Gibson ES-335 Figured, sunburst, made in USA 2016. This hardly needs an introduction... the title and pictures are more than enough, but here we go! The Gibson ES-335 debuted in 1958 as an entirely new concept: ES stood for 'Electric Spanish', and it was the first guitar to use a semi-hollow body with a centre block for sustain and control. The model found favour with everyone from BB King to Dave Grohl and is surely the most iconic hollow or semi-hollow design of all time. This absolute jaw-dropper was made at Gibson's Memphis facility in 2016. Memphis was making all the semi-hollow offerings at the time, as well as housing the Custom Shop. Before an unfortunate closure in 2019, the general consensus is that Memphis had far less quality control issues than the Nashville plant, which lines up with my experience: I've never played a bad guitar from the place. This is the 'figured' version, so it's blessed with cream fingerboard binding, cute small block inlays and a phenomenal AAA flame maple top and back. You'll get some idea how pretty the flame grain in in the photos, but the depth and detail can really only be fully appreciated in the flesh... holy guacamole, that's one incredible guitar. The neck is a comfy rounded slim C profile, which sits nicely in my hands and doesn't require the wrestle that some bigger carves demand. The body is well balanced and fairly lightweight, and the natural resonance is outstanding. Plug the thing in, and the fun multiplies: it sounds so alive. The neck pickup delivers a great balance of depth, sustain and bell-like clarity, while the bridge pickup offers an expansive creamy complexity brimming with detail and sweetness. The new equivalent model is currently listing well over $7000aud, so I humbly suggest this 9/10 condition example is a very clever acquisition indeed. Go on, you've wanted one for long enough!

Model: Gibson Memphis ES-335 Figured
Made: Memphis USA, 2016
Serial: 12116743
Finish: sunburst over AAA flame maple, 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, fairly slim 'rounded C' profile
Weight: 3.710kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson Burstbucker 1/2 humbucker x2
Accessories: Gibson hard case, excellent quality and condition, original docs included.

Cosmetic Condition Notes -- Minor finish wear. The headstock is pretty clean, no major marks. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor rub wear and very minor dimples on the back only. The back has a couple of very light scuffs in the middle of the body, some dimples in the elbow area and and some light circular scuffs around the front strap pin. The sides have some minor dimples on the top horn and some light rub wear in the elbow area and near the knobs. The front has some light rub wear in the elbow area and some light play wear on the guard and horns, nothing nasty. Most noticeable mark is a light scratch near the left f-hole.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing Condition Notes -- Neck is straight, intonation is good, action is low, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear, 9/10 for life left. No headstock breaks. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 9/10