Epiphone ES-339 PRO P90, Pelham Blue Review

[@RichBischoff]

Hey guys, Thanks for watching! Please remember to like and subscribe, and stop by Spotify to listen to some music. open.spotify.com/artist/3GoaK66hG2Al2gf6ync58b?si=L7XJVS7aTCWMPUMLTpFD3Q&dl_branch=1

[@curtolmscheid1661]

I accidentally acquired one of these in red as a trade for a Strat I was selling. The more I play it, the more I like it. The pickups sound fantastic to me. Warm but powerful with a distinct P90 sound. Great tuners, great action. I can’t find anything bad to say about it. Very fun and inspiring guitar!

[@r.k.2000]

I just bought one of these used, a 2014 model. It’s nice to play - a nice neck, and a comfortable lightweight guitar - however I need to point out one thing to prospective buyers that I only found out AFTER buying it. Although these soapbar P90 pickups look like the kind that you can adjust the height of (they have the two screws in amongst the polepieces), unfortunately they're NOT adjustable. I’ve seen more recent versions of this guitar that have corrected this problem (i.e. a 2017), but the soapbar P90s on earlier ones are non-adjustable. The guitar I bought had the bass side of the bridge pickup way too close to the low E string. When I went to lower that side of the pickup I found that screws were already tightened as far as they could go. The polepieces are already as low as they can go too. So I had to raise the bridge and the tailpiece in order to move the low strings further from the pickup. This may not work for everyone else because doing so also raises the action. I feel Epiphone should have installed the pickups a different way so that the two screws allowed raising or lowering the pickups like on most guitars equipped with soapbar P90s. Out of curiosity I tried turning the two screws counter-clockwise to see if they would RAISE the pickups, and they don't perform that function either. The pickup stays where it is and all the happens is that the cover comes loose. I removed the pickup and found that instead of a piece of flexible foam underneath the pickup, there's just a hard rubber pad that's adhered onto the wooden centrepiece of the guitar. Most soapbar P90 guitars have a flexible foam pad underneath the pickups to allow the two screws to travel up and down, and there's normally a spring on each screw to keep the tension. When the screws are backed off a bit the pickup cover shouldn't be coming loose. Normally P90 soapbar pickups that are adjustable are not sitting rigid in the body. You can press on them and they wiggle around because of the foam they're sitting on. But on my guitar the pickups are just rigid in place. Something to consider if you want a P90 guitar that is adjustable and not fixed height. I suppose my guitar could be taken apart, rip out the pads that are adhered to the centrepiece and replace with some thin flexible foam, and install correct-type springs if you know how. But we shouldn't have to go to that hassle. I for one will have to take this guitar to an experienced guitar tech to get this done, an expense and hassle I could do without. So be on the alert if you’re checking out an older model of this guitar.

[@garymesser9065]

I recently purchased an Epiphone ES339 P90, in red, as I researched more into this guitar, there is conflicting information regarding the fretboard, most catalogs say it’s Rosewood, however, I have also seen documentation of it being Pau Ferro. This model, according to Gibson, was a Limited Edition run for Guitar Center. Though I was originally under the impression, that it was rosewood, however, I am starting think mine is PAU FERRO, which fine. Base on color, wood grain, and density. Both are excellent fretboard materials.

[@chrisbaum8718]

I know this has been out a while but I just picked one of these up and wow, I have been surprised. Lives up to the review. A great guitar!

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

Wow! Every time I watch this video makes me appreciate my guitar even more especially since I almost lost it at the pawnshop!

[@geusseppegonzalezcardenas5782]

I've never been a GIbson/Epiphone guy but this 339 has changed my mind big time and now I'm in love with semi-hollow bodies. I tried a 335 though and it's too big for me, so the 339 is ideal.

[@RichBischoff]

Geusseppe González Cárdenas Agreed, Yeah I'm more of a strat tele guy, but I love this guitar.

[@pdy666]

I have one of these in vintage sunburst. I love it and for the price it's a no brainer. I really got it because I wanted an axe with P-90's. It's pretty sweet. Great review/demo by the way!!

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks!

[@MrStevecro]

I bought the same (colour and type) and for the same reasons. Looks wonderful and, after a pro set-up, played great as well. The main reason _ it's so different to my other 9 guitars

[@bobfurman2739]

4 years later...You and it sounded great~~

[@rodnocker505]

Great video! I should be receiving mine tomorrow. I don’t guess they make them with the p90s anymore, I haven’t seen them anyways since this video is a year old but it’s all good it has the alnico pro buckers with coil taps now. So I can wait till tomorrow😁 I love the color for sure.

[@RichBischoff]

The store here just got them in, minus the p90s.

[@LoungeAct74]

Nice review, Sebastian Vettel!

[@savannahcarr4620]

I love this!! Your review convinced me to get this guitar!! Thank you!!!

[@RichBischoff]

Welcome

[@sal6307]

Wish I can still find one of these.

[@31186dan]

I just bought an identical guitar (used) off of Reverb. Even has the “e” logo removed from pick guard. I’m stoked to get it! Thanks for the video

[@RichBischoff]

Sweet dude, you'll love it!

[@12south31]

What's wrong with the E? You like the guitar, why not the logo?

[@tenantrep]

Great playing! Finally found a Cherry Red 339 P90 Pro. Its a 2016 in pristine condition. Epi stopped making the 339 P90 version in 2019. Do you still have yours? Still dig it?

[@RichBischoff]

Yes, love it!

[@johnmartin21037]

Epiphone should send you a case for that guitar free of charge just got doing such an excellent demo of their ES349 with P90's. Your demo definitely convinced me to go out and purchase one. 🎼🎵🎸

[@wiclsurge]

Very nice track you're playing with...i love hollow/ semi-hollow bodied guitars too. i'm looking for one .

[@RichBischoff]

Thank you! I love this guitar. Good luck in your search!

[@GATvsGAT]

Great video! Very informative and great chops! 🤘Just bought the Ultra version with the nanomag “acoustic” pickup.

[@RichBischoff]

Nice!

[@BobEstremera]

Hey Rich, great video and nice playing. I'm exclusively a low volume bedroom player and I like the more cleanish tones with little gain. How noisy are the P90s when you roll the gain down?

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks. They aren't noisy with no gain or little gain.

[@juddaustin399]

i have this in the tobacco burst. I replaced the pickups with a set of Fralin P90s with the neck 5% underwound, and the neck is STILL too hot. my problem in general with p90s is its hard to balance the pickups, this guitar is no exception.

[@RichBischoff]

I dig it. They seem pretty balanced to me, but I need to gig with it first to find out for sure. Thanks.

[@northernthrifter8817]

why would you change the pickups? their incredible i have owned a epi 61 sg special with the old p90s but their not a patch on the pro's maybe your buying into the snake oil because these pickups in my opinion are he best p90s iv'e ever played. I may change the harness sometime in the future iv'e already bought a load of pots and some russian paper in oil caps and vintage cloth wire but the pickups are staying. I did put a gotoh bridge on mine as the retaining wire was buzzing new bridge problem solved. mine is cherry red and it's a keeper i love it incredible value how do they do it. I believe the guitars coming out of the chinese factory are the best ever way bettter than the over rated korean guitars

[@juddaustin399]

@@northernthrifter8817 i would change them because imo the epi pickups are blah. they lack sparkle and dynamics. P-90s are all over the map, consistancy-wise. just because they're old doesn't make them good. I have heard some outstanding P90s, but I've yet to own a set. the search continues. glad you like them.

[@northernthrifter8817]

Judd Austin are you playing through a valve amp or digital processor because the p90s in my lester and es339 certainly do not lack sparkle and dynamics they're very responsive to touch and the clarity is very bright. I also know I'm not the alone in rating these pickup very highly. do you play with a fair amount of distortion? Try playing the guitar clean through a low wattage valve amplifier if you still think their blah then i wish you good luck in your search your going to need it and alot of patience. I've had older epiphone guitars which were lacking in the pickups department but I've not heard many people saying they want to rip the pros out and replace them there are some but their the kind who will never find what their looking for because their trying to buy tone when really it's right they're in their fingers. Their a marketing companies dream.

[@bobt7484]

Sounds great! What OD pedal & amp are you using? I hear some delay and possibly reverb also.

[@DustyCowdog]

Curious.. Sweetwater has this guitar, but they have them with hum buckers.... Is that a choice? Excellent playing by the way!

[@RichBischoff]

Yeah theres another version at sweetwater with the humbuckers. This one is offered through guitar center only I believe.

[@DustyCowdog]

@@RichBischoff - Right on, thanks for the quick reply! Cheers!

[@DanielMartinez-cx2ej]

I got mine with p90 pick ups I don't think they make em with humbuckers anymore

[@northernthrifter8817]

Daniel Martinez yes they do is the p90s there a limited edition

[@jarrettfinney4882]

That’s a semi hollow brother. The p90s are lovely

[@kingstumble]

Epi have really cracked it with the P90 PRO pickups. I also had a 339 PRO but sold it---I've no idea why! But now I've got a Blueshawk and a 56 Goldtop with the same P90s. Love 'em both.

[@RichBischoff]

kingstumble Cool, thanks for watching! Im loving this guitar so far.

[@pilsplease7561]

They dont make a lefty version of it so im pissed.@@RichBischoff

[@RichBischoff]

PilsPlease That sucks. Sorry man.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@RichBischoff yeah, I really wanted one because I love the tone and the style but the only option is a 3500$ Gibson ES-339 which yeah fuck that.

[@looneyinkproductions-eduard]

I only just (accidentally) bumped into this video. Nice! I'm a true strat junky, but I've got this ES339 as well and wouldn't trade it for the world. I changed the original humbuckers (g400, which were too woolly for me) for p90's and put them out of phase. I tell you, this so called, "budget" guitar has become a massive versatile beast! From T-Bone Walker to John Mayall's Clapton and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac...she can handle anything!! Oh well!

[@DessieTots]

Did the guitar come with the P90's. I've only seen the humbucker version.

[@RichBischoff]

Yes, it came with them. www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&ei=cnROXL-7I4GcjgTT04rwCw&q=epiphone+es+339+pro+p90&oq=es+339&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.1.1.0i71l5.0.0..9059...0.0..0.0.0.......0.yAjYCO5_Uz4#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i

[@tenantrep]

Do you still have the guitar and you still love it as much as the first day you got it? I respect your opinion about the same one but in red last year used and I love it except I need to get it set up since the action is too high.

[@RichBischoff]

Still have it.

[@ptrisonic]

I miss my old Gibson ES335. I had to get rid of it NOT because it had bad tone, it didn't, on the contrary, I loved it and it's dynamics - more useful than a decent Les Paul, it was the ergonomics. It really dug into my lower rib cage and was painful to play. So I'll give this a try as the body is a lot smaller relatively. Cheers, mate. Pete.

[@robertoetojo5861]

Good player especially the last song awesome.. I have red dot cherry Ephi love jt too.. looks good the shqpe

[@celestelongway7315]

Great vid! ..... thanks for the demo!

[@peterjonstefan2926]

I dont like the new pick ups on the newer cs339's is it possible to gt some p90s and change them?

[@RichBischoff]

I'm sure could.

[@keithrevst692]

I just got the wildcat case from Sweetwater, it fits really nice. I think they have the 339 case in stock now. These are good guitars, I recently bought a epi les Paul tribute plus and it sounds and plays as good as my Gibson Les Paul studio. It’s just heavy as hell. I guess the Gibson 57 classic pickups sound good on anything.

[@RichBischoff]

Keith Revst thanks, I really need a case.

[@petergrant7332]

Take a look at Harley Benton from Thomann in Germany. They do a fantastic twin humbucker tele style semi hollow in trans blue with a quilted maple veneer top (HB TE 90 QM HH ) Costs just £ 158 , got to be the best value for money out there ! Stunning looking and great sounding guitar.

[@RichBischoff]

Don't tempt me Peter...

[@petergrant7332]

@@RichBischoff Tempting myself , they are out of stock at the moment but available in 3 wks time. I'm on a small pension so funds are tight , but I think I've got to treat myself to this one !

[@rickgoodwin7371]

Rich. What strings do you have on the 339?

[@RichBischoff]

Erie Ball 10-46.

[@joanl5675]

Could you tell me whether you found a foam gig bag to fit this guitar? Thanks for any info.

[@RichBischoff]

Just a hard case.

[@petergrant7332]

Try a Harley Benton TE 90 qm hh Beautiful deep blue quilted maple top , semi hollow , tele style, mahogany body , even got binding on the f holes. Can't go wrong at just £ 158 !

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks Pete, I will have to check it out. I was actually looking at the benton hollow bodies before I droped some coin on the epiphone.

[@northernthrifter8817]

no thanks

[@stevecrocker6904]

@@northernthrifter8817 if someone had sneaked another "1" in front of the price you would have said yes .... right?

[@northernthrifter8817]

@@stevecrocker6904 no just the name harley Benton isn't synonymous with quality playing instruments check tony mckenzie's channel he reviews that instruments

[@bertnerny2892]

Just got an epi ES-339 and I love it. I have a question if you don't mind: Are there differences between the 330 and the 339 Pro?

[@RichBischoff]

Not sure, just looking at it, it looks like the body might be bigger etc. Pickups are different. I havent played one.

[@bertnerny2892]

​@@RichBischoff Typo alert: I meant 339, not 330.

[@anggitbimawicaksana491]

Bert Nerny coil tap

[@Push-Pull]

Hi Rich, would you mind sharing your amp / pedal set up for this vid? Sounds really fantastic !

[@RichBischoff]

Hey Dan, I am actually using Eleven Rack in this video, the matchless model, with the tube screamer model, with a little delay and reverb also from the 11 rack.

[@Push-Pull]

Rich Bischoff you make the guit sound great! Thanks Rich.

[@robertoetojo5861]

Even J. Lennon.. E. Clapton...B.B King.. K...Richard's.. Foo fighters..Larry Carlton.. Eric. Johnson they used semi hollowed body.. John..Scofield.. etc2

[@tenantrep]

When you got the guitar from the factory and you said you did not like the action was it too high or too low because the action on my 339 is too high and I’m wondering if yours was too high how did you lower it. Thank you

[@RichBischoff]

Truss rod and bridge adjustment.

[@tenantrep]

@@RichBischoff Did you have to lower?

[@brandoncohen3606]

did he change the pickguard? i was aware that the pickguard should come with the stupid engraved "E' .. i do know if i buy one Im installing a plain pickguard

[@RichBischoff]

The E can be removed. It is basicly just a sticker. I just took it off.

[@DirectorLJ]

Hey Rich. Thanks for this excellent walk through. I'm coming back to guitar and considering this one. So forgive newbie ish question : I like the sound of the P90s. What really is the difference btw them and the humbuckers, besides the bucking of the hum! Ha! Thanks, man, great job.

[@RichBischoff]

I feel like they have this rounder smoother tone than humbuckers or regular single coil pickups. From Google: "the bobbin for a P-90 is wider but shorter. The Fender style single coil is wound in a taller bobbin but the wires are closer to the individual poles. This makes the P-90 produce a different type of tone, somewhat warmer with less edge and brightness. The P-90 is subject to 60 cycle hum unless some form of hum cancelling is used."

[@FeelingWo0zy]

So p90 over the humbucker one?

[@RichBischoff]

I haven't tried the humbucker one. I wanted this one because I don't own a guitar with P90's.

[@nathanfrisby3133]

Sounds great

[@MrEddie-gf3yg]

Is it as light, or lighter than a SG?

[@RichBischoff]

Lighter I think...

[@spqr701]

What kind of neck shape does it have? Do you like it?

[@RichBischoff]

SPQR C shape not to fat, not to thin, just right.

[@spqr701]

Rich. It seems the newer models are all "D" shape with fat, baseball bat necks.

[@lewisbeeman]

Man, I should never have watched this video. Now I want one!

[@RichBischoff]

Haha, sorry...

[@bellachi9575]

Exactly. I should be happy with my Epi 335 pro sunburst, but this color....

[@tranerecks]

That's exactly like mine. Except I put abalone topped knobs on.

[@tranerecks]

The blueshawk is fun too.

[@RichBischoff]

Nice! Do you play it a lot?

[@9999plato]

I dont like that they dont fill the wood grain. I have a gibson that they did not fill the grain and it really detracts from the perception of its quality. I love Pelham blue but if this was agibson 335 it would be finished differently. Even the sunburst models dont show the grain like that. Sounds good though.

[@RichBischoff]

FlyBaby Thanks for watching! Wish I owned a Gibson. 😁

[@northernthrifter8817]

@@RichBischoff actually you do own a gibson it's just a gibson made off shore with an epiphone logo, i have a 339 p90 and i was so impressed with it that i bought a 56 les paul pro in chicago blue it's another amazing guitar thanks for the video

[@RichBischoff]

Stuart Gudgeon Thanks man, I've been really impressed with the epiphone stuff, even the Les Pauls my students bring to lesson.

[@northernthrifter8817]

Rich Bischoff I've heard that epiphones are now in the top 3 selling guitars in the world I've owned quite a few over the years and my experience with them is since 2014 they've smashed it out the park at least the one's I've owned have. I play with a friend who has three gibbys and has played many more over the years and he was very impressed with the 56pro. My older SG models usually had fret buzz issues and dull pickups, no such problems with the recent models this p90pros are amazing the clarity and brightness is that of a real vintage Gibson pickup. Sshhhhhh don't tell anyone especially Gibson players

[@9999plato]

@@RichBischoff Mine are not high end, they are odd ducks. An N225 and a Midtown.

[@bronzesnake7004]

Great guitar! I love the Pelham Blue! Have you played a Casino? I have one, it's my absolute favorite guitar ever! I've played all kinds of guitars, but being a large Beatles and Wings fan, which is what I've played live most over my close to thirty years as lead vocalist. I was a writer in original bands for over 20 years also, based most of the time out of Toronto. I had to retire with a serious illness, which cut way way back on the income flow! LOL! SO I only have a few guitars now - An acoustic Yamaha FG 340 which I know is a sort of affordable guitar in their line up, and I used to have Yamaha FG 365 which was an awesome guitar, so of course when I was 16 I had to trade it for an electric...sigh. But this FG 340 plays and sound exceptionally good and I'd put it up with the 365 with absolutely no problems, and further, I actually prefer this 340!! It's black, and has binding around the body, neck and head stock and it's black! I haven't seen another black FG 340, so I don't know if this is custom or not, but I'll never let it go. I also have an Ovation 1700 which was given to me by a dear friend with serious damage to the top. The guitar was left for years in a dry location with the strings on and tight. So the bridge popped off, which isn't that big of a deal, except it was so dry that it tore strips of the top off with it. So I took it to the local shop in town, I live in a small town on Lake Simcoe North of Toronto where I grew up, and the guy there wasn't skilled at the level where he could do a good repair and refinish, so I tore it down, sanded the entire top, and slowly built up the holes with the original pieces which came away. I was lucky the chunks were still glued to the bridge bottom.I had contacted Ovation for advice and a luthier there was awesome, and advised me to use crazy glue to try and do the repair without having to sand the finish off, because they use crazy glue to repair small finish issues. But the guitar was too badly damaged, so he gave me an idea of how to deal with it as far as repairing the holes. I decided to sand the entire top down and refinish it in a mat black color, which compliments the rest of the guitar in the shiny black. There's all kinds of finishing kits available now so if I don't like it I'll drop some coin on it and chose one of the kits I've seen of Brad Angove's channel, he's a great finisher! I also have an Epiphone LP Junior with a humbucker which I love! It's a lot of fun! Then I have an Epiphone SG and a Fender Tele made in Indonesia, which is also a really sweet guitar. I bought a scaled Cort Earth Series acoustic which is just awesome! I had gone to the shop in town to buy an Epiphone Studio they had used and in mind condition, but something possessed me to pick this little guitar up as my eldest son and I were headed to pay for the LP! After the third chord I told me son to put the LP back and I bought the Cort! LOL! Great sound, awesome tone and for under $300 Canadian with a solid spruce top, I had to have it! I ended up giving it to my middle son, because he let me have his old Ibanez 120 he bought when he was in college off a friend of a friend who wanted beer money! So he bough it with a hard shell case for a hundred bucks! LOL! So he gave me that guitar and I took my acoustic Garrison 700 and traded even for a brand new cherry red casino which I'd been jonesing for! Even since I found out the Beatles used Casinos for a TON of their songs, and some of my favorite Beatles albums, such as Abbey Road and the White Album, I had to have one!! So it took over 40 years! LOL! Anyway, hope you liked the novel! LOL! Take care bro, great channel. I'm just catching up having found the channel two days ago. Jack - Canada

[@RichBischoff]

Bronzesnake thanks brother!

[@liv4music]

Tell us how you really feel Jack! 😉

[@bronzesnake7004]

Brian "Tell us how you really feel Jack!" LOL! I'm Cherokee, you're gonna get the story no matter what! LOL! Jack

[@shedbd]

Great playing..👍👍

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks man!

[@celestelongway7315]

Dude u remind me of a Eric Johnson with a little Clapton sprinkled and Carlton too

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks man!

[@robertoetojo5861]

Sound like Sleep walk by Larry.C years ago

[@Guitarwizza1]

She’s a dime!

[@bsb4038]

Wow...you're good 👍

[@keithnorvell3583]

Wish the background music while you were talking, wish it was gone

[@RichBischoff]

Sorry about that.

[@royjff]

i have this guitar

[@RichBischoff]

Jeff Roy cool! Great guitar!

[@royjff]

I use it with my blackstar Ht Club 40 MKII. Sounds really good

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

Brother guess what? My case was stolen but at least I still got my guitar

[@RichBischoff]

The cases aren't cheap though.

[@DanielMartinez-iw7pl]

@@RichBischoff $100

[@edwinmartinez9787]

bad ass player

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks sir

[@jaywells5283]

Can you be a bigger over actor?!?!

[@RichBischoff]

who me?

[@SixDasher]

Why the fuck do people review guitars and then only play the same distortion setting? Why no clean sound, this might as well be any other guitar now.