Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 10:31:34 PM

Title: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 10:31:34 PM
I've been keeping this one pretty quiet, but a few people know about it so let's drag it out in the open...  :oops:

Some may have noticed that I've been bleating on for ages about getting a Gibson ES-339, despite the fact I'd resolved not to buy any new guitars this year.  There don't seem to be any in the shops at the moment, so I thought I was safe... then this turned up on eBay:

(http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p216/phillyq/BN51KBmkKGrHgoH-C0EjlLltdzBJsBZm6eK.jpg)

It's 6 months old, but in as-new condition.  The right colour, the right neck shape (fat '59) - I couldn't resist.  I put in an offer a bit under the Buy-It-Now price (to convince myself I was being shrewd and driving a hard bargain  :roll: ), then took a trip to Hampshire to collect it.

So far, I am loving this thing - it's not too big or too heavy, the neck feels great and the Plek setup makes it (relatively) easy to play.  Acoustically it's quite bright but plugged in it really sings - the '57 Classics are fine and I don't fancy trying to replace them just yet.  Yes, it's a Gibson and yes, there's the odd imperfection here and there, but suddenly I'm a semi fan!

Now where are those books with the "expensive" jazz chords in?



Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 23, 2009, 10:38:40 PM
It's lovely Philly! Will it make an appearance at the next meet?  :D
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ian Price on March 23, 2009, 10:39:12 PM
Lovely stuff Philly - congrats! I do like that colour on a semi, I think it beats the standard cherry reds. Dare I ask if we will be getting any clips any time soon?

Also, Guitar Village is in Surrey not Hampshire. Apologies for my pedantic nature  :roll:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ian Price on March 23, 2009, 10:40:39 PM
I am of course assuming that this was from GV after reading your note on the Esquire thread!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Twinfan on March 23, 2009, 10:45:07 PM
You need to speak to Derek (Fourth Feline) about Jazz Chords I think!  ;)

Nice looking guitar, Phil  :)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 10:48:06 PM
Dare I ask if we will be getting any clips any time soon?

Not a chance!  Unless someone else plays 'em for me!  :lol:

No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

It might make an appearance at the next meet, Johnny, but only if I've made some drastic improvements in my playing to show it off!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Lew on March 23, 2009, 10:48:23 PM
Awesome, there's a 339 near me-the body size is great  8)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ian Price on March 23, 2009, 10:49:26 PM
No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

Aaah, I see. I'm in sunny old Hampshire. What town did you visit to get it?
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 10:50:15 PM
You need to speak to Derek (Fourth Feline) about Jazz Chords I think!  ;)

Derek has been advising me about the world of jazz, and I've bought the Joe Pass DVD.  Great stuff, but well beyond me!  :P
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: indysmith on March 23, 2009, 10:50:27 PM
That's an awesome looking guitar. I've wanted to try one ever since they came out! Congratulations
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 10:54:21 PM
No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

Aaah, I see. I'm in sunny old Hampshire. What town did you visit to get it?

The mighty metropolis of Fareham.  I had quite a round trip - from Waterloo to get there, then back to Victoria by a completely different route.  But I quite like train journeys.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ian Price on March 23, 2009, 10:58:00 PM
But I quite like train journeys.

Especially when you have a new guitar to keep you company!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: indysmith on March 23, 2009, 11:03:21 PM
No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

Aaah, I see. I'm in sunny old Hampshire. What town did you visit to get it?

The mighty metropolis of Fareham.  I had quite a round trip - from Waterloo to get there, then back to Victoria by a completely different route.  But I quite like train journeys.
I live right by Fareham; if you'd come down a week or so later you could have dropped by.

Here's the question; did you play her on the train ride back?
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 23, 2009, 11:07:13 PM
Dare I ask if we will be getting any clips any time soon?

Not a chance!  Unless someone else plays 'em for me!  :lol:

No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

It might make an appearance at the next meet, Johnny, but only if I've made some drastic improvements in my playing to show it off!

An hour a week with the dreaded spider exercises will see you right! Its a real beauty Philly. Your going to get all the recommendations for new pups now! I bet you have the SGF!  :D
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 23, 2009, 11:08:51 PM
Great buy Philly. I really love the look of the 339.I haven't played one but I can imagine it being great.

Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ian Price on March 23, 2009, 11:09:45 PM
reat uy hilly ireally

I think this roughly translates to "great buy Philly I really...."  :lol:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Johnny Mac on March 23, 2009, 11:15:36 PM
No, it's not from GV... the comment on your Esquire thread was because they haven't had one in for ages (although they do have a nice CS-336!  :wink: ).  This was an eBay purchase.

Aaah, I see. I'm in sunny old Hampshire. What town did you visit to get it?

The mighty metropolis of Fareham.  I had quite a round trip - from Waterloo to get there, then back to Victoria by a completely different route.  But I quite like train journeys.

Here's the question; did you play her on the train ride back?

Yeah sounds like fun! A hip flask full of 'The Water Of Life', a few blues standards and a rigid belief in ones performance!  :lol:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 23, 2009, 11:16:59 PM
Here's the question; did you play her on the train ride back?

Oh lord no!  :o  Kept quiet and read me book.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: gwEm on March 23, 2009, 11:17:56 PM
Here's the question; did you play her on the train ride back?

Oh lord no!  :o  Kept quiet and read me book.

i played my wez 23 fret strat on the train :)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 23, 2009, 11:18:42 PM
reat uy hilly ireally

I think this roughly translates to "great buy Philly I really...."  :lol:

Yes thank you Ian for pointing that out-I wasn't quick enough with my edit obviously.  I have an intermittent fault with my keyboard and I am getting well p*ssed off with it .
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: PhilKing on March 23, 2009, 11:50:38 PM
It looks very nice, I like the smaller size 335 shapes.  I'm also a big fan of tobacco sunbursts.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Elliot on March 23, 2009, 11:56:02 PM
N-I-C-E with a capital N = I would be tempted to become John Lee Hooker with that axe
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 24, 2009, 01:53:45 AM
Nice one Phill! I knew it would happen soon or later :P
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: ailean on March 24, 2009, 06:16:09 AM
Nice guitar, but it really doesn't help my 335 gas...

I work in Fareham, pity, we might have had the chnace to hook up.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: hunter on March 24, 2009, 07:24:46 AM

Great Phil, I', jealous now. Saw that auction, was the guy who insisted on local pickup, right? Always the same with those UK people, they don't wanna deal with continentals - good for you then I guess :O)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 07:54:56 AM
Great Phil, I', jealous now. Saw that auction, was the guy who insisted on local pickup, right? Always the same with those UK people, they don't wanna deal with continentals - good for you then I guess :O)

I think that was another one, there were two the same colour listed around the same time.  The guy I bought from would have sent it, but I decided to go and collect - and the train fare saved me a massive £1.90 compared with shipping!

Thanks for all the comments, guys!  :D
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: AndyR on March 24, 2009, 08:48:36 AM
I've said it before :wink:, but it looks damn cute.

Although I might "explore" jazz chords on that thing, I'd be playin dirty blues and r&b stuff on it meself (possibly cranking it up to "Fiery Ted" regions when the mood took me :lol:)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 09:11:00 AM
Although I might "explore" jazz chords on that thing, I'd be playin dirty blues and r&b stuff on it meself (possibly cranking it up to "Fiery Ted" regions when the mood took me :lol:)

It certainly makes you feel like playing clean, sweet and bluesy... I really want to learn some Robben Ford stuff.

But it likes distortion too.  I haven't been able to play it through a "proper" amp, but the semi seems to sustain differently than a solidbody.  There's something organic (though I hate that word) and interesting going on there!  :)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: dheim on March 24, 2009, 09:21:11 AM
i love hollowbodies, and this one is a real beauty! great buy!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: hunter on March 24, 2009, 09:47:34 AM
the '57 Classics are fine and I don't fancy trying to replace them just yet. 

Come on Phil, admit that you're just scared of that fiddling without having direct access to the pots and wiring from the back :O)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Fourth Feline on March 24, 2009, 10:10:45 AM
PhillyQ had kindly sent me the picture a couple of days ago, but I just wanted to sign in here and say that it is indeed one classy and classic  looking guitar. 

The pictures of other 339s I had seen being of  that generic red-ish sunburst colour ; and whilst that other colour / option still looks  nice, I agree that the relatively unique appearance of Philly's 339  is like finding an immaculate,   and genuinely 50's model at auction.  I did not realise that it had also been Pleked !  :D

It is also true that the feel and 'breathing / organic ' sound of a Semi-Acoustic - or Hollow bodied archtop does tend to make you want to play " in the style of ... ".  You own them, but they possess you !

Good idea about 'morphing' via some Robben Ford and of course Larry Carlton.  If you want any Larry Carlton stuff lending / sending, just send me a P.M. - and we can sort it out.

Enjoy your treasure !   :D
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Afghan Dave on March 24, 2009, 10:43:35 AM
Congratulations on your new arrival Philly... Just don't try to change pickups without some support!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 11:13:54 AM
the '57 Classics are fine and I don't fancy trying to replace them just yet. 

Come on Phil, admit that you're just scared of that fiddling without having direct access to the pots and wiring from the back :O)

Congratulations on your new arrival Philly... Just don't try to change pickups without some support!

There is some truth in this... there's the Feline option, but I saw Jon did a post the other day saying he hates changing pickups on semis.  :lol:

I haven't taken the guitar apart yet, but looking through the f-holes it seems there's actually a big cutout in the centre block - so I might be able to pull the electronics out through the bridge pickup rout rather than the f-holes.  Not much easier... but easier nonetheless.

BUT in any case, I can't really think what to change the pickups to except Stormy Mondays, and (IMO) they're not hugely different from the '57 Classics.  I like the sound, not feeling any strong inclination to change it.

I am going to experiment a bit with some TonePros hardware and an aluminium tailpiece, though.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: martinw on March 24, 2009, 11:20:04 AM
... "Fiery Ted" regions when the mood took me :lol:)

The Nuge!
Philly, you should be able to klnock out something like this soon enough:  :wink:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXhV_3UW9s0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXhV_3UW9s0)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Tellboy on March 24, 2009, 11:26:46 AM
Lovely guitar Philly - and I wouldn't be in a hurry to change pickups. I think that '57 Classics  are good (by Gibson standards) pickups (originally had them in my '61 SG Reissue).
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Gooby on March 24, 2009, 12:38:00 PM
You are a lucky boy, looks like a very nice guitar in just the right colour. From what I have heard I agree the classic 57's are really good.

Martin
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Twinfan on March 24, 2009, 01:12:20 PM
In the right guitar, '57s are good.  They don't seem to suit a lot of Les Pauls for some reason, but in SGs and semis they can be great.  Mine sounded good in my old '61 reissue.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Simon D on March 24, 2009, 01:26:04 PM
Nice score Philly! That looks a stunner!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Denim n Leather on March 24, 2009, 01:46:03 PM
Looks good to me. Enjoy!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: lulusg on March 24, 2009, 02:16:38 PM
Lovely! Lovely! instrument.. I bet it makes you look good too!! Cheers !!!
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 02:18:34 PM
Lovely! Lovely! instrument.. I bet it makes you look good too!! Cheers !!!

Ha, it'd take more than a guitar to do that!  :lol:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Fourth Feline on March 24, 2009, 02:53:42 PM
In the right guitar, '57s are good.  They don't seem to suit a lot of Les Pauls for some reason, but in SGs and semis they can be great.  Mine sounded good in my old '61 reissue.

I remember Dave ( T.F.) mentioning that to me too - and  ( without wishing to offend forum etiquette regarding 'other' brands ) - if they are good enough ( in a semi-acoustic ) for Larry Carlton ....   :wink:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: dheim on March 24, 2009, 04:25:18 PM
In the right guitar, '57s are good.  They don't seem to suit a lot of Les Pauls for some reason, but in SGs and semis they can be great.  Mine sounded good in my old '61 reissue.

uhm... i like them in my les paul (chambered, though), but they didn't sound right in my SG61...
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 24, 2009, 05:15:32 PM
Were the hell is the 25+ pics of it you promissed you would show? :lol:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: AndyR on March 24, 2009, 05:20:39 PM
Were the hell is the 25+ pics of it you promissed you would show? :lol:

No pleasing some folk Philly...

He'll want you to "esquire" it and put a Piledriver in next...

Oh... wrong guitar, sorry! :lol:

He's got a point though - this pic looks like one of a series of "tasteful" shots from various angles... we need full-body, from behind, etc, etc...
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: blue on March 24, 2009, 05:26:31 PM
it's a gorgeous looking guitar Philly, congrats.  i do prefer these smaller semis, i find the 335 just too big.  the tobacco burst is also very tasteful, and i really like the custom shop case.  gibson's guitars may have ups and downs, but i like their cases!  just wish they'd bring back the old brown and pink ones :)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 05:31:09 PM
Were the hell is the 25+ pics of it you promissed you would show? :lol:

No pleasing some folk Philly...

He'll want you to "esquire" it and put a Piledriver in next...

Oh... wrong guitar, sorry! :lol:

He's got a point though - this pic looks like one of a series of "tasteful" shots from various angles... we need full-body, from behind, etc, etc...

I didn't even take the pic, that's by the previous owner!

I could do some more, but it would have to wait until the weekend so I have daylight - I can never do flash photos successfully.  And my flat is a bit short on attractive backdrops...
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 24, 2009, 05:34:58 PM
He'll want you to "esquire" it and put a Piledriver in next...

Nailbombs FTW :twisted:

:lol:
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on March 24, 2009, 05:45:48 PM
Oh Philly, your making me want one even more! I'm out of the sticks this weekend, so gonna see if anywhere have them in Glasgow.

How much did you pay for it?
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Doctor X on March 24, 2009, 05:57:18 PM
I love it!  I too have sworn off buying guitars for a while (I've only got 3!) but this is the one that's most tempting.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 06:07:37 PM
How much did you pay for it?

I paid £1200.  Gibson prices have just gone up and all the shops are listing them around the £1500 mark, unless you go for the figured maple version which adds another £500+ (waste of money, IMO).

None of the big online stores seem to have them in stock at the moment, but maybe there are some lurking around in smaller shops.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on March 24, 2009, 06:11:31 PM
How much did you pay for it?

I paid £1200.  Gibson prices have just gone up and all the shops are listing them around the £1500 mark, unless you go for the figured maple version which adds another £500+ (waste of money, IMO).

None of the big online stores seem to have them in stock at the moment, but maybe there are some lurking around in smaller shops.

Yeah, the only one i've found is GAK, and its £1500. I really haven't been able to find any ANYWHERE in Scotland. Its been driving me nuts, i'm this close to just giving in and getting one from GAK. But i really wanna try one first.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 06:19:34 PM
I'm not convinced GAK have it in stock either - they're offering all 3 colours in both neck shapes, which seems highly unlikely.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on March 24, 2009, 06:51:05 PM
I'm not convinced GAK have it in stock either - they're offering all 3 colours in both neck shapes, which seems highly unlikely.


I've been sceptical of that too. Don't GAK usually say when they're out of stock though?
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Philly Q on March 24, 2009, 07:07:21 PM
I'm not convinced GAK have it in stock either - they're offering all 3 colours in both neck shapes, which seems highly unlikely.


I've been sceptical of that too. Don't GAK usually say when they're out of stock though?

They don't indicate one way or another.   Maybe they only list in-stock items - I certainly can't find anything on their site that says "out of stock".

But you can go and pick a random guitar on their site - let's say an American Deluxe Fat Strat - and there's a choice of maple or rosewood, in five different colours, and they all say "Buy Now".  I am a natural sceptic, but I don't know any guitar shop that well stocked!  :lol:

Of course the thing to do is phone up before ordering anything, to see if they really have got it.  That's why I like Guitar Village - they have photos of the actual guitars they have in the shop, and they update straight away when something's sold.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: 38thBeatle on March 24, 2009, 07:36:14 PM
GAK have a large warehouse though one of my friends ( he works for a large courier company) had occasion to deliver there or collect, I forget which. He told me that some items were being stored in the open and that rain could land upon it. He said that much of the stuff was sealed and so it should cause a lot of problems but I must admit it put me off.
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: dave_mc on March 24, 2009, 07:46:12 PM
awesome :)
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: Zaned on March 25, 2009, 07:17:02 AM
I have a semi on my to-buy list too  8) And quite a few other things too.

Funny..for example, I initially wrote "A great LP" on that list. Now I have a real itch to expand that to
"A great LP with e.g. BKP Mules" and "A great LP with e.g. BKP Miracle mans".

And I'll do just that. I guess it never ends  :lol:

-Zaned
Title: Re: OK, the cat's out of the bag... NGD (a couple of weeks late!)
Post by: PPPMAT on March 25, 2009, 09:17:53 AM
Looks greaet Philly - I love the sound of the 335's and apparently the 339 sounds very similar despite the body size. I agree about the figured top - there is hardly any difference. Gibsons idea of figured is not the same as say PRS idea of figured