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Description

Unleash your musical prowess with the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty, a guitar that melds timeless elegance with unparalleled versatility. This semi-hollowbody electric guitar is a top-tier companion for musicians across genres, from blues and jazz to rock. With its iconic design originating in the late 1950s, the ES-355 has been a staple in shaping modern music's soundscape.

Crafted meticulously in Gibson's Memphis Custom Shop, this guitar features a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple body for resonant sound and a thermally engineered chambered maple center block that minimizes feedback while enhancing sustain. The neck, carved from quartersawn mahogany, offers a rounded-C profile that sits perfectly in your hand, ensuring comfort during long playing sessions.

Equipped with MHS II humbucking pickups, the ES-355 delivers a spectrum of tones. From the rich, warm sounds of the neck pickup to the bright, cutting tones of the bridge, its versatility is unmatched. The Modified MTC Premiere Memphis Tone Circuit provides comprehensive control, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision.

For the discerning player, the guitar's playability is enhanced by a Plek'd A-grade rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges, offering a silky smooth touch and precise fretwork. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty is your ticket to sonic excellence.

Key Features:

  • Classic semi-hollowbody with 3-ply maple/poplar/maple construction
  • Thermally engineered chambered maple center block
  • Quartersawn mahogany neck with rounded-C profile
  • A-grade rosewood fingerboard with rolled edges and Plek'd frets
  • MHS II humbucking pickups with versatile tonal range
  • Modified MTC Premiere Memphis Tone Circuit with handwired components
  • ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge with titanium saddles and Bigsby B7 Tailpiece
  • Grover "Milk Bottle" Rotomatic tuners with Kidney buttons
  • 1.687" bone nut, 24.75" scale length
  • Gloss nitrocellulose finish with nickel hardware

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty
Finish Ebony
Year 2018
Made In United States
Categories Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Semi-Hollow Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Black
Fretboard Material Ebony
Model Family Gibson ES-355
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration HHH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Series Gibson Memphis

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty's pickups?

The Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty features a triple humbucker (HHH) configuration, providing a rich, warm tone with excellent sustain. It's versatile enough for jazz, blues, and rock genres, offering a powerful and smooth sound with reduced noise.

Is the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty's semi-hollow body design offers excellent resonance and feedback control, making it ideal for live performances. Its ebony fretboard and set-neck construction provide comfortable playability and stability on stage.

What is the neck profile of the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty?

The Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty typically features a rounded neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for most players. This design supports smooth playability and is well-suited for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

How does the semi-hollow body design of the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty affect its sound?

The semi-hollow body design of the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty enhances its acoustic resonance and warmth while maintaining feedback resistance. This makes it ideal for players seeking a blend of rich, full-bodied tones with the sustain and clarity of a solid-body guitar.

Is the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty easy to play for beginners?

While the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty offers exceptional quality and sound, its advanced features and price point may be more suitable for intermediate to advanced players. Beginners might prefer starting with a simpler model before transitioning to this high-end instrument.

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 12917721

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty  •  SN: 12917721 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 12917721

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty  •  SN: 12857712 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 12857712

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty  •  SN: 10328734 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 10328734

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty  •  SN: 12847704 by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 12847704

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional for blues solos, cuts through better than other guitars

  • Middle pickup offers a unique, Les Paul-like sound option

  • Highly versatile for studio recordings and live performances

  • Premium finish and top-notch workmanship

CONS

  • Middle pickup may interfere with picking initially

  • Not particularly resonant compared to other models

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty.

Features and functionality

  • The 2018 Memphis ES-355 comes with MHS humbuckers, noted for their distinct tone, contributing to the guitar's unique sound profile.

    Source
  • The satin black variant is equipped with Gibson '57 Classic pickups, praised for their open sound and stage-friendly feedback resistance.

    Source
  • Gibson ES-335s are praised for controlled feedback, providing a warm and woody sound at high volumes without losing control.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • A Butchie Bar is recommended for the Bigsby tailpiece to simplify string changes, enhancing usability.

    Source

Build quality

  • This model features a mahogany neck and maple top and back, contributing to its tonal characteristics and aesthetic appeal.

    Source
  • The satin finish reportedly develops into a natural gloss with frequent play, offering a unique aesthetic compared to typical high-gloss finishes.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners have observed that the 2018 model utilizes a Rosewood fretboard instead of the more traditional Ebony, which influences playability and tone.

    Source
  • Some owners note that the satin finish can show prints easily, which may require more frequent cleaning or maintenance.

    Source
  • The pickup selector switch on the Gibson ES-335 is poorly positioned for quick changeovers, although it stays out of the strumming path.

    Source
  • Double-cut designs like the ES-335 reduce wrist stress and allow easier playability compared to single-cut guitars.

    Source

Comparisons

  • An owner compared a satin black ES-335 with a later full gloss model, preferring the openness and clean sound of the satin version.

    Source
  • The Epiphone ES-355 uses a 5-ply Asian maple body, contrasting with Gibson's 3-ply maple-poplar-maple, affecting resonance and weight.

    Source
  • Owners who have played both prefer Gibson's fit and finish, noting that Epiphone lacks the same refinement.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Gibson Demo Shop guitars often offer better setups out of the box than new models, but come with a visible "demo" stamp on the headstock.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Bones Owens uses Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty

Bones Owens

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "Bones Owens Gear Rundown! - The Incredible Guitars, Pedals & Amps Of His 2024 Euro Rig!" by PMTVUK on YouTube, Bones Owens is shown using a Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty.

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 Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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