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Description

The Gibson ES-390 with P90s is the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern playability, offering an exceptional hollowbody experience in a compact design. This semi-hollow electric guitar captures the essence of the classic ES-330 style but in a smaller, more manageable body akin to the ES-339. Crafted with a maple laminate top, back, and sides, the ES-390 provides a rich, resonant sound with superb articulation.

What truly sets this guitar apart is its dual P-90 pickups. Known for their ability to produce a wide range of tones, these pickups allow you to seamlessly transition from the warm, mellow sounds of jazz to the gritty, raw edge of blues and rock. Each pickup is equipped with its own volume and tone control, offering an expansive tonal palette at your fingertips.

The Gibson ES-390 is not just about sound; it's about feel. The thinline body is lightweight and comfortable, making it ideal for long jam sessions or gigs. The mahogany neck features rounded fingerboard binding, enhancing the playability and ensuring a smooth, responsive touch. Adding to this, Gibson's Plek Pro fretboard optimization guarantees precision and effortless action, making every strum and solo feel intuitive and satisfying.

Whether you're a jazz aficionado, a blues enthusiast, or a rock-and-roll rebel, the Gibson ES-390 with P90s invites you into a world of sonic exploration with its perfect mix of heritage and innovation.

Key Features:

  • Full hollowbody construction with a compact ES-339 body size
  • Dual P-90 pickups for vintage tone versatility
  • Maple top, back, and sides for rich resonance
  • Thinline body for lightweight comfort
  • Mahogany neck with rounded fingerboard binding
  • Plek Pro fretboard optimization for precise action
  • Includes a hardshell case

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model ES-390 with P90s
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 SS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the body type of the Gibson ES-390 with P90s?

The Gibson ES-390 features a fully hollow body design, providing a rich, resonant tone with enhanced acoustic characteristics typical of hollowbody guitars.

How do the P90 pickups on the Gibson ES-390 affect its sound?

The P90 pickups on the Gibson ES-390 deliver a powerful, bright tone with a unique midrange growl, making it ideal for genres like blues and rock.

Is the Gibson ES-390 with P90s suitable for jazz music?

Yes, the Gibson ES-390's hollow body and P90 pickups offer a warm, rich tone that is well-suited for jazz, providing clarity and depth in clean settings.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson ES-390 with P90s?

The Gibson ES-390 features a set-neck construction, which provides smooth playability and easy access to all 22 frets, making it comfortable for various playing styles.

How does the Gibson ES-390 compare to the ES-339?

While both models offer a similar aesthetic, the ES-390 is fully hollow and smaller than the ES-339, providing a different tonal character and lightweight feel.

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

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

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 2014 Gibson ES-390 w/ P-90s by Peter Keane

2014 Gibson ES-390 w/ P-90s

Peter Keane

Peter Keane

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptionally comfortable and playable; lightweight design enhances ease of use

  • P90 pickups deliver crystal-clear sound with minimal hum

  • Impressive overdriven tones, perfect for blues, jazz, and rock

  • Stunning visual appeal with classic sunburst or cherry finish

  • Compact size makes it a versatile, portable choice

  • High-quality craftsmanship with impeccable finish

  • Offers a big, fat sound with single-coil characteristics

CONS

  • Internal wire vibrations may require DIY adjustments

  • ABR bridge lacks individual height adjustments

  • Prone to feedback (larsen), typical in hollow bodies

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-390 with P90s.

Use cases and applications

  • The Gibson ES-390 with P90s excels in clean tones but can struggle with feedback and noise under high gain settings.

    Source
  • The ES-390 excels as a couch guitar for casual playing and shines through amps like Pro Reverb or Twin Reverb, delivering a woody, full sound.

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Comparisons

  • The ES-390 is fully hollow, unlike the semi-hollow ES-339, making it less suitable for overdriven tones but superior for clean, digital amp sounds.

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  • The ES-390, with Memphis-spec P90s, is likened to a 1969 style tone, pairing well with a Vox AC-30 for a jangle and scream sound.

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  • The Epiphone Casino is suggested as a budget-friendly alternative for those seeking a hollow-body guitar with P90 pickups, noted for its similar aesthetic appeal.

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Features and functionality

  • It's noted that the ES-390 was initially produced with P90s before Gibson switched to mini-humbuckers, suggesting a design preference change.

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  • Owners describe the ES-390's Memphis-spec P90s as "woody sounding" and capable of delivering controlled feedback and sustain for days.

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  • The ES-390 in sunburst finish is particularly admired, with some owners expressing a preference for this aesthetic over others available.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Owners often swap stock Gibson P90s for aftermarket options like Lollars and Fralins to enhance tone quality.

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Build quality

  • Owners note the ES-390 is surprisingly well-balanced and not neck heavy, despite being fully hollow, which counters common assumptions about similar models.

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User experience

  • One owner named their ES-390 "Ella" due to its singing quality, highlighting the guitar's emotional connection and sonic appeal.

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  • One owner describes the ES-390 as a "true gem" in the lineup, highlighting its rarity and lightweight design, weighing less than 5 pounds.

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Critic Reviews

Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P90s

guitarlifestyle.com

The Gibson Memphis ES-390 with P90s offers a compact design akin to the ES-339, promising comfort even for players used to a Les Paul's dimensions. While the initial model with mini-humbuckers left some players wanting, the introduction of P90s has sparked interest in its tonal possibilities. This guitar intrigues with its potential, but the review remains speculative, lacking firsthand insight into its sound. Players curious about the blend of a fully hollow body with P90 pickups might find this model worth exploring, yet the lack of direct evaluation leaves some questions unanswered.

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