Gibson Custom Shop ES-339 Memphis – USA 2009

From Gibson –

“The Gibson Memphis ES-339 semi-hollowbody electric guitar, introduced in 2007, gives you the legendary sound, playability, and versatility of Gibson's larger ES Series guitars — like the ever-popular ES-335 — in a smaller body size that's ideal for guitarists used to solid body instruments.

The body is comprised of a lightly arched three-ply maple/poplar/maple top and back with a solid maple centre block that reduces feedback and enhances sustain. Fitted with a pair of Memphis Historic Spec (MHS) humbuckers, and a fast mahogany neck topped with a rosewood fingerboard, the Gibson Memphis ES-339 lends itself to just about any musical style you're into.

Hollow body richness meets solid body sustain - Gibson Memphis designed the ES-339 to have the same tonal appeal as its big sibling, the ES-335, but with a smaller body style. If you grew up on solid body guitars but crave the warmth and tonal complexity of a hollow body, the ES-339 is for you.

You'll love the harmonic richness that resonates from the ES-339's semi-hollow body, and you'll also really appreciate the feedback resistance and enhanced sustain provided by its solid maple centre block. Gibson Memphis redesigned the neck dimensions and used low-profile frets for a more comfortable feel. Guitarists of all calibres can appreciate the sound of the ES-339, but if you perform nightly, you'll find it to be a dream come true.”

This particular ES-339 was built by Gibson’s Custom Shop at its Memphis facility in 2009, and is finished in Sunset Burst gloss. And it is sweet to play. With its "small hollow body" concept, the sound is somewhere between an ES-335 and a Les Paul, in our opinion leaning slightly towards the 335.

This guitar is in excellent original condition with no changes, repairs or modifications. It has been played in over 15+ years and has settled nicely.

And being a Gibson Custom Shop guitar (serial # CS 90xxx), its fit and finish is second to none. These CS instruments really are something special.

There is barely a mark on this guitar. Some very fine scratch marks on the back, but almost impossible to see. There is some tarnishing of the metal parts. The neck is straight, the truss rod is fully adjustable, and the frets are excellent, with no visible wear. The pickguard shows light pick swirling.

The only thing we can see changed on this guitar is the relocation of the neck end strap button to the upper body bout.

The construction of the ES-339 means it can be warm and woody, mellow and lush on the one hand and then rock hard when required, depending on the amp/pedal combination. A very versatile music machine suitable for many genres.

Comes in its Gibson hard shell case in good condition along with its Certificate of Authenticity.

Features:

Scale length: 24 ¾" 

Fretboard Radius: 12”

Weight: 3.28kg / 7.23lb

Action at 1st fret: 0.75mm 

Action at 12th fret: 1.75mm 

Nut Width: 42.9mm

12 fret width: 52.89mm

Body Type: Semi-hollow body

Body Shape: ES-339

Body Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

Top Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer

Neck Material: Quartersawn Mahogany

Neck Shape: Rounded C

Radius: 12"

Fingerboard Material: Rosewood

Fingerboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots

Number of Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo, Silver

Nut Material: Bone

Bridge: ABR-1 Bridge with Nickel-plated Brass Saddles

Tailpiece: Die-cast Zinc Stopbar Tailpiece

Tuners: Kluson Deluxe

Neck Pickup: MHS II Rhythm Humbucker

Bridge Pickup: MHS II Lead Humbucker

Controls: 2 x volume, 2 x tone

3-way toggle pickup switch

Memphis Tone circuit