GGJaguar's Guitarium and Ampeteria 1999 Gibson ES-335 '59 Reissue

All images and text copyrighted and property of Greg Gagliano.

FACTOIDS & TRIVIA

Introduced in April 1958, the ES-335 was the first of the double cutaway, semi-hollow ES-series models to debut. The top-of-the-line ES-355 a mid-line ES-345 followed in 1959. Despite its economy status, the ES-335 proved to be the most popular model since its lack of stereo outputs and Varitone tone control made it simple and easy to use. A major design feature of the semi-hollow ES-series is the center block of wood that runs from the neck to the tail. This reduces feedback and increases sustain while creating a relatively lightweight guitar. The neck joins the body at the 19th fret for easy access to the upper frets. Combining the features of a hollow body and solid body guitar with Gibson's relatively high output humbucking pickups made the ES-335 a formidable and versatile guitar. Its specifications changed slightly over the years, but it is the earliest version from 1958 and 1959 that remain the "holy grail" of ES-335s. The example shown here is a Historic Series reissue built to 1959 specifications which include a body with big "ears" (dubbed "Mickey Mouse ears" by collectors), a long pickguard, PAF-spec pickups, and a chunky neck profile as found on Gibsons from that time period. The TDN suffix to the model name denotes "thinline, dual pickups, natural finish". Only 71 original '59 ES-335TDNs were made making them quite rare and highly desirable to collectors.

GIBSON ES-335TDN '59 Reissue (1999)

Body: Semi-hollow; laminated 1-piece flame maple top and back, and laminated flame maple sides; single bound top and back