Les Paul Semi-hollow

Hemply · 02-14-2009, 06:24 PM

No not really but pretty darn close!

Today I was meandering around my favorite GC... no particular direction. I like to stop in and test my knowledge of guitars against the cracker jack staff manning the guitar room, fun stuff.

So someone hands me a Custom Shop ES-339... actually could smell it coming at me.

I've never been a Gibby hollow body fan. Way back in the day I checked out a 335 when I sat in for a tune with a friends band, didn't care for it one bit.

So I look over this 339 and it's pretty nice. Set-in neck but I couldn't find a seam anywhere? It felt like a one piece to me, the action was set very nice right out of the box but the nut needs to usual after factory tweaking. It has a 1959 body style but with a 60's slender player neck (but it's also offered with the '59 rounded neck profile as well).

This axe is pretty nice! I plugged into an Egnator Road Master and the 339 makes the cut all the way around. The sustain from this guitar was incredible, harmonic's were right on but again needed a nut tweaking.

I haven't really been considering a new Gibson, I know I'd like to have a Jr. in my future but now I have to add the ES 339 to my wish list as well. The Nitro lacquer was so sweet on this axe too! I just sat there and inhaled it!

So why am I talking about an ES-339 in the Les Paul section well because it has a LP sized body, feels just like a LP except it only weighs about 7.5 lbs but you couldn't tell that by the way it sustained!

They come in a couple finish options I personally like the Light Carmel Burst and they only seem to come in plain top while the 335's have flamed tops.

Check one of these out if you have not already!

Broken · 02-14-2009, 06:54 PM

I agree with you. That is a sweet guitar. I played one a couple of months ago at the L&M near my place. It feels, looks and sounds great and its a custom shop guitar. Also it was going for less than any of the LP standards in the store.

HogmanA · 02-14-2009, 06:57 PM

Handy to know - I never realised the es 339 was same size as an LP, never considered one before, but that pic has got me wanting one!

River · 02-14-2009, 07:00 PM

The_Sentry · 02-14-2009, 07:09 PM

This makes me wonder about something.....hopefully someone with some knowledge can jump in....

This is a chambered body off of a Les Paul Supreme....

Just how far off is that vs. an archtop?

bryvincent · 02-14-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

This makes me wonder about something.....hopefully someone with some knowledge can jump in....

This is a chambered body off of a Les Paul Supreme....

Just how far off is that vs. an archtop?

on an archtop, the body top, back and sides are way, way thinner than a chambered LP.

River · 02-14-2009, 07:34 PM

Don't the semis have a solid block of wood running from neck to tail?

Hemply · 02-14-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

Don't the semis have a solid block of wood running from neck to tail?

Yep maple block with double spruce bracing, really is a nice axe, now I really want one. Damn it!

Csharp · 02-14-2009, 07:40 PM

....and there is a fancier version, the 359.

specflec · 02-14-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by River

Don't the semis have a solid block of wood running from neck to tail?

Yes, as I understand things. I really liked the 339 - and 359 - I played. Really great sound. I also liked the darker sound of the 336 - carved body as opposed to the formed top, back and sides of the 339 series. The 336 is the same size as the 339 but is a carved, one piece, mahogany body and a maple cap - thus the darker, richer sound - different from the brighter 339.

The_Sentry · 02-14-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryvincent

on an archtop, the body top, back and sides are way, way thinner than a chambered LP.

By how much?

River · 02-14-2009, 08:05 PM

How about the 345, anyone? I tried a separate thread for input on that one, but maybe this thread will reach critical mass!

Boleskinehouse · 02-14-2009, 08:08 PM

Too small for me. I'd love a 355!

River · 02-14-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleskinehouse

Too small for me. I'd love a 355!

Yours for just a cat's hair > $4k!:

Boleskinehouse · 02-14-2009, 08:16 PM

Stoptail and it would be perfect!

USP45Tim · 02-14-2009, 08:36 PM

You must've caught the hollowbody bug from me.

I'm so sorry.

MrWrong · 02-14-2009, 09:06 PM

I've got a 339 30/60 neck Vintage Sunburst. I really like it, nice range of tone.

The_Sentry · 02-14-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWrong

I've got a 339 30/60 neck Vintage Sunburst. I really like it, nice range of tone.

Now THAT's what I'm talkin' bout!!!

USP45Tim · 02-14-2009, 09:29 PM

Not a Gibson... but a hollowbody. =P

Hemply · 02-14-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45Tim

You must've caught the hollowbody bug from me.

I'm so sorry.

Wasn't thinkin' of you at that moment Timmaay, but after I put the 339 back I caught a hollow body PRS over on the PRS wall and said (to myself) "oh yeah gonna be an A/B in my future"!

But I really dug that 339 and for the price it looks even more attractive.

Of course I also caught the bug for the Egnator I plugged into with the 339!

Hemply · 02-14-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWrong

I've got a 339 30/60 neck Vintage Sunburst. I really like it, nice range of tone.

Yup that's the one I jammed on today!

Very nice axe, it really impressed me.

Guido · 02-14-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45Tim

Not a Gibson... but a hollowbody. =P

Oh sure, rub it in

lewddude · 02-14-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWrong

I've got a 339 30/60 neck Vintage Sunburst. I really like it, nice range of tone.

oh sh*t, !@#$, the pain... G.A.S. noooooooooooooo! I just got done telling the wife I was all set for a while...

I have agretsch 6118Tjr small bodied. They are great!

Harpozep · 02-15-2009, 12:32 AM

Go for a 336/346/356.
It's the one they based the 339 on only it has no plywood, but a solid top and one piece mahogany body. Much woodier sounding, more organic. A very alive guitar in every way.

The plys on the 335/339 types are fine, but have been around a long while. The solid top one piece bodies of the 336 type guitars was a departure for good reason.

Here's a 356 anniversary model:

Here's a Kieffer Sutherland Signature 336:

Regular 336

Great post here on the subject:
Gibson ES 339 possibly I can answer a few questions. - Les Paul Forum

"The ES 339 belongs to a different family of design/build (ES Electric Spanish semi-hollow body) and does not react like a CS 336. For some people these differences may be subtle but for others these differences prove to be vast. The body of a CS 336 is made from 3 pieces of wood (the single piece carved and chambered mahogany back/sides and a book-matched top) but on an ES 339 there are a total of 3 pieces of wood just for the maple center block and two spruce contour braces that attach the top and back and tie the top and back together for the feedback reduction that allows the semi-hollow family of guitars (ES 335, ES 345 and ES 355 etc) to perform at high volumes. Because of the differences in construction the CS 336 is well behaved by comparison to any ES semi hollow such as the ES 339 which has the moan tone."

On another note, here's a Les Paul Florentine:

rideski · 02-15-2009, 01:35 PM

The ES339 is definitely my next guitar. I've been gassing for one now since the summer. If I didn't purchase my Traditional a while back i would have had one of these already.

bryvincent · 02-15-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Sentry

By how much?

look at your acoustic guitar if you have one.

The_Sentry · 02-15-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryvincent

look at your acoustic guitar if you have one.

Ummm....actually, I'm kinda looking for a specific number on average. (Also posted this in custom shop.) I'm curious as to how the tone or properties of an archtop might change if the top was a bit thicker...

Mr Insane · 02-15-2009, 02:52 PM

Just another guitar I wanna get someday...

The_Sentry · 02-15-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Insane

Just another guitar I wanna get someday...

This seems like the kind of guitar that would better suited for a luthier to build IMHO vs. grabbing one off the shelf (especially if you're starting to cruise towards a 3 thousand dollar price tag.

). Yeah, those are Gibsons..and I'll admit one of my favorite guitar players (Lifeson) practically did almost everything on one of those back in the 70's...but some of the hollowbodies and archtops I've seen made by the individual luthiers are mind blowing....

specflec · 02-15-2009, 06:40 PM

My partner and I will be going for a 336 - 356 given the distinct tonal differences between the 339 and 336. They are both great guitars.

02-14-2009, 06:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hemply Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: HempLand Posts: 4,009 Thanks: 4 Thanked 66 Times in 19 Posts	Les Paul Semi-hollow No not really but pretty darn close! Today I was meandering around my favorite GC... no particular direction. I like to stop in and test my knowledge of guitars against the cracker jack staff manning the guitar room, fun stuff. So someone hands me a Custom Shop ES-339... actually could smell it coming at me. I've never been a Gibby hollow body fan. Way back in the day I checked out a 335 when I sat in for a tune with a friends band, didn't care for it one bit. So I look over this 339 and it's pretty nice. Set-in neck but I couldn't find a seam anywhere? It felt like a one piece to me, the action was set very nice right out of the box but the nut needs to usual after factory tweaking. It has a 1959 body style but with a 60's slender player neck (but it's also offered with the '59 rounded neck profile as well). This axe is pretty nice! I plugged into an Egnator Road Master and the 339 makes the cut all the way around. The sustain from this guitar was incredible, harmonic's were right on but again needed a nut tweaking. I haven't really been considering a new Gibson, I know I'd like to have a Jr. in my future but now I have to add the ES 339 to my wish list as well. The Nitro lacquer was so sweet on this axe too! I just sat there and inhaled it! So why am I talking about an ES-339 in the Les Paul section well because it has a LP sized body, feels just like a LP except it only weighs about 7.5 lbs but you couldn't tell that by the way it sustained! They come in a couple finish options I personally like the Light Carmel Burst and they only seem to come in plain top while the 335's have flamed tops. Check one of these out if you have not already! __________________ *maybe my ignore list "did it" with your ignore list and they had a bunch of little I don't give a fux!!* Life's to short for bad tone

02-14-2009, 06:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
Broken Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 125 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow I agree with you. That is a sweet guitar. I played one a couple of months ago at the L&M near my place. It feels, looks and sounds great and its a custom shop guitar. Also it was going for less than any of the LP standards in the store.

02-14-2009, 06:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
HogmanA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Handy to know - I never realised the es 339 was same size as an LP, never considered one before, but that pic has got me wanting one!

02-14-2009, 07:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 12,970 Thanks: 94 Thanked 134 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow __________________ When you don't know where you're going, every road takes you there. And you can't make a wrong turn. Rory Gallagher is "The man who got me back into the blues." - Eric Clapton

02-14-2009, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
The_Sentry Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 17,236 Thanks: 449 Thanked 497 Times in 107 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow This makes me wonder about something.....hopefully someone with some knowledge can jump in.... This is a chambered body off of a Les Paul Supreme.... Just how far off is that vs. an archtop? __________________ The Geartalk Video Blog

Today
Les Paul	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on My Les Paul Forums

02-14-2009, 07:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 12,970 Thanks: 94 Thanked 134 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Don't the semis have a solid block of wood running from neck to tail? __________________ When you don't know where you're going, every road takes you there. And you can't make a wrong turn. Rory Gallagher is "The man who got me back into the blues." - Eric Clapton

02-14-2009, 07:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
Csharp Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N.STL Co. Posts: 620 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow ....and there is a fancier version, the 359. __________________ Charlie '74 LP Standard-tobacco burst, and 7 misc. lesser guitars

02-14-2009, 08:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
River Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Crestone, Colorado, USA Posts: 12,970 Thanks: 94 Thanked 134 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow How about the 345, anyone? I tried a separate thread for input on that one, but maybe this thread will reach critical mass! __________________ When you don't know where you're going, every road takes you there. And you can't make a wrong turn. Rory Gallagher is "The man who got me back into the blues." - Eric Clapton

02-14-2009, 08:08 PM	#13 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,799 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Too small for me. I'd love a 355!

02-14-2009, 08:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Boleskinehouse V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Next to Raleighwood Posts: 17,799 Thanks: 63 Thanked 506 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Stoptail and it would be perfect!

02-14-2009, 08:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
USP45Tim V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: S.E. Louisiana Posts: 3,353 Thanks: 13 Thanked 182 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow You must've caught the hollowbody bug from me. I'm so sorry. __________________ The true character of a man is what he can do for someone who can do nothing for him in return. Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.

02-14-2009, 09:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
MrWrong V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 1,186 Thanks: 58 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow I've got a 339 30/60 neck Vintage Sunburst. I really like it, nice range of tone. __________________ Bunch of Gibsons, Fenders, Epi's, Basses

02-14-2009, 09:29 PM	#19 (permalink)
USP45Tim V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: S.E. Louisiana Posts: 3,353 Thanks: 13 Thanked 182 Times in 44 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Not a Gibson... but a hollowbody. =P __________________ The true character of a man is what he can do for someone who can do nothing for him in return. Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.

02-15-2009, 12:32 AM	#24 (permalink)
Harpozep V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Near the Casinos...... Posts: 8,298 Thanks: 221 Thanked 59 Times in 25 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Go for a 336/346/356. It's the one they based the 339 on only it has no plywood, but a solid top and one piece mahogany body. Much woodier sounding, more organic. A very alive guitar in every way. The plys on the 335/339 types are fine, but have been around a long while. The solid top one piece bodies of the 336 type guitars was a departure for good reason. Here's a 356 anniversary model: Here's a Kieffer Sutherland Signature 336: Regular 336 Great post here on the subject: Gibson ES 339 possibly I can answer a few questions. - Les Paul Forum "The ES 339 belongs to a different family of design/build (ES Electric Spanish semi-hollow body) and does not react like a CS 336. For some people these differences may be subtle but for others these differences prove to be vast. The body of a CS 336 is made from 3 pieces of wood (the single piece carved and chambered mahogany back/sides and a book-matched top) but on an ES 339 there are a total of 3 pieces of wood just for the maple center block and two spruce contour braces that attach the top and back and tie the top and back together for the feedback reduction that allows the semi-hollow family of guitars (ES 335, ES 345 and ES 355 etc) to perform at high volumes. Because of the differences in construction the CS 336 is well behaved by comparison to any ES semi hollow such as the ES 339 which has the moan tone." On another note, here's a Les Paul Florentine: __________________ "Ape Shall Not Kill Ape” Only 1,970 years until the Reign of Zaius! I Use WB Pickups http://www.wbpickups.com/ "Trizzle Trazzle Trozzle Trome, Time For This One To Go Home!" http://www.sargescomics.com/

02-15-2009, 01:35 PM	#25 (permalink)
rideski Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 873 Thanks: 20 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow The ES339 is definitely my next guitar. I've been gassing for one now since the summer. If I didn't purchase my Traditional a while back i would have had one of these already.

02-15-2009, 02:52 PM	#28 (permalink)
Mr Insane Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,362 Thanks: 93 Thanked 38 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow Just another guitar I wanna get someday... __________________ If you don't like the blues, you aren't living life.

02-15-2009, 06:40 PM	#30 (permalink)
specflec Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York State Posts: 1,265 Thanks: 161 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Les Paul Semi-hollow My partner and I will be going for a 336 - 356 given the distinct tonal differences between the 339 and 336. They are both great guitars. __________________ Alice says: I'd play you some rippin' licks, but I don't have thumbs...

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