Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

[75lespaul]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-ltd-ed-ultra-339-electric-guitar/h71865000001000

I'm wondering how this would compare in sound to my 68 Casino? I have to assume that since it is a semi-hollow, and not hollow, the feedback would be much less, especially with a Brobucker in it. I'm already adding up how much I'd get for stuff I would sell to pay for this, ha ha. I would probably wait for them to start selling used with the case locally or on eBay, but with since this is limited, I'm wondering if I'm better off just selling an extra thing or two and buying it new--if I can do it. I know, I know, it's an Epiphone...but that's my world now. Plus, I simply love my Pro/Fx Les Paul, even if the action is a bit high. Got used to it quickly.

 

[Aceman]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

Man...when one of those comes around used.....

 

[phil_104]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

The 339 body shape is going to give you a tad less feedback, but the major difference is going to be the overall tone, which I can describe as more focused and percussive, versus a more open and airy tone in a casino or 335. It's got some of the sweetness of a hollow, but some of the weight in sound that you'd associate with a solidbody. I'd suggest trying one if possible.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

I have the most grohly boner right now

edit: nm, saw that it has more output jacks than my VCR, and the thrill is gone :laughing:

 

[phil_104]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

I have the most grohly boner right now

edit: nm, saw that it has more output jacks than my VCR, and the thrill is gone :laughing:

I had to look after reading your post. Just asking; is that an EQ at the back of the guitar? If that the case, it's rather inconveniently located...

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

I have the most grohly boner right now

edit: nm, saw that it has more output jacks than my VCR, and the thrill is gone :laughing:

LOL, yeah, right? Go wireless with THAT! I still dig it.

I had to look after reading your post. Just asking; is that an EQ at the back of the guitar? If that the case, it's rather inconveniently located...

Yes it is. It's like a set it and forget it EQ though. It is a weird place for it though, even so.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

In Epiphone's history, they've never made guitars better than they're doing right now in China's Gibson/Qingdao factory. Their workers seem much more skilled and the wood selection is much better than anytime in the past. The new Chinese Epi's are great. The 90's Korean ones were only OK, and the new Indonesian ones are crap.

If you buy an Epi, pay attention to the serial number.

DW = DeaWon
EA = Gibson/QingDao
EE = Gibson/QingDao
MC = Muse
SJ = SaeJung
Z = Zaozhuang Saehan
BW = China

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers
[NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.]
11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

In Epiphone's history, they've never made guitars better than they're doing right now in China's Gibson/Qingdao factory. Their workers seem much more skilled and the wood selection is much better than anytime in the past. The new Chinese Epi's are great. The 90's Korean ones were only OK, and the new Indonesian ones are crap.

If you buy an Epi, pay attention to the serial number.

DW = DeaWon
EA = Gibson/QingDao
EE = Gibson/QingDao
MC = Muse
SJ = SaeJung
Z = Zaozhuang Saehan
BW = China

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers
[NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.]
11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia

Great info Gearjoneser, thank you!

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

Awesome GJ, thank you! Looks like my Pro/Fx was make in Deawon or Unsung (China). It has a made in China sticker on it. When I got it, it was unplayable and sounded horrible. Tech setup and pickup swaps made it a killer axe. No Gibson mind you, but killer just the same.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

don't like the eq and all the funky stuff, but these epi ultras are fantastic players. Very refined feel, if i needed to buy a gibby-esque guitar these would be it right now+seths

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

The main point of posting that is because I think the new 339's are Gibson/Qingdao.

I've played a few of the new Epi 339's, and the quality was right where it should be.
Think of it as Gibson workers making Epi's to Epiphone specs with good wood.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

The main point of posting that is because I think the new 339's are Gibson/Qingdao.

I've played a few of the new Epi 339's, and the quality was right where it should be.
Think of it as Gibson workers making Epi's to Epiphone specs with good wood.

That's good to know. I know I'm going to get one of these, I just don't know when. Six months? A year? I wonder how many they're going to make. I had an Epi Lucille a few years back that I swear had the feel of a Gibson. It sounded very good as well, but not as good as it could have, so I was about to swap pickups when finances called for a sell-off.

 

[Sykes]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

Does that serial number stuff apply to all Epi's or just the 339?
I've got a Lp Epi s/n U6091386. No idea.................

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

I'd change "in Epiphone's history" to "in Epiphone's post-USA history." Before they moved overseas, their guitars were made by the same people who made Gibsons, and they are exactly the same quality. Take a Casino and a 330, or a 345/355 and a Sheraton, or a Melody Maker and an Olympic, and put them side by side, and the only differences are slight cosmetic things, and perhaps some features (e.g. mini hums on the Sheraton vs. regular HBs on the 345/355). Construction quality is identical. And before Gibson bought them, they were highly respectable in their own right.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

So what factory is "10"?

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

In Epiphone's history, they've never made guitars better than they're doing right now in China's Gibson/Qingdao factory. Their workers seem much more skilled and the wood selection is much better than anytime in the past. The new Chinese Epi's are great. The 90's Korean ones were only OK, and the new Indonesian ones are crap.

If you buy an Epi, pay attention to the serial number.

DW = DeaWon
EA = Gibson/QingDao
EE = Gibson/QingDao
MC = Muse
SJ = SaeJung
Z = Zaozhuang Saehan
BW = China

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers
[NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.]
11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia

Which ever group built those Casinos I tried a while back should all be shot. Never had a worse experience on 4 different samples of the same model. Complete lack of attention to some very important details, no chance of intonation, warped pick guard. I'll never even consider a non-Japanese Epiphone again. And, I had a very OPEN mind to it when I was buying and returning.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

I've been impressed by the Chinese Epi's I've seen and own. I prefer them to Koreans.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

Wow. Even if I had the dough for it, it wouldn't matter; they aren't shipping any more until May 28th! The other colors are all still available.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

Saw one at Ash the other day which I meant to say in my other post. They had it right next to a Pelham Dot and 2 Pelham LP Jr's, flavor of the month I guess. Good choice IMO.

$799 for an Epi is starting to get a little spendy for my thinking but it was very nice.

 

[SamusChief]

Re: Epiphone Ultra-339 in Pelham Blue has me gaaaaaasin'

In Epiphone's history, they've never made guitars better than they're doing right now in China's Gibson/Qingdao factory. Their workers seem much more skilled and the wood selection is much better than anytime in the past. The new Chinese Epi's are great. The 90's Korean ones were only OK, and the new Indonesian ones are crap.

If you buy an Epi, pay attention to the serial number.

DW = DeaWon
EA = Gibson/QingDao
EE = Gibson/QingDao
MC = Muse
SJ = SaeJung
Z = Zaozhuang Saehan
BW = China

YYMMFF12345

YY year
MM month
FF factory-code
12345 production#

FACTORY NUMBER CODES -- for some models starting in 2008, if serial # begins w/numbers
[NOTE: The factories identified by these codes are based on patterns which forum members have observed. The numbers appear as the 5th and sixth digits in the serial number.]
11 = MIC sticker on a '08 Masterbuilt
12 = DeaWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
15 = Qingdao (China) -- electric
16 = Qingdao (China) -- acoustic
17 = China - factory unknown MIC sticker on a J160E
18 = China - factory unknown found on one 2009 model bass
20 = DaeWon or Unsung (China -- uncertainty remains as to which factory)
21 = Unsung, Korea
22 = ??? Korea (factory still unknown)
23 = ??? Indonesia (factory still unknown, probably Samick,)
I = Indonesia (this letter has appeared as the 5th digit on two authentic new models made in Indonesia

I saved this as a .txt because of how useful it is. Thanks a ton for the info!