Gibson's ES-335 50s Semi-Hollow is a faithful recreation of the original 1958 design that defined the thinline electric guitar category. The three-ply maple and poplar body, braced by a solid maple centreboard, balances the resonance of semi-hollow construction against feedback reduction–a signature characteristic that made the ES-335 indispensable for jazz, blues, and studio work. This iteration prioritises the larger Rounded C neck profile and cosmetic details of those earliest models, appealing to players seeking authentic vintage character rather than modern refinement.
Construction centres on hand-wired electronics with a pair of Custombucker pickups featuring Alnico 3 magnets, engineered to recreate the tonal signature of late-1950s Patent Applied For humbuckers™. Individual 500k volume and tone controls on each pickup, combined with a three-way toggle, enable broad tonal range from warm jazz textures to punchy rhythm voicing. The mahogany neck rides a bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and simple acrylic dot inlays; tuning stability comes via Vintage Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons and a Graph Tech® nut. Hardware includes an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece for precise intonation adjustment and sustained note articulation. Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish is available in Vintage Tobacco Burst, Vintage Natural, and Ebony; a hardshell case is included.