ES 335, 339, 330, 336 advice

dindude

The new ES235 looks good too, like a slightly upscaled ES Les Paul 

crunchman

dindude said:

The new ES235 looks good too, like a slightly upscaled ES Les Paul 

Looks like it is replacing the ES Les Paul.  I just looked on the Gibson website and can't find the ES Les Paul listed in their 2019 models. Unfortunately it has Burstbuckers not MHS pickups.

Don't know what the construction is like - whether it's more like the ES Les Paul or the 339.  The centre block in the 339 is bigger, and there is a lot less air in it.  I said it above, but the ES Les Paul is lighter and sounds more hollow than the 339.  The ES Les Paul might be closer to the PRS Hollowbody in construction, albeit warmer sounding - maybe because of the shorter scale length.

WindmillGuitars

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

Anchorboy said:

@onpar Gibson Midtown is worth a look

Yeah that was my first thought too. If you like the sound you get from a Les Paul then the Midtown might get you closer to that than the ES models as it's essentially a chambered mahogany solid-body construction rather than a true arch-top maple type construction like the ES models. Probably cheaper than the ES models too.

@Onpar I've a 2016 Midtown in sunburst available if you think it' an option for you

Titch

I had a 339 for a few years and found it quite comfortable to play and as everyone seems to agree that it's more Les Paul than 335 and it's a lot lighter. I've since sold it on as I fancied something else but I would have another one.

BeardyAndy

I've not played one (yet) but the 2019 Ibanez AS range look great, well specked at the price point. Could be worth a look as Epi' competition?

Blueingreen

I have a 336 and 339.  I really like both.  IMO the sonic differences are too subtle to really matter, but the 339 is a little airier and the 336 a bit tighter sounding.

My 339 had "tall thin" 6105 type frets and the 336 had more typical medium jumbos.  I don't know whether this is a consistent difference, but it's worth checking out.  I preferred the frets on the 339 quite a bit and ended up refretting the 336 with bigger wire.

Both guitars are light, around 7lbs for the 336 and the 339 a pound or two more.

My impression is that the QC on the 336s is better and they tend to use better wood on the tops, so generally speaking they are cosmetically better.  But the 339s are cheaper and if you can find a good one and like the finish you could have a guitar as good as a 336 for less money.

Fishboy7

I really like the size and shape of a 335. Perfect fit for me but I can see how some would favour a slightly smaller version. 

midlifecrisis

my main guitar at the moment is an epiphone 339, very versatle but definately its more les paul than 335.  unplugged its no louder than my les paul, whereas 335s seem to ring out

Blueingreen

I'm surprised at that. My 336 and 339 are both conspicuously louder than any of my solid body guitars unplugged. 

Jimbro66

Blueingreen said:

I'm surprised at that. My 336 and 339 are both conspicuously louder than any of my solid body guitars unplugged. 

That's true but I go along with midlifecrisis that a 335 generally rings out a little more than a 339. Larger top and more air I guess. The 335 has that phenomenon of air actually 'puffing' out of the f-holes at high volume.

Blueingreen

Jimbro66 said:

Blueingreen said:

I'm surprised at that. My 336 and 339 are both conspicuously louder than any of my solid body guitars unplugged. 

That's true but I go along with midlifecrisis that a 335 generally rings out a little more than a 339. Larger top and more air I guess. The 335 has that phenomenon of air actually 'puffing' out of the f-holes at high volume.

I've never compared them with a 335.  The size of the 335 is a deal-breaker for me and I've never seriously considered buying one.

57Deluxe

...you buy a 335 style for the sound and the aesthetic.

However, the aesthetic takes a secondary position as you may want a say a cherry, but then a drop-dead SB comes along or a natural at an alluring price. What you don't compromise on is the tones it offers up.

Living with a 335 body style is a compromise start to finish though.

stickyfiddle

FWIW my 336 is closer in volume to my 330 than my LP or SG when played unplugged 

Onpar

I managed to get to Pmt after work and tried an epi 339, epi 335 dot, and casino.

339: just too small and looked weird on me but I am 6'1".

335: wow amazing tone especially with some gain and looked cool. But was on the heavy side. 

Casino: looks awesome and is light! But impossible to access anything above the 15th fret!

I think all things considered it's the 335. Now just the decision whether to buy the epi or a Gibson. The epi was 319 which is astonishing really. And hope try and find a lighter one.

Thanks for all the advice chaps. Much appreciated. 

Nikc

Just get a 335 they are fine loads of really great players would say so - great guitars great sounds - the rest is just pandering to weirdos 

Jimbro66

Onpar said:

..................................335: wow amazing tone especially with some gain and looked cool. But was on the heavy side.

I think all things considered it's the 335. Now just the decision whether to buy the epi or a Gibson. The epi was 319 which is astonishing really. And hope try and find a lighter one.

Yes, it is hard to justify paying a lot more for a guitar that is outwardly similar to the Epi but when you look closely their are(of course) differences that go some way to justifying that price difference. If you can find a Gibson ES-335 with MHS humbuckers, and can afford it, go for it. Also look around because there are more weight variations than you might imagine.

That I look like a question mark in side view has nothing at all to do with years of playing 335s

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

If you know you want a 335 but are unsure about the price/value difference between the Epi and the Gibson, I'd look to split the difference and look for something like a MiJ Tokai or Edwards. Arguably equivalent quality to the Gibson but considerably cheaper.

Could also look at Eastman's, though they may be slightly more pricey than the Tokai/Edwards options. 

noisepolluter

Jimbro66 said:

The 335 has that phenomenon of air actually 'puffing' out of the f-holes at high volume.

Which is faintly alarming initially - thought mine was about to make a bolt for the door the first time it did that

Stinkfoot

My 339 is the guitar I've bonded with the most over the years. Have tried a couple of 335 types and have had to admit that I'm just not built right for them, and I find them too cumbersome.

I've had the 339 as my main guitar for over 10 years now and just find it so versatile. It might not quite have the depth of a 335, but with the tone rolled off a little and the amp settings adjusted it can still get jazzy and thick. The bridge pickup will easily do country as well as driven sounds , and the middle position does great jangle and funk sounds.

I've had several new guitars since I bought the 339 but none have yet come close to bumping it from the number one spot. It just has the mix of good quality build, shape, looks, and versatile tones that really work for me.

Hope you narrow it down and find the right one that suits you.

Evilmags

335s and their cousins (345 355) look right. The mini versions don't. Ebony, Cherry or Burgandy 355/45/55 are seriously good looking instruments. If you dont want a Gibson, then (in order of price, high to low) Bennedetto, Heritage, D'Angelico, Yamaha, Tokai ect all make good guitars as well, (shame no one did it without pickups). The little ones look wrong aesthetically (again very subjective).

Also, play an ES 275. They are lovely to look at and might work if you are after a hollow sound rather than  an all rounder.