Picture an ES-335 but smaller and more comfortable for many of us. That's a 339! Acoustically, it produces a brighter tone than a 335 due to its reduce body size body. Loaded with brilliance and exhibiting a strong acoustic tone, this guitar doesn't always need to be plugged in to enjoy!
When you are ready to plug it in, a 57 Classic in the neck position and a 57 Classic + in the Bridge position get the job done. The neck pickup is big, thick, warm, and singing. The Classic + in the Bridge adds a little output over the non-+ model. Still warm and singing, the 57 Classic + will push your amp into drive a tad earlier. Each pickup has its own volume and tone control and is available alone or in tandem via the 3-way pickup toggle switch.
The neck is made from Mahogany and carved to a Rounded C Profile. To my hands, this feels somewhere between the 50s and 60s neck profile. The fingerboard is made of rosewood which has a 12" fingerboard radius. 22 Medium-Jumbo Frets help give you a glassy feeling fingerboard. The fingerboard is also bound for a traditional Gibson look and feel. The nut is made from Graph Tech Tusq material and measures 1.695" wide.
The top and back of the body are made from an outer ply of AAA-Rated Figured Maple, then a ply of Poplar, and then another ply of Maple. This magic combo has served the ES-335 well since 1958. The body is bound as well for that classic Gibson look! This is a Semi-Hollow Guitar meaning it has a Center Block. The Center Block in the 339 is made of maple while the binding in the body is made from Spruce.
If you are seeing this on our website, this beautiful instrument somehow has not been snagged already. Act fast as we are likely another year out from seeing another one!
From the Gibson Website...
The Gibson ES-339 is a modern classic designed for those seeking the tone and look of an ES-335, but desire a slightly smaller, lighter instrument. Crafted with a maple center block, and quarter-sawn spruce bracing, players will be impressed by the lightweight feel and expanded range of tonal capabilities. Equipped with high-end appointments like our hand-wired control assembly with 500K potentiometers and orange drop capacitors, the always stylish 57 / 57 Classic + humbuckers, and an ABR-1 bridge, this just might be the best one yet. Gorgeous AAA-figured maple veneers are available in classic Sixties Cherry and striking Blueberry Burst.
