If you’re wondering if Epiphone ES339 is a good semi-hollow body electric guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular model. It’s a really affordable guitar, but is it actually worth the money and is it better than Gibson ES339?
The truth is that Epiphone ES339 is an absolutely amazing guitar. It offers a great value and it exceeds all the expectations. Surely, it can work as a great alternative option for those who don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for a new Gibson guitar.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes this Epiphone model so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that axe. Additionally, we’ll investigate the main pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos as well!
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone ES339 is a mid-level semi-hollow body electric guitar that exceeds all the expectations. In fact, this is one of the most popular guitars of this type that are currently made by Epiphone – just like the legendary ES335.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a maple top and maple back and sides. There’s also a really comfortable mahogany neck (Rounded C profile) with an easy-playing laurel fretboard. This is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer equipped that guitar with a pair of Alnico Classic PRO Humbuckers. Both of these pickups offer a great sound quality! Perhaps they’re not as good as the ’57 humbuckers used in the Gibson ES339, but it doesn’t really matter. Especially at this price level.
It is also worth mentioning that the ES339 looks fantastic from the outside too. It’s really well made and it has a beautiful finish. What’s more, it’s available in a few different color versions: Cherry, Natural, Pelham Blue and Vintage Sunburst.
When it comes to pricing, it’s not exactly a cheap guitar. However, when you compare the price of that model with the Gibson ES339, you’ll notice a massive difference. That’s why I believe that this Epiphone model is definitely worth every cent!
Here’s the sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone ES339 is suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitar players. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re an intermediate guitarist or not – you will definitely notice and appreciate the high quality of that model.
This is a really versatile guitar, so it can be used efficiently for home practice as well as for rehearsals, live gigs and studio sessions.
What’s more, just like the original Gibson ES339, it can be used in pretty much all of the styles of music. Whether you’re into rock, grunge, jazz or indie, you can be sure that this axe will be a good fit for you.
Additionally, this is a perfect guitar for anyone who doesn’t want to pay too much for a brand new Gibson ES339.
Of course, the Gibson model is absolutely iconic, but the truth is that it’s not that easy to save up a few thousands of dollars just to get a Gibson guitar. That’s why so many guitarists decide to choose the Epiphone model instead!
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on the Epiphone ES339. Anyone who’s searching for a good and reliable semi-hollow body guitar will be really satisfied after getting that model!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons of Epiphone ES339
Just like any other mid-level electric guitar, Epiphone ES339 has its own advantages and disadvantages. While it’s easy to find a lot of pros of that model, the truth is that there aren’t that many cons!
Pros
- Beautiful Finish
- Sounds Almost Like Gibson
- Comfortable Neck
- Affordable Price
Cons
- No Case Included
- Made In China
The ES339 sounds and feels absolutely amazing. In addition it’s available at a relatively low price and it’s actually comparable with a much more expensive Gibson ES339. How can you even argue with that?
On the other hand, it usually comes without a gig bag. This can be considered as a disadvantage, because it means that you’ll have to spend some time to find a right gig bag or hardshell case that fits the ES339.
Additionally, some people may say that the biggest con of that guitar is that it’s not a Gibson. Instead of the United States, it’s made in China.
It may sound a bit funny, but there’s some truth in that statement – it will never have that legendary logo on the headstock. Does it matter? Well, it’s all up to you. The truth is that Chinese-made guitars are really good these days!
Overall, the advantages of the ES339 outweigh the disadvantages of that model. There’s just not much to complain about! It’s a fantastic instrument which has everything that you potentially need of a guitar at this level.
Comparison With Epiphone ES335
A lot of guitarists wonder whether they should choose the ES335 or the ES339 model. And to be honest, determining which one of them is better is a real challenge – it’s not that simple! It all comes down to your own personal preferences.
Personally, I have nothing against the Epiphone ES335, but I prefer the ES339 more. It sounds a bit better for me and it has an output jack on the side.
The ES335 has an output jack on the top and it looks a bit strange. Additionally, it’s not optimal during live performances when you want to express your emotions!
But the truth is that both of these guitars are really well made and they sound absolutely amazing. These are definitely one of the best semi-hollow body guitars that you can possibly find at this price level.
If you’re not sure which one of this models will be better for you, you have to check out the sound comparison below – it highlights both of these axes.
Better Than Gibson ES339?
As you’re aware, the Epiphone ES339 is a much more affordable version of the legendary high-end Gibson ES339. But can it actually be better, despite of the fact that it’s not manufactured in the US?
In my opinion yes, it can be better, but only for some people. The Epiphone model will be better for guitarists who aren’t looking for the gear from the highest shelf.
Guitar players always debate whether expensive high-end guitars are actually worth it or not. Some guitarists claim that the only thing that you get after paying three or four times more is the famous logo on the headstock.
I have to say that I understand that point of view, but based on my own experience, Gibson ES339 is generally a better made and better sounding guitar than Epiphone ES339. But it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get the Epiphone!
The thing is, both of these guitars sound really close to each other. I’m sure that a lot of guitarists will really struggle to feel and hear the difference. But in my opinion, Gibsons usually sound fuller and they’re a bit more comfortable to play. However, maybe it’s just me!
Here’s a great video about Epiphone vs Gibson ES339 – make sure to check it out if that interests you!
Alternative Options
If you don’t like the sound of Epiphone ES339 or you have a feeling that it won’t be the right fit for you and your style, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other really good semi-hollow body guitars out there. Of course, it all depends on the size of your budget and your own personal preferences.
Here’s a few more gear recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, if you’re searching for the most affordable semi-hollow body guitar out there, make sure to check out Ibanez AS53. This is a really cool and versatile guitar which is really underrated. I personally own that model and it’s one of my favorite guitars of this type in my collection. That says a lot! It certainly feels and sounds like a much more expensive guitar.
Alternatively, you can also consider getting the Epiphone Casino. This is a hollow body guitar, so it’s built a bit differently than the ES339. Still, it offers an absolutely amazing quality. If you’re into jazz, this guitar will be a perfect fit for you. However, it can also be efficiently used in other genres as well. Great axe!
Also, make sure to check out some of the guitars made by Gretsch. For those who aren’t aware, they’re absolute leaders when it comes to semi-hollow and hollow body guitars. I recently wrote an article about 10 Best Gretsch Guitars For Rock, Jazz & Worship. There’s a high chance that your next favorite guitar is on that list!
FAQ
Where is Epiphone ES339 made?
Epiphone ES339 is manufactured in China.
What is the scale length of ES339?
The scale length of Epiphone ES339 is 24.724″.
What strings does the ES339 have?
The ES339 model is originally equipped with Gibson strings (.010-.046).
Where can I find out more about Epiphone guitars?
If you want to learn more about Epiphone guitars, make sure to check out their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone ES339 is an absolutely great semi-hollow body electric guitar. It may be a little bit worse than an original Gibson ES339, but that difference isn’t that easy too see. It’s all up to you whether you decide to get an Epiphone or a Gibson guitar, but I’m sure that if you’ll stick with that affordable option, you won’t be disappointed!
What do you think of that ES339 model? Would you get it for yourself or would you prefer getting a guitar made by Gibson? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found out more about that great guitar. If you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
