These Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue with Diamond F-Holes are the latest release from the Custom Shop.
Gibson 1959 ES-355 Reissue
The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-355 Reissue with Diamond F-Holes models are available in Silver Sparkle Heavy Flake Gloss and Gold Sparkle Heavy Flake Gloss finishes. Making these two semi-hollow models really striking in appearance. Especially, with those Diamond shaped F-Holes, which elevate the look.
The vintage styling includes a ES-355 Bound tortoiseshell long pickguard and a set of True Historic Gold Top Hats with dial pointers for the control knobs.
As they are semi-hollow models, they use a traditional three-ply maple/poplar/maple construction, and a maple centre block. This is paired with a 50s Rounded Medium C profile neck with an ebony fretboard with mother of pearl block inlays and 22 authentic medium jumbo frets.
Custombucker
They come fitted with a pair of Custombucker ‘unpotted’ humbucking pickups, controlled by a fairly typical twin Volume, twin Tone controls and a three-way switch. Gibson uses vintage taper potentiometers, and Paper in Oil capacitors for the wiring, along with a Switchcraft switch and output jack. Therefore, they are aiming these models to be as vintage voiced as possible in 2024, which is not a bad thing at all.
Hardware for these models consists of an ABR-1 bridge, a lightweight aluminium stop bar tail piece, and a set of Grover Rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons. All in a gloss nickel finish, so no ageing here.
They also come with a period style brown and pink 50s-style Lifton hardshell case included in the price.
Guitar Bomb Verdict
They aren’t cheap, but they are certainly quite stylish and perfect for anyone that wants a stand out finish for a vintage spec ES-335. If you like metallic sparkle finishes, these could be for you.
MSRP – $7999
