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Average Price: $2,999

High-end/Boutique

$500

$1201+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

For musicians seeking a blend of classic style and modern playability, the Gibson ES-390 semi-hollowbody electric guitar stands out as a remarkable choice. This instrument marries the timeless allure of Gibson's craftsmanship with the innovative features that today's guitarists demand. Constructed with a laminated maple top, back, and sides, the ES-390 produces a vibrant and resonant tone, perfect for various genres from jazz to rock. Its compact body size offers enhanced comfort without sacrificing the rich, full sound characteristic of larger semi-hollow body guitars.

Equipped with a pair of Mini Humbucker pickups, the ES-390 delivers a clear and articulate sound that cuts through the mix while maintaining that warm, classic tone Gibson is renowned for. The slim taper neck profile ensures a comfortable grip and fast playability, making it ideal for both intricate fingerstyle playing and aggressive solos. This guitar also features a rosewood fingerboard, providing smooth action and adding to the overall tonal richness.

The Gibson ES-390 not only pays homage to its predecessors but also incorporates modern enhancements to meet the needs of contemporary musicians. Whether you're in the studio or on stage, this guitar is engineered to perform with elegance and precision.

Key Features:

  • Laminated maple top, back, and sides for vibrant resonance
  • Mini Humbucker pickups for clear and articulate sound
  • Slim taper neck profile for comfortable playability
  • Rosewood fingerboard for smooth action
  • Classic Gibson craftsmanship with modern enhancements

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-390 with Mini Humbuckers
Finish Ebony, Vintage Cherry, Vintage Sunburst
Year 2014 - 2016
Made In United States
Categories Hollow Body Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black, Brown, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson ES-390
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Gibson ES-390 feature?

The Gibson ES-390 is equipped with mini humbuckers, which provide a bright and articulate sound, making it versatile for various music genres.

Is the Gibson ES-390 suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the Gibson ES-390's fully hollow body and mini humbuckers produce warm, rich tones ideal for jazz, while its compact size enhances playability.

How does the Gibson ES-390 compare to the ES-335 in terms of size?

The Gibson ES-390 features a smaller body size compared to the ES-335, making it more comfortable for players who prefer a lighter and more compact guitar.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-390 like?

The Gibson ES-390 has a comfortable, slim-taper neck profile, which allows for easy playability and fast action across the fretboard.

Does the Gibson ES-390 have a fully hollow body or a semi-hollow body design?

The Gibson ES-390 features a fully hollow body design, contributing to its resonant and airy sound characteristics.

five watt world

five watt world

Gibson ES 390

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES 390 by five watt world

Gibson ES 390

five watt world

five watt world

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P-90's Overview by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P-90's Overview

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-390 Gloss  •  SN: CS252708 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-390 Gloss • SN: CS252708

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-390 with P-90's Hollowbody Electric Guitar by Musician's Friend

Gibson ES-390 with P-90's Hollowbody Electric Guitar

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for The New Gibson Memphis ES-390 w/ P90's  •  NAMM 2014 by Wildwood Guitars

The New Gibson Memphis ES-390 w/ P90's • NAMM 2014

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-390 Hollowbody Electric Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Gibson Memphis ES-390 Hollowbody Electric Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P-90s Gloss  •  SN: 10224710 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P-90s Gloss • SN: 10224710

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis ES-390 Electric Guitar Overview - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Gibson Memphis ES-390 Electric Guitar Overview - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for The Mysterious Gibson ES-390 by Fretboard Confidential

The Mysterious Gibson ES-390

Fretboard Confidential

Fretboard Confidential

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES-335 vs Gibson ES-390 - PART 1 by Guitar Wars Community

Gibson ES-335 vs Gibson ES-390 - PART 1

Guitar Wars Community

Guitar Wars Community

Video thumbnail for Gibson ES 390 Custom Shop Red Semi Hollow #12463717, Used—Quick 'n' Dirty by soundpurestudios

Gibson ES 390 Custom Shop Red Semi Hollow #12463717, Used—Quick 'n' Dirty

soundpurestudios

soundpurestudios

Video thumbnail for 22 Meet the Guitars Gibson ES 390 "Parker" by Wayne Memphis Mojo

22 Meet the Guitars Gibson ES 390 "Parker"

Wayne Memphis Mojo

Wayne Memphis Mojo

Video thumbnail for Watchtower Guitars presents Oz Noy - 2015 Gibson Memphis ES-390 Sixties Cherry Two Rock TS-1 & Klon by Watchtower Guitars

Watchtower Guitars presents Oz Noy - 2015 Gibson Memphis ES-390 Sixties Cherry Two Rock TS-1 & Klon

Watchtower Guitars

Watchtower Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Extremely lightweight, offering great comfort during extended play sessions

  • Classic Gibson hollow body sound with a unique tonal character

  • P90 pickups provide a clear, distinctive sound with minimal hum when properly wired

  • Smaller body size enhances playability and ease of handling

  • Stunning visual appeal with elegant finishes like sunburst and cherry red

  • Versatile tones suitable for blues, jazz, and rock genres

  • Offers a blend of single-coil and humbucker tones with mini humbuckers

  • Comfortable neck profile reminiscent of 50s and 60s Gibson models

  • High-quality craftsmanship with excellent intonation and low action

CONS

  • Poor initial wiring of P90s can cause excessive hum

  • Lack of individual height adjustments on the ABR bridge

  • Potential feedback issues common with hollow body designs

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-390.

Features and functionality

  • The ES-390 is fully hollow with Memphis spec P-90 pickups, known for their woody and full tone, ideal for clean and high-volume play.

    Source
  • The ES-390 was originally produced with P-90 pickups before switching to mini humbuckers, reflecting a shift in design preferences or performance objectives.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that despite being fully hollow, the ES-390 is surprisingly well-balanced and not neck heavy as some might expect.

    Source
  • One owner highlights a preference for using the guitar with specific amps for optimal performance, emphasizing the importance of amp-guitar synergy.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • It pairs exceptionally well with Fender Pro or Twin Reverb amps, delivering a magical sound, especially when aiming for controlled feedback and long sustain.

    Source
  • The ES-390's fully hollow body is ideal for clean tones but may struggle with high gain due to feedback issues.

    Source

Comparisons

  • While similar to the ES-330 and Epiphone Casino, the ES-390 is noted for its unique tonal qualities that differ from these models.

    Source
  • The ES-390 with mini humbuckers is favored over models with P-90s for its versatility, especially when paired with a Fender Deluxe 40-watt tube amp.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners prefer swapping stock Gibson P-90s for Lollars or Fralins in different guitars, suggesting a potential upgrade path for improved sound.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
ashrafimaduddin

The best electric spanish

Prefer with mini humbuckers. sweet sounding

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mike McCready uses Gibson ES-390

Mike McCready

Guitarist

Pearl Jam

...
Verified via Photo

Mike McCready with Gibson ES-390 Red

See how Taylor York uses Gibson ES-390

Taylor York

Guitarist

Paramore

...
Verified via Photo

In a photo taken in Nashville, TN, Taylor York is seen with a guitar that appears to be a Gibson ES-330, not an ES-390. The distinction is evident as the neck connects to the body at the 15th fret, typical of the ES-330, and the body size resembles that of an ES-335, unlike the smaller ES-339 size of the ES-390.

  • Gampa Dug
See how Jake Bugg uses Gibson ES-390

Jake Bugg

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Folk artist Jake Bugg performs his instrumental piece "Strange Creatures" off of his 2013 album "Shangri La" on a Gibson ES-390. This model is on a Fade Cherry finish.

J

Jamie Arentzen

Guitarist

American Hi-Fi

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Miley Cyrus - Obsessed - Live in Portland, OR (Wonder World Tour 2009)," Jamie Arentzen can be seen performing with a Red Gibson ES-390.

See how Dylan LeBlanc uses Gibson ES-390

Dylan LeBlanc

Guitarist, Singer

...
Verified via Photo

According to his Instagram, LeBlanc plays a black ES-390 Mempis with a Bigsby which he calls "Betsy". "Betsy" is also mentioned under his gear list in 2021 Guitar World interview.

Album Usage

The Gibson ES-390 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Community setups

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B

brownwoodnative

Gear IQ 49

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