Few electric guitars have had the lasting impact of the Gibson ES-335. Introduced in 1958, the ES-335 was designed to combine the warm, resonant tone of a hollow-body guitar with the sustain and feedback resistance of a solid-body instrument. The result was a revolutionary semi-hollow design that quickly became one of the most versatile and influential guitars ever made.
At the heart of the ES-335 is a solid maple center block running through the middle of the body. This innovative feature reduced unwanted feedback while preserving much of the airy character that jazz, blues, and rock players loved in traditional hollow-body guitars. Combined with a pair of Gibson humbucking pickups, the ES-335 delivered a rich, expressive tone capable of handling everything from clean jazz chords to overdriven rock leads.
Over the decades, the ES-335 has been embraced by an astonishing range of musicians. Blues legends such as B.B. King and Freddie King made the model famous, while rock icons including Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Dave Grohl, and Larry Carlton demonstrated its remarkable versatility. B.B. King’s famous “Lucille” was itself a variation of the ES-335 design, helping cement the guitar’s place in music history.
The guitar’s distinctive double-cutaway body, elegant f-holes, and timeless styling have made it one of Gibson’s most recognizable instruments. Available in finishes ranging from classic Cherry Red to Vintage Sunburst and Ebony, the ES-335 has remained in continuous production for more than six decades with only minor changes to its core design.
Today, the Gibson ES-335 is widely regarded as one of the greatest electric guitars ever created. Equally at home in jazz clubs, blues bars, recording studios, and arena stages, it remains the gold standard for semi-hollow electric guitars and a symbol of craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless tone.
