New Epiphone 335! Anybody try one yet?

[RyanM]

Anyone try the new Epiphone 335? Is it a big upgrade over the older Dots and Sheratons? They definately look better.

Epiphone launches affordable ‘Inspired by Gibson’ ES-335 and ES-339 | Guitar World

Epiphone ES-335 Semi-hollowbody - Cherry | Sweetwater

[Wildcat]

I bought a new Epiphone ES339, vintage Sunburst. Very nice and at $425. Epiphone build quality is excellent.

Then I upgraded the pickups to Lollar Imperial low winds, Gotoh bridge and stopbar, upgraded the electronics, bone nut, machine heads, and nice brown custom made tortoise pickguard. All total under $1000. Now it can compete with anything similar. To keep the costs down I bought used Lollar pickups on Reverb.
Cost breakdown.
-Lollar Imperial low winds, used, $250 on Reverb.
-New and upgraded Gotoh bridge and stopbar $60.
-New and upgraded electronic circuit
$140.
-New and upgraded Grover machine heads $60.
-Custom made brown Torise pickguard. $25.
-Luthier fees $170. (Setup, new hardware installed, bone nut cut and installed).
SubTotal $635
New 2019 Epi ES 339 $425
Grand total $1060.

[vinlander]

I love the headstock and the neck binding in any case!

[RyanM]

I bought a new Epiphone ES339, vintage Sunburst. Very nice and at $425. Epiphone build quality is excellent.

Then I upgraded the pickups to Lollar Imperial low winds, Gotoh bridge and stopbar, upgraded the electronics, bone nut, machine heads, and nice brown custom made tortoise pickguard. All total under $1000. Now it can compete with anything similar. To keep the costs down I bought used Lollar pickups on Reverb.

Does it need those upgrades? They have CTS pots and looks like upgraded hardware

[Gitterbug]

Looks promising, and the price point is just about right. May we expect a new EPI take on the ES-175 as well?

[sasquatch]

I'm more keen on their reissue of the Crestwood Custom
I've tried to find one of the red limited 50th Anniversary versions but nobody ever sells them

[Wildcat]

My 2019 ES339 did needed those. But if not, Epiphone is really upping its game!!

Does it need those upgrades? They have CTS pots and looks like upgraded hardware

[Wildcat]

BTW I have own both Epiphone and Gibson ES 335s. The Epiphone ES 339 at a lower bout width of 14" is infinitely more comfortable than the ES 335 lower bout of 16" in my opinion. That alone makes me want to pick it up and play it.

[ThatRhythmMan]

BTW I have own both Epiphone and Gibson ES 335s. The Epiphone ES 335 at a lower bout width of 14" is infinitely more comfortable than the ES 335 lower bout of 16" in my opinion. That alone makes me want to pick it up and play it.

A 14” ES-335? Is it an ES-339?

[Gitterbug]

Looking at the specs and optics, I'm beginning to wonder what makes the new EPI ES-335 inherently different from and superior to the Dot. Neck binding is nice, but I'm wondering how much the pricing allows for both better woods, hardware, PUs and workmanship on the one hand, and higher margins along the food chain on the other? After all, the price is still just a tenth of what Thomann charges for a Gibson ES-335 1960 reissue. Do we know where these come from?

[Wildcat]

Good catch!!!
I was referring to the Epiphone ES 339 model at 14".

A 14” ES-335? Is it an ES-339?

[RyanM]

My 2019 ES339 did needed those. But if not, Epiphone is really upping its game!!

Ah, yes I'm talking about the new Inspired by Gibson line that was released this year

[RyanM]

Looking at the specs and optics, I'm beginning to wonder what makes the new EPI ES-335 inherently different from and superior to the Dot. Neck binding is nice, but I'm wondering how much the pricing allows for both better woods, hardware, PUs and workmanship on the one hand, and higher margins along the food chain on the other? After all, the price is still just a tenth of what Thomann charges for a Gibson ES-335 1960 reissue. Do we know where these come from?

I think I read these ones are made in China but I forget the source (probably gearpage).