Gibson ES-355-T Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1959)
1
/
of
9
Couldn't load pickup availability
Item #7460
Gibson ES-355-T Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1959), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
The ES-355 was the flagship model of Gibson's most successful late-1950's innovation-the semi-solid electric guitar. Following quickly on the heels of the Es-335, the 355 brought high-end features like an ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlay, multiple bindings and gold plating to the table, topped off by the Super 400-style split-block headstock inlay. The Bigsby vibrato was a standard fitting in 1959, as were the then-new PAF humbucking pickups now considered the greatest of all Gibson's pickup options. The brilliant cherry-red finish was also a new idea at the time, and would go on to be one of Gibson's signature looks. This guitar would have shipped out in the fall of 1959, one of only 123 Stereo 355's sold that year. Although it has seen some alteration it remains a fantastic player's instrument. While designed originally primarily with jazz and country players in mind, the ES-355 has long been considered one of the classic electric blues guitars, and virtually from its introduction was standard equipment for many of the seminal players in that genre.
Overall length is 42 in. (106.7 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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 has some general wear overall, but no major finish loss or repair. It shows a number of replaced pieces of hardware and has been fairly heavily used but well cared for and the reason is obvious-this is just great player with the classic Gibson feel that's hard to re-capture. This guitar was originally a stereo/vibrato model-it has been converted to mono and the Varitone circuitry removed (it is included in the case, so could be re-installed if desired). The pickguard is missing; the Bigsby is old but is likely not be the one originally fitted to the guitar as it appears just slightly more recent and the footprint match is not exact. The gold Tune-O-Matic bridge is a mid-1960's patent # piece and has a couple of replaced saddles under the treble strings, and the strap buttons are period but not gold plated. The tuners are older but not exact period Grover Rotomatics-fitted in place of the Klusons used originally-a bit ironic as the Grovers would shortly become the factory equipment for this model. The PAF pickups remain original and have never had the covers removed, but some solder joints to the rig were disturbed during the Vari-ectomy operation and the electronics rig including the pots, jack and switch are newer. In the middle position the pickups are noticeably out of phase, as is typical with the mono conversions. The guitar has been refretted to a very high standard with correct style wire. The cherry finish has surprisingly little fade and retains a lovely slightly mellowed out red hue. There is a spot of wear next to the neck pickup which would be hidden by the pickguard if one was mounted, but other than this top finish shows surprisingly little wear. There are a couple of very small laminate stress marks around the jack but the top is not cracked. While not all original the guitar shows no structural issues and could be restored to more exact period character if desired with the replacement of some hardware items. The heart of the instrument-the two PAF's and the classic '59 neck profile remain intact making this is fantastic playing and sounding guitar with a great "Freddy King" blues-approved vibe! Includes a worn but solid original deluxe case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
View full details
The ES-355 was the flagship model of Gibson's most successful late-1950's innovation-the semi-solid electric guitar. Following quickly on the heels of the Es-335, the 355 brought high-end features like an ebony fingerboard, pearl block inlay, multiple bindings and gold plating to the table, topped off by the Super 400-style split-block headstock inlay. The Bigsby vibrato was a standard fitting in 1959, as were the then-new PAF humbucking pickups now considered the greatest of all Gibson's pickup options. The brilliant cherry-red finish was also a new idea at the time, and would go on to be one of Gibson's signature looks. This guitar would have shipped out in the fall of 1959, one of only 123 Stereo 355's sold that year. Although it has seen some alteration it remains a fantastic player's instrument. While designed originally primarily with jazz and country players in mind, the ES-355 has long been considered one of the classic electric blues guitars, and virtually from its introduction was standard equipment for many of the seminal players in that genre.
Overall length is 42 in. (106.7 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 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 has some general wear overall, but no major finish loss or repair. It shows a number of replaced pieces of hardware and has been fairly heavily used but well cared for and the reason is obvious-this is just great player with the classic Gibson feel that's hard to re-capture. This guitar was originally a stereo/vibrato model-it has been converted to mono and the Varitone circuitry removed (it is included in the case, so could be re-installed if desired). The pickguard is missing; the Bigsby is old but is likely not be the one originally fitted to the guitar as it appears just slightly more recent and the footprint match is not exact. The gold Tune-O-Matic bridge is a mid-1960's patent # piece and has a couple of replaced saddles under the treble strings, and the strap buttons are period but not gold plated. The tuners are older but not exact period Grover Rotomatics-fitted in place of the Klusons used originally-a bit ironic as the Grovers would shortly become the factory equipment for this model. The PAF pickups remain original and have never had the covers removed, but some solder joints to the rig were disturbed during the Vari-ectomy operation and the electronics rig including the pots, jack and switch are newer. In the middle position the pickups are noticeably out of phase, as is typical with the mono conversions. The guitar has been refretted to a very high standard with correct style wire. The cherry finish has surprisingly little fade and retains a lovely slightly mellowed out red hue. There is a spot of wear next to the neck pickup which would be hidden by the pickguard if one was mounted, but other than this top finish shows surprisingly little wear. There are a couple of very small laminate stress marks around the jack but the top is not cracked. While not all original the guitar shows no structural issues and could be restored to more exact period character if desired with the replacement of some hardware items. The heart of the instrument-the two PAF's and the classic '59 neck profile remain intact making this is fantastic playing and sounding guitar with a great "Freddy King" blues-approved vibe! Includes a worn but solid original deluxe case. Overall Very Good + Condition.
