A 1960 ES-355 reimagined with figured maple and Murphy Lab light aging
The 1960 ES 355™ Reissue with Figured Maple, Light Aged, Sixties Cherry represents the pinnacle of Gibson Custom craftsmanship. It was created as part of the Gibson Custom Limited Edition Collection. Inspired by standout Made to Measure custom orders and the imagination of the artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, this Limited Edition model celebrates one of the most upscale and sonically versatile semi-hollow designs from the first Gibson Golden Age. With its figured maple top veneer and unmistakable Sixties Cherry finish, it is a beautiful classic.
The body is crafted from a layered combination of figured maple, poplar, and maple, showcasing the time-honored construction that has made ES™ instruments so versatile and expressive for generations. Multi-ply binding on the top and back elevates the elegance of the design, while the semi-hollow construction contributes a warm, open resonance that remains highly responsive to the player’s dynamics. A solid maple centerblock enhances sustain, definition, and feedback resistance, making the guitar equally at home playing clean, jazzy tones or driven, blues and rock styles. The Light Aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish, artfully executed by the Murphy Lab, brings authentic character through hand-applied aging that simulates decades of careful, real-world use.
The one-piece mahogany neck is shaped to the familiar slim, Authentic 1961 profile, a fast, comfortable carve long appreciated by many players. A long neck tenon ensures rock-solid stability and enhanced tonal transfer between the neck and body. The ebony fretboard provides a comfortable playing surface, accented by mother-of-pearl block inlays and single ply binding. Reissue medium jumbo frets and a 12 inch fretboard radius deliver vintage authenticity and superb playability, offering smooth bends and even response across the entire 24.75 inch scale length.
A pair of Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups anchors the tone, recreating the clarity, warmth, and harmonic complexity of vintage Patent Applied For humbuckers™ from the early 1960s. Their dynamic, open character makes the most of the semi-hollow design, while the traditional two volume, two tone control layout and three-way toggle switch allow players to shape a wide spectrum of tones. From brilliant, clean passages to rich, singing lead work, the tone is unmistakably expressive and exceptionally versatile.
Gold hardware, an ABR 1 Tune O Matic™ bridge, a Stop Bar tailpiece, Grover® Rotomatic® tuners, black plastics, and black Top Hat knobs complete the period-correct aesthetic. The multi-ply bound headstock features the Gibson logo and a Custom split diamond inlaid in mother of pearl, underscoring its status as the top-of-the-line ES model from Gibson Custom. Every guitar includes a Certificate of Authenticity and a Lifton™ reissue hardshell case.
All instruments from Music Makers are professionally evaluated and set-up in our historic Galesburg, IL. storefront prior to shipping.
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