Gibson ES-335 Memphis Series Dot Reissue Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar (with Case)

No longer available at zZounds
The Gibson ES-335 has been turning heads since its introduction in 1958. This reissue Memphis Series Dot ES-335 carries its legacy as a top semi-hollowbody.

What's special about this item?

Feature: What it does:
Gibson '57 Classic humbucking pickups Vintage PAF feel; warmth, depth and distinct edge
Mahogany neck Great sustain, strength, and warm tone
Handcrafted quality Masterfully built by expert luthiers
Rosewood fretboard Open, warm tone and smooth playing feel

With the introduction of the iconic ES-335 in 1958, Gibson invented the semi-hollowbody electric guitar. Uniting the best in the hollowbody tradition with solidbody performance and innovation, Gibson created a new paradigm which offered players the ideal combination of familiar archtop looks and powerful solidbody performance. Gibson provided an entirely new playing experience, the tone and quality of which has continued to inspire blues, rock, and jazz musicians ever since. The ES-335 Memphis Dot Reissue is a fine example of Gibson's storied legacy of creating the world's premier semi-hollowbody guitars. Recreating some of the most sought-after instruments from the ES-335's earliest release, the ES-335 Memphis Dot Reissue captures all the ingenuity and character that have endeared this guitar to players for decades.

Expertly Crafted in Memphis, Tennessee

Each Gibson ES-335 Memphis Series Dot is built by Gibson's master craftsmen in their Memphis facility. The Dot employs choice maple for its back and sides, supplying a warm ringing tone through the entire guitar. The maple body is richly complemented by the use of harder mahogany for the neck and dot-inlaid rosewood for the fingerboard. Like all semi-hollowbody guitars, the Dot Reissue contains a solid piece of wood in the middle of the body which enables that classic Gibson sustain, while the dual '57 humbuckers project all the clean and warm tone that ES-335 enthusiasts crave.

And All that Jazz

Though well-known for read more its musical versatility, the ES-335 has always found its most common home playing jazz. With the Memphis Series Dot Reissue, the inclusion of two genuine '57 Classic humbuckers provide the full-balanced tone -- from resonant lows to well-defined highs -- that has made this guitar a mainstay on the jazz scene since its introduction. For a classic jazz feel, the neck is made with a 1960 slim-taper profile which enhances the overall playability and enables seamless gliding up and down the entire fretboard. It's not only the lush tone of the ES-335 that has made this a favorite of Jazz greats such as Larry Carlton; it's the smooth playability and extreme comfort afforded by the elegant body design and slim neck profile.

Features:

- Classic ES-335 semi-hollowbody design
- Gibson '57 Classic humbucker pickups providing fully balanced jazz tones
- Maple body with mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard
- Vintage dot inlays
- Crafted by master builders in Gibson's Memphis factory
- Included Gibson hardshell case

From T-Bone Walker and Freddie King to Chuck Berry and Blink 182's Tom DeLonge, players from every genre have made the ES-335 as their go-to instrument for outstanding tone and playability. The Gibson ES-335 Memphis Series Dot Reissue recreates a classic iteration of the timeless model for an absolutely outstanding guitar playing experience.
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Body: Figured or Plain Laminated Maple top back and rims, Maple center block

Neck/Profile: Mahogany/1960 slim taper

Fingerboard/Inlay: Torrefied/Baked Maple Fingerboard

Scale/Nut Width: 24-3/4 in./1-11/16 in.

Binding: Single-ply top, back and fingerboard

Bridge/Tailpiece: ABR/Stopbar

Hardware: Nickel

Pickups: 2 x '57 Classic humbuckers

Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way switch

Strings: Brite Wires .010-.046

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-444-2766

Gibson ES-335 Memphis Series Dot Reissue

The ES-335 brought hollowbody tradition and solidbody performance together in 1958, and it is still one of the all-time classic guitar designs. Gibson invented the semi-hollowbody electric guitar in 1958, offering players the perfect combination of traditional archtop looks and powerful solidbody performance. The original ES-335 was soon joined by the ES-345, with additional ornamentation and features. Today's ES-335 and ES-345 continue to provide the tone and the look that inspires musicians in blues, rock and jazz.

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (115 ratings)
Submitted April 25, 2008 by a customer from excite.com

"Worth every penny...."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I can't say that I'll never want another guitar, but I can say that I'll never get rid of this one. I considered an ES-175, but was worried about potential feedback issues with a full hollowbody. I was looking for a good jazz/blues guitar that could give me a nice vintage tone, and this one does that, and then some. If it was lost or stolen, I would definitely get another one. If you want the real sound, you have to get the real thing. Gibson knows what they're doing!

Sound
Probably the best overall sounding electric guitar I've ever played. Rockabilly, country, rock, jazz, and especially blues all sound great on this guitar. When I received it, I spent 3 hours playing it. No matter what style I threw at it, it handled it with ease. The '57 Classic humbuckers are the best Gibson makes, in my opinion. They're not too bright or too dark, and they have a warmth to them that the other humbuckers don't. The neck pickup is great for jazz if you roll the tone back to around 5, but if you leave the tone on 10, it is actually very bright and articulate, which is rare for a neck humbucker. The bridge pickup is bright and snappy, but without being to harsh. Excellent blues tone and a pretty decent country tone on some songs. The middle position with both pickups is full, rich, and has a shimmer that I haven't heard from most humbucker-equipped guitars. The best sounding Gibson I've ever played, hands-down.

Features read more
Not a lot of features, but it's a classic design that's stood the test of time, so it doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles.

Ease of Use
I was blown away at how great the playability is on this guitar. I like fat necks, but the slim-taper on this guitar is very comfortable and fast. Also the finish on the back of the neck doesn't get sticky like it does on my Les Paul. Also, it is very comforable for such a big guitar. You almost forget you're playing a semi-hollow after a while. I have to give the guys at ZZounds credit, too, because the setup on this guitar is perfect. Nice, low action, perfect intonation...it was ready to play right out of the box.

Quality
I've heard horror stories about Gibson's quality control, but I've owned 2 Les Pauls, 3 SG's, and even 3 Epiphones...all of which were top-notch guitars. I've never had any issues with any Gibsons, including this one. I went over this guitar with a fine-toothed comb, but couldn't find any flaws. Maybe I'm just lucky!

Value
It's expensive, but you get what you pay for. The price on these has steadily increased over the past few years, so my advice is if you're thinking of getting one, get it now!

The Wow Factor
I got this one in vintage sunburst, and it is probably the best looking guitar I've ever owned. Gibson ES-335's are legendary, and for good reason. Everybody wants one. I've wanted one ever since I was 11 (I'm 32, now). It's the best of both worlds....it sounds like a hollowbody, but with the sustain and power of a solidbody.

Musical Background:
Active musician

Musical Style:
Blues, jazz, country, rock, rockabilly
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