Gibson ES35500EBNH 50s Electric Guitar with Hardshell Case (Ebony)

The ES-335 with classic 50s-era character
Gibson knows that players have distinct preferences when it comes to their instruments. Some gravitate toward certain models, and many have strong attachments to specific production periods due to differences in finishes, pickup designs, subtle component changes (such as pickguards, inlays, and plastics), and evolving neck profiles. Gibson's Les Paul™ Standard 50s and 60s models have been embraced by musicians for exactly these reasons, offering the ability to choose the feel and features that suit them best. Now, ES-335™ fans can enjoy the same level of choice with the arrival of the ES-335 50s and ES-335 60s.

The ES-335 50s revives the foundational elements of the earliest ES-335 guitars introduced in 1958. Its semi-hollow, thinline body is constructed from three-ply maple, poplar, and maple, paired with a solid maple centerblock that enhances sustain and significantly curbs feedback. Single-ply cream binding along the top and back adds a clean, vintage-inspired accent.

True to the original run of ES-335 models, the mahogany neck is carved to a substantial Rounded C profile that offers a full, comfortable feel. The bound rosewood fretboard features 22 medium jumbo frets and traditional acrylic dot inlays, echoing the look of the first "dot neck" ES-335 instruments. Vintage Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons, working alongside the Graph Tech® nut, provide impressive tuning stability. The headstock is also dressed with a mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and crown inlay. On the opposite end of the strings, an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece contribute to the guitar's strong sustain while allowing precise adjustment of action and individual intonation settings.

A pair of Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets powers the ES-335 50s, delivering the sought-after sound associated with the earliest Patent Applied For humbucker™ pickups from the late 1950s. Each pickup is connected to its own hand-wired 500k volume and tone control, and together with the three-way toggle switch, they offer the wide-ranging tonal flexibility that has defined the ES-335 for decades.

A '59-style, five-ply long pickguard and gold Top Hat knobs with dial pointers round out the 50s-inspired aesthetic. Offered in Vintage Tobacco Burst, Vintage Natural, and Ebony gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finishes, the ES-335 50s comes with a Gibson hardshell case. For players who favor the fuller neck profile and visual styling of the earliest ES-335 models, this version captures the essence of the guitars that have remained beloved for more than 60 years.

Specifications

Body
Binding: Single-ply cream, top and back
Body Material: Maple/poplar/maple
Body Finish: Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Shape: ES-335
Body Style: Semi-hollow body

Neck
Profile: Rounded C
Frets: Medium jumbo
Joint: Glued in, set neck
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Nut Material: Graph Tech
Inlays: Dot
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (304.8 mm)
Binding: Single-ply
Scale Length: 24.75" (628.7 mm)

Electronics
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3
Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, hand-wired with 500k potentiometers and Orange Drop capacitors
Pickup Selector: 3-way toggle

Hardware
Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Finish: Nickel
Plastics: Black
Tuning Machines: Vintage Deluxe with keystone button
Control Knobs: Gold Top Hats with dial pointers
Pickup Cover: Nickel
Tailpiece: Stop Bar

Misc.
Case: Hardshell case included