When I saw the Gibson ES 339 review, I was a little unsure about whether or not it would be a good fit for my style. So, I decided to do a full-length review of the ES339 with some expert opinions as well.
I’m happy to say that after going through several different styles of music including blues, jazz, classical, and rock n’ roll I can say with certainty that the ES339 is well worth every penny you spend on it! It’s extremely versatile and even sounds great in songs that are sometimes hard to play on other electric guitars.
So, if you are looking to buy an electric guitar, you should definitely consider the Gibson ES339. This particular guitar is one of the most popular models that has been used in a lot of popular songs throughout the years.
For example, it was played by Keith Richards in “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones and Joe Bonamassa on his favorite song, “Sloe Gin Fizz”. Check out my thoughts in this post if you’re interested in learning more information about this acoustic guitar model.
So, sit down and take a look at this guitar…
Gibson ES 339 review: Electric Guitar
The ES-339 is a semi-hollow body electric guitar produced and distributed by Gibson. Its design is very similar to the ES-335, however, this model has a block of maple in the center of the guitar’s lower bout and has two single-coil pickups instead of one humbucker.
Compared with its counterpart, the ES-335, it is somewhat lighter with a thinner body which makes it possible to achieve excellent sustain on notes without feedback.
Here are some pros and cons of this product:
Pros:
1. Top-notch finishing
2. Has a nice sound to it and is not overly heavy
3. It is easy to play, making it easier for beginners.
4. You can use this for both rock n roll and jazz music
Cons:
1. Heavier than a classic ES-335
2. Picks up slightly outside of the sound frequency range
Features of Gibson ES 339:
V-shaped maple neck with a standard 24.75″ scale length and a rosewood fretboard with 22 frets. The body is made from solid mahogany with an attached laminated maple top which forms an archtop shape, the lower bout of which is block-shaped rather than curved in the manner of an ES-335. It features two humbucking pickups and two-tone handles just as a three-way pickup selector switch. There are three mini switches, each assigned to activate one of the three available pickup combinations. The ES-339 also includes a Master volume control, as well as a push/pull tone control and a three-way toggle switching (bridge, neck, and middle) on the upper bout.
Now let’s check out some key points of Gibson ES 339 Electric Guitar:
Tuner: The tuners are quite good, however, there is some small amount of tuning drift present. (This is actually pretty common in guitars).
Body Shape: The body shape of the Gibson ES 339 is quite unique, which I like a lot. I prefer it over the modern Les Paul body shape and the classic SG body shape. When you first look at the ES 339, one might not think that it’s anything special, but when you play it, you will find it to be very comfortable and easy to play.
Pickups: The pick-ups on this guitar are decent as well – they aren’t great, but they do get the job is done (and they sound better than most stock pick-ups). The pickups are on the high end of the spectrum for a stock set-up; however, I like to replace the original ones with some premium pick-ups.
Sound: The sound is where I think the Gibson ES-339 really shines. The tone of the guitar is rich, and you can get many different tones out of it, with just a simple pickup switch. Compared to a Fender-style guitar, the tone is far more vibrant, although some people might not like this. (I personally love it).
Body Material: The body material is surprisingly light – coming in at only 7 lbs. The reason for this is that most of the body is hollow (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing). The body material could have been much better if Gibson had made it with a solid top instead of an arched top – but I understand why they didn’t. Keep in mind that this is a low-budget model from Gibson and sometimes things aren’t going to be top-notch.
Body Shape: The body shape of the ES 339 is quite unique, which I like a lot. I prefer it over the Les Paul body shape and the classic SG body shape. When you first look at the ES 339, one might not think that it’s anything special, but when you play it, you will find it to be very comfortable and easy to play. The neck is also extremely comfortable to play – I have had much worse necks (some of which were on more expensive guitars as well).
Playability: The playability of the ES 339 is very good. It is a very easy guitar to get used to, and also quite easy to understand (something that I recommend for newer players). Newcomers will feel comfortable and at home on this particular electric guitar as it mimics several different styles quite well.
Some people find it difficult to use heavier gauge strings on semi-hollow or hollow body instruments because there is a chance that the strings can hit against the top of the body. However, I have found that it’s not that big of a deal because it’s easy to just push the strings with your fingers, so they don’t hit against the body.
The ES-339 is a high-end guitar and comes in at around the same price range as the Fender Telecaster.
The hardware that is used on the Gibson ES 339 include:
• Bridge & Tails: Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo with whammy bar and vintage lever arm
• Pickups: Two Gibson USA P-90 pickups (bridge) and two plain/slotted Alnico V humbuckers (neck, middle) with chrome-plated cover plates. It also has an American Vintage ’60s ‘C’ shape neck profile which is narrower than standard.
• Tone Capacitors: Fender-style capacitors
• Nut: Tusq for improved sustain and vibration damping
• Tuners: Vintage style open-gear tuners with 18:1 ratio and smooth action. A graphite nut is used to reduce friction. The string spacing is 2mm on the high E string.
The guitar came in a really nice, well-packed box which included a few other goodies such as extra strings, a keychain, and a tremolo arm which I didn’t use (I never bought the tremolo arm…I prefer the whammy bar). This guitar is also extremely comfortable to play and lightweight, which is great for being able to play for extended periods. I never get tired of this guitar!
Overall, this guitar is one of my favorite guitars and I highly recommend it. It’s great for everything from blues to jazz to pop and many other styles as well…I’m not sure when Gibson will stop making this model though! I would give it a 9/10 rating and if you’re looking for a solid-body electric guitar that has elite sound quality, comes in at around $300 or under, and has great durability then this guitar should certainly be considered. You’ll be able to find this model at Amazon.
Conclusion: Gibson ES 339 Series of Electric Guitar:
This is a perfect guitar for anyone who is looking to quickly learn how to play the electric guitar. The guitar has simple features which will not overwhelm the beginner but are also versatile enough that it can be used by any level of player. It is a comfortable, sturdy, and beautiful instrument, made of high-quality materials. If you are looking for a good acoustic-electric guitar in a premium quality variant, then I definitely recommend this model from Gibson.
If you’re looking for a great electric guitar on a budget, then check out some other models from Gibson as well (such as the Les Paul or SG).
FAQs:
1. Why Gibson ES 339?
The Gibson ES-339 is one of the most successful electric guitars ever made by the company that has been in operation since 1902 under various names. The ES-339 was initially released in 1959, however, was discontinued in 1978 due to its high production costs. This guitar has earned so much popularity among guitarists that it has been played in many hit songs through the years.
The ES-339 is a semi-hollow body guitar that features a thinner mahogany body and maple top licensed from the Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar. This makes it one of the most popular and sought-after guitars of all time. The mahogany body not only looks cool but gives it a wonderful resonance that is perfect for blues, jazz, and rock styles of music. The solid mahogany neck has an edge that makes the play feel very comfortable, smooth, and easy to navigate. The maple top under the white binding on top adds to the visual appeal of this model with its contrasting wood grain inlays giving this guitar a gorgeous look and feel.
2. Who plays the Gibson ES 339?
The Gibson ES-339 is one of the most popular guitars in the world among top guitar players. Some famous musicians that have played this model include Eric Clapton, B.B King, Jimmy Page, Slash, and many more.
3. I want to buy a new electric guitar; which is best for playing blues?
The Gibson ES-339 is my favorite electric guitar with a classic hollow body shape and mahogany neck profile. It’s affordable and it looks cool!
4. What are the differences between the Gibson ES 335 and ES 339?
The Gibson ES-339 is a variation of the ES-335 which was released in 1977 by Gibson. It features a thinner mahogany body with the same maple top. However, the body shape has changed with the two humbuckers placed at the bottom on a chrome-plated cover plate instead of above it.
5. What are its tonal characteristics? Does it sound good for blues?
This is a simple question…it depends on the type of music you play. If you’re a blues player, then this model is a perfect fit for you because it’s rich, full-bodied, and warm. If you play rock or other classic rock styles of music, then this guitar isn’t suitable.
6. What is the external appearance? Is it good-looking?
The Gibson ES-339 features a beautiful maple top that contrasts well with the dark mahogany sides and back. The chrome hardware really makes it stand out from other guitars and is classy looking as well.
7. What does it come with?
The Gibson ES 339 comes with a Gibson hard-shell case (included in the price), additional strings, and a strap.
8. Is it expensive?
The ES-339 is a high-end guitar and comes in at around the same price range of $3000.
