Gibson ES-339 60s Cherry

Gibson ES-339 60s Cherry review

The Gibson ES-339 60s Cherry is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a laminated maple body and a center block. Its compact format offers a different feel from a fully hollow instrument while retaining the construction and hardware details associated with Gibson's larger semi-hollow models. This version has a mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, and a 628 mm scale length. Gibson lists it at $2,399.

The instrument has been available since April 2020 and is made in the USA. Its Sixties Cherry finish is applied as nitrocellulose lacquer. A single-ply cream binding provides contrast around the body, while dot inlays keep the fingerboard appearance restrained. Nickel hardware, top-hat control knobs, and Grover tuning machines complete the traditional look. A fitted case is included; a gig bag is not.

Construction and playing feel

The rounded C neck profile is a key point in the playing experience. One owner who compared it with a Les Paul noted that the ES-339 has a different neck shape, while the fingerboard felt wide enough for jazz chords. The nut measures 42.9 mm, and the scale length is 628 mm. Those dimensions provide useful context for players choosing between this model and a guitar they already know, though personal comfort will depend on hand size and preferred neck shape.

The center block runs through the laminated maple body, making this a semi-hollow guitar rather than a fully hollow one. A player described the instrument as light and said its body made movement while playing feel easier. That is a useful first-hand impression, but no weight figure is provided here, so buyers should not assume a specific weight advantage. The build also includes an ABR-1 bridge and stopbar tailpiece. The owner found the intonation adjustment hardware accessible and reported that a tool was supplied.

Pickups and sound

Two '57 Classic humbuckers provide the guitar's pickup configuration. The owner's account describes a range from clear tones to a smoky blues character when using a tube amplifier and pedalboard. That report points to the player's rig as part of the result, rather than promising one fixed sound from the guitar alone. The humbucker layout and semi-hollow construction make it a candidate for players looking for a broad electric-guitar palette, but the available feedback does not establish how it performs across every amplifier setting or musical style.

There is also a notable caution in the customer feedback. One buyer expected the ES-339 to serve as an alternative to an ES-335, but returned the individual instrument after finding that its strings had very little sustain. That experience conflicts with the more positive account of the guitar's sound. It should be treated as a report about one returned example, not proof that every ES-339 has the same issue. Still, sustain is important enough that buyers may want to test the specific instrument they receive, especially if they plan to compare it directly with an ES-335.

Finish, case, and reported fit

The positive owner review describes the US-made instrument as cleanly assembled, with parts fitting together well and no reported defects. The Sixties Cherry nitrocellulose finish drew particular praise. The guitar also comes with a fitted, lockable Gibson case, which the reviewer said protected the instrument well. A supplied strap was considered less impressive, though it does not affect the guitar's construction or performance.

These reports are not unanimous, and the distinction matters. One player gave the guitar an enthusiastic overall assessment after a long wait for a US shipment, while another returned a guitar because of poor sustain. The available accounts therefore support a closer inspection at delivery rather than a blanket judgment about quality control.

Verdict

The Gibson ES-339 60s Cherry combines a compact semi-hollow body, a rounded C mahogany neck, two '57 Classic humbuckers, and a striking red lacquer finish. Its included case and traditional hardware add practical value, while the reported neck feel and accessible intonation adjustment may suit players who favor chord work and hands-on setup. At $2,399, it is a considered purchase. The strongest reason to try it in person is the conflicting sustain feedback: the model has clear appeal, but the individual guitar deserves a careful playing test before the return window closes.