339 vs 335?

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savage8190
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339 vs 335?

Post by savage8190 » Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:07 pm

Anyone tried both?

I'm looking at saving up for the 335 fat neck, which is a little under 3k here. The 339 also comes with the fat neck, and is only 2k.

Now the BIG predicament...the 335 fat neck is a custom order. Basically, I order it, and unless there is something wrong with it (IE damage), I'm stuck with it. And even then, if there IS something wrong with it, it would get fixed, not returned. Essentially I cant try it first to see if I like it, which is BS.

The 339 on the other hand, is readily available and I could try it (and have). I know I like it...but is there a big difference between it and the 335? Would I like it more, and is it worth the risk of not liking it and being stuck with it, AND paying that much more.

I really don't like the idea of not being able to try a guitar that expensive first...especially with a neck profile I have never played. I mean, its supposed to be similar to a 59 profile, like the 339; but just the same, I have played 59 necks that were quite thin, and I have played ones that were like a bloody 2x4 and I could barely manage to get my hand around... there's no guarantee.

Even if I were to try a regular 335, and like the sound more (maybe not the feel, but that's why I want the fat neck), there is still no guarantee there...I COULD also order from an American store I suppose that offers a guarantee...but I've had a lot of bad experience there and I really hate dealing with returns (it takes months to get a refund from customs).

Anyway, I've got quite awhile to decide, but Ive already talked to all my local shops and none of them will ever get the guitar in without a special order so my predicament wont change.
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Randy Bass
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Randy Bass » Sun Oct 09, 2011 4:55 pm

I would much rather have an ES-339 personally. I also don't like to buy guitars that I can't play first. Have you tried to find an older 335 that has a fat neck? There may be a vintage one for sale somewhere near you.
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Les Paul Lover » Sun Oct 09, 2011 7:34 pm

Are you sure those fat necks really were 59 profile? I find guitar salesmen often get it wrong. Can' really blame them, all those manufacturers have so many variations on the same model.

I've many times tried something being described one way knowing full well it wasn't it.
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jason41224
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by jason41224 » Sun Oct 09, 2011 9:03 pm

i would grab a 339 and never look back. i played one once, and it's an absolutely incredible guitar.
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savage8190
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by savage8190 » Mon Oct 10, 2011 1:14 am

Les Paul Lover wrote:Are you sure those fat necks really were 59 profile? I find guitar salesmen often get it wrong. Can' really blame them, all those manufacturers have so many variations on the same model.

I've many times tried something being described one way knowing full well it wasn't it.
Ya, I called Gibson and they told me that the profile of the "fat neck" is VERY similar to the 59 and the 50's round. Like I said though, they can be so different from one another...I just dont think I could buy it without trying it first.

I guess Ill just have to play a bunch and think about it. I really love that big, fat, airy tone from the 335...the 339 cuts a bit better, and isn't quite as tubby if I remember correctly, but I don't know that that is a bad thing.
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Wired » Mon Oct 10, 2011 5:24 am

335 hands down. I am very biased as it is my favourite guitar. I saved months for it. Mines the thin neck (60's profile).

Can you play a thin neck? Your in BC right? Theres no reason why an L+M wouldn't have a 335 thin neck in stock or at least on order for stock. I'd try the thin neck to see what you think of the sound first. I have never plugged in a 339 so I don't know how incredibly different they would sound. If I recall the whole reason the 339 exists is to have a guitar that sounds, feels, and plays like the 335, but in a smaller package.

Me personally? Everyone needs a 335. Its as important as a LP/SG or Tele/Strat.
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savage8190
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by savage8190 » Mon Oct 10, 2011 6:43 am

Wired wrote:335 hands down. I am very biased as it is my favourite guitar. I saved months for it. Mines the thin neck (60's profile).

Can you play a thin neck? Your in BC right? Theres no reason why an L+M wouldn't have a 335 thin neck in stock or at least on order for stock. I'd try the thin neck to see what you think of the sound first. I have never plugged in a 339 so I don't know how incredibly different they would sound. If I recall the whole reason the 339 exists is to have a guitar that sounds, feels, and plays like the 335, but in a smaller package.

Me personally? Everyone needs a 335. Its as important as a LP/SG or Tele/Strat.
Ya man, thats exactly my plan. They do have quite a few with the 60's neck, Im gonna go play a bunch along with the 339 and see what I come up with...heck, maybe if I look hard enough I may even find one with a thicker than usual neck that I like :). Ive got a lot of time while I save anyway.

I have played them both, but never anywhere near the same time so I dont really know how they compare sound wise. I actually think I prefer the size of the 335 though...just feels right. It has always been THE guitar for me, ever since I started playing its been the one I want but never get. Ive tried a few cheap versions, but they just didnt quite do it for me, and Ive never been in the position to drop that much on one guitar.

Boy that 0% financing they have on Gibby's this month sure is tempting though.
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Le Chat Noir
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Le Chat Noir » Mon Oct 10, 2011 10:19 am

Tokai ES130? ;)
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savage8190
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by savage8190 » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:52 am

Well Ive played a few 335's, today and a few days ago, and I have to say, I was unimpressed. They all sounded really boomy...maybe its the amp, but I played them all through Voxes (seeing as thats what I use), and I had to roll back the tone cut knob all the way to get what I would consider a usable sound. Not to mention, I hated the neck on all of them.

Now, I did get the chance to play a fat neck 339, and that thing was killer sounding. Still very airy like a 335, but tighter and not so bassy. The neck was perfect too! I think I may just have to change my mind on this one and save for the 339 (even better at a thousand bucks less). One thing though, it did have some physical flaws, and the setup was HORRID. I think thats pretty sad for a guitar that expensive...but I can keep my eyes peeled for a nice one.

Ill keep playing though and see.

On a side note, I also tried out a Vox Tony Bruno and that thing was badass! I really wanna try it again...never thought I would here that kind of sound coming out of a Vox.
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Wired » Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:03 am

I never found my Vox AC30/ES335 combination "boomy". In fact my 335 is brighter than my PRS.

You sure you were not adding cut? That knob works in reverse.

335's are usually pretty well balanced guitars... so it seems odd your finding they have so much bass. Somethings not right there for sure. An all maple guitar with a poplar core should never be considered bassy :)
-LK
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Y0UNGBL00D
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Y0UNGBL00D » Sat Oct 15, 2011 10:22 am

i want a 335 or a 339. anyone ever notice how often i want things? :oops:
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brianr0131
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by brianr0131 » Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:24 am

Y0UNGBL00D wrote:i want a 335 or a 339. anyone ever notice how often i want things? :oops:
Yea I noticed :lol:

I want a 339 or a CS356. Total badass. BTW I prefer 339 over 335 mainly because a 335 is huge.

339:

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CS-356:

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Y0UNGBL00D
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by Y0UNGBL00D » Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:49 am

i need a GAS mask
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riffmonster
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by riffmonster » Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:58 am

I haven't owned a 335 or 339, so am basing my opinions on models I have played in the shop etc.

My number one guitar is a Les Paul standard, but I had a Yamaha tvl503 until recently (a 335 alike) and a tokai ES60 (335 copy) before that. I have always liked 335s, the sound and the feel, personally I like larger body size too.

A friend of mine is a bit of a collector - custom shop les pauls, strats, prs a couple of gibby acoustics, all high-end stuff, but my favourite is his 335 (a sixites reissue, about 10 years old) great sound and for me looks absolutely killer.

However, I played a 339 in a store about a year ago and was blown away buy the sound, look and feel for the price. The one I played in store was set up well and the finish was flawless (having read about Gibson QC I was expecting some faults).

Bottom line, it's down to getting your hands on one you feel is right for you, but I think the 339 is a great guitar!
Mark
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savage8190
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Re: 339 vs 335?

Post by savage8190 » Sat Oct 15, 2011 4:02 pm

Wired wrote:I never found my Vox AC30/ES335 combination "boomy". In fact my 335 is brighter than my PRS.

You sure you were not adding cut? That knob works in reverse.

335's are usually pretty well balanced guitars... so it seems odd your finding they have so much bass. Somethings not right there for sure. An all maple guitar with a poplar core should never be considered bassy :)
Yeah I know its in reverse...I have a Vox. I think there must have been something very off on those 335's...or maybe something was wrong with the amp. There's just no way there should have been that much bass. Could there have been something worng with a tube or a pot or something that would do that?

Anyway, Im not writing off 335's or the handwired Vox just yet...Ill go to another store and try more out.
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