the Strat, over the PRS SE.... the Sheraton just felt like it was home . I got the wine red .... super sexy!
As much as the Sheraton has a lovely smooth tone and is a fantastic guitar the 339 has a lovely sweet delicateness to it's sound. I recently just purchased one of each second hand and they are both great you can't really go wrong with either. The 339 also has the split coils which makes it really versatile and a great guitar if it's your only guitar and want to play a variety of music styles.
Ive had both, the Sheraton has way more of a jangly Jimmy Page tone in the middle position and more comfortable neck, however it is a beast weight wise.
The main diversion of Sheraton from the 335 line is the maple neck instead of mahogany. It is reflected in the brighter tone generally. Although I had fallen in love with EPI 339 recently and your review is only enhancing this feel.
Thank for your weight difference answer. Also, are the necks the same? I have a 1992 Korean Sheraton (great guitar) with a tapered C neck but I am seriously thinking about the 339. I am getting older (70) and I am only 5'6". The big body on the Sheraton now eats me up after an hour. Maybe the 339 will be easier for me to play. Thank you.
Neck radius and scale length are the same. So it will be down to your hand size, your ergonomics and the set up of the guitar as to how it plays, best to hold one in your hands. I think you already own the superior instrument but it sounds like size and weight are your issue.
@@15MinuteGuitar Ah, they don't have exactly the same pickups ? pro buckers 2 and 3 ? Thank, because i'm planning to buy pro buckers ^^ because i love the sound of the Sheraton II pro ! i will add that in a first price 335 like guitar.
I prefer the Sheraton (which I currently have), but the 339 was really great as well. My 339 was a 2015 and it had a flat D shaped neck (traded it for a PRS SE 245 p90), my sheraton which is a 2016 is a more rounded D. Honestly, at the end of the day, I think anyone would be happy with either of those. I would have been happy keeping the 339. They are both great guitars for the price. The 339 is not a lesser guitar in my opinion, just appeals to a different kind of player.
I suggest discussing the "feeling" of the string spacing without actually measuring it is a poor practice. Also, setup deserves comment, but setup should not be the single factor that sways your opinion on two different guitars. If it can't be set up properly for some reason, that becomes a deal breaker. But adjustments? No, sorry, not the reason to comment aside from "this one came badly set up, but we fixed that" is the right comment. I tested both guitars before buying a 339. There was a noticeable difference in tone. I found the 335 has a little more resonance and sustain, but not enough to compensate for its larger bulk and more awkward handling. That's a personal choice, not an opinion about what anyone else should like or dislike. And it's so easy to overcome small differences in guitars through amp settings that these A:B. comparisons of similar guitars could get a different result by lowering or raising the tone in the test a couple of points.
Phil I have a request, can you do a how to castles made of sand and with your Hendrix strat? I just put the Seymour Duncan Jimi Hendrix pickups in mine...mind blowing
Hey Mike, well I can put it on the list. I’ve actually never learnt Castles, so first I’d need to get good at playing that. What’s the difference with the Seymour Duncans?
@@15MinuteGuitar one mod I did on my strats was I put the 920D yjm pot setup in mine. The speed volume is fantastic and the tone is crisper. You can get it off ebay
Good video, and I know its over a year old so not sure what you ended up doing. BUT, I hope you properly set up your 339 and gave it a fair chance. The setup makes all the difference. I'm hoping to buy the 339 within the next couple days. And if I ever run into money, the Gibson one. Definitely Cherry Red as my fav for this guitar, but the sunburst comes in 2nd. My 2 Gibsons (J45, Les Paul) both have sunbursts so better change it up!
@@15MinuteGuitar I just picked up the Epi today! ...As for Gibsons QC , as far as I'm aware it was bad for several years, but I'm told its gotten better the last couple years. My Les Paul is an 08 and its great! But from about 2013-2018 everytime I tried one in the store it was usually bad. I bought my J45 in 2017 (its a 2016), and its a great guitar too. But I agree, its hard to justify money for a Gibson especially when Epi is doing a good job at a fraction of the price.
Helpful review. Been looking at the 339 as I fancy a small bodied semi, but I have big hands and that string spacing issue sounds like it would be a problem for me
Very good video. Ican hear a definite sound difference. It isn't that much of a difference. The Sheraton is more open , as it should be. Otherwise both sound very nice
I have both...1993 Sheraton II and I just got a 2015 339 to have a semi-hollow that's comfier. Sheraton is a better guitar, especially since it's an old Samick/Korean made one...but the 339 is so much more comfortable to stand up with, which is a big plus. They're both great guitars. Don't know what it is about Epi semi-hollow guitars...they're so inexpensive, yet totally pro-approved and great guitars. They're better than Gibsons in a few ways...indestructible finishes, better QC, headstocks that don't break, less tuning issues, more consistency from guitar to guitar. I'm a big fan.
Not much. The Pro has a Slim Taper D neck while the 339 has a rounded C. Slight differences in fingerboard wood: Rosewood for the Pro and indian laurel for the 339. Both have the same Alnico Classic Pro pickups. So really just how it feels in your hands.
First, nice job doing the comp! The script to your left of what p/u’s your using, volume tone dial what guitar and amp description are well done. I have that exact 339. Bought mine second hand with hard shell case. The description of the size, is what the two guitars are 339 smaller more focused tone. Sheraton/casinos/ 335 /345/355 still the same much more resonance but not as playable as an all three hour set. My 339 has push/pull pots and I too am a Strat guy but 339 is my 3rd working guitar. Try dropping the action a bit but not too much as it will stay in tune. Nice job Phil. Epi 339 all the way, but different size preferences and and wants are what makes a person say I like that one best.
I tried both but being on the small size I went for the 339, the Sheraton seemed to bury me , no regrets at all, it sounds and plays awesome, two hour gigs no problem on the back , unlike my les Paul,!!
I try not to like my 339 but I'm not successful at all. I compare it with all the same version guitars and my 339 wins out completely. I have the original version and now that's it's broke in it sounds better with age. I don't play jazz music but I'm sure it would hold because I play anything I want to play.
@@15MinuteGuitar they are an oppressively communist party who Kill Christians and Muslims and use child labor. They are the biggest threat to Nuclear Armageddon. I could go on and on about why. Spend a few dollars more and buy American or South Korean or Mexican . They are better quality ,and are democratic countries.
I haven't seen your youtube channel before, but its a shame you don't do more reviews because this was really informative and down to earth, and thanks for putting tone, vol etc info when you were playing. I wish more people would do that!
Thanks Col, I’d do more reviews if I got sent things to review! But reviews aren’t really the focus if this channel. I’m glad you found it useful, though - and I appreciate your kind words.
The Sheraton has the tone, hands down!
Really enjoyed your review . I'm waiting for my Sheraton to arrive I originally thought of buying the 339 I'm glad I opted for the Sheraton.
Thanks Gary, they’re both great guitars but the Sheraton just felt better in my hands. What colour did you go for?
Great Review, Thanks for taking the time to do it. Just about to buy a semi hollow for mainly jazz and blues. So this has been a Great help. Take Care. 😊
Perfect. Enjoy your new guitar
Two years later I found this video. It seems that you play they Sheraton better. Maybe the body size fits you better than the 339 does. I own a 339 and it is truly a great guitar, after my hands got used to the neck. Plus, someone convinced me to put flat round strings on it. I absolutely love the sound with the flat rounds.
Thanks for making this video. What was really interesting was how good they were in different ways. The 339 had this real cut through tone that was fantastic, while the Sheraton has this full, almost chorus type tone - fuller tone. Both were really great.
No problem. The 339 is the first guitar I reach for these days.
Thanks man, I was actually considering a choice between these 2 myself. You have helped.
Congrats for the review, so useful! 👏🏻
I bought the 339 five years ago and I like it better than the newer version! The pickups are better with the rosewood fretboard and it sounds better!!
I play country on my 339 and it's versatile! Even though I have a Tele and a Strat the 339 is my favorite!
Hi! Great video and one of the best comparison I be seen. A few years back I tried the Sheraton and I do remember falling in love. Came back a few month later and tried the 339 and for some reason I ended up buying ( probably because it was cheaper! Hahahahah). Honestly mine also came with a really bad setup, I remember saying “ something is wrong with this guitar” . I didn’t know much about setups at that moment, but a full setup make the trick with my 339. Now it feels great. Agreed with the pickups, they bassier and probably the frequencies a bit unbalanced, but still delivers a great sound once you manage it. If helps, make sure to what’ve San Deeks 339 setup. Let us know how it goes!
Thanks Pedro, I did eventually get my 339 set up and plays nice now.
I just bought the Sheraton II Pro, I played 3 of them in the store, the one I chose spoke to me, it felt better in the hands than the other two. From the store, the action was a bit too high for my taste, and there was zero relief in the neck. After setting 0.0010 relief at the 8th fret, adjusting the action at 1.7mm at the 12th (low E), intonating the guitar, then setting the pick-up height (neck 4/64 Bridge 3/64) it is now just wonderful to play and sounds great -and less than half the price of the Gibson ES335, noting that the finish on my Sheraton is floorless. And it's nice to know that the Sheraton is actually 'Hand Made' - possibly why the 3 I played in-store felt a little different to each other, albeit maybe just a subtle difference.
That finish must really be deep.
Interesting
You played 3same guitars and you saw difference between them
Are you sure, it's not only the colour ?
Thanks for the video Phil ... it helped me decide in my purchase . I took your suggestion and held the Sheraton ... fell in love with how it felt in my hands .... over the Strat, over the PRS SE.... the Sheraton just felt like it was home . I got the wine red .... super sexy!
Perfect! The hands don’t lie! Wine Red and gold is my first choice also.
As much as the Sheraton has a lovely smooth tone and is a fantastic guitar the 339 has a lovely sweet delicateness to it's sound. I recently just purchased one of each second hand and they are both great you can't really go wrong with either. The 339 also has the split coils which makes it really versatile and a great guitar if it's your only guitar and want to play a variety of music styles.
I had my 339 properly set up since making this video and I’m enjoy the tone a great deal now I can play it!
Btw the current model of the Sheraton has split coils
I have both. Realy like the size and feel of the 339 but something is missing with the pickups. I will probably put sum classic 57
Great review man
Ive had both, the Sheraton has way more of a jangly Jimmy Page tone in the middle position and more comfortable neck, however it is a beast weight wise.
Better sound higher price.
But nothing a little extra tone cannot solve.
Great Review
👋🤠🎵
The main diversion of Sheraton from the 335 line is the maple neck instead of mahogany. It is reflected in the brighter tone generally. Although I had fallen in love with EPI 339 recently and your review is only enhancing this feel.
Just asking
Have you tried the p90 version?
My SG serves me very well (I'm almost beginner)
But I always look for jazzier tones
@@dimitris70 I do not like the P 90 because of their hum
@@farkasgabor3491 thanks
Thank for your weight difference answer. Also, are the necks the same? I have a 1992 Korean Sheraton (great guitar) with a tapered C neck but I am seriously thinking about the 339. I am getting older (70) and I am only 5'6". The big body on the Sheraton now eats me up after an hour. Maybe the 339 will be easier for me to play. Thank you.
Neck radius and scale length are the same. So it will be down to your hand size, your ergonomics and the set up of the guitar as to how it plays, best to hold one in your hands. I think you already own the superior instrument but it sounds like size and weight are your issue.
@@15MinuteGuitar Thank you
4:32 on for a bit... strings on a saxaphone, baby! VERY interesting, and very nice.
Haha it does sound very sax-like and nasal. That’s when tone is on zero on the neck pickup.
Happy you did this. Just a thought - hearing them without (or with much less) reverb would have been more helpful to me. Did I hear some Boston? ;)
Great review. Thank you!
You’re welcome I hope it helped you make a decision.
Same sound caractere, but the 339 sounds a bit thiner than the Sheraton II... Thank you for the demo !!
You're welcome, I actually don't think the 339 is thinner, it just has different frequency scoop in the pickups
@@15MinuteGuitar Ah, they don't have exactly the same pickups ? pro buckers 2 and 3 ? Thank, because i'm planning to buy pro buckers ^^ because i love the sound of the Sheraton II pro ! i will add that in a first price 335 like guitar.
I prefer the Sheraton (which I currently have), but the 339 was really great as well. My 339 was a 2015 and it had a flat D shaped neck (traded it for a PRS SE 245 p90), my sheraton which is a 2016 is a more rounded D. Honestly, at the end of the day, I think anyone would be happy with either of those. I would have been happy keeping the 339. They are both great guitars for the price. The 339 is not a lesser guitar in my opinion, just appeals to a different kind of player.
Thanks for your perspective Marty. I'm going to get my 339 set up and report back on how it plays after that.
I suggest discussing the "feeling" of the string spacing without actually measuring it is a poor practice. Also, setup deserves comment, but setup should not be the single factor that sways your opinion on two different guitars. If it can't be set up properly for some reason, that becomes a deal breaker. But adjustments? No, sorry, not the reason to comment aside from "this one came badly set up, but we fixed that" is the right comment. I tested both guitars before buying a 339. There was a noticeable difference in tone. I found the 335 has a little more resonance and sustain, but not enough to compensate for its larger bulk and more awkward handling. That's a personal choice, not an opinion about what anyone else should like or dislike. And it's so easy to overcome small differences in guitars through amp settings that these A:B. comparisons of similar guitars could get a different result by lowering or raising the tone in the test a couple of points.
Phil I have a request, can you do a how to castles made of sand and with your Hendrix strat? I just put the Seymour Duncan Jimi Hendrix pickups in mine...mind blowing
Hey Mike, well I can put it on the list. I’ve actually never learnt Castles, so first I’d need to get good at playing that. What’s the difference with the Seymour Duncans?
@@15MinuteGuitar you have to hear it to believe it...that good
@@15MinuteGuitar one mod I did on my strats was I put the 920D yjm pot setup in mine. The speed volume is fantastic and the tone is crisper. You can get it off ebay
Good video, and I know its over a year old so not sure what you ended up doing. BUT, I hope you properly set up your 339 and gave it a fair chance. The setup makes all the difference.
I'm hoping to buy the 339 within the next couple days. And if I ever run into money, the Gibson one. Definitely Cherry Red as my fav for this guitar, but the sunburst comes in 2nd. My 2 Gibsons (J45, Les Paul) both have sunbursts so better change it up!
Can’t justify $$ for a Gibson, their QC is awful. I did keep the 339. I’ll do a video on it soon.
@@15MinuteGuitar I just picked up the Epi today! ...As for Gibsons QC , as far as I'm aware it was bad for several years, but I'm told its gotten better the last couple years. My Les Paul is an 08 and its great! But from about 2013-2018 everytime I tried one in the store it was usually bad. I bought my J45 in 2017 (its a 2016), and its a great guitar too. But I agree, its hard to justify money for a Gibson especially when Epi is doing a good job at a fraction of the price.
What song is that at 2:15?
It's the jazz standard Autumn Leaves. Check it out here th-cam.com/video/c_v_qmmlw34/w-d-xo.html
Helpful review. Been looking at the 339 as I fancy a small bodied semi, but I have big hands and that string spacing issue sounds like it would be a problem for me
Definitely play one in a store before you decide. There’s no substitute for holding the instrument in your hands.
Very good video. Ican hear a definite sound difference. It isn't that much of a difference. The Sheraton is more open , as it should be. Otherwise both sound very nice
I have both...1993 Sheraton II and I just got a 2015 339 to have a semi-hollow that's comfier. Sheraton is a better guitar, especially since it's an old Samick/Korean made one...but the 339 is so much more comfortable to stand up with, which is a big plus. They're both great guitars.
Don't know what it is about Epi semi-hollow guitars...they're so inexpensive, yet totally pro-approved and great guitars. They're better than Gibsons in a few ways...indestructible finishes, better QC, headstocks that don't break, less tuning issues, more consistency from guitar to guitar. I'm a big fan.
Whats difference brtwen es339 and 339 pro?
Not much. The Pro has a Slim Taper D neck while the 339 has a rounded C. Slight differences in fingerboard wood: Rosewood for the Pro and indian laurel for the 339. Both have the same Alnico Classic Pro pickups. So really just how it feels in your hands.
The pro has coil splitting
The fretboard is Pau Ferro on the 2021 pro models and on the 339 nice Grover tuners
Sounds great bro
Thanks, Mike. There’s not much in it as you can hear.
@@15MinuteGuitar the burst to me sounds better
Probably first doing a good set up before reviewing .. that really is unbelievably important !
First, nice job doing the comp!
The script to your left of what p/u’s your using, volume tone dial what guitar and amp description are well done. I have that exact 339. Bought mine second hand with hard shell case. The description of the size, is what the two guitars are 339 smaller more focused tone. Sheraton/casinos/ 335 /345/355 still the same much more resonance but not as playable as an all three hour set. My 339 has push/pull pots and I too am a Strat guy but 339 is my 3rd working guitar. Try dropping the action a bit but not too much as it will stay in tune.
Nice job Phil. Epi 339 all the way, but different size preferences and and wants are what makes a person say I like that one best.
Sheraton wins hands down. I just got mine and fell on love even over our es335. Frets strings had to be pleked.
It’s a classy instrument, that’s for sure. It was my preference on the day.
INDO OR KOREAN MADE?
Like the 339
I'm gonna get mine set up then see how I feel about it.
Like the 339 because i have that same one! Love it.
Good choice!
I tried both but being on the small size I went for the 339, the Sheraton seemed to bury me , no regrets at all, it sounds and plays awesome, two hour gigs no problem on the back , unlike my les Paul,!!
339 easy for me. But both sounded great and definitely gig worthy
I preferred the 339, fuller with more mids. The Sheraton sounded kind of thin and shrill in comparison.
In the bedroom Sheraton, on the stage 339.
Rafael, the bedroom is for other things, not guitar. 😅
The Sheraton is beautiful … it’s just too damn big
I try not to like my 339 but I'm not successful at all. I compare it with all the same version guitars and my 339 wins out completely. I have the original version and now that's it's broke in it sounds better with age. I don't play jazz music but I'm sure it would hold because I play anything I want to play.
I’m in love with mine now. I plan to do another video on just that alone.
Thanks. Becaue of this video ... Im buying a sheraton.
Great choice, enjoy. And tell Epiphone! :)
Hey I recognise that Sheraton!
A mere coincidence!
339 for me...
u are clipping
Stop buying Chinese guitars
Because?
@@15MinuteGuitar they are an oppressively communist party who Kill Christians and Muslims and use child labor. They are the biggest threat to Nuclear Armageddon. I could go on and on about why. Spend a few dollars more and buy American or South Korean or Mexican . They are better quality ,and are democratic countries.