Es 339 vs 335
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
epi
New member
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Es 339 vs 335
+1
I tried both out a while back and settled on the 335 because the 339 reminded me more of my solid bodies.
Also I may be wrong about this but I think the tone electronics are different in the 339... different volume or tone pot taper or something like that...
+1
I tried both out a while back and settled on the 335 because the 339 reminded me more of my solid bodies.
Also I may be wrong about this but I think the tone electronics are different in the 339... different volume or tone pot taper or something like that...
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
JeffB
Let it B
Re: Es 339 vs 335
I personally have fallen out of love with the Les Paul after nearly 30 years. I still think they are fantastic looking and have great tone,but I just can no longer deal with their lazy playing nature and the lack of upper fret access ..So If *I* were given a choice, I would still go with the small hollowbody like a 39 or 56. 339 fatneck would be awesome.
I personally have fallen out of love with the Les Paul after nearly 30 years. I still think they are fantastic looking and have great tone,but I just can no longer deal with their lazy playing nature and the lack of upper fret access ..So If *I* were given a choice, I would still go with the small hollowbody like a 39 or 56. 339 fatneck would be awesome.
voggin
Well-known member
Re: Es 339 vs 335
I find my 339 sounds much more like a 335 than a les paul. In fact, I don't find that it sounds anything like my les paul at all.
Really, though, it's best to look at the 339 as its own thing, rather than as a 335 or lp substitute. But if you have to compare, from clean to normal overdrive/gain, it's very much a semi-hollowbody sound, with that "looseness" and growl. But at higher gain it does take on more of a solidbody flavour, as it's more focused than a full semi-hollow and doesn't feed back as much.
If you play either through a fender amp at breakup (or clean with an OD pedal) it's got a great, bluesy "WOOF" to it. You can really hear the air in it. The stock 57's are a really good match for the guitar.
339's are also great value used. When they first came out, they were something like 1999. They've gone up quite a bit, but I got mine used for 1600, and I think they can still be had used for 1500 to 1700. The workmanship on mine is flawless. I have the 30/60 neck, which is kind of in between a 60s and 50s profile, and I find it very comfy, but there is also a 50s neck on some.
I find my 339 sounds much more like a 335 than a les paul. In fact, I don't find that it sounds anything like my les paul at all.
Really, though, it's best to look at the 339 as its own thing, rather than as a 335 or lp substitute. But if you have to compare, from clean to normal overdrive/gain, it's very much a semi-hollowbody sound, with that "looseness" and growl. But at higher gain it does take on more of a solidbody flavour, as it's more focused than a full semi-hollow and doesn't feed back as much.
If you play either through a fender amp at breakup (or clean with an OD pedal) it's got a great, bluesy "WOOF" to it. You can really hear the air in it. The stock 57's are a really good match for the guitar.
339's are also great value used. When they first came out, they were something like 1999. They've gone up quite a bit, but I got mine used for 1600, and I think they can still be had used for 1500 to 1700. The workmanship on mine is flawless. I have the 30/60 neck, which is kind of in between a 60s and 50s profile, and I find it very comfy, but there is also a 50s neck on some.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Es 339 vs 335
Because even though the 339 is closer in tone to the LP compared to a 335, it's still far from being a LP.
I have both, and in the right situation, it's easy to justify picking up a 339 over the Les Paul. Even though they are closer in sound than a 335 and a LP, the 339 has a clarity and an airiness that's lighter and more delicate than a Les Paul, and more focused and jangly than a 335. My 339 is my favourite Gibson, because it gives me the punch of a Les Paul, but when I roll back the volume I get that clarity and sparkle that I usually get from Fenders. I like 335s, but they don't have the same type of clarity. Can you tell it's not a traditional full size semi hollow : absolutely. Is that a bad thing : not necessarily.
Not saying that the 339 is perfect in any way, but I have found it to be a very useful guitar in a lot of situations.
Because even though the 339 is closer in tone to the LP compared to a 335, it's still far from being a LP.
I have both, and in the right situation, it's easy to justify picking up a 339 over the Les Paul. Even though they are closer in sound than a 335 and a LP, the 339 has a clarity and an airiness that's lighter and more delicate than a Les Paul, and more focused and jangly than a 335. My 339 is my favourite Gibson, because it gives me the punch of a Les Paul, but when I roll back the volume I get that clarity and sparkle that I usually get from Fenders. I like 335s, but they don't have the same type of clarity. Can you tell it's not a traditional full size semi hollow : absolutely. Is that a bad thing : not necessarily.
Not saying that the 339 is perfect in any way, but I have found it to be a very useful guitar in a lot of situations.
phil_104
Cheesesteakologist
Re: Es 339 vs 335
This is the best explanation of the 339 sound I've read on this forum so far.
This is the best explanation of the 339 sound I've read on this forum so far.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: Es 339 vs 335
I recently traded my 339 for a 335 primarily because my hand wouldn't comfortable fit between the upper horn and the neck when I tried to play stuff up high. I think the 339 is a fantastic guitar and definitely it's own voice; I think the 335 is fantastic plus 10 and THE semi for me. It just balances more comfortably when I'm standing. Sitting, the 339 is easier for me to play, but...the hand thing sorta limited me.
One other thing...the muddiness that sometimes happens with 57 Classics was never an issue with the 339...very crisp and clear. I think that's a combination of the 500ohm pots and the smaller bodies tighter upper mids.
I recently traded my 339 for a 335 primarily because my hand wouldn't comfortable fit between the upper horn and the neck when I tried to play stuff up high. I think the 339 is a fantastic guitar and definitely it's own voice; I think the 335 is fantastic plus 10 and THE semi for me. It just balances more comfortably when I'm standing. Sitting, the 339 is easier for me to play, but...the hand thing sorta limited me.
One other thing...the muddiness that sometimes happens with 57 Classics was never an issue with the 339...very crisp and clear. I think that's a combination of the 500ohm pots and the smaller bodies tighter upper mids.
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Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Es 339 vs 335
I GAS for both....and have neither.
But I spent some serious quality time with a SEmi of BTMN's, and play 339's in shops all the time (mostly Epis)
I agree that it is neither. the 339 just doesn't have the full on air and mojo of a full size 335. But I'd never confuse it for a Les Paul either (of which I have a few....).
Still, good pickups, pots, and controls (tapped on Epis), seems to me it would be a VERY flexible guitar. And it does, IMO capture the vibe of a 335 better than an LP, in a significant way.
I GAS for both....and have neither.
But I spent some serious quality time with a SEmi of BTMN's, and play 339's in shops all the time (mostly Epis)
I agree that it is neither. the 339 just doesn't have the full on air and mojo of a full size 335. But I'd never confuse it for a Les Paul either (of which I have a few....).
Still, good pickups, pots, and controls (tapped on Epis), seems to me it would be a VERY flexible guitar. And it does, IMO capture the vibe of a 335 better than an LP, in a significant way.
hydro
Prayin' to Cheeses
Re: Es 339 vs 335
Every time I've played a Les Paul, I've been disappointed (though to be fair, I probably have not played the best representatives of the model) - but the 339 left an impression on me. I really liked its tone. It was like my SGs in some ways, but woolier and looser. Super responsive.
For what it's worth I think the 335 is a better looking guitar but the 339 may actually be a better player.
Every time I've played a Les Paul, I've been disappointed (though to be fair, I probably have not played the best representatives of the model) - but the 339 left an impression on me. I really liked its tone. It was like my SGs in some ways, but woolier and looser. Super responsive.
For what it's worth I think the 335 is a better looking guitar but the 339 may actually be a better player.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Es 339 vs 335
I'm a huge fan of 335's, and am currently using a couple killer Gibson Custom Shop models. I'm sort of addicted to them, because they have the best natural tone of pretty much any electric guitar unplugged, then when you plug them in, you get completely great tone, resonance, and feel.
When compared to other Gibson models, the feel is pretty similar, but the tone of the overall guitar is just richer and more alive.
That said, I think the ES-339 is Gibson's best modern classic, and I hope they never discontinue it. It deserves to stay in the lineup, because it fills the gap between the LP size and 335 tone that's a good place to be if you already own those two models. Jumping between them is seamless, and they all have their thing......that classic Gibson thing.
I'm a huge fan of 335's, and am currently using a couple killer Gibson Custom Shop models. I'm sort of addicted to them, because they have the best natural tone of pretty much any electric guitar unplugged, then when you plug them in, you get completely great tone, resonance, and feel.
When compared to other Gibson models, the feel is pretty similar, but the tone of the overall guitar is just richer and more alive.
That said, I think the ES-339 is Gibson's best modern classic, and I hope they never discontinue it. It deserves to stay in the lineup, because it fills the gap between the LP size and 335 tone that's a good place to be if you already own those two models. Jumping between them is seamless, and they all have their thing......that classic Gibson thing.
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