Epiphone 339 - You Should Try This Episode 4

[@reiforfender]

I got my first ES-339 ever about 6 months ago. It´s a Cherry Red one. I am in love, fascinated. Love the size, weight and playability. I do also like all the sound options through the volume and tone knobs plus the coil split options. My girl, Rubi. Born in 2013. Just love it and still figuring out all the sounds possible according to what I´m playing. Satisfaction guaranteed.

[@msspi764]

Less than $300 with no case or gig bag or anything, I was lucky to catch a sale, and this one just hadn't moved. I've not done anything to it except for a setup. It's obvious that the wiring and particularly the switch have to be replaced. I wouldn't touch the pickups. The word on any mod is if you like how it sounds now don't f*** with it, and these pickups are really great especially considering they are imports. The coil split is a feature the Gibson 339's don't have, and it makes a difference in this guitar. This is the guitar you take to the jam because there's not a lot it can't do and it's not likely to be stolen.

[@PJandtheBeard]

Good score! It is a great guitar.

[@mikeaustin4138]

I'm considering getting one of these. I tried the Gibson version at Guitar Center and it was only marginally better (and had very poor tuning stability) and 7x the price ($399 vs $2900). I would probably swap out everything but the wood and strap knobs: Lollar pickups, American harness, bone nut and better tuners. Some people might say that it's insane to spend an additional $650 on a $400 guitar, but my reasoning is that the wood is < 10% of the tone of any guitar and spending $1100 on an upgraded Epiphone still makes it 1100/2900 = 38% the price of a Gibson with equal or better quality components. What do you think?

[@PJandtheBeard]

I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I would play with the stock pickups for a bit first. They actually sound pretty good. Changing the pots and wiring out was the only thing I did to it and that was a huge upgrade. I will say it was a pain to work inside that f-hole. One other thing to consider is that upgrades don’t raise the value of the guitar that much if you go to sell it later. If you’re alright with that go for it. Otherwise I would play it and fix the ones that you think will be the most helpful over time. I’m with you, the Epi 339’s make it hard to justify the Gibson’s.

[@DSilvergun]

I installed SD Seth Lovers in my 339 Pro - wow very good upgrade!

[@TheBillyEnz1]

I bought one today for $210 at a pawn shop just missing two knobs just bought them on amazon for $6 win!

[@PJandtheBeard]

That’s a win all around!

[@ericko416]

Wow, i think thats be a great deal

[@arash123salam]

Hi, I need some help deciding what guitar to buy next. I don't seem to be able to pick between Epiphone ES339 pro & PRS SE Santana Standard. Which one do u think is better?!

[@PJandtheBeard]

Sorry we missed this, the comment went to a "likely spam" folder for some reason and we are still figuring out this KZbin thing! Anyway, great question. As always we would say play them both and pick the one you like better. I know that can be hard to so sometimes. Both are great guitars. PJ and I both are huge PRS fans and I don't think you can ever go wrong with any PRS. The Epi 339 is a great guitar too. Hmmm... If I had to guess I would say if you are buying new (and unseen) you have a better chance of getting a guitar that is set up great out of the gate with the PRS. The 339 might need a bit more tweaking. I have never played a Santana model but have heard great things about them. There are some differences being in that the 339 is a semi hollow body and has some coil splitting options. Hard question. Bottom line, PRS probably makes a better guitar, the 339 might be a bit more versatile.

[@arash123salam]

@@PJandtheBeard Thanks

[@McFlyGuitarsandStuff]

$300 w/no case. I refretted it and changed the nut. It's a great guitar. And I've been threw a few.....157 lol.

[@davidblue5093]

Cool sound

[@phillipholt6005]

He wasted his time messing with it. I bought the earlier version and the only difference was it didn't have Grover tuners as advertised! They offered to replace and I had them send to me. I've still not replace because the original is great!

[@PJandtheBeard]

I like the tuners on it too. The only thing I changed on this guitar was the volume and tone pots. If you run the guitar wide open all the time the original pots are fine, but if you like to ride the volume knob it is a valuable upgrade. It’s not a waste of time depending on how you use it, but it’s not for the faint of heart either. I like the original pickups too. Definitely a great value for the price.

[@rickshipman9279]

Gosh listening to you guys make me sound great ,,,just saying

[@PJandtheBeard]

Rick Shipman well it sounds like we have brought some joy to your life. Our job is done here... thanks for stopping by.

[@danhusband6154]

Just bought one used ...$400

[@PJandtheBeard]

Good deal. I’m sure you like it. Great guitar!