At Gibson, we understand that not everyone has the same tastes in guitars. Some prefer one model over another, and even within models, players may prefer a specific year or range of years, depending on changes to the model over time, such as color variations, different pickups, subtle feature variations (e.g., pickguards, inlays, and plastics), and different neck profiles. Our Les Paul™ Standard 50s and 60s models have been a huge hit with players, in part because they offer the opportunity to find the guitar that best fits their preferences and needs. Now, Gibson is providing the same option to ES-335™ fans with the introduction of the ES-335 50s and ES-335 60s models.
The ES-335 50s delivers the classic features of the earliest ES-335 models, first introduced in 1958. The ES-335 50s features a semi-hollow, thinline body crafted from three-ply maple, poplar, and maple, with a solid maple centerblock that increases sustain while also greatly reducing feedback. For a touch of added style, the body has single-ply cream binding around the top and back.
Like those early ES-335 models, the mahogany neck sports a beefier Rounded C profile that feels satisfyingly substantial in the hand. The bound rosewood fretboard is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets and adorned with simple acrylic dot inlays, mirroring the look of the early “dot neck” ES-335 models. The headstock is equipped with Vintage Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons, which, in partnership with the Graph Tech® nut, help to keep the tuning nice and stable. The headstock is also adorned with a mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and crown inlay.
The other ends of the strings pass over an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and anchor to an aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece. They add to the guitar’s excellent sustain while allowing for comprehensive adjustment of action height and individual string intonation.
The ES-335 50s is powered by a pair of Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets. These pickups are renowned for their ability to deliver the tonal magic of those early, highly prized Patent Applied For humbucker™ pickups from the late 1950s. Each is paired with individual hand-wired 500k volume and tone controls, which, along with a three-way pickup selector toggle switch, provide the wide range of tonal versatility for which the ES-335 is famous.
A ’59-style, five-ply long pickguard and gold Top Hat knobs with dial pointers complete the 50s vintage-inspired look. Available in your choice of Vintage Tobacco Burst, Vintage Natural, and Ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, a Gibson hardshell case completes the package. This is the ES-335 for you if you prefer the larger neck profile and cosmetics of those earliest ES-335 models that players have loved for over 60 years.
All instruments from Music Makers are professionally evaluated and set-up in our historic Galesburg, IL. storefront prior to shipping.
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