1956 Gibson ES 350T in Sunburst. The “Chuck Berry” guitar, the “Plain Byrdland”. A short scale, 23.5”, same as the Byrdland. Like the Byrdland it’s 2 1/4” width puts it in between an L5 @ 3 3/8” and a 335 @ 1 3/4”. Features 2 P-90 pickups and laminated maple top, back and sides with nice “flame”. 1956 is the only year where this configuration was available. This guitar was obviously played a lot, as evidenced by the lack of finish on the upper back of the neck , but it was also obviously well cared for as the excellent overall condition of the guitar demonstrates. It has an “alligator-y” checking and fading of the finish around the input jack. The changes made prior to my ownership were replaced Kluson tuners, replaced pots and that it once sported a Bigsby. The short-scale neck is shaped to the hand and perfect for chords covering several frets as well as single note lines. This guitar easily nails Grant Green-like jazz tones and is excellent for Jump Blues and Rock-a-billy (check out Danny Gatton on YouTube playing a Sun Records Medly on a ‘56 350T:
YouTube - Danny Gatton - Sun Medley), Eric Clapton played blues on one in “Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll” (
YouTube - Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry & Keith Richards " WE WE HOURS ") and of course Chuck Berry used one for his early Chess Rock & Roll sides. This is a beautiful, beautiful instrument with no issues. Sale includes newer Gibson case w/shroud. Not considering trades, thanks.
$3500.00 (+3% if using PayPal)
Photo Slideshow here:
ES 350T - a set on Flickr
04-19-2011, 12:22 AM
1956 Gibson ES 350T, Sunburst. Chuck Berry, Byrdland 
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