Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, SOLD, Thinline
When the Gibson ES-355 appeared alongside the ES-335 and ES-345 appeared in 1958, they were a hit and the ES-335 was the top of the line, with all the extras included as standard. As stock, it always included a vibrato tailpiece – either a Bigsby, a Maestro Vibrola, or the all-new Sideways Vibrola. In addition, the ES-355 was wired in ‘Stereo’ with a single stereo jack, so each pickup could go to a separate amplifier or channel.
Here we have an extremely rare piece. This is a 1961 Gibson ES-355 in cherry red, with the Sideways Vibrola in gold (of course), but ordered from the factory wired as a 335, or in Mono. As a 355, it has a bound Ebony fingerboard with Mother of Pearl block markers.
This guitar is in all original condition, and the Grover tuners were factory installed in place of tulip-button Klusons. The pickups are PAF’s; the Patent Applied For sticker has fallen off one pickup and the neck pickup appears to have been potted to reduce microphonics. The serial number is found impressed on the back of the headstock. It was on the orange label, but key bits of information were long ago scratched out from the label.
It has been refretted by a skilled technician and plays well, and it sounds wonderful. Aside from the refret, which is expected for a guitar that’s been used as intended, there is no apparent history of repairs. In particular the headstock has never broken. The finish is in good shape with a few dings, scuffs and scratches.
The original black hard shell case is included.
- Model: ES-355 Mono
- Year: 1961
- Finish Cherry Red
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 39962
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Very Good
- Date Posted: 07/08/2018
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 8.8lbs 4kg
- Scale Length: 24.75in 628.6mm
- Nut Width: 1.65in 42mm
