Took delivery of my Cherry Epiphone ES-339 Pro last night. Initial impressions:

• The "slim" description of the neck clearly only applies to the taper not the actual thickness. Neck feels substantially chunky without being tree trunk large. Thumbs up. The fretboard is the lightest rosewood I've seen. I've heard Indian rosewood can be light, but it almost looks like the darker examples of the baked maple I've seen posted.
  
• Finish is good and mine has a nice subtle figuring to the wood and is much better looking than the marketing photos. Slight flaw on the back side in which the binding looks as if its been painted on rather than inset. Hard to describe exactly,but a small minus here. You typically won't find flaws on a comparable semi-hollow from Ibanez in this price range.
  
• Specs state these are the new Probucker Burstbucker copies. They are lower in output and definitely have good clarity and definition, especially in the neck pup where things usually pretty muddy in affordable axes. I'm not completely sold on them yet but I haven't changed the factory strings. Split, not sure I dig them as things get rather thin and weak sounding.
  
• Dials were thrown on and are all crooked, will have to pull them and reset. The volume knobs seem to be pretty nice and seem to have a treble bleed as turning them down retained a good deal of attack, but need to test further. Tone controls seemed tuned nicely as well.
  

Once I get a chance to really put her though the paces, I'll post a full review, maybe a vid as well.

Oh, you know I will! Played a little more last night and the axe is starting to break in a bit. All the time thus far as been playing direct via headphones, really want to get some volume under her and see if she sings. Still need to swap strings, but thankfully they're 10 gauge rather than the smaller sets you often run into on import guitars. Wish they were D'Addario's stock as then I could live with them a bit...

Alright. So, ready to write my full review. Here's a preview:

1. Mine has 3 minor cosmetic flaws :

• a little spot on the back where the binding is a bit sloppy (Not significant, but looks like either some stain bleed or perhaps poorly applied filler. Slight but worth noting.
  
• There is a dimple the size of a depressed finger nail near the fretboard side of the neck joint.
  
• At the neck join, the binding work is a touch sloppy.
  

2. Tonally, sold. I like the new Probuckers. Not too hot with good balance. Could stand be a little brighter or open sounding, but you have the option to split them which should scratch that itch.

3. Tuners say Grovers, but don't have the smooth action of the Govers on my other guitars.

4. Really like the neck. Its on the chunkier side of the spectrum though so thoose who like them thin might not dig it.

5. Love the size. With a slippery shirt and cheap strap, hangs parallel to the ground so not neck heavy like many 335 designs. It retains some of the semi-hollow vibe, not quite as much resonance as my Highland Royal, but so much more comfy.

So...she's a keeper. Will probably sell off my Highland at some point as a result.

Sounds good Will.
Thanks for the Info.
B_T

Very Nice Will!
I do hear some Marshall presence.
Especially when you Chord.
Keep Rockin,
T