Tonal differences between Gibson 335 and 339?

I've taken a real fancy for a real 335 (much though I like my cheap Samick 335 copy it ain't quite the real thing, is it!) but am wondering what the tonal differences are between the 335 and the smaller bodied 339.

I've tried to listen to as many videos on YouTube to see if I can hear any differences but no-one seems to play the same thing on both guitars so it's almost impossible to tell if there are any tonal variations between the two.

I like the 335 cos it's the original and real deal but I also like the fact that the 339 is a bit smaller to carry round your neck or to sit with.

Anyone been able to play both side by side and cast any info my way on whether one is better/different to the other?

I've taken a real fancy for a real 335 (much though I like my cheap Samick 335 copy it ain't quite the real thing, is it!) but am wondering what the tonal differences are between the 335 and the smaller bodied 339.

I've tried to listen to as many videos on YouTube to see if I can hear any differences but no-one seems to play the same thing on both guitars so it's almost impossible to tell if there are any tonal variations between the two.

I like the 335 cos it's the original and real deal but I also like the fact that the 339 is a bit smaller to carry round your neck or to sit with.

Anyone been able to play both side by side and cast any info my way on whether one is better/different to the other?

I made a road trip to Dave's and played 6 - 7 of the 15ish 335s against about same # of 339 and some 336. The 335s have deeper sounding low E. Also played an awesome ES-175. All were great.

Yeah, the 335 is heavier but it and seems like a rip off compared to 339 pricing but it has tone that's it's own with the lower strings. Biggest problem for me is I didn't like the skinny neck Gibsons and that makes them even more expensive.

BTW: I came home with a 68 Thinline Telecaster even though a Gibson was the goal if that means anything!

"BTW: I came home with a 68 Thinline Telecaster even though a Gibson was the goal if that means anything!"

Congratulations. Photos?

335's have a bigger, more hollow sound. 339's are inbetween a Les Paul and as 335.

I went through this same comparison a couple of months ago. I finally settled on the 335. I just liked the tone better. I don't understand why people make such a big deal about the size of the 335. I'm 5'10" and have no trouble at all handling the 335. As far as price, I got GC to lower the price to within a $100 of a 339. That was on the plain top 335.

I went through this same comparison a couple of months ago. I finally settled on the 335. I just liked the tone better. I don't understand why people make such a big deal about the size of the 335. I'm 5'10" and have no trouble at all handling the 335. As far as price, I got GC to lower the price to within a $100 of a 339. That was on the plain top 335.

Pffff...I'm 5'6" and a 335 feels great! I love big guitars and big necks...lemme feel like I'm PLAYIN' something!

335's have a bigger, more hollow sound. 339's are inbetween a Les Paul and as 335.

This is my experience as well.

The larger body size of the 335 isn't an issue for me. I've got a Samick 335 copy and don't have any problems with that. I've also played many acoustics over the years which would have been bigger in dimensions than a 335.

I've got a very nice hand made custom LP copy so I don't need similar tones from any other guitar so from what you're all saying I'd probably be better considering a 335 for a distinct tonal difference between it and the LP.

The only down side I have found since replacing my Les Paul with a 335(copy) is the distance from the strings to the volume pot with my right hand. I've had to develop the extra timing to do effective volume swells. This makes me want to try a 339.

I'm liking the 335 copies actually, better than the real thing 339s.

But I've never had much affinity for the usual Les Pauls, so I am not being pulled in that direction.

I suppose I'm average size here, 5 foot 8, 180 pounds, and no way is the 335 "too big" for me. I think there's far more people playing "too little" guitars than too big ones. I think a "plus sized" Tele body, 10-15% oversized would be very cool.

But I would mind if the controls were a little closer to my hand on the 335s. Maybe moved diagonally an inch, inch and a half and a little closer together.