Nervous to buy cheap!

C

ChrisRocks

New member
Hi Everyone! This is my first post to this forum. I normally stick to higher end US made guitars but this beauty has caught my attention. The Epiphone ES-339 Pro in TV Pelham Blue. I refuse to pay $2500+ for the gibson version simply because I will only use this guitar to fill in a tonal gap that only an ES type guitar can accomplish. I'd love to hear any opinions you guys have!

Thanks!
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I think Epiphone quality has improved a lot. I am GASING for a Epihone339 .
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I just made a trade for an SG epiphone in Pelham. This is an older model hardtail, not the one with the Maestro and the bound neck.

Buy it. Pelham Blue is sexy. Throw some SD pickups in it and you're good.
You know, those alnico pro pickups may suit you fine as well. They should be coil split, so there's some variability in tone.

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Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

Epi is making some sweet stuff these days. Some even have really nice pickups!

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Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I don't see any reason not to get it. I own the Gibson version, and if you plan on using the guitar only as a gap filler, 2k+ is a lot of coin to throw at something you won't be using all that often. Pelham Blue is nice, and with some decent pickups, you could have a real killer guitar.

The only thing I could say, if I was playing devil's advocate, is that if you end up really digging the vibe of the 339, you may find yourself wanting to use the instrument more and more... and may end up gasing for the US version. But, that's just one of many possibilities... ;)
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

If it turns out that I use it all the time I have no issue spending the big bucks for the gibson version! Thanks!
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

ChrisRocks said:
If it turns out that I use it all the time I have no issue spending the big bucks for the gibson version! Thanks!
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If you end up wanting to shell out Gibson money for one, its worthwhile to think getting one used and have someone refinish it. An ugly wood 339 will be cheaper than a pelham one, and refinishing can also set it up nice, check frets, put better electronics in, etc.

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Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

GilmourD said:
Epi is making some sweet stuff these days. Some even have really nice pickups!

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Click to expand...

Ditto! Epi has REALLY stepped up thier game in recent years. And some (many) are even coming with Gibson (or otherwise) pups. Even the stock Epi pups dont suck like they did in the past. Worst case scenario, you have to toss in a set Seymour Duncans!!
 
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A lot of the stuff that is coming out of China today, is giving some of the top notch USA made gear a run for their money. Take a look at the guitars that Epiphone and Squier for example are putting out today, nothing but top notch stuff but at a much lower cost with the consumer in mind.
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I have a massive boner for that guitar in natural. But the Pelham is all kinds of sexy in any form (335, Les Paul, etc…).

I have played a ton of these. I think that thing is one hell of a guitar. Can run from LP-esque to 335-esque, Single coil tones, you name it.

Get it. You won't be sorry. Pickups even sound decent IMO.
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

Nervous?

Today, I noticed that my local Fender dealership has the AVRI '56 Stratocaster hanging on the wall. It looks stunning. It weighs almost nothing. The neck profile was my idea of perfect. I didn't dare plug the guitar in and play because I know that I would have left the shop with my wallet weighing almost nothing.
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

Aceman said:
I have a massive boner for that guitar in natural. But the Pelham is all kinds of sexy in any form (335, Les Paul, etc…).

I have played a ton of these. I think that thing is one hell of a guitar. Can run from LP-esque to 335-esque, Single coil tones, you name it.

Get it. You won't be sorry. Pickups even sound decent IMO.
Click to expand...

unf, yea. Pelham Blue just made me into an idiot. I'm completely hooked on it and the Fender blues now. I'm tempted to get a couple cans of Pelham and make my EB3 a Pelham model. While I'm at it, I may repaint the SG, paint the headstock...add a pearl pickguard and truss rod cover and pearl capped knobs and back covers and a set of Dream180s in pearl with chrome bezels and a Stetsbar with a chrome trem knob and a chrome and pearl tailpiece and PEARL EVERYTHING. PEARL IT ALL YA SUNSABEECHES I WANT TO BE BATHING IN IT
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I saw a band in L.A. Saturday night at the Whisky a Go Go and the guitarist was playing a higher end Epiphone Les Paul and had tone for days. I also see great jazz players using Epis all the time. It is a bit different than just the name on the Gibson headstock, but at the end of the day they are great guitars.
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

A client of mine (a drummer) wanted a Les Paul to write music with. He wanted a goldtop and was looking at Gibsons but didn't want to spend a ton of money as he had just built his studio and was upgrading his kit. I had him look at Agiles and he picked up one of the 3010s, I think it had an ebony fretboard and mother of pearl inlays. He sent it to me and I installed some GFS pickups in it, played and sounded great. He got it, loved it, wrote some music on it, and his guitarist used it on the tour and then bought an Agile for himself.
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

This thread, and the other one about putting singles into one, has got me GAS'ing for one of these. Coincidentally, I was just looking at a Peavey JF-1 yesterday. This is in a nice little guitar shop where the guy who assists you is the owner. (And a straight shooter.) He said he liked the position of the pickup selector better on the Peavey, but liked everything else about the Epiphone better. He then offered me a super deal on the Peavey. (Way below MF or GC prices.)

But now, I think the Epi might be the better value. :scratchch
 
Re: Nervous to buy cheap!

I played a 339 in cherry and it was amazing, not my body style but the neck and everything felt right and I would go for the epi and save like.... 3 quarters of a gibson XD
 
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