Upgrades for an Epi 339?

[TobyManhattan]

I just found out (via the other thread here) that Epiphone is releasing a version of the ES-339! With an affordable version like this I can finally get one and I'm planning on making this my main guitar over my current Epi Riviera (sorry old girl, you're a backup now).

I'm planning on putting P94s in it, as I do with all my semi hollows, but what other upgrades would you do? The following is what I'm thinking but if anyone could recommend some sites where I could buy these things it would be much appreciated. Also feel free to suggest other upgrades to make it a more solid reliable guitar in general.

So far I'm thinking:
- Gibson P94s
- Bone nut (not sure where I should get one)
- Better wiring (any recommended kits?)
- Upgraded pots (my riviera tends to get scratchy and has terrible response to volume/tone change)

I know very little about guitar electronics aside from pickups...

I just wish they were releasing a 359 version with the fancy binding and pickguard.

[TobyManhattan]

Just ordered it in cherry with a hardshell case and P94s from the local shop! I can't tell you how excited I am for this guitar!

[Will Chen]

I'd never buy upgrades for a guitar you haven't played yet. that being said, very excited for this guitar to be released as well. Though its actual release looks to be delayed though the end of the year...

[Elias Graves]

This one is supposed to have the new Epi Probuckers, modelled on 57 Classics. Am curious to know how good they are.
Epi has really upped their game at the GQ plant and is making some good stuff there.

EG

[TobyManhattan]

I'm not going to be using the buckers coming in mine so I won't be able to test them for ya. I'll probably end up selling them cheap on here though.

[Virtual Pariah]

Epi has been talking about upgraded wiring and electronics.

If you are saying that you don't know much about electronics in the guitar, why are you so hot to make so many changes before you even buy it?

Give it a chance and you may like it.

[TobyManhattan]

Oh really? You don't have a link handy do you? If these have the upgraded electronics that would be awesome. Less dough to spend.

I'm just going from experience. Every Epi I've bought for $500 or less has needed pickups and, based on comparing roll off of volume/tone to my Gibson's, could probably stand a wiring upgrade. And I don't think a bone nut is ever a bad idea is it? I'm just trying to make this thing very solid and reliable since it will be my main gigging guitar once it arrives.

[Sandy Cheeks]

Did you give your wife breast augmentation as an engagement present? :rotflmao

[Will Chen]

The below quote was posted on the Epiphone site today. Quality? Who knows for sure, but I'm never one to gut a guitar prior to playing/hearing it.

Epiphone Barrier Breaking Electronics: The new Epiphone ES-339 pickups are set up to provide a huge variety of sound choices for the modern guitarist. For those who are used to carrying two guitars to gigs, the ES-339 will solve that problem once and for all. Now, you can play any gig and any style with just one guitar--the Epiphone ES-339. The ES 339's fabulous ProBucker™ humbucker pickups can make an infinite variety of tones thanks to the 3-way Pickup Selector which features a push/pull coil tap. The neck pickup volume pot and the bridge pickup volume pot each feature an easy-touch push/pull coil tap, making it easy to switch back and forth between single coil or classic humbucker sounds. The all-metal heavy duty Epiphone 1/4" output jack gives you a lifetime of worry-free use.


http://www.epiphone.com/News/Features/Features/2011/The-All-New-Epiphone-ES-339-and-Ultra-339.aspx

[Virtual Pariah]

Oh really? You don't have a link handy do you? If these have the upgraded electronics that would be awesome. Less dough to spend.

I'm just going from experience. Every Epi I've bought for $500 or less has needed pickups and, based on comparing roll off of volume/tone to my Gibson's, could probably stand a wiring upgrade. And I don't think a bone nut is ever a bad idea is it? I'm just trying to make this thing very solid and reliable since it will be my main gigging guitar once it arrives.


Not a specific link. Was lurking around http://forum.gibson.com/ and the admin was mentioning it.

[Will Chen]

This one is supposed to have the new Epi Probuckers, modelled on 57 Classics. Am curious to know how good they are.
Epi has really upped their game at the GQ plant and is making some good stuff there.

EG

The pups are actually some version of a BurstBucker.

http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2010/Epiphone-Introduces-the-ProBucker-Pickup.aspx

[Sandy Cheeks]

I'd be happy if they're good just as a HB. I haven't played a coil-tapped HB that was a good as a good single coil when tapped.

[TobyManhattan]

Did you give your wife breast augmentation as an engagement present? :rotflmao

Haha no wife here, just a girlfriend. Although I can't imagine breast augmentation ever being a bad idea. Even just to make sure they stay above the waist.


That's good news about the electronics though. I'm still going to swap the pups for P94s, they're just my favourite pickup for a semi hollow. But it sounds like I might be able to skip pots/wiring!

Thanks guys!

If anyone wants to recommend a website to get a nut, that would be appreciated too.

[budglo58]

I just found out (via the other thread here) that Epiphone is releasing a version of the ES-339! With an affordable version like this I can finally get one and I'm planning on making this my main guitar over my current Epi Riviera (sorry old girl, you're a backup now).

I'm planning on putting P94s in it, as I do with all my semi hollows, but what other upgrades would you do? The following is what I'm thinking but if anyone could recommend some sites where I could buy these things it would be much appreciated. Also feel free to suggest other upgrades to make it a more solid reliable guitar in general.

So far I'm thinking:
- Gibson P94s
- Bone nut (not sure where I should get one)
- Better wiring (any recommended kits?)
- Upgraded pots (my riviera tends to get scratchy and has terrible response to volume/tone change)

I know very little about guitar electronics aside from pickups...

I just wish they were releasing a 359 version with the fancy binding and pickguard.You are seriously thinking about upgrading a guitar you are buying but yet to play? Seriously?:omg

[Matt L]

I have a great upgrade idea for an Epi 339!


A Gibson ES-339


j/k

[Fenson]

got a Cherry one @ L and M on DEC.30/11 very nice guitar, except for maybe a bone nut one day ,no upgrades needed . pickups are fine. Coil tap sounds good in the neck pos. a little weak in the bridge. But most do!!.
Frets are nice and level, polished well. Plays great .Nut was (as per usual) a tad high ,rerlief was .08 and 12th action 5/ 64ths across.
Only 460. at L & M for the Cherry and VSB. Black and nat are 540 for some reason!
Very happy with the guitar.
Sound closer to a solid body than a 335. Resonate well you can feel the not through to your belly sustains well.
Neck feels great not thick like the dots had. |rosewwod has nice colouring.
Well worth the bucks IMO