Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

I've had this Guitar for a month and a half now and I think I have it more or less sorted out. This is the second Guitar I have bought that the little card in the box said setup was done buy Gibson USA. It's about time Gibson learned to setup a guitar, they've
had how many years to figure it out? Both the Casino Elitist and this 339 Ultra were unplayable out of the box. It needed a complete set up. The biggest issue being the nut was way to high. Fretting a string @ the first fret would sharpe the string half a step!
I got the Phelem Blue & I love the colour. The fit and finish is good. not as good as my Cassino was but at only half the price pretty decent.
The door on the battery is rather flimsy and the tuners aren't much, I'll probably change them out.
The pickups aren't bad sounding as good as any humbuckers I've had. I changed out the bridge pickup for a Gretsch Filtertron, which sounds incredibly sweet in combination with the Shadow.
This is a very picky guitar in its setup and playing technique. I have had to focus on picking and strumming lighter not my usual aggressive style. SRV would have hated this guitar. It's the Shadow Mag and light strings (I'm using 10-52s heavy bottoms, they help as it's the bottoms that will buzz) that causes the issues, pick hard and it will reward you with string buzz. I find if I keep the gain on it down it helps. I run it thru a K&K preamp to bring the signal level up instead of the built in gain. I run the acoustic to the PA and the electric to either my Fender Harvard or Blues Junior. The sounds this combination makes is amazing in it's complexity. Ear candy that will put a smile on your face.
This guitar is not for everyone I would not recommend it to a beginner. But if your willing to spend some time working thru the bugs I think you'll be happy with the sounds this guitar can make, and that's what it's all about.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

This is the first Epi I have owned since my 60's Rivera. Sold my 62 ES-335 to go in pursuit of a Byrdland when I happened to pick one of these up to play at a guitar store. For a few decades I wouldn't walk across the street if they were giving away Epi's they just did nothing for me. I was pretty impressed with this one and got out of there by the skin on my teeth without buying it, as I'm always getting suckered into the new thing that ends up on ebay when it just doesn't end up doing what it markets. Waited a few months and ordered one of these which is something I usually don't do either. After a few weeks I was getting disappointed then I started playing with the acoustic pick up and playing it solo and blended with the regular pickups and changing the settings on the back for the acoustic pick up. I was pretty impressed with the sounds I was getting and had several musicians tell me the guitar sounded great. It's no 60's Rivera or old 335, it is a go to guitar for me. I'm playing it right now in a show of about 25 songs from the 60's – 2012 in a variety of styles and I use the blend or acoustic on 90% of them, would have never guest that. Thought I would use it only on acoustic songs. A friend of mine plays a Johnny Smith and I was surprised at how close I got to that sound for the denero . It came out of the box with a good finish, nice binding and set up pretty good. I did tweak the bridge intonation a little with my clip on tuner. I'm not a big fan of rosewood fingerboards but I'll work around that one. I always need a couple guitars around, like 5 or so and I can't afford to go high end on all of them. This one will definitely stay in the herd a long time. Thanks Epi for putting this together I will definitely quit being a snob and try some of your other guitars. Come to think of it I did buy my stepson a Epi acoustic with a built in tuner and pick up that was a under four bills in the last year. I was impressed with that one to but only played it for about a half hour and figured it was a fluke we got a good one. Maybe these guys are serious about providing good instruments as the G brand is a little "pricey"

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

Ordered a prev. owned U339 from Musician's Friend - in "natural" finish, and it arrived in only 3 days, well packaged, no damage. As for "used" any wear and tear on it were almost imperceptible. Action was high, and easily tweaked after adding new strings. Hooked U339 up to Line 6 SV 212 tube amp and several Boss pedals. Very pleased with tone from probuckers, and nanomag neck pickup provides jazzy/acoustic option that I was looking for. If you want to rock out the bridge and neck p/up's are nearly as powerful as a Les Paul, and while you can't get quite as much treble from the 339 as you can from a Strat, there are significant tonal variations available in this guitar that you cannot get from either the LP or the Strat. The action is quick, the craftsmanship substantially above the guitar's price point and the guitar very easy on the eyes. This guitar takes the amp output well and allows you to exploit it's ability to pump out feedback and distortion, not so much as in heavy metal, but as in emphasizing a very full/sweet note or chord. Think of it like typing the final line of your email in BOLD/ITALICS....you affirm the note and tone. This guitar is well worth the price and yet again Musician's Friend live's up to their name. This guitar was marketed as lightly used....they should have said "very lightly used".. While it has been played regularly for 30+ days, there are plenty of boundaries yet to be explored with regards the p/ups and tone. I've got an Epi Les Paul and an Eric Johnson Strat, and with this addition to the electric collection, musically I'm firing on all cylinders. If you're looking for a guitar that has a lot of juice AND can be toned to jazz and acoustic genres, this guitar has the horse power. Musician's Friend beat expectations (again).

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

This one is an upgraded Epi version of the quite recent Gibson 339 line. Added bonuses (not currently offered by the bigger sister brand) included a built-in tuner (!!!) and a nano-mag set that can be used separately or blended in with the magnetic PU tone.

The guitar is well built and finished - could not find a physical flaw with it. Magnetic PUs give very decent output and sound. The nano-mag is not exactly acoustic sound but it can work with digital effects to provide a softer acoustic-like tone or a crystalline ringing tone that's unique to this type of system. On board EQ is a good added value.

My only complaint is some fret buzz that can probably be ammended with adjustment of the neck (?) but is managable.

All in all a flexible, good looking nice feel guitar that can cater for a WIDE range of styles and applications. It gets 4 stars and not 5 for fret buzz and somewhat less-than-WOW pu sounds.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

The guitar I received was well made and well finished. The neck is typical Gibson which may take some time to get used to - after years of playing fenders.

Sounds are VERY versatile and can provide anything from bluesy wail through hard rock metal and acoustic ballading.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

Did I mention the tone is GREAT? Since the Gibson version was noticibly a bit better I had to give the Epi a nine overall but, as I said earlier, at one-third the price of the Gibson, unless you're willing to spend a lot more for the logo, or it just HAS to be made in the USA, I feel this is the guitar to own.
This guitar has it all. With the combination of the dual humbuckers and the Nanomag pickup, there is a wide variety of tone combinations available, although the Nanomag pickup sound is not quite convincing as an acoustic guitar. Overall, the tone is GREAT! The switching system is simple and works perfectly with no noise or glitches -and allows you to switch between or play through two different amps! The USB port allows for more modern recording techniques and the ability to add effects in the computer, however since I use a Line6 pedalboard I see very little value playing live though a "virtual" effects rack. Add the built-in tuner (most acoustic guitars have this, why not electrics?) and you've got everything you need in a guitar. The Vintage Sunburst is so beautiful that if it weren't for the logo on the headstock and the big "E" on the pickguard you'd think it was a Gibson ES-339 (although the Gibson model does not currently offer the advanced "Ultra" electronics).
I found none of the defects mentioned by some of the other reviewers except for a small rough patch in the finish on the "bottom" side of the guitar where the body curves in. I was actually surprised as I bought the guitar as a "Level 2" used guitar from MF online and sort of expected a few minor issues. Instead, the guitar looked completely new and unused - it came in the factory box, there were no scratches, dings or even fingerprints. All the factory stickers were still in place, as were the manual, cables and truss rod adjustment tool. The controls all work smoothly, the action is set at the right height and there are no buzzy frets all the way up and down the neck.The volume level and tone is correct from each pickup.The paint inside the edge of the f-hole is smooth, unlike as mentioned by one or 2 others. Side by side with my '73 Gibson ES-335, the Epi Ultra 339 actually looks better made. (I know- blasphemy!). To be fair, I did play a new Gibson ES-339 as well as the Epi 339 Ultra at the Guitar Center store (no Epi 339 Pros were available) and the Gibson had a noticibly better playing feel and better tone from the bridge pickup - but the difference was not worth 3 times the price, in my opinioin.
Since I bought the guitar for $639 with free shipping I consider the value outstanding!

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

I am really pleased with this one as I was planning to give up after the earlier problems, and Musicians Friend was outstanding about the returns.
The new Epiphone Humbuckers and the Nanomagnetic pisckups are great
While I had a number of problems with the Natural ones I had to return, this Cherry one is excellent quality, some wood chips in the Nanomagnetic electronics I had to remove and rough fret surfaces, but after a week of playing are mostly gone. Unlike the badly chipped and poorly painted F hole of the ones I returned this is almost perfect. I usually find the staining quality never perfect, but this is decent. The ones I returned were for a craked neck and bad electronics. That is not an issue with this one.
Great value due to the overall look, ease of playability, straight neck, and outstanding tone.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

If they had better quality control and inspection, I would give it a ten for the tone and playability, and over all look.
OK , the Fhole on mine has chips that show until about 4 feet away and was sloppy painted. I got the natural which looks nice, but around 50% of the body was rough to the touch. The fret ends were sharp. I had no fret buzz and the neck was straight. I think the tone is excellent on both the probuckers and nanomagnetic, though it sounds more between an acoustic and single coil than an acoustic on a regular amp. One knob at the end moves by itself the last 1/8 inch like a spring response, but it is no big deal as it has no noticeable sound change over that point and works fine otherwise. Most of those problems are an easy fix. I am getting a replacement bridge as 2 saddles rock, Epiphone is sending them no charge. I debated sending this one back mostly because of the F hole, but probably won't.
I also wanted to mention the first one I got had either a crack in the neck or possibly just in the coating with a gouge into the wood. I sent it back to get a replacement as that can't be lived with. Musicians Friend replaced it and was curtious in the process. The replacement one, while also not a big issue had the volume and tone knobs reversed and all were crooked when turned, all easily correctable in a few minutes.Over all I really like the second guitar I got with the minor issues on the rheostat, F-Hole quality issue, sharp fret edges and rough frets, which work out with a few days of playing, rough body, and the bridge I am getting sent to replace the defective one. I did also notice that there may be a shim used where the neck is joined, but it is solid and unlikely affects the tone.Yes, they need better inspection and quality control on the 339 Ultra, but still a great guitar. I am playing just about 47 years.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

Overall, I really like the playability and sound.
OK , the Fhole on mine has chips that show until about 4 feet away and was sloppy painted. I got the natural which looks nice, but around 50% of the body was rough to the touch so I used 000 sanding to smooth it. The fret ends were sharp but I filed them. I had no fret buzz and the neck was straight. I think the tone is excellent on both the probuckers and nanomagnetic, though it sounds more like a single coil than an acoustic on a regular amp. One knob at the end moves by itself the last 1/8 inch, but it is no big deal as it has no noticeable sound change over that point and works fine otherwise. I am getting a replacement bridge as 1 saddle rocks, Epiphone is sending them no charge.
I also wanted to mention the first one I got had either a crack in the neck or possibly just in the coating with a gouge into the wood. I sent it back to get a replacement as that can't be lived with, no problem with Musicians Friend. The replacement one while also not a big issue had the volume and tone knobs reversed and all were crooked when turned, all easily correctable in a few minutes.Over all I really like the second guitar I got with the minor issues on the rheostat, F-Hole quality issue, sharp fret edges and rough frets, which work out with a few days of playing, rough body, and the bridge I am getting sent to replace the defective one. I did also notice that there may be a shim used where the neck is joined, but it is solid and unlikely affects the tone.Yes, they need better inspection and quality control on the 339 Ultra, but still a great guitar. I am playing just about 47 years.
A number of posts at different sites say the 339 Pro uses probuckers, it does not, but if you look at Epiphones pickup specs, the 339 Pro pickups are the Classic Pro which are a close match to the Gibson 57 pickups and is why people also like the sound of them.

Comments about Epiphone Ultra-339 Electric Guitar:

I really REALLY wanted to like this guitar. I had been drooling over it since I first saw it in the MF fall catalog. Looking back on what I've written, the problems do sound kind of nitpicky and I realize that $800 is not a lot for a guitar compared to your PRS's and Les Pauls, but considering this is one of the more expensive guitars in Epiphone's lineup, I expected a bit more polish. I might have put up with the fit & finish issues on a $300 guitar, but not for the price I paid. I sent it back.
Unbelievable feature set. USB, onboard tuner, the ability to split the signal between acoustic & electric sounds... Pretty much the perfect set of features for playing rhythm guitar in a pop or worship band. The push-button style of switching between acoustic/electric/both signals is very cool. The cherry finish and guitar in general looks beautiful.
....and here's where it falls down.

-Fret finish was below average. No sharp edges, but few of the upper ones could have used some more polishing. I hate feeling scraping when bending strings.
-Paint on the binding. Might not be an issue with the natural color- mine was cherry red, which is the color God intended hollow bodies to be. I don't think God intended the paint to be on the binding though.
-The tone knob was on the wrong pot and it had a fingerprint on it. No big deal, right? Just wipe it off? Apparently whoever pressed the knob on had glue or varnish on their finger, because it was permanent. When I removed the tone knob to put it in the correct place, the little metallic 'tone' disc came off and needed to be glued back on.
-There was something rattling around inside the guitar, probably small pieces of wood leftover from carving out the chamber.

This is a complex guitar electronics-wise, so the above fit and finish problems do not inspire confidence in the longevity of said electronics. I have not heard of any specific problems on the older and somewhat similar Les Paul Ultra II's, so maybe (hopefully) these fears are unfounded.

The electric tone was more reminiscent of a solid body than hollowbody. Not really a plus or minus, just something to be aware of. You can get a great range of sounds by mixing various amounts of the Nanomag in with the electric signal. You will want to change the strings ASAP- the ones that came on the guitar were terrible. It could also benefit from a good setup, but that's true of any guitar. Ultimately I felt the tone was somewhat uninspiring. I don't know, I can't put my finger on it- it was just kind of 'meh'. Probably a personal thing, YMMV. Maybe I was expecting this to lean more towards the hollowbody side of things tone-wise, since I love that sound.

The guitar is heavier than expected. Not Les Paul heavy, but definitely not light. You can tell the lower side of the guitar has a lot of electronics in it.
Considering the features of the guitar, I would say that it is a pretty good value. It's too bad the fit and finish problems drag it down.