Epiphone ES-335, Epiphone ES-339: detailed review

Does the “Inspired by Gibson Original Epiphone ES-335 and Epiphone ES-339 Collection” contain the tones and feel of an era-defining guitar design at a more affordable price?

Since its introduction in 1958, the Epiphone ES-335 has been a staple of the company’s range; yet, most players, especially smaller guitarists, find its massive size to be unforgiving. Gibson’s eagerly awaited Epiphone ES-339 guitar was released in 2007; it was essentially identical to the 335 in practically every regard, but with reduced proportions that made it considerably more ergonomic while keeping the look and tones of the full-size model.

Aiming primarily at intermediate and advanced players, the Epiphone ES-339. Of course, because of its smaller size and outstanding playability, the price is out of reach for the majority of beginning guitarists.

product review

1. Epiphone ES-335

specifications

Brand	Epiphone
Color	Raspberry Tea Burst
Top Material Type	Layered Maple
Body Material	Maple
Back Material Type	Layered Maple
Neck Material Type	Maple
Fretboard Material Type	Indian Laurel
Guitar Pickup Configuration	H-H
Hand Orientation	Right
Number of Strings	6

The Epiphone ES-335 has dazzled guitar players and concertgoers alike ever since its release at the end of the 1950s with its singing sustain and harmonically complex tone. The ES-335 produces a bell-like chime that other guitars simply can’t match, making it a favourite among fans of blues, retro-tone chasers, and modern riff rock.

body

Following the original’s design guidelines, the Epiphone’s layered maple top, back, and sides produce the crying sustain you’ve come to anticipate from this type of guitar, while the tone block made of solid maple at its centre provides the sound. This Epiphone feels rock-solid despite its affordable price, with our review sample falling just in the correct place between being neither too heavy nor too light.

Although it may feel a little thicker than the previous 335 models, the appropriately named rounded C-neck profile is more in line with its Gibson counterpart. In fact, the Epiphone holds its own quite well when pitted against our own 2021 Epiphone ES-335.

performance

This guitar is quite easy to play. It has an Epiphone neck with a rounded C shape, which is incredibly comfortable and easy to play. There is no gloss finish on the neck to cause any hang-ups whatsoever, and it is slender and quick.

Epiphone Classic Pro humbuckers, which were created specifically to recreate the vintage sounds of the golden age of guitars, are helping to deliver the rich, warm tone to our amplifier. And we have to admit, these Alnico pickups do a pretty good job of nailing that coveted PAF sound on a budget.

verdict

The Epiphone ES-335 is outstanding, as are all of the contemporary Epiphone guitars. This piece of equipment is beautifully built, sounds amazing, and is oozing with style. This guitar is of a high enough calibre to be a professional musician’s primary gigging instrument, making it one of the best electric guitars for beginners looking to get their feet wet while learning the blues at this price point.

Simply put, this Epiphone variation is the guitar for you if you long for the bell-like chime of this well-known semi-hollow but would prefer not to sell everything you own to get it.

2. Epiphone ES-339

specifications

Brand	Epiphone
Color	Vintage Sunburst
Top Material Type	Layered Maple
Body Material	Layered Maple
Back Material Type	Layered Maple
Neck Material Type	Mahogany
Fretboard Material Type	Indian Laurel
Guitar Pickup Configuration	H-H
String Material Type	Nickel
Hand Orientation	Right

The Epiphone ES-339 is the product of a well-known and highly regarded behemoth in the guitar manufacturing industry. The Epiphone ES-339 is a progression from the ES 335. Gibson is constantly playing with their designs, innovating with its technology, and expanding its range.

body

It features a wonderfully curved design with top and bottom arches that are somewhat curved, as well as an overall cosy play. The one-piece quartersawn mahogany neck is available in two sizes: 30/60, which has the wider but thinner feel of the earlier 1960s, and ’59, which has a somewhat bulkier neck profile.

It has a 17° backward-angled head on top. The pearloid dot inlay rosewood fingerboard has frets that are beautifully rounded but tall, giving players ample of room to do acrobatic bends, pull-offs, and hammer-ons. The neck has a c-profile.

performance

What does the guitar sound like is the most crucial consideration while choosing one. The Epiphone ES-339 features the superior sound quality you would anticipate from a Gibson. Because of the semi-hollow body, it offers excellent loud, acoustic resonance.

There are many soaring highs and spacious lows in the tone, which is lively and crisp. You have a wide variety of tones to choose from thanks to the well-known ’57 Classic humbuckers, which produce a lovely smooth sound at the neck and a thick bridge and an open jumping twang when you combine them. Compared to the Les Paul, it sounds more expressive and more contemporary than the Epiphone ES-335. Overall, this guitar sounds really amazing and has a smooth, vintage sound that is ideal for blues but is also eager to rock out at any moment.

verdict

Players are reminded of where it all began by the hand-rolled C-shaped mahogany neck of the Epiphone ES-339. The diverse tone that musicians have coveted for more than 60 years is displayed by a pair of Epiphone humbuckers. Your tone will have more sustain if your tuning is stable and your intonation is accurate.

It has a lovely curving design, with somewhat curved top and bottom arches, and an all-around warm play. For those looking for the tone and appearance of an ES-335 in a somewhat smaller, lighter instrument, Epiphone offers the ES-339.

conclusion

Even when the amp is set to a high gain level, the classic-voiced pickups are just a little bit hotter than vintage spec, allowing them to drive an amp into spectacular overdrive and also clean up well when the volume control is brought down. Both models’ tones are ideal for any genre of music, including traditional rock, jazz, blues, alternative, all incarnations of metal, and even the twangiest country.

The level of detail seen in the build and playability is even more amazing. Most players wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between these incredibly affordable models and their significantly more expensive new Gibson counterparts in a blindfold touch test. Both are excellent value choices for both new and experienced players who want to bolster their sonic arsenals.