Gibson ES-335
4.8 1 vote

Gibson ES-335

Official Page

Overview

The Gibson ES-335 is a semi-hollow electric guitar that bridges the gap between the warmth of a hollow body and the feedback resistance of a solid body, making it a top choice for blues, jazz, and roots rock players. It features a laminated maple-poplar-maple body with a solid maple center block, a rounded C-shaped mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets on a 12-inch radius. Two MHS humbucking pickups deliver lush, resonant clean tones with a distinctive woody character that solid body guitars simply cannot replicate, while the center block allows the guitar to handle higher gain levels without excessive feedback. The semi-hollow construction produces a naturally airy, three-dimensional sound that responds beautifully to dynamic playing and volume adjustments. Build quality is befitting a premium Gibson instrument, with careful binding, quality finish work, and well-installed hardware including a Memphis Tune-O-Matic bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners. This guitar is ideal for experienced players seeking the tonal complexity and visual elegance of a semi-hollow design. The larger body dimensions and higher price point make it less practical as a first electric guitar.

Electric Guitars

The legendary semi-hollow guitar with MHS humbuckers and a solid maple center block, delivering lush, woody clean tones with three-dimensional resonance that bridges hollow warmth and solid-body feedback resistance.

Instrument Details

$3,499 Advanced
Brand Gibson
Type Semi-Hollow Electric
Made In USA
Year 1958
4.8 1 vote

AI Reviews

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Gemini 3 Flash Preview Google
4.8 /5

The Gibson ES-335 remains the definitive benchmark for semi-hollow design, offering a sophisticated balance that few competitors can truly replicate. Its maple-poplar-maple body, anchored by a solid maple center block, provides that signature 'thump' and sustain of a solid body while retaining the airy, acoustic resonance of a hollow build.

Sonically, the current Calibrated T-Type humbuckers are a highlight. They lean into a vintage-inspired clarity that avoids the mud often found in high-output pickups, allowing for articulate jazz runs and gritty, harmonically rich blues-rock leads. The playability is quintessential Gibson; the Rounded 'C' mahogany neck feels substantial without being cumbersome, and the Plek-dressed frets ensure a low, buzz-free action right out of the case.

However, the ES-335 is a large instrument, and players used to smaller solid bodies might find the 16-inch lower bout ergonomically challenging during long sets. While the price tag represents a significant investment, the impeccable nitrocellulose finish and the model's legendary resale value justify the cost for serious professionals. It's a 'desert island' guitar that excels in almost any genre, from smoky jazz clubs to high-gain arena rock, provided you can handle the physical footprint.

Category Ratings

Electric Guitars
4.8
Feb 15, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
Gibson ES-335 Screenshot

Added: Feb 11, 2026

gibson.com/en-US/p/Electric-Guitar/USAVLJ627/Sixties-Cherry

Categories

Electric Guitars