Even back then, when the legendary Gibson ES-335 semi-hollow body guitar was launched, there were customers with a lot of dollars and high demands, so Gibson launched the luxury model ES-355 in addition to the ES-335. Equipped with such noble ingredients as all-round golden hardware, a multi-layered body binding, a "Split Diamond" headstock inlay and decorative "Mother of Pearl" block inlays, it soon received the "King of the ES Models" award. In addition, instead of the usual rosewood fingerboard, the ES-355 has been given an elegant ebony fingerboard. More luxury is not possible!
Only selected tonewoods were used in the Gibson Custom Shop to build this great 1959 ES-355 Reissue. The body consists of three-ply maple/poplar/maple and is particularly feedback-resistant due to its construction with a solid maple center block. The noble wood ingredients are rounded off by a 1 Pc. mahogany neck in the authentic '59 Medium C shape and a dark ebony fingerboard. Together with the installed Custombucker Alnico III pickups, which come damn close to the sound of the legendary P.A.F. humbuckers, this is a guarantee for top class sound quality! And the paper-in-oil capacitors, which were used here for the tone control, ensure a pleasantly soft and absolutely authentic vintage sound. All in all, this unique 1959 ES-355 Reissue from the Gibson Custom Shop has a well balanced sound, good sustain and excellent resonance, as you would otherwise only find in the best originals of that time. Almost made for Jazz, Blues, Country and Rock. And the noble black V.O.S. finish, which underlines the vintage character of this Black Beauty in an impressive way, gives its player an authentic look & feel of an old instrument that is second to none!