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Description

The Gibson ES-335 Bigsby is a harmonious blend of vintage allure and modern craftsmanship, capturing the essence of the iconic 1963 model. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar not only embodies Gibson's historical legacy with its unpotted MHS humbuckers, but also offers an expansive tonal palette, making it a versatile companion for any musician. The dual humbuckers deliver everything from smooth jazz and country twang to gritty blues and rock, ensuring that every note resonates with clarity and warmth.

Crafted with a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple construction, the ES-335 Bigsby boasts a semi-hollow design that enhances harmonic richness and sustain. Its neck is hide-glued for enhanced tonal qualities, paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring classic block inlays. The Bigsby B-7 tailpiece adds a touch of vintage flair while providing smooth vibrato effects, making it ideal for both subtle expression and dynamic performances.

Designed for authenticity, the guitar features period-correct appointments such as a historic truss rod and window center block, ensuring that it remains true to its legendary predecessor. Whether you're a jazz aficionado or a rock enthusiast, the Gibson ES-335 Bigsby invites you to explore a world of sonic possibilities, all while relishing in its timeless elegance and superior playability.

Key Features:

  • Semi-hollowbody design with 3-ply maple/poplar/maple top, back, and sides
  • Unpotted MHS humbuckers (Alnico III neck, Alnico II bridge) for versatile tones
  • Historic truss rod and window center block for vintage authenticity
  • Hide-glued mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and block inlays
  • Bigsby B-7 tailpiece for classic vibrato effects
  • Individual tone, volume, and Varitone controls for precise sound shaping
  • Double-ring tulip button Kluson tuners for stable tuning and classic look

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-335 Bigsby.

Setup and maintenance

  • Installing a String Butler V1, which is aluminum, can improve tuning stability by keeping strings straight over the nut.

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  • Using lube in the nut slots can prevent string binding and improve tuning stability without additional modifications.

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  • Switching to a Bricks Biggsfix tension bar and sanding saddle and nut slots improves tuning stability and playability on Bigsby-equipped ES-335s.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Gotoh SGV510Z 1:21 tuners or Kluson Revolution E-Mount 1:20 tuners are recommended for better tuning precision and ease of string changes.

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  • A Vibramate String Spoiler can simplify string changes on a Bigsby-equipped guitar.

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  • Replacing the stock spring with a Reverend Soft Touch spring in the Bigsby can enhance playability.

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  • The Towner bar with a Bigsby B6 offers no-drill installation, adjustable string break angle, and grounding through the bar without extra metal plates.

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  • The Duesenberg Les Trem can be installed on stock tailpiece posts as a simpler alternative to a Bigsby, enhancing versatility without complex modifications.

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Features and functionality

  • Bigsby-equipped guitars may experience increased string tension and a slightly brighter tone due to the longer string length.

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  • Installing a Bigsby the classical way, without Vibramate, may offer better tuning stability and aesthetics according to some owners.

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  • Using string gauges of 10-46 is recommended for optimal performance with a Bigsby, as lighter strings like 9s may not maintain tuning stability.

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User experience

  • Vibramate adapters can leave non-removable marks where felt pads rest, potentially affecting guitar value.

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  • Owners with extensive guitar collections value having just one Bigsby-equipped guitar for variety, noting it's more of a specialty item than a staple.

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Build quality

  • Some dislike the clumsy look of Vibramates due to the extension covering tailpiece holes, preferring custom plaques for a cleaner appearance.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
antonious_healious

Twang, growl, smooth.

Man this guitar is just great. I'll never sell it. But mines a sunburt 333, not listen here.

jimmarchi1

I see you posted the 333 too, you should delete this review since you don't have an actual 335 (the 333 has a few non-cosmetic differences) and when you say 335 with bigsby the implication is a factory bigsby, not one you added.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Robert Levon Been uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Robert Levon Been

Singer, Guitarist

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo, Been can be seen playing a Gibson ES-335 with Bigsby.

See how Carl Wilson uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Carl Wilson

Singer, Guitarist

The Beach Boys

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo of Carl, he can be seen playing 1 of two of his Gibson ES-335's.

See how Laufey uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Laufey

Keyboardist, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube short titled "From The Start live from Beijing," Laufey is seen playing a Gibson ES-335 Electric Guitar with Bigsby Vibrato. The guitar appears to be a vintage model, potentially from 1959-60, featuring a "custom made" plaque and a varitone switch. Notably, it includes period-accurate Grover tuners and a longer 5-ply celluloid tortoiseshell pickguard, distinct from the shorter 1960 version. The Bigsby vibrato may be a newer unit, indicated by its pristine black paint, yet the arm stud suggests a 1960s origin. There is speculation that this might be a modified Custom Shop model or a loaner from Gibson’s collection, as Laufey has been seen with various Gibson and Epiphone guitars throughout the year, particularly for this concert.

See how Richard Hawley uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Richard Hawley

Singer, Guitarist

Pulp

...
Verified via YouTube

"The way it kind of feeds back is heavenly...The playability is just amazing," says Hawley, about his Gibson ES-335, at 0:30 in this video.

See how Travis Stever uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Travis Stever

Guitarist

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via YouTube

for the live debute of Dark Sentencer by Coheed and Cambria, Travis can be seen using a 335 with a bigsby tremolo arm

See how Winston Marshall uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Winston Marshall

Guitarist

Mumford & Sons

...
Verified via YouTube

Winston primarily uses this brown electric guitar on Wilder Mind, the new album, The item can been seen at 0:12, 0:21 and 0:48 the clearest.

See how Neal Morse uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Neal Morse

Singer, Guitarist

Flying Colors

...
Verified via Photo

In this interview, Neal Morse says:

"I never could afford to get a ’62, but several years ago, I was able to get a ’68 with a Bigsby on it. So I have a — it’s one of my favorite guitars to record with, because I like the brights — I like the treble and I also like the neck pickup, as well. So my electric guitar of choice is this old Gibson 335."

See how William Farquarson uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

William Farquarson

Guitarist, Bassist

Bastille

...
Verified via Photo

William can be seen here performing with Bastille. The instrument in use is a Gibson Dot with Bigsby.

See how Aaron Bruno uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Aaron Bruno

Singer, Guitarist

Under the Influence of Giants

...
Verified via Guitar.com | All Things Guitar

in this interview there is a picture of aaron playing this guitar

See how Harry McVeigh uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Harry McVeigh

Singer, Guitarist

White Lies

...
Verified via YouTube

Harry has been seen playing this ebony-colored Gibson ES-335 since his first gigs in 2008. A Bigsby B700 was fitted to the guitar around 2009 during his early tours with White Lies (Here you can see the guitar before being fitted with the Bigsby B700, with its stock nut and cream switch tip: Video). The holes left by the stoptail removal were patched, with the repair work slightly visible in certain light angles.

Specs-wise, it has Grover Original Rotomatics tuning keys and a pair of humbucker pickups, both of them probably stock. The guitar also has a pair of Schaller strap locks, a Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL nut and a matching black switch tip.

See how Torres uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Torres

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Premierguitar

An interview with Premier Guitar states: Her right-hand approach is unorthodox: classical-style fingerpicking on an electric, usually a beautiful black Gibson ES-335 or an abused Fender Jazzmaster

See how Kevin Devine uses Gibson ES-335 Bigsby

Kevin Devine

Singer, Guitarist

Bad Books

...
Verified via Twitter

"Random gear thought, but true: I am wildly in love with both my Gibson 335 and the j-185 acoustic with the cutaway. Durable and versatile." This is from his tweet in the link and looking up pictures of him online we see a red Gibson 335 Hollowbody.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson ES-335 Bigsby, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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taoyier

taoyier

Gear IQ 1141

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