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Description
Step into the realm of musical legends with the Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar, a true icon in the world of semi-hollowbody electric guitars. Revered by musicians for its elegant craftsmanship and versatile sound, the ES-355 merges vintage aesthetics with modern playability, offering a harmonious blend of style and substance. Its '57 Classic humbuckers deliver that unmistakable vintage PAF tone, capturing the essence of the late '50s while providing the clarity and warmth that define the Gibson legacy.
The guitar's body is crafted from high-quality laminate maple, ensuring a bright, resonant tone that's perfect for a wide range of genres—from bluesy riffs to rock anthems. The mahogany neck, featuring a 1960 slim taper profile, allows for fast, effortless fretwork, making it a dream for any guitarist who loves to explore the neck with ease. The rosewood fingerboard, adorned with elegant pearloid block inlays, adds a touch of sophistication to this already stunning instrument.
Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Gibson ES-355 promises to deliver both punch and finesse, making it a favored choice among discerning players. Its timeless design and superior craftsmanship make it not just an instrument, but a piece of musical history.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollowbody design with classic archtop aesthetics
- Laminate maple top, back, and sides for vibrant tone
- '57 Classic pickups for vintage PAF sound
- Mahogany neck with a 1960 slim taper profile
- Rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlays
- Includes a Custom Shop hardshell case for protection and style
Product specs
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Semi-hollow or chambered body |
| Body material | Laminated |
| Top wood | 3-Ply AAA Figured Maple/poplar/maple |
| Body wood | 3-ply AAA Figured Maple/poplar/maple |
| Body finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C rounded |
| Neck wood | Quartersawn Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Gloss Nitrocellulose |
| Material | Dark Rosewood |
| Radius | 12 in. |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Full Block |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | MHS II Rhythm |
| Bridge | MHS II Lead |
| Brand | Gibson |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Special electronics | Orange drop capacitor |
| Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2 |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | ABR-1 Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Grover kidney |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Case | Hardshell case |
| Country of origin | United States |
FAQs
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What kind of music genres is the Gibson ES-355 best suited for?
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The Gibson ES-355 is versatile and well-suited for genres like jazz, blues, and rock, thanks to its semi-hollow body design and warm, resonant tone.
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How does the neck profile of the Gibson ES-355 affect playability?
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The C-shaped neck profile of the Gibson ES-355 provides a comfortable grip, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead playing styles, enhancing overall playability for various hand sizes.
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Gibson ES-355 pickups?
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The MHS II pickups on the Gibson ES-355 offer a balanced and articulate tone, delivering warm lows, clear mids, and bright highs, making it ideal for expressive playing in multiple genres.
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Is the Gibson ES-355 a good choice for live performances?
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Yes, the Gibson ES-355 is excellent for live performances due to its robust build, stable tuning, and versatile sound, which can easily cut through a mix on stage.
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Does the Gibson ES-355 come with a case?
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Yes, the Gibson ES-355 comes with a hardshell case, providing protection and easy transportation for the guitar.
Videos
Musician's Friend
Gibson ES-355 Bigsby Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar.
Comparisons
Features and functionality
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Squier Starcaster necks are notably thin and weigh around 7 lbs, offering a comfortable alternative to heavier guitars.
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The Gibson exclusive VOS black finish on the ES-355 is noted for its matte appearance, which some find exciting due to its unique aesthetic.
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The Inspired by Gibson 1959 ES-355 features an ebony fingerboard, nickel hardware, and a satin finish, reflecting traditional specifications with a modern appeal.
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Mods and upgrades
Value and pricing
Setup and maintenance
User experience
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The chunky neck on the 1959 ES-355 is highlighted as a positive feature, particularly appreciated by those who prefer a substantial neck profile.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 64 Ratings
126
Grace and versatility.
An instrument that can define the sounds of artists as far apart as BB King, Johnny Marr, Ryan Adams, Noel Gallagher and Keith Richards has to be a classic tone machine. An artists’ staple for over half a century, this upscale 335 is at home across genres from Jazz to country. Is it worth the extra dish for better bindings, inlays and varitone? Only if you own one.
1996 Gibson ES-335
I wanted a Gibson since I was a kid and learned that my favourites had them. I got the train to and from Dundee in Scotland to buy mine off a postman in a 14 hour round trip. In recording, I use it to play open chords all the way through a song, through a Vox AD100VT, to balance the brightness of my Strat and the growl of my Z. I love it.
41029
your amp is totally wasting this guitar's potential
77
Artist usage
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At 11:38 Kirk Hammett states he has a 1959 ES-335 in Black and that it's his 2nd favorite sounding guitar. Now you don't get a look at the guitar in the video but it could be the guitar behind his left shoulder beside Greenie.
"I met Sire Records boss Seymour Stein in late 1983 when the Smiths were about to sign to the legendary New York label. Seymour told me that he had once gone to a guitar store on 48th Street with Brian Jones to get him a guitar when the Rolling Stones were in town, so I suggested that if I signed with Sire he should buy me a guitar. We signed the contract on January 2, 1984, and true to his word, Seymour took me down to We Buy Guitars on 48th and bought me the 1959 Gibson 355. I took it back to the Iroquois Hotel and wrote "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and "Girl Afraid". It became my main guitar for quite a while, and I'm told it inspired Bernard Butler and Noel Gallagher to get buy one of their own. It's still one of my favorites."
-Excerpt from Pat Graham's book Instrument, used with permission.
Used on Heaven Knows..., Nowhere Fast, and the 1984-5 Smiths tour.
"On the first tour I also ended up using the Gibson 355 quite a lot. As it was wired in stereo we just didn't have any power at all, so I got it re-wired and also put it through a Boss equaliser to give it some boost."
The first documented appearance of the guitar was January 26, 1984 on Top Of The Pops. It's last known documented appearance was Feburary 14, 1985 also on Top Of The Pops.
In this photo, Noel Gallagher is pictured with his Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar while performing live. His 355 is fitted with a Bigsby, and appears to have a six-position Varitone switch near the tone and volume knobs (this could indicate the model is the ES-355TD-SV, which was released in 1959).
In an interview from November 2011, when asked what he brings on the road when touring for High Flying Birds, he says, "...the guitars I bring on tour are either 355s or 345s. Those are what I play."
Later in the interview he confirms it is a 1960s model, saying, "Usually, I just pick my 1960's Gibson 355 – that's the basis for everything."
According to Premier Guitar interview, he talks about this guitar a little bit more.
"Talk about your affinity for the Gibson ES-355. I’ve got two or three, and some ES-345s, too. My 1960 ES-355 is the greatest guitar I’ve ever played. It can do anything, and it’s become a part of me. [Ex-Smiths guitarist] Johnny Marr no less picked it up in the studio, then looked like a startled wizard because of how great the guitar is. I got the 355 a while back for 4,000 pounds, and it’s the best 4,000 pounds I’ve ever spent. I’ve taken the guitar on four or five world tours and beat the living daylights out of it, but it still sounds and plays incredible. I’m in awe of the guitar. I put it second to my wife only because I can have sex with her. If I could have sex with that guitar, I’m not sure which I’d choose."
In an interview with guitar.com, he confirms that this is a 1960 model, saying, “My favourite electric guitar I bought in the 90s,” he says without hesitation. “It’s the 1960 Gibson 355 that I played in Oasis. I don’t play it so much nowadays, because the music I’m writing is different and I’m going for a different sound. But if push came to shove, that guitar is priceless for the amount of tunes that I wrote on it.”
At 0:24 in this video, one can see Angus Young playing a Gibson ES-355 in cherry red.
This rather renown photo is from a photoshoot by Annie Leibovitz. It's for a Louis Vuitton advertisement, where Keith Richards can be seen strumming his 1959 black ES 355 mono.
An article on Gibson's official site says, "His black 1959 ES-355 has been used for live versions of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Oh No Not You Again,” “She’s So Cold,” “Little T&A” and others." (source: http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/keith-richards-0502-2011.aspx)
The stock photo shows a newer model 355. The Keith Richards original one does not have a pickguard, and obviously differs since it's a vintage from 1959.
In this Instagram picture, GCJ’s custom shop Cobra burst ES-355 fitted with a Bigsby can be seen on the far left. He’s also used it in several performances and videos over the last 2 years which can be seen on both his Instagram and all over YouTube.
"1968 ES-355, just like Freddie King’s main guitar. The late 60?s Gibson’s were quirky but these 355?s were a star. It’s big and bold and screams, Are you Ready For Freddie?!!!!!" says Joe Bonomassa, on his website.
In the early stages of his career, B.B. King frequently played a Gibson ES-355, as depicted in a photo from Biography. This was before he received his official Gibson signature models.
Album Usage
The Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar has been featured on the following albums:
Bewitched: The Goddess Edition
Laufey (2024)
From The Start
Laufey (2023)
Disposable
The Deviants (2020)
Blackbird (Deluxe)
Fat Freddy's Drop (2014)
Life Starts Now
Three Days Grace (2009)
Rock And Roll Yo
Charly García (2003)
Bring It Back
McAlmont & Butler (2002)
Sweet Home Chicago (Paris 1975) [Blues Reference]
Lonnie Brooks (2000)
The Sound Of McAlmont And Butler
McAlmont & Butler (1995)
A Storm In Heaven
The Verve (1993)
Moving Pictures (2011 Remaster)
Rush (1981)
Completely Well
B.B. King (1969)
Ptooff!
The Deviants (1968)
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-355 Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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