Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar · United States · Introduced 1958
Introduced as the world's first commercial semi-hollowbody electric guitar, the Gibson ES-335 represents a brilliant engineering compromise between the warm, woody resonance of a traditional archtop and the feedback resistance and sustain of a solid-body instrument. By running a solid maple block through the center of its thinline hollow body, Gibson created an incredibly versatile instrument that has found favor in almost every musical genre imaginable. When played cleanly, the ES-335 delivers round, articulate jazz tones with exceptional clarity, airiness, and acoustic depth. When pushed through an overdriven tube amplifier, it produces a thick, singing sustain that has become the absolute signature sound of electric blues and arena rock. The instrument is equipped with dual humbucking pickups, typically PAF-style, which offer a creamy, fat midrange response. Due to its larger body size, it can be slightly unwieldy for smaller players, but its versatile 'C' neck profile accommodates a wide range of hand sizes. It is the perfect choice for professional gigging musicians who need to cover a vast repertoire seamlessly.