Gibson

In this business, one can hardly mutter 335 without conjuring images from the origins of rock ‘n roll, like Chuck Berry duck-walking across the stage. Indeed, from Larry Carlton to Eric Clapton, the ES-335 has beamed out as an icon resting in the hands of giants since it was introduced in 1958. Accordingly, the double-cutaway Gibson “Electro-Spanish” semi-hollow body is just simply one of those guitars that any serious guitar nerd just wants! The ES-335 has the distinction of being the first commercially available semi-hollow body guitar. It was designed to find the warmer, more resonant middle ground between solid body electric guitars (which were still nascent in the late ‘50s) and the more feedback-prone hollowbody archtops. Moreover, the semi-hollow design allowed for a lighter and more physically balanced guitar. Needless to say, the ES-335 design was a success, allowing players all of the versatility and comfort that Gibson boasted.

This particular Historic Reissue boasts a pair of unspotted Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker pickups, 2 Volume / 2 Tone CTS 500k pots with paper-in-oil capacitors, a ’59 Medium “C” Neck carve, and Gibson’s VOS (Vintage Original Sheen) Finish which gives off a satin patina, without being reliced.

Tonally this guitar does everything you have come to know and love from an ES style guitar. Played clean, the bridge pickup has a sparkling chime without being piercing, the neck pickup is dark with a robust low end, without being boomy or muddy. The middle position is a perfect balance of bright attack and roundness of tone. Throw some dirt on that gain stage and this guitar still shines, articulate and aggressive as you like in all pickup positions. This guitar is truly a suitable companion for any player of any type of music, able to answer the call for whatever you may throw at it.

Cosmetic Condition:

While visually in excellent condition, under harsh light there are a few minor blemishes to note. On the front of the guitar there is minor scuffing consistent with light playing with a pick. There is also a pair of small dings in the middle, between the bridge and the butt. At the headstock there is a pin head sized ding on the treble wing. There is a small finish dent on the back near the butt, as well as several grooves in the clear coat in the middle of the back near the waist. With these considerations we would consider this guitar to be in EXCELLENT condition.

• Double Venetian Cutaway Semi-Hollow Body
• 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple body with Solid Maple Center Block
• 1-Ply Royalite Binding
• Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Mahogany Neck
• Indian Rosewood Fretboard
• Perloid Dot Inlays
• ’59 Medium C Neck Carve
• Unpotted Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker Pickups
• ABR-1 Bridge with Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar
• Kluson Single Line Tuners
• Black 5-Ply Wide Bevel Pickguard
• Nylon Nut
• 1.687” Nut Width
• 24.75” Scale Length
• 22 Medium Jumbo Frets
• 500k Volume and Tone Pots
• Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
• Hardshell Case