Gibson 339

pmg

Common opinion seems to be that a 339 sits somewhere between a Les Paul and a 335 tonally, if not leaning slightly towards a Les Paul tone. So, how close to a LP and is it similar to an ES LP?

lustycourtier

I had one and hated it. Looked silly and small, cut aways were too small too. Sounded brilliant though. 57 Clasiscs from Memory.

Deijavoo

I got one when they came out, and still love it dearly. It's definitely less Les Paul-ish than say a Les Paul.

pmg

I have a 339 but am thinking of getting a LP. Are they two completely different animals and if so is an ES LP a better comparison to a 339?

koss59

I have a R7 and a 59 reissue 335 and have a few friends that have 339's. I'd say the 339 is closer to a les Paul than a 335 but has a little bit of hollow body character. Sorry that probably doesn't help much!

not_the_dj

I have an ES LP, but not a 339 or 335 so can't offer a comparison with those. 

It's certainly different and more "open/airy" than a regular Les Paul, and wonderfully light.

Chalky

It is simply in the middle. Gibson Midtown is more Les Paul-ish. 339 is brighter and airier than a typical Les Paul.

Maybe thats why the 339 hasn't been more successful - its neither a 335 nor a Les Paul, but it doesn't have its own new voice, just a compromise mix of the two. Great guitar though - I like the fatter neck on mine

Deijavoo

I just got a Les Paul again and my general findings from playing at high volume last night can only be the obvious answer that my 339 certainly feels more like an acoustic with the thick neck and bassier tone. Maybe that was just last night for you but my Les Paul cuts through much more in the high mids and I may even put thicker strings on to get that harder response from my low strings.To my ears very different beasts, makes me kinda want one of those cherry red satin 335s out at the moment for a nice trio.

 

Not sure any of that helps much but here it is anyways.

pmg

Yeah I like my 339 and I find it to be quite different to my 335 so was wondering how close to a LP it is.

crunchman

I don't have a 335 so I can't comment on that but I have a 339 and a Les Paul.  The 339 is definitely not the same as the Les Paul.  It's a lighter sounding guitar, and there is a semi-hollow edge to the sound.

pmg

crunchman;663623" said:

I don't have a 335 so I can't comment on that but I have a 339 and a Les Paul.  The 339 is definitely not the same as the Les Paul.  It's a lighter sounding guitar, and there is a semi-hollow edge to the sound.

Interesting. My 339 is nothing like my 335.

Thanks for all the comments -anyone out there compared a 339 and an es les Paul?

Philly_Q

crunchman said:

I don't have a 335 so I can't comment on that but I have a 339 and a Les Paul.  The 339 is definitely not the same as the Les Paul.  It's a lighter sounding guitar, and there is a semi-hollow edge to the sound.

Let's throw the CS-336 into the mix.  Looks like an ES-339, but actually gets a bit closer to a Les Paul because it's got a hollowed-out mahogany back with a maple top, rather than a pressed, laminated maple/poplar body. 

pmg

Philly_Q;663683" said:

crunchman said:

I don't have a 335 so I can't comment on that but I have a 339 and a Les Paul.  The 339 is definitely not the same as the Les Paul.  It's a lighter sounding guitar, and there is a semi-hollow edge to the sound.










Let's throw the CS-336 into the mix.  Looks like an ES-339, but actually gets a bit closer to a Les Paul because it's got a hollowed-out mahogany back with a maple top, rather than a pressed, laminated maple/poplar body. 

I left that out of the mix as I don't have a 336 and my reason for asking is I'm thinking of getting a LP but good information