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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
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty's pickups?
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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.
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Is the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty suitable for live performances?
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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.
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty?
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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.
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How does the semi-hollow body design of the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty affect its sound?
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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.
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Is the Gibson Memphis ES-355 Black Beauty easy to play for beginners?
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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.
Videos
Wildwood Guitars
Gibson Memphis 2018 Limited ES-355 Black Beauty • SN: 12917721
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional for blues solos, cuts through better than other guitars
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Middle pickup offers a unique, Les Paul-like sound option
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Highly versatile for studio recordings and live performances
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Premium finish and top-notch workmanship
CONS
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Middle pickup may interfere with picking initially
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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
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The 2018 Memphis ES-355 comes with MHS humbuckers, noted for their distinct tone, contributing to the guitar's unique sound profile.
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The satin black variant is equipped with Gibson '57 Classic pickups, praised for their open sound and stage-friendly feedback resistance.
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Gibson ES-335s are praised for controlled feedback, providing a warm and woody sound at high volumes without losing control.
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Mods and upgrades
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A Butchie Bar is recommended for the Bigsby tailpiece to simplify string changes, enhancing usability.
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Build quality
User experience
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Owners have observed that the 2018 model utilizes a Rosewood fretboard instead of the more traditional Ebony, which influences playability and tone.
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Some owners note that the satin finish can show prints easily, which may require more frequent cleaning or maintenance.
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The pickup selector switch on the Gibson ES-335 is poorly positioned for quick changeovers, although it stays out of the strumming path.
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Double-cut designs like the ES-335 reduce wrist stress and allow easier playability compared to single-cut guitars.
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Comparisons
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An owner compared a satin black ES-335 with a later full gloss model, preferring the openness and clean sound of the satin version.
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The Epiphone ES-355 uses a 5-ply Asian maple body, contrasting with Gibson's 3-ply maple-poplar-maple, affecting resonance and weight.
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Owners who have played both prefer Gibson's fit and finish, noting that Epiphone lacks the same refinement.
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Artist usage
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