Gibson ES-335 1958 Custom Shop Murphy Lab Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (2024), made in Nashville, TN, serial # A840182, natural lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original brown tolex hard shell case.
This Gibson Custom Shop "1958 ES-335 Murphy Lab Heavy Aging Ltd" is one of a limited edition of 130 offered in "Dirty blonde" finish. It replicates one of the most desired of all original 1950s Gibson electrics, the first year ES-335TD in natural finish. This is a very accurate re-creation down to small details like the unbound fingerboard and original plastic strap buttons. It has a very deep-profile round-backed neck, and Gibson made sure to make the angle correct with plenty of break off the bridge, something that was a notorious problem on the actual first edition '58s.
Although 335's from just about any year are usually excellent instruments, connoisseurs of the model consider those from 1958-9 to be the ultimate examples. The ES-335T was Gibson's first semi-solid thinline with a solid wood block running down the middle of the body, a revolutionary design that launched an entire new genre of electric guitars. The new model cost all of $267.50 in 1958, and the brown case would set you back an additional $46.50. Today an original natural example would be in the top range of collectible vintage Gibsons, so this is a very welcome re-creation that plays and sounds excellent and has a killer vibe.
Overall length is 41 3/8 in. (105.1 cm.), 15 15/16 in. (40.5 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This guitar appears hardly used, still in the clean original HSC with a full set of the original Gibson Custom Shop paperwork including the Murphy Lab COA. Of course the "Heavy Aged Dirty Blonde" treatment makes it look like it's been rode hard for 65+ years, but that's the idea. The frets show no wear and the guitar performs exactly as it should, a timelessly unique and stylishly beautiful guitar in the original HSC with all paperwork and Murphy Lab COA. Overall Excellent + Condition.
