Epiphone recently launched their new ES-339 series offering a supped up Ultra model featuring a USB output and Nanomag pickup system and the more traditional Pro version. As you may know, I'm a sucker for a semi-hollow...and that goes double for small bodied versions. Needless to say, when I caught wind these were shipping I promptly picked one up for review. 

Before we get into the review, a little preface on semi-hollow guitar construction. There are two primary methods of construction. First is the Gibson method, like the ES-335, which consists of steam bending laminates to form the sides, top, and back and affixing them to a solid center block. The second is similar to the Fender Thinline Tele method in which a solid block of wood is routed out and a solid top is affixed. While both methods yield a guitar more closely related to a solid body than a hollow, I feel the former retains a bit more of the hollow body vibe while the later is essentially indistinguishable from a solid body other than the reduced weight. The ES-339 (both Gibson and Epiphone models) is constructed similarly to ES-335 using the steam bent method.

The ES-339 Pro reviewed came in a nice cherry finish with the perfect level of translucency allowing the subtle figuring of the maple top to show through and is much better looking than the marketing photos online. However, I have to take away a couple points due to some small flaws. The review model had a small binding flaw on the back of the upper horn (not significant, but looks like either some stain bleed or perhaps poorly applied filler) and generally sloppy finishing work at the neck joint. Now, I'm being slightly picky here. To be fair, one likely wouldn't notice any of these flaws in a store during a quick audition. But I've had experience with several similarly styled instruments from other manufacturers such as Ibanez, Highland, and Luna which were less expensive and flawless by comparison. Of course, these flaws could very well be limited to the specific instrument reviewed but it wouldn't be fair to ignore them. Strapped up the 339 Pro is a very comfy instrument. With a slippery strap and my cheapy nylon strap, it hung just north of parallel to the floor so no neck dive worries here.

Clean, it was easy to coax jazzy tones from the neck position with great warmth...Yet the Epiphone ES-339 Pro was equally at home with the gain cranked up venturing well into Les Paul territory...

The "slim" description of the ES-339 Pro's SlimTaper D neck clearly only applies to the taper not the actual thickness as it feels substantially chunky without being tree trunk large. Definitely more 50's Gibson than 60's. The combination of the D profile,and flawless fretwork on the 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 22 fret rosewood neck lead to an extremely comfortable playing experience. Big thumbs up. Though I must note the fretboard is one of the lightest colored rosewood boards I've seen. My only gripe is access to the highest frets is slightly hindered due to the compactness of the cutaway vs a full sized 335 styled axe (which isn't that great either). On Epiphone's site, they state the ES-339 Pro ships with Wilkenson 14:1 vintage style tuners, however mine bear the Grover logo. I have a few other guitars with Grover tuners and I can say that these don't quite measure up to the smooth action I've come to expect from the brand. Perhaps they need a little breaking in or lubricating. I should note these are far from the worst tuners I've experienced, but I tend to expect a little more from Grovers, especially on a guitar in this price range.

Epiphone outfitted the 339 Pro with their new Probucker (2 in the neck and 3 at the bridge) pickups which are import versions of Gibson's Burstbucker. They are a touch lower in output versus your standard humbucking PAF style pickup with good clarity and definition. I auditioned the axe with a Line 6 HD500 run direct, a VHT Special 6, and ZT Club and was pretty impressed in each scenario. Clean, it was easy to coax jazzy tones from the neck position with great warmth without venturing into the muddy tones common in the neck position of more affordable axes. Yet the Epiphone ES-339 Pro was equally at home with the gain cranked up venturing well into Les Paul territory with crunchy chords from the bridge and liquidy Santana-esque singing sustain from the neck. While some semi-hollows are feedback prone, I didn't have any issues with the 339 up to performance volumes. Both pickups are splittable by pulling up on their respective volume knobs to further extend the ES-339's tonal pallet. Though results were mixed here. Splitting the neck resulted in perfectly usable tones with an added bite and clarity which many will find appealing. I wasn't as impressed splitting the bridge where the results where a bit thin and weak by comparison. Dialing back the volume was also a mixed affair. Action is smooth across the throw, but the guitar could certainly benefit from a treble bleed or 50's wiring mod to prevent things from getting slightly dull in the lower half of the knobs throw.

A few minor cosmetic flaws on the review model aside, the Epiphone ES-339 Pro really is a very nice axe. There aren't many small bodied semi-hollow guitars on the market and that selection narrows even further if you want something retaining the classic ES-335 aesthetics and construction methodology.  The Epiphone ES-339 Pro really is a player's axe and a nice bargain for those searching for some semi-hollow spice in a solid body sized instrument.

Price: ~$499 USD
Pros: Great playability, great looks
Cons: Minor finish flaws, slightly stiff tuner action