Gibson ES-345 Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar - Vintage Burst Reviews
Gibson's latest ES-345 semi-hollow looks and plays like a 335 enhanced. Intact are the original '64 Split Parallelogram fingerboard inlays and rich multi-ply cream body binding. But gone are the 6-way Varitone circuit (loved by some, reviled by others) and stereo outputs. In their stead, you'll find a standard two-volume/two-tone control complement and speedy 3-way toggle. Where things get really interesting are the handwired Calibrated T-Type pickups with Orange Drop caps. This gives the 345 a mature and expressive tone that rivals some of the finest Thinlines ever built. The Gibson ES-345 also features a '50s-style Rounded "C" mahogany neck — a decidedly chunkier profile than the '60s SlimTaper — joined to a 3-ply maple-poplar archtop body with bold Adirondack spruce bracing for great tone and attack. Paired with Gibson's acclaimed ABR-1 TOM bridge and aluminum stopbar for enhanced performance and stylized by a set of Vintage Keystone tuners and Black Top Hat knobs with Silver Reflectors, the ES-345 is one playing experience you're not likely to soon forget.
Earn $190 back in Bonus Bucks† OR pay $159/month with 24 month financing*
$190 Earn $190.00 back in Bonus Bucks† on this purchase when you use your Sweetwater Credit Card without financing. Select your offer in checkout. Terms
As low as $159/month
with 24 month financing*
See all payment options
We expect more from Gibson soon. Order today to reserve yours now, risk-free.
Customer Reviews
Customer Added Media
Share Your Thoughts
Help other music gear aficionados by sharing your opinions of gear you've purchased.
Questions about the ES4500VBNH?
Or call us at (800) 222-4700
Sweetwater's Sales Engineers are regarded as the most experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the music industry, with extensive music backgrounds and intense training on the latest products and technologies. They are available to offer you personalized product advice any time you need it.
Highest Rated Reviews
My 2nd Es345
I bought a red es345 last year 2022 and I loved it so much that I decided to get a vintage burst one as well. I have always been a Fender guitar guy since 1976 when I got my 1st electric guitar (a telecaster) when I was 10 years old. Later I got a Stratocaster. Long story short, I have always played blues music since I saw Freddie King as I was just a kid. 47 years later I decided to get a Es345 to be like him. I only thought I could play blues until now. The Gibson es345 is everything I was searching for all my life. If you want to play blues then this is for you
Blown Away..
Gibson my have some less than perfect quality issues in the fine detail category but make no mistake they have zero issues in the Tone, Playability, and pure Beauty areas. You pay more for luxury trimmings and yes you can get a much cheaper imitation that can get you close. You can upgrade components on a budget version and have a fantastic guitar that will likely serve you well and never let you down. As much as diminishing returns are real per dollar, a budget guitar will never have the neck and quality of fretboard-wood selection that takes this tier to the next level. The contact points with the guitar and the overall feel are next level, the tone is elevated and the stock electronics on this guitar are delivering the purest and creamiest inspired tones I have had the pleasure of owning/playing. This guitar is absolutely inspiring and extremely versatile. Every note is quality. If your budget can manage it and your desire is for sweet sweet full-figured hollow-body tone I cannot recommend enough, you will not be disappointed. This guitar can handle just about any style of music/playing you could want it for. The pickups are hot and crispy, they will cut through very well. There are many tonal variations between the pickup selection and pot settings, experimenting with this is much more dynamic than most guitars I have played. My other mains are Gibson Les Paul Studio and Fender American Pro II Tele, this fits in the middle and is elevated above the others (although they are fantastic in their own right). I have owned and loved many guitars over the years but this one is the first that has taken the tone to 11 and literally makes me melt away into the music. As always Sweetwater has been extremely helpful and ever patient (I can be picky) to ensure I was truly happy and I have to give the credit to Alan C. he is the absolute best! If it is calling your name, go for it!
Gage and Sweetwater
Just want to say that Gage and Sweetwater have been great to work with over the past several years. They are always professional. You can choose the guitar you want from a selection. They are always packed perfectly, and arrive in great shape and on time. Gage is very knowledgeable about all the guitars, and very helpful in picking out the. right one. I have purchased A Taylor t5z, Gibson LP, A Gibson 345, a Gretsch 6118, an American Tele, a PRS Starla. Buy your guitars from Sweetwater.
Stunning finish & set up perfect from Sweetwater!
I got my ES 345 in the summer of 2020 & it's just a fantastic guitar,in a class by itself! Mike Conyers was my salesman & was very helpful in all my questions & very good at his job & dealing with customers! As soon as Sweetwater got some ES 345's in, after the wait thru production stopages because of covid,Mike called me & said,"I got one for you!" The guitar was sent to me & just great right out of the box!
Beautiful looks and great tone
I'm totally impressed with this freaking guitar. The factory set up was very good, to my tastes anyway. I especially like the split-inlays on the fretboard. Nice smooth round tones, but also capable of nice spanky mids. I alternate between a Marshall combo and a Fender Deluxe reverb and it just sounds great on both.
