A Gibson Dot-Neck ES-335!
With the exception of the Les Paul Standard, there are few other guitars in the Gibson catalog that can match the ES-335 for sheer star power. It's been seen in the hands of guitarists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, B. B. King and session legend, Larry Carlton (who has his own 335 Signature model). And of all the ES-335s Gibson has made, the one with the most magic is the 1959 Dot-Neck. With its arched top, f-holes and solid maple center block, the semi-hollow 335 has all the raw power of a solid body, but with the refined elegance of a traditional Gibson archtop. The ES-335 is the perfect guitar for practically any musical setting. It's as perfect a fit for jazz and fusion as it is for blues, hard rock and beyond. Later models had block inlays, but the dot-neck will forever hold a special place in the hearts of most guitar players.
Gibson ES-335 Dot at a Glance:- Semi-hollow body design with maple top, back and sides in Transparent Brown finish with single-ply binding
- Slim 1960 taper mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and pearloid dot inlays
- Two '57 Classic Humbuckers
A Very Special Reissue 335
The first ES-335s that rolled off the Gibson production line have truly achieved legendary status. Maybe it's the semi-hollow body design, the sound of its two humbucking pickups or just the simple elegance of the pearloid dot inlays. Whatever it is, it's made the original 1950s ES-335s among the most sought-after guitars among collectors who are often happy to pay astronomical prices for instruments in good condition. Odds of even finding a dot neck 335 from the 1950s today are almost zero. The next best thing is to get your hands on the this ES-335. It has the looks, the sound and the star power of the real thing.
Slimmer is Better
No, we're not talking about the latest fad diet, we're talking about the ES-335's neck profile. It's the 1960s so-called "slim taper" neck profile. In any case, the combination of a fast-playing mahogany neck and the warmth of a rosewood fingerboard is what the ES-335 is all about.
Two '57 Classic Humbuckers Onboard
Most players agree that the '57 PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers are as good as it gets when you're talking about tone. It's got it all: complex midrange, punchy lows and a smooth top end that won't make your teeth hurt. If you're looking for a pickup that starts out clean and can really smoke when your amp is on 11, well then, this just might be nirvana!
- Color: Transparent Brown
- Top: Maple
- Back: Maple
- Sides: Maple
- Neck: Mahogany with 1960 slim taper profile
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid dot inlays
- Number of frets: 22
- Pickups: Two '57 Classic Humbuckers
- Controls: Two each tone and volume with three-way pickup selector switch
- Machine heads: Vintage tulip
- Hardware: Nickel plated
- Case: Custom Shop hardshell
Gibson: Don't Mess with a Good Thing
Gibson guitars have been around for well over a century. When guitarists are looking for an outstanding combination of superb tone and playability along with great looks and gorgeous finishes, the choice for most of those 100 plus years has been Gibson. From their amazing collection of fine acoustics to the electric guitars that literally rewrote music history, Gibson guitars have been on almost every chart-topping album from artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Cream and Led Zeppelin. These "first call" instruments also cross an enormous array of diverse styles, from folk and country to blues and hard rock. With that resume, it's not surprising that so many of Gibson's best-selling instruments have changed little over the decades. Because there's just no sense in messing with a good thing!
