1959 Gibson ES-355 w/Bigsby Cherry

The Gibson ES-355 w/Bigsby has a Maple/Poplar/Maple Top, Maple/Poplar/Maple Back & Sides, Slim Taper Mahogany Neck, Ebony Fingerboard, Grover “Pat Pend” Tuners, Tune-O-Matic Bridge w/Bigsby Vibrato Tailpiece, 2 x PAF Humbuckers, Incl. Original Hard Case.

A beautiful example of a classic guitar. From the first official year of production and in truly stunning condition for an instrument over 60 years old the only real sign of age on 1st inspection is the usual tarnishing to the gold hardware.

Taking a closer look at the headstock there is light lacquer checking and a couple of small scuffs on the front. The 5 ply binding is complete and has aged to a pleasing yellow colour. To the rear there are 6 original “Pat Pend” Grover tuners and some slightly more obvious lacquer checking. This continues to the rear of the neck. The slim taper neck shows very little wear, the worst of which is centred around the 4th fret. There are some minor finish chips on the treble edge between the 8th and 9th frets. The binding on the edge of the fretboard shows the guitar has been used, with the original white colour being visible on the bass and treble side. There is some sign of the nibs being intact suggesting the original frets are still in place. The big block peal inlays stand out from the dark ebony fingerboard with only a light mark at the 17th fret, this does not affect playability.

Moving on to the body the first noticeable feature is the Birdseye maple top. The cherry finish has aged to an almost “watermelon” hue in certain lights with very subtle lacquer checking over the top, back and sides. The multiple bound pickguard extends below the bridge, a tell tale for the year of manufacture, from 1960 the 355 had a shorter pickguard. 7 ply top binding and 3 ply binding on the back is fully intact and light wear can be seen to the usual places, for instance the bass side of the lower bout where ones arm would rest. To the rear is a figured flame maple back with a few very light dings and scratches; noting that could be described as buckle rash.

The fully working electrics on this model are wired for stereo vari-tone with a 6 position rotary knob as well as the 3 position switchcraft pickup selector allowing for a multitude of tones. 2 hum-bucking PAF pickups deliver the signature sound of a 50s Gibson.

Guitar features:

• Possible Replaced Tone Pot + Cap.
• Incl. Original Lifton Case.

Specifications:

• Brand: Gibson
• Model: ES-355 w/Bigsby
• Colour: Cherry
• Top: 3 ply laminated Birdseye Maple / Poplar / Maple
• Back : 3 ply laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple
• Sides: 3 ply laminated Flame Maple / Poplar / Maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck Profile: Slim Taper
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlays: Pearl Blocks
• Fingerboard Radius: 12″
• Nut Width: 1.69″ / 42.85mm
• Scale Length: 24.75″ / 628.65mm
• Frets: 22
• Binding: 7 Ply Top, 3 Ply Rear
• Pickguard: Tortoise Shell
• Tuners: “Pat Pend” Grover
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
• Tailpiece: Bigsby Vibrato
• Hardware: Gold
• Pickups: 2 x PAF Hum-Buckers
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3 Way Switchcraft Pickup Selector, 6 Position Varitone Knob
• No. Of Strings: 6
• Case/Gigbag: Original Lifton Hard Case