Gibson USA ES-335 60s Sixties Cherry Original

A "Vintage" ES-335: The DNA of the Early 60s

Guitarists know: on an ES-335, small differences create big sensations. Gibson offers the 335 here with a "period" logic, similar to the 50s and 60s approaches that have captivated many musicians on other brand models. This ES-335 60s clearly aligns with instruments from the early sixties: a cleaner look, distinctive aesthetic details, and above all a faster neck than the rounder-profile versions. The result: a guitar that retains the timeless identity of the 335 while embracing a sharper, more modern feel in playability.

Who This ES-335 60s Is For and the Styles It Excels In

Thanks to its semi-hollow format and playing comfort, this ES-335 60s is suited both for demanding intermediates and experienced guitarists seeking a reliable semi-hollow for stage and studio. The SlimTaper profile promotes an agile fretting hand: fast blues runs, precise bends, smoother jazz phrasing, or tight pop/rock rhythm playing. In terms of genres, it feels at home in blues, vintage rock, soul, indie, jazz, and fusion; and when pushing the amp, the center block helps maintain control even with gain, without losing the typical breathing of a semi-hollow.

Semi-Hollow Tone: From Wood to Electronics, It's All About Balance

The secret of the ES-335 lies in its rare balance between resonance and precision. Its semi-hollow thinline body in maple/poplar/maple delivers attack, definition, and a strong presence in the upper mids, while the laminated construction enhances stability and tonal consistency. At the heart of the instrument, the maple center block significantly increases sustain and limits feedback: you enjoy the "open" character of a semi-hollow while retaining behavior closer to a solid body when holding notes or tightening rhythms.

The two T-Type humbuckers (Alnico 5) give this 60s model a very "vintage Gibson" signature: solid but never muddy lows, singing mids, and clear highs, ideal for highlighting both pick and fingerstyle playing. The palette is broad thanks to the classic 2 volume / 2 tone control layout and the 3-position toggle switch: neck pickup for round, enveloping cleans; bridge pickup for attack and bite; and the middle position for complex, slightly scooped textures. The hand-wired circuitry, 500k potentiometers, and Orange Drop capacitors contribute to a smooth response of the controls, very appreciated for sculpting gain on the guitar and adjusting brightness without losing dynamics.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To fully enjoy this ES-335, you can pair it with universal essentials: a comfortable strap for long sessions, a stable stand at home, a tuner (pedal or clip-on), and a set of plectrums suited to your attack style. Its hardshell case is included, ideal for transport and storage.

Technical specifications

Category	Hollow body	Nbr of strings	6
Left handed	No	Color	Red
Strings	Steel

Body type	semi-hollow body	Bridge	ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Shape	ES-335	Tailpiece	Stop Bar (aluminum)
Wood	maple / poplar / maple	Tuners	Grover Rotomatic "Milk Bottle" with kidney-shaped buttons
Finish	glossy nitrocellulose	Plastics	black
Binding	single-ply cream (top and back)	Knobs	black Top Hat with silver inserts and "dial pointer" markers
Profile	SlimTaper	Pickup covers	nickel
Construction	set neck	Pickguard	5-ply, 60s style
Fingerboard	rosewood	Neck pickup	T-Type humbucker (Alnico 5)
Inlays	small block	Bridge pickup	T-Type humbucker (Alnico 5)
Fingerboard binding	single-ply	Controls	2 volumes, 2 tones
Frets	22 medium jumbo	Wiring	hand-wired with 500k potentiometers
Nut	Graph Tech	Capacitors	Orange Drop
Radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Switch	3-position toggle
Scale length	24.75" / 628.7 mm