Marcus King Unveils Gibson ES-345: A Gig-Ready Homage to "Big Red"
Marcus King's new Gibson ES-345 signature guitar! "Big Red" heirloom boasts a fixed Vibrola, simplified features
Grammy-nominated artist Marcus King, known for his soulful voice and blistering guitar work, has once again partnered with Gibson to introduce his latest signature guitar: a refined ES-345 designed for the modern touring musician. This new Gibson USA Artist model offers a stripped-down, performance-focused take on "Big Red," King's cherished 1962 ES-345 family heirloom.
Marcus King Gibson ES-345
Inspired by the iconic semi-hollowbody that has been passed down through generations of the King family, this new signature ES-345 maintains the classic aesthetics and resonant tone that define its lineage.
At first glance, fans will recognize the timeless big-bodied charm, elegant gold hardware, and the vibrant Sixties Cherry finish. However, under King's direction, this iteration boasts crucial updates aimed at enhancing playability and stability for the rigors of the road.
"This modern version captures the look and vibe of his original, with only the features that Marcus finds essential," a Gibson spokesperson stated.
Fixed Vibrola
The most notable changes include a fixed Vibrola and the removal of the Varitone switch. King, who often leaves his invaluable "Big Red" at home while touring with his Custom Shop signature model, prioritized tuning stability above all else.
The fixed Vibrola not only ensures superior pitch integrity but also addresses a common issue with the original sideways bar design, which could occasionally scratch the guitar's finish.
"With this model, you are going to have all the wonderful feel, all the love that you get from Big Red, and even from the Custom Shop model,” King explains. “It’s going to give you that resonance, that sustain. And it’s something to hold onto. It’s got good curves. Nice hips, y’know.”
Custombucker
Under the hood, the new Marcus King ES-345 features a pair of Custombucker pickups – the same acclaimed humbuckers found in the Custom Shop version.
These are wired to a hand-wired control harness utilizing Orange Drop capacitors, a subtle but significant departure from the Custom Shop's Black Cat capacitors, aligning it with standard Gibson USA production models.
Crafted with a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple construction and a solid maple center block, the guitar delivers the characteristic sustain and resonance of an ES-345.
Aesthetic details include 3-ply cream and black body binding, single-ply cream fingerboard binding, and a comfortable mahogany neck with a rounded profile.
The 12” radius rosewood fingerboard is adorned with classic acrylic split parallelogram inlays, while Grover Rotomatic tuners ensure reliable tuning.
Siganture
King expressed his deep honor in collaborating on this new model, emphasizing its connection to his family's musical legacy. "I remember being a kid and seeing people with their signature models. I never would have imagined that I could have my own signature model some day,”
King shared. “I don’t really like talking about myself but it being my grandfather’s guitar it really helps me out in a sense, in that I feel like I am able to carry on his legacy, and wanting to share with everyone else what he shared with me. It’s a real honour.”
Price & Availability
This new Gibson USA Artist Marcus King ES-345 is positioned as a more accessible and practical option for gigging musicians, retailing at $3,999/£3499/€3999, which includes a durable Gibson hardshell guitar case.
Marcus King Gibson ES-345 at Andertons
Marcus King Gibson ES-345 at Sweetwater
Marcus King Gibson ES-345 at Thomann
More Information
