Gibson ES-335 vs ES-339, which is better sound wise? Which of the two is better when it comes to build quality? If you don’t know, both guitars are almost similar, which is why we will discuss the factors that separate them from each other so you can have a better idea what to choose if you are planning to buy one.
Build Quality
Gibson ES 335
The Gibson ES-335 is built with meticulous attention to detail and boasts outstanding build quality. Gibson’s commitment to craftsmanship ensures that each ES-335 is a finely constructed instrument.
The ES-335 features a carefully selected combination of tonewoods. The body is typically made from laminated maple, which provides excellent resonance and stability. The neck is often crafted from mahogany which is known for its strength and durability.
The construction of the ES-335 includes precise joinery and meticulous binding work. The body and neck are flawlessly assembled, resulting in a solid and stable instrument. The fretwork is typically impeccable, allowing for comfortable playability and accurate intonation.
Gibson uses high-quality hardware and components in the ES-335, including robust bridges, tuners, and pickups. These components are carefully installed and aligned to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Gibson’s dedication to quality control is evident in the thorough inspection, setup, and adjustment of each ES-335 before it leaves the factory. This meticulous process ensures that every instrument meets Gibson’s high standards and performs exceptionally.
Overall, the Gibson ES-335 exhibits superb build quality, making it a reliable and enduring instrument that can withstand the rigors of regular playing and deliver a lifetime of enjoyment for musicians.
Gibson ES-339
The Gibson ES-339 exemplifies exceptional build quality, adhering to Gibson’s renowned craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is designed to meet the high standards expected from a Gibson instrument.
The ES-339 features a semi-hollow body construction, carefully crafted from high-quality laminated maple. The body is paired with a sturdy mahogany neck, providing excellent stability and resonance.
Gibson pays meticulous attention to joinery and construction, ensuring precise and secure assembly of the body and neck. The fretwork is typically impeccable, offering smooth playability and accurate intonation across the fretboard.
The ES-339 incorporates high-quality hardware and components. From the bridge to the tuners and pickups, Gibson utilizes reliable and durable parts that contribute to the instrument’s overall performance and reliability.
Gibson’s commitment to quality control is evident in the rigorous inspection, setup, and adjustment process that each ES-339 undergoes before leaving the factory. This meticulous process ensures that every instrument meets Gibson’s exacting standards and delivers optimal playability and performance.
The Gibson ES-339 showcases superb build quality, combining excellent craftsmanship, reliable hardware, and meticulous attention to detail. It is a testament to Gibson’s commitment to producing instruments built to last and provide a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
Verdict
So, Gibson ES-335 vs ES-339, which is better build wise? As the ES-335 is considered to be the standard version while the ES-339 is known to be a smaller version of the ES-335, then I would have to go with the ES-335, and it is all because of their difference in size.
Sound Quality
Gibson ES-335
A famous guitar, thanks to its impressive history, the Gibson ES-335 is celebrated for its exceptional sound quality, making it a revered choice among guitarists. It delivers a rich, full-bodied tone with a perfect balance of warmth, clarity, and sustain. The semi-hollow body design, combined with its humbucker pickups, contributes to its distinct sound.
The ES-335’s semi-hollow construction enhances resonance, resulting in a dynamic and lively tone. It provides a unique combination of the warmth and sustain of a hollow-body guitar with the reduced feedback and increased versatility of a solid-body guitar.
The humbucker pickups on the ES-335 offer a powerful and versatile sound. They produce a smooth and fat tone, ideal for blues, jazz, and rock genres. The pickups capture the nuances of your playing, providing excellent note definition and balanced frequency response.
The ES-335 exhibits exceptional clarity and articulation, whether played clean or with overdrive. Its sound cuts through the mix, making it suitable for both lead and rhythm playing. The ES-335 has a timeless sound that has graced countless classic recordings, making it a legendary guitar known for its outstanding sound quality.
Gibson ES-339
The Gibson ES-339 is also known for its impressive sound quality, offering a versatile and dynamic tonal palette. It delivers a rich, resonant, and balanced tone, making it a favorite among guitarists across various genres.
The ES-339’s semi-hollow body construction contributes to its distinctive sound. It combines the warmth and resonance of a hollow body with the reduced feedback and increased sustain of a solid-body guitar. This results in a harmonically rich and expressive tone with excellent note definition.
The ES-339 typically features humbucker pickups, known for their full-bodied and powerful sound. These pickups capture the nuances of your playing and provide a smooth and dynamic response, whether you’re playing clean or applying overdrive. The guitar’s pickups can deliver anything from warm and jazzy tones to biting blues and rock sounds.
The ES-339’s versatility extends further with its responsive tone and volume controls, allowing players to shape their sound precisely. Whether you’re seeking sweet jazz chords, gritty, bluesy leads, or aggressive rock riffs, the ES-339 delivers a range of tones to suit your musical style.
The Gibson ES-339 offers the exceptional sound quality, combining its semi-hollow body design, versatile pickups, and responsive controls to provide a rich and expressive sonic experience. It has earned its reputation as a guitar that delivers a wide array of tonal possibilities.
Verdict
So, Gibson ES-335 vs ES-339, which is better sound wise? If push comes to shove, I would have to go with the ES-335. The ES-335 also has a warmer and louder tone than the ES-339.
Tone Controls
Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 features a straightforward yet effective control layout that allows for versatile tonal shaping. The controls are designed to provide intuitive operation and easy access to a range of sounds.
Typically, the ES-335 comes with a standard set of controls. These include separate volume and tone knobs for each pickup, enabling precise control over the individual pickup’s output and tonal characteristics. This arrangement allows players to dial in the desired balance and texture between the neck and bridge pickups.
The ES-335 incorporates a three-way pickup selector switch, which toggles between the neck, bridge, or a combination of both pickups. This switch lets players choose between different pickup configurations, providing further tonal variations.
Some ES-335 models may also feature additional controls, such as a coil-split or coil-tap switch, which splits the humbucker pickups into single-coil mode, expanding the range of available tones. However, most of the ES-335 that have these controls are in the past.
Overall, the control layout of the Gibson ES-335 offers a combination of simplicity and versatility. It allows players to easily shape their sound, from warm and mellow jazz tones to gritty blues and biting rock sounds, making it a versatile instrument for various musical styles.
Gibson ES-339
On the other hand, the Gibson ES-339 also features a straightforward and intuitive control layout that allows for easy tonal shaping. The controls are designed to offer simplicity while providing a range of sonic possibilities.
Similar to the ES-335, the ES-339 includes separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, enabling precise control over the output and tonal characteristics of each pickup. This arrangement allows players to dial in their desired balance and texture between the neck and bridge pickups.
The ES-339 also incorporates a three-way pickup selector switch, allowing players to choose between the neck, bridge, or a combination of both pickups. This switch provides flexibility in selecting different pickup configurations, offering various tonal options.
With this simple yet effective control setup, players can easily shape their sound to suit their preferences and musical style, making the Gibson ES-339 a versatile instrument that can deliver a wide range of tones with ease.
So, Gibson ES-335 vs ES-339, which is better? If I have to choose, I would go for the ES-335 as they are a little bit bigger than ES-339, and they are also known to have a warmer and louder tone than the latter.
