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Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 11:31 pm:   

...339??? Check this out: http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Video/Gibson %20Custom%20Proudly%20Presents/

http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/Gib son%20Custom%20Proudly%20Presents/
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Petruz
Username: Petruz

Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 4:42 am:   

it's like coke vs. pepsi... after 25 years gibson blinked an eye!
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Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier

Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 6:40 am:   

Compared to the AM50, the most original feature on the ES-339 is the pickguard.
But I think it is a bit bigger too, like the AS-50.

Gibson's Stagemaster copy is this IMO:

http://www.rpmwin.com/user/ronb/Guitars/Es336.html


Ginger
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Talajuha
Username: Talajuha

Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 7:16 am:   

Hm, listprice $2800, price at net stores $1800 - appr. same as JSM100 - not too bad if it is a real player.

Juha
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Artfield
Username: Artfield

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 7:37 am:   

25 years too late.....but its a Gibson so it will be a succes..it looks good i have to admit.

Ibanez wake up !!!!!
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Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 9:43 am:   

Ginger,

According to Gibson's website, the ES339 is 13-3/4" at the lower bout. Isn't the AM50 around 14"? I can't remember.

Although the ES336 (and CS336) are similar in body width, construction is quite different. The body of the 336 is constructed from a solid piece of mahogany which has 2 routed chambers. Back and sides are essentially one piece of wood. Top on the 336 is solid vs. laminated on the 339.

The new ES339 seems to be constructed more like an AM50.
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Gemberbier
Username: Gemberbier

Registered: 5-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:44 am:   

Yeah, you could be right.
I didn't take a good look at the pic with the Les Paul next to it. I'm not used to see AM-50 models with a pickguard. Besides, I was more focussed on the video.
I'm glad I bought the minty 1983 AM-50 with OHSC when we still had guilders. One of my best purchases.


Ginger
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Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 12:33 pm:   

This new Custom Shop ES339 'baby 335' is a major topic of discussion on a number of threads over at the Les Paul Forum.

Looks like Ibanez was again way ahead of it's time with this smaller profile semi-hollow design!

Do ya think Ibanez will now sue Gibson as Gibson sued PRS for their 'Single Cut' design??
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Petruz
Username: Petruz

Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 12:45 pm:   

artfield, you're right. although gibson took 25 years to admit that a smaller 335 is a great idea and (maybe) an improvement upon the original design, ibanez isn't offering anything at the moment... time to wake up and get those AM200s back soon! and if so, may them be MIJ, with capital letters, not chinese "wannabes"!
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Talajuha
Username: Talajuha

Registered: 11-2006
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 3:38 pm:   

"ibanez isn't offering anything at the moment" is not quite right. Ibanez offers in the lousy Chinese Artcore series AGS83 and AWD series.

Yes, I know, real collectors will not tarnish their hands with MIC guitars.

Juha
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Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 4:26 pm:   

Juha - Don't forget the "lousy" AM73 too. :-) Ha, ha...just kidding (about the "lousy" part anyways).

Tim - lawsuit was the first thing that came to my mind when I saw the new ES339.

Btw, Eastman has a smallish semi too (I think around 15").

I guess everyone has taken turns ripping off everyone else. :-)

All joking aside, that ES339 looks to be a decent quality AM...much better than the AM73 anyways. Hopefully there is a market there and Ibanez will revive the AM line in Japan.
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Artfield
Username: Artfield

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:39 pm:   

some pics....looks good i must say.....but sticking to my Ibanez AM's

1.jpeg

2.jpeg

3.jpeg
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Pitchpocket
Username: Pitchpocket

Registered: 12-2005
Posted on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 11:27 pm:   

Gibson copies Ibanez. The worm turns!
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Bluesmeister
Username: Bluesmeister

Registered: 5-2004
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 12:46 am:   

Yes, come on Ibanez, wake up! The market's there for the small body semi-hollow. I think those Gibson ES-339's are reasonably priced, and they do look rather nice.
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Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 10:27 am:   

This is the fifth or sixth small-bodied, semi-hollow that Gibson has come out with:

ES-446
Pat Martino Signature
Paul Jackson Jr. Signature
CS-336 (same body shape as ES-339, but 1 pc. carved mahogany back/sides and carved solid maple top)
CS-356 (same as CS-336, but fancier 'Custom' features)

A few years ago I was fortunate to score a barely used Gibson Custom Direct CS-356F with a huge neck and many unique, one-off features. I must admit, it is one of the greatest playing guitars I've ever touched. Check this out:

CS356F
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Wildfield
Username: Wildfield

Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 12:19 pm:   

Wow, gorgeous Tim. Congratulations.

I have only noodled on an CS336 once in my life. Seemed heavier and handled more like a solid body, if memory serves. I attributed that impression to the carved, one piece back/sides design.

What is your take on it? Do you hear a fundamental difference between your CS356F and say one of your AS or AM guitars - a difference that you can attribute to the differences in construction?
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Guitartim
Username: Guitartim

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 3:06 pm:   

This CS356 feels and sounds like a cross between a great solid body and semi-hollow guitar. Since it is a Gibson with Classic 57 pickups it sounds like a Les Paul/335 love child...and then some. Whoever ordered this one was looking for the best of both worlds. It is like a Historic 59 LP (fat neck, long tenon, and washed cherry finish on a flamey top) and a mini-335.

Mine seems lighter than my Ibanez semi-hollows (i.e. 2630, AS200, JSM100), and more balanced. Even with the Bigsby it hangs off the body with no neck drop. If you toss in a GB30 then the 356 is heavier but equal in the balance area.

Tone-wise it has a very unique voice. But each of the Ibanez semis I listed have their own unique voice...and ain't none of them bad either.
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Artfield
Username: Artfield

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 6:54 pm:   

Does that ends our AM205 collectors (selling)dream ??

Does it kills the worth of the AM205, because there is now a very good priced alternative.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=ES339

1.799,- US Dollar equals 1.316,12 euros

I have seen AM205's sold for that price....

why an AM205 if i can get a ES339 ?

Ginger/Gember you the guy with the "stats"
please do a "Gember" comparison between those ?

This from our brother website :

http://www.ibanezregister.com/Gallery/artstar-arti st/gal-am205.htm

For me the AM205 wins visually , but haven't played an ES339 yet, when they arrive overhere will check them out.
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Artfield
Username: Artfield

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 7:06 pm:   

You all know this but just for the view

3.jpeg
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Artfield
Username: Artfield

Registered: 4-2001
Posted on Thursday, September 06, 2007 - 7:13 pm:   

Nice Thread going on on the Gibby Forum :

http://www.gibson.com/relations/forum/index.asp?su b=show&action=posts&fid=20&tid=150176

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