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Post by JeffG on Oct 13, 2018 9:29:21 GMT -7
Picked up this 2015 339 last week and have been really liking it! I’d had a Heritage 535 for about two years that was my first semi-hollow. It was a great guitar but I was looking for something a little more lightweight because the band I’m in plays 3 hour gigs. As great as it was, and it was great, the 535 was getting a little heavy! Enter the 339 and now I’m playing long practices (haven’t gigged it yet) much more easily. I also think it’s slightly more punchy than the 535 (maybe due to being a smaller body?). All in all, it’s a very good guitar that seems to fit the bill for my current needs. The only thing that is keeping me back from gushing about this guitar is the pickups. They used the Burstbucker I and II in the 2015 models and they’re ok. But for my taste, they don’t do the guitar justice. I just ordered a set of Lollar Imperials and will have my tech put in new pots and caps. I think that’ll make it really come to life! I was initially hesitant to getting this guitar because it is red. I’ve never owned a red guitar before because I’ve never thought of myself as a red guitar kind of guy. I’m not sure what that kind of guy is, but I didn’t think I was one. But hey, if it plays well, sounds good, and the G string stays in tune (it does!), then I can roll with it!
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Oct 13, 2018 14:25:34 GMT -7
Anyone able to see this image? I get a minus sign inside of a circle. Anyway, I’m glad you like the 339. Did you sell the CS336?
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Post by "Z" Steve on Oct 13, 2018 14:36:01 GMT -7
I read your post but don't see a red guitar - congrats though!
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Post by KeithA on Oct 13, 2018 15:14:37 GMT -7
Anyone able to see this image? I get a minus sign inside of a circle. Anyway, I’m glad you like the 339. Did you sell the CS336? Same here
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Oct 13, 2018 15:23:44 GMT -7
Must be Mystic red 😱
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Oct 13, 2018 15:25:24 GMT -7
I have several red 335s - great sounding and looking guitars - especially through Zs 👍
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Oct 13, 2018 16:11:57 GMT -7
Mine's red. Great guitar, I've got '57 Classics in it and it rocks or sings, whatever you want.
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Post by sharkboy on Oct 13, 2018 16:31:51 GMT -7
I have a blue 336 (same body, I think) that is a joy to play and always surprises me how easy it is to play and how good it sounds. Mine came with ‘59s and I have zero complaints. From memory, the neck is a little beefier than the 335.
One great thing about Burstbuckers is that even if they don’t sound awesome when you’re playing alone, they can cut through better than other humbuckers in a bigger band. I’m really glad I didn’t change mine out in my 335.
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Post by JeffG on Oct 13, 2018 18:05:17 GMT -7
Sorry about that everyone. Updated with pics that should be showing!
The BBs aren't bad, but I'm not really feeling like they get the most out of the guitar (to my ear). But the main reason I'm changing them is because I want to change the pots. I'm not a fan of the taper or the treble roll-off. So I figured that I might as well do the whole thing if I'm going to pay someone to do that kind of work on a semihollow.
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Post by JeffG on Oct 13, 2018 18:07:02 GMT -7
Anyone able to see this image? I get a minus sign inside of a circle. Anyway, I’m glad you like the 339. Did you sell the CS336? Yes, I was able to sell the 336. I really did like it but it was a little to LP-sounding for my taste. I tend to lean more toward the semihollow sound. And it was considerably more expensive. The 339 wasn't cheap, but it was much less than what I'd paid for the 336.
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Post by Paul (TRANE) on Oct 13, 2018 18:13:22 GMT -7
Lovely guitar. Congratulations!!!!
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Post by digs57 on Oct 13, 2018 18:21:56 GMT -7
just picked up red traditional paul...always wanted figured top in cherry red
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Post by "Z" Steve on Oct 13, 2018 18:30:07 GMT -7
When I changed out the Archtop pickups out of my hollowbody McCarty to Lollars I had the tech do anything and everything at once, along with a push-pull pot to split the pups. Unless you have the tools and experience to work through the F-holes on a 335 style guitar the cost is worth it. Wonderful pics of a great guitar!
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Post by nicholas on Oct 14, 2018 5:41:29 GMT -7
Congrats! I have a 339 in vintage burst. It's an awesome playing/sounding guitar. Mines a 2016. Pretty mush same thing as yours I think, just different color. I actually really love the BB's in it. But to each their own.
I prefer it quite a bit to the 335's I've had. Much more comfortable to play for me. Enjoy it!
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Post by lowbudget on Oct 14, 2018 6:06:13 GMT -7
Coming in clear here, and it's sure purty!
Interestingly my H535 is red, but only weighs 7.5 pounds on the button. Luck of the draw I guess.
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Post by JeffG on Oct 14, 2018 7:02:23 GMT -7
Luck of the draw is right - mine was about 8lbs.
I’m doing the same - push pull so I can do series or parallel. Why not go for more options, right?!
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Post by deltone on Oct 18, 2018 22:23:45 GMT -7
Congrats. I, too, have a 2015 ES-335 in red. I love it! I think it's the ultimate gigging guitar.
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Nov 20, 2018 22:29:53 GMT -7
JeffGHow does the 339 compare to a 335? I’ve got a buddy who absolutely loves the 335s because of their size and I feel like I would prefer the 339 for the same reason. I’ve played his 335s when he’s had them, but I’ve not had a chance to play a 339.
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Post by JeffG on Nov 21, 2018 6:36:50 GMT -7
JeffG How does the 339 compare to a 335? I’ve got a buddy who absolutely loves the 335s because of their size and I feel like I would prefer the 339 for the same reason. I’ve played his 335s when he’s had them, but I’ve not had a chance to play a 339. I can't speak for a 335 per se since I did choose a Heritage H535 over all of the 335s I played. I really liked my 535 and if it had been 1 or 1.5 lbs lighter then I probably would still have it. Those guitars are absolutely amazing in every way: quality, tone, feel, etc. But those 1 to 1.5 lbs add up over the course of a 3 hour gig so I was forced to look for an alternative. As far as comparing the two, they're quite close at least in terms of what I'm looking for. After changing the pups in the 339 to Lollars, the tones are just as good if not better than what I was getting with the 535 (which had Seth Lovers). The one tonal difference I've noticed is that I think the notes are just a little tighter because of a slightly quicker response. Please don't think that the 535 was flubby and slow to respond or that the 339 is so tight that it's thin. The difference between the guitars is ever so small, but it is something that I did feel and notice having logged so many hours with the 535. As long as you're not a die-hard 335 guy (i.e., nothing other than a 335 will do), then I think it's hard to beat the 339. The boards are filled with guys who love them and for good reason. They are great gigging guitars because of their weight, quality, and versatility. If you're going to use it for gigs, then I'd suggest you consider doing what I did when I replaced the pickups - I got push/pulls so that I can go series/parallel and get more single-coil-type tones (without the hum). It takes the versatility to a whole new level. Side note on 339 quality: I played more than a handful or two of 335s before I got my 535. Out of 20 or 30, I'd say that about 10 of them were really worth the money. The "hit or miss" thing with 335s seemed to be true in my experience. This was definitely NOT the case when it came to 339s. I only played a small handful of them, maybe 5-7, but they were all quite good and worth the money. (FWIW the 336 I played was excellent too.)
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Post by ineedtherapy (Stuart) on Nov 21, 2018 7:08:44 GMT -7
jeffg that’s all very good info. Partly because I found a pair of Lollar Imperials for $185 last night and snatched them up for my LP. I think my 57 Classics will cover the bulk of that purchase since I’ll sell them as a set. I think I might have gaven my friend too much credit for his knowledge of the ES community. He is one of the “nothing but a 335 will do” guys so it scared me off from 339s thinking I’d never be able to sell one if I didn’t like it.
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Post by JeffG on Nov 21, 2018 7:35:44 GMT -7
jeffg that’s all very good info. Partly because I found a pair of Lollar Imperials for $185 last night and snatched them up for my LP. I think my 57 Classics will cover the bulk of that purchase since I’ll sell them as a set. I think I might have gaven my friend too much credit for his knowledge of the ES community. He is one of the “nothing but a 335 will do” guys so it scared me off from 339s thinking I’d never be able to sell one if I didn’t like it. That's a great deal on those pickups! My 339 had the BB1 and BB2 which sounded pretty good. But the Lollars were just on a different tonal level, especially when it came to string separation. Just unreal. My advice would be to go play as many guitars as you can: 335s, 535s, 339s, etc. See what you like and what fits your taste and needs. Good luck!
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Mar 14, 2019 18:39:52 GMT -7
I got one of these when CME was clearing them out a couple years ago. I liked it, but didn't love it. Now that I see 20 months later where the value has gone after they dumped a bunch of these cheap I really wish I held onto it for a few years. I about broke even, but could have made another 65% if selling today. Oh well.
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