Year: 2024
Builder: Gibson
Series: Original
Model: ES-335
Color: Sixties Cherry
Hardware Finish: Nickel
Serial Number: 216640104
Body: Laminated Maple
Body Type: Semi-Hollowbody
Body Bracing: Spruce
Body Centerblock: Maple
Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Binding: Cream
Cutaway: Double
Pickguard: 5-Ply Black
Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece: Aluminum Stop Bar
Fretboard: Rosewood
Fretboard Binding: Cream
Fretboard Inlay: Acrylic Dots
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Rounded "C"
Neck Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Nut: Graph Tech
Headstock: Gibson "Open Book"
Headstock Binding: None
Headstock Logo: Pearl Gibson Logo
Headstock Inlay: Pearl Crown
Tuners: Vintage Deluxe
Neck Pickup: Calibrated T-Type Rhythm HB
Bridge Pickup: Calibrated T-Type Lead HB
Pickup Switching: 3-Way
Control Knobs: Black Top Hat
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
Case: Gibson deluxe hardshell case
Body Size/Shape: ES-335
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
Frets to Body: 19
Fretboard Radius: 12"
Scale Length: 24.75"
Nut Width: 1.695"
Body Width: 16"
Body Depth: 1.75"
Strings: D'Addario EXL110 (.010-.046)
The Gibson ES-335—along with the Stratocaster, Telecaster, and Les Paul—is one of the four iconic electric guitars, and upon its introduction in 1958, became the very first semi-hollowbody electric guitar. Yet despite its legendary status, I'd never owned one—until now.
I'd always
wanted one, but I just never felt right spending that much on an electric guitar—although I've never had the same qualms about buying really nice acoustics. So, over the years I've probably owned a dozen "335-style" semi-hollowbody guitars—and although all of them were quite good instruments, they weren't the real thing.
When I recently ended up with a nice chunk of spending money after taking on some additional work, I decided it was time to splurge and finally get a 335. I wasn't sure I'd ever have a better opportunity, and didn't want to end up regretting never having owned one.
As someone who plays mostly blues and jazz on electric guitar, the ES-335's warm clean tones are a perfect fit—but one of my favorite things about this guitar is its versatility. Many people have argued that a 335 is the most versatile electric guitar because of how well it can handle a wide variety of tones and excel at so many different styles. I think the Telecaster is the probably only other guitar that can match its versatility.
The 335 (and 335-style) players who originally influenced me as a blues guitarist were B.B. King and Eric Clapton (during the Cream years). I loved the thick, warm sounds those guys got—especially B.B., who leaner more toward the cleaner tones that I prefer. I was also a big fan of Alex Lifeson of Rush and Larry Carlton ("Mr. 335")—both as a solo artist and for his work with Steely Dan.
The 335, Strat, and Tele are the perfect trio of guitars—at least for me. Between those three guitars, I can get so many classic guitar tones and cover a huge range of musical styles. I also love that they're all instruments with such an iconic look, due to their historical significance and the number of influential players who've used them over the years.
