How did you get it? I've been looking everywhere for any Government Series guitars but they're all lost, and the ones left are going up to 3k in USD.

I picked it up about a year ago at a GC in Central Houston.

I got mine last summer from Rainbow Guitars. Only 300 were made, but I think there are still some out in circulation. I just did a Google search and found some prominent music gear stores have it in stock.

Yup, but they're very pricey, and Les Pauls are much more rare. Hell, I can't even find a Les Paul with the pickguard.

Well, I did pay $2899 for mine new, but it doesn't appear that the price has gone up just yet. It probably will in a few years. I've seen some of the earlier Government Series guitars (mostly Les Pauls) that were originally sold at $999 now being sold at double that price. And the first series were basically Studio versions of the guitars. Being that this is a proper ES-335, $2899 is pretty much what you'd pay for a brand new traditional version of the guitar. I think even on eBay I'm seeng the same prices.

2900 is really not bad for a recent gibson 335 that's new or in new condition, guys

I actually got my 2015 Gibson Memphis ES-335 in Sunburst for under $2200 brand new back in August. I was lucky to hit a sale as it was my birthday weekend. I also made them give me a free strap and dust cloth. ;)

2016 model is something like $3500... not bad.

I find that new or mint Memphis 335s that weigh in where I like, have a neck shape I like and really resonate unplugged cost about $2500 to 3500. Every time I find a deal I can't get enxt to the guitar so I pass. anything over $1.5k as a uy makes me picky and $2.5k is generally more than I can afford to spend on one guitar though I came really close to buying a fat neck 59 reissue for that money 2 years ago. I had store credit to the tune of a grand I think and was really tempted to drop the motherload on that 335. They ahd 2 of them and they were really different in feel and tone. One was just right up my alley and if I were wealthy I woulda bought both because they were both light, resonant and special. Couldn't do it though, turned my credit into another ac30 instead and bought my 70s Yamaha right afterwards and decided to stop looking at Gibson Memphis guitars. kudos to you for getting one you like for less than 2.5k, man, If I encountered one for less that I liked it would be coming home, hell or high water.

I keep thinking I will just lay off guitar buying for the foreseeable future and in a couple years get one of the less desireable vintage Gibby thinlines. I love 345s and if you get the right year it will have a decent neck, wide nut and be drilled for a stop tail under the "custom made" plack. I as long as she has the PAFs I will be happy even if hes fucked with otherwise. I can convert her to mono myself....

I keep saying I'm done buying guitars and then I buy another one. I do have a bucket list that I just finished, though...sort of. I had been searching for a ES-335 in Transparent Black Satin. Finally found one. It will be here next week. Ever since that Chris Cornell signature came out, I wanted that style, but not HIS guitar. I just wanted a black ES with a satin finish. I also like the older thinlines, but I like the ES-225. Those are hard to find good deals as well and with the pickup configuration I want.