Epiphone unveils two semi-hollow bodies and two basses. Semi-hollows include Ultra-339 and ES-339 PRO, and the basses are Toby Standard IV and Toby Deluxe IV.
People over at Epiphone are working hard these days and they bring us four new models right before the holidays. It is busy all over the place as electric guitar and electric bass departments have come up with two new models each. In the section of electric guitars, it is two semi-hollow bodied guitars from ES series. The models are high-tech Ultra-339 and sophisticated ES-339 PRO. They both come with smaller bodies to appeal to the growing number of solid body size accustomed players who want to play a semi-hollow, Bass department is refreshed with the reintroduction of the Tobias basses. Currently, the line is made up of two novelties, the Toby Standard IV and Toby Deluxe IV. These instruments are designed by Michael Tobias and produced by Epiphone and Gibson. They are aimed at young players eager for modern and sleek looking basses with powerful tone.
Epiphone Ultra-339
The name of this model speaks for itself, it is the technology packed version of the semi-hollow ES-339. The looks and classic features are still there, but the spotlights go to the Nanomag Shadow humbucker placed underneath the fingerboard for even greater range of this already versatile instrument. The tech infusion doesn`t stop here, this model also features a chromatic tuner with LED lights, as well as mono, stereo and USB outputs. This is all supported by a 9V battery placed in the casing on the back of the guitar. Other than that, this is just a regular ES-339 with a smaller body frame, two mighty and versatile humbuckers, 22 frets and slim taper mahogany neck.
Ultra-339 starts off with a down-sized semi-hollow body made of laminated maple top, back and sides. The center block is solid and made of maple. The top is flat and bound in creme with two "f" holes and a black pickguard. The reason for the down-sizing lies in the intent to appeal to the players accustomed to the size of the solid bodied guitars who want to switch to or add a semi-hollow bodied guitar to their arsenal. On top of the body, nickel plated tune-o-matic bridge with a stoptail bar commands the tone and sustain in class with the ones on legendary Gibsons. Pickup combo consists of Probucker 3 with Alnico II magnets in the bridge and ProBucker 2 with Alnico II magnets in the neck position. They are controlled through split volume and tone knobs. The pickup switch is a three way toggle.
The special feature on this model is a Nanomag Shadow humbucker which resides under the fingerboard and adds a new dimension to the word versatility. It is controlled through the gain, bass and treble knobs placed on the back panel of the guitar. Right next to the battery casing. As a trademark of the Ultra line, this model also has mono, stereo and USB output jacks. The battery is shut off when the guitar is plugged into the computer as power is supplied through the USB cable. Chromatic tuner is another important piece of technology on Ultra-339 and it features LED lights to signal whether the tone is flat, sharp or in tune.
Neck on Ultra-339 is made of mahogany and has a slim taper d shape from the 1960s, which was revolutionary back in the '60s and still remains among the sleekest and most comfortable options. Rosewood fingerboard is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets, dot inlays and 1.68 wide PVC nut. Scale is 24-3/4" long and the fingerboard radius measures at 12". Tuning machines are Wilkinson Vintage with tinted green tulip and 14:1 ratio. Other features include: nickel plated hardware, polyurethane gloss finish and single-ply white binding on the fingerboard. This model is available in cherry, vintage sunburst and natural color. The MSRP is set at $1,332.
Epiphone Ultra-339 is a smasher ready to take on any style and genre the player can think of. Check the Ultra-339 at our detail page or at Epiphone official web page.
Epiphone ES-339 PRO
This is the instrument that draws heavily on the tradition of the legendary ES series. The series started off with the ES-335 which became an instant classic. Since the 1950s and '60s were the time of the solid body boom, and solid bodies still rule the scene, players who grew up on solid bodied guitars find it hard to switch to a big ES-335. This is where the new ES-339 PRO comes in. It offers a slightly smaller body without compromising the tone and performance quality, but being more friendl towards the players accustomed to the smaller body shapes of the solid bodied guitars.
For starters, the ES-339 PRO is a semi-hollow bodied guitar with a double cutaway construction and flat top. The body is made of laminated maple with a solid center block. The top features single-ply creme binding, two "f" holes and a black pickguard. The bridge section is made up of nickel plated Locktone tune-o-matic bridge with a stoptail bar, a trusty old companion of many a legendary guitars and guitarists. Pickups on ES-339 PRO are Alnico II ProBucker 3 in the bridge and Alnico II ProBucker 2 in the neck position. A combo that can take the player wherever he or she desires to tread through the music jungle. They are manipulated through split volume and tone controls and a three-way toggle switch.
The neck on this model is made of mahogany and features the slim taper d contour from the 1960s. Extremely comfortable and fast, this contour adds up a lot to the overall playing experience. The fingerboard is made of rosewood and features 22 medium jumbo frets, dot inlays and 1.68" wide PVC nut. The scale on this model is standard 24-3/4" long and the fingerboard radius measures at 12". Wilkinson Vintage tuners with green tulip have 14:1 ratio and nickel plating. Other features include: pickguard, nickel hardware and a standard truss rod. This model is available in cherry, vintage sunburst, natural and ebony color options. The MSRP is set at $832.
Epiphone ES-339 PRO is standing at the crossroads of modern and vintage with it`s down-sized body, ProBucker pickups and 22 fret fingerboard. Check the ES-339 PRO at our detail page or at Epiphone official web page.
Epiphone Toby Deluxe IV
Epiphone reintroduces the Tobias basses. Cool, innovative, quality and good sounding instruments designed by Michael Tobias. These basses aim at the young players who want distinctive looks and tone packed into a quality made instrument. The reappearance of Tobias basses in the Epiphone catalog means that these basses will now be available to every player. Toby Deluxe IV is the flagship of the current Epiphone`s Tobias fleet. The line also has Toby Standard IV model. The Deluxe model is equipped with active electronics and wider color palette.
Toby Deluxe IV has a modern shaped double cutaway body with an offset waist and a flat top. The body is made of basswood and features no binding. The flush mount bridge is plated in black nickel and has fully adjustable saddles. The pickups are Tobias SCT single coil in the bridge and Tobias SCR single coil in the middle position. These pickups are controlled through following knobs: neck volume, pickup blend, master EQ and active Tonexpressor bass enhancement control. The Tonexpressor is the knob that allows the blending of the tone features and runs on a 9V battery mounted onto the bass.
The neck on this model is made of hard maple and has a distinctive asymmetrical contour which has bukier upper side and thinner lower side. It gives enough grip for the thumb and enough space for the fretting fingers. It is joined via the bolt-on joint. The rosewood fingerboard has 24 medium jumbo frets with no inlays and 1.68" wide PVC nut. The scale is 34" long and the fingerboard radius is 12" wide. Black Epiphone deluxe tuners have modern shape and a 14:1 ratio. Other features on Toby Deluxe IV include: black nickel hardware, polyurethane finish and black knurled metal dome knobs. This model is available in trans amber, trans black, trans red and walnut color options. The MSRP is set at $382.
Toby Deluxe IV with it`s cool looks, solid tone, active electronics and comfortable neck is a serious competitor in the entry level prtion of the market. Check Toby Deluxe IV at our detail page or at Epiphone official web page.
Epiphone Toby Standard IV
Toby Standard IV is the base model of the Tobias series and it`s assignment is to serve as the entry level instrument both for Epiphone and beginning players. It is packed with Michael Tobias features such as asymmetrical neck profile, sleek body design and Tobias single coil pickups. It differs from the Deluxe model in respect that it has passive circuitry and narrower color palette. Other than that, It is as good as the Deluxe model. This is the reintroduction of the original Tobias series of solid bodied bass guitars designed by Michael Tobias. This time also all of the key features which set Tobias basses well above the average are included.
Toby Standard IV is a solid bodied bass guitar with a double cutaway construction and a flat top. The top features no binding and no pickguard. The bridge is a flush mount with fully adjustable saddles and black nickel plating. Pickup department is made up of two Tobias designed pickups. The Tobias TBT single coil is placed in the bridge and Tobias TBT single coil is placed in the middle position. The tone they provide is solid and precise and ahead of the similarly priced options. It can be controlled through neck volume, pickup blend, bridge EQ and neck EQ knobs.
The neck on Toby Standard IV is made of hard maple and features an asymmetrical contour. Michael Tobias was one of the first to apply this ground-breaking contour solution to his basses. This contour provides enough grip for the thumb, as it is thicker on the upper side and gives a lot of room for the fretting fingers with thin lower end. The rosewood fingerboard features 24 medium jumbo frets, no inlays and 1.61" PVC nut. The scale is 34" long with the fingerboard radius measuring at 12 inches. Tuning machines are Epiphone deluxe die-cast with 14:1 ratio and modern shape. Other features include: polyurethane finish, black nickel hardware and standard 1/4" output jack. This model is available in ebony and alpine white color options. The MSRP is set at $249.
Epiphone Toby Standard IV is aimed at beginners and players on a strained budget who are looking for the maximum quality for their money. Check Toby standard IV at our detail page or at Epiphone official web page.
