(SOLD) Gibson ES-335 Dot Antique Natural 1990
Gibson ES-335 Dot, antique natural, made in USA 1990. This is brimming with majesty, I love it so much. The Gibson ES-335 launched in 1958 as part of their 'Electric Spanish' series. The model was the first guitar ever made with a centre block for sustain paired with an otherwise hollow body, and suffice to say it's found plenty of favour with oodles of iconic players ever since. To put this particular example into context, we need to know a little history. Gibson sold the company to corporate overlords Norlin in 1970, and it went similarly to Fender's sale to CBS: they pushed the production facility to produce more and more guitars, and the quality suffered greatly as the years wore on. The struggling company was purchased again in 1986 by a group led by Henry Juszkiewicz and David Berryman, who implemented a 'back to basics' approach and made huge progress in getting the quality of guitars leaving their factory back up to a great standard again. Throw in the launch of the Pre-Historic Reissue series and an endorsement with the suddenly-massive Slash, and Gibson was back, baby. This was made in 1990: a few shorts years after the Norlin era, and a time when they were really on a role and making some great guitars. It feels amazing in the hands. The neck is a rounded, moderately slim C style shape, and carved from a gorgeous rich red-brown piece of mahogany. It's super comfy in the hands and offers a pleasing balance between easy movement and a bit of girth, it's delightful. The body is resonant and lively, and unplugged you get plenty of volume and sustain straight away. Plug it in, and dang... it sounds terrific. The neck pickup is bell-like and percussive, with plenty of sweetness in the top end and a zesty clarity. The bridge pickup is creamy and full, brimming with harmonics and complexity and maintaining great string separation and articulation even with a generous dose of gain. The finish has yellowed and mellowed over the decades, and there's widespread fine checking all over the body. It looks great in the photos, but in the flesh it really has a presence about it. The F-hole inside label peeled off at some point and is unfortunately missing, but the headstock shows the serial clear-as-day, and the original (awesome) brown tolex and pink lined case is in great order. Somehow, this is still notably cheaper than a brand new example, and given the condition and era I feel it's a very safe investment. Hang it on your wall, and when you're in the middle of a tricky day at the office, you can remember that it's there waiting for you to play it as soon as you get home and you'll be grinning wide in no time.
Model: Gibson Memphis ES-335 Figured
Made: USA, 1990 (serial 90950639)
Finish: natural, gloss nitro
Body: maple/poplar/maple 3-ply top/back/sides, arched top, maple centre block, spruce bracing, 42mm thinline depth
Neck: one piece mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, slim 60s style profile
Weight: 4.020kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson '57 humbucker x2
Case: Gibson brown/pink hard case, excellent quality and good condition
Docs: none
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs on the end and dimples on the top and bottom edges, as well as s dent on the side near the D tuner. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has widespread checking around the whole body, as well as some light scuffs in the elbow area and along the back edge, plus some dimples on the bottom horn. The sides have some discolouration on the top horn, dimples in the elbow area and near the rear strap pin, slight scuffs near the jack and some dimples on the bottom horn, as well as checking around the whole body. The front has widespread checking around the whole body, as well as dimples near the F-hole and behind the tailpiece, some light scuffs around the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: very good condition (8/10).
Playing condition notes: neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have some normal wear but are in good order with no major buzz issues, 7/10 for life left. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.