Gibson 1959 ES-335 Re-Issue

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 01:46 AM

I am ringing the new year in with a 2009 Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 1959 re-issue. I was very fortunate to find this guitar in the possession of a collector in mint, unplayed condition. I plugged it in an the first tunes I played were Tune-up, Recorda Me, and How Insenstive. It feels great to hold and to play, and its sounds fantastic.

What a way to end 2018 and begin 2019!

Attachment 58830 Attachment 58834 Attachment 58831 Attachment 58832 Attachment 58833

**citizenk74** · 01-01-2019, 03:46 AM

Beautiful instrument! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

Beautiful instrument! Congratulations, and play it in good health!

Thank you!

I cannot wait to treat the fretboard, put on a set of TI Jazz Swing Flats - polish it and do some recording.

**TOMMO** · 01-01-2019, 06:11 AM

Congrats! That's my absolute favourite model: a blonde ES 335. Happy New Guitar Year and play her in good health!

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by TOMMO

Congrats! That's my absolute favourite model: a blonde ES 335. Happy New Guitar Year and play her in good health!

Thanks! And I couldn't agree more. I have been in the hunt for the right blonde for well over a year with a number of false positive tests. This one is the cat's pajamas.

**GNAPPI** · 01-01-2019, 12:24 PM

Congrats... You can't go wrong with a blonde!

**AKA** · 01-01-2019, 03:09 PM

3rdwaverider,

Beautiful guitar! My first really nice guitar was a tobacco burst 335 that I purchased new in '80. I eventually sold in the early 90's. In recent years I've been thinking of getting another one. My only concern, as I gotten older, is the weight of my guitars. How much does your 335 weigh?

Also, you went with the 59 Reissue. Short of the original, would you recommend sticking with the '59 Reissue?

AKA

**GNAPPI** · 01-01-2019, 05:21 PM

Every 335. I have weighed from the 90's to 2017 models have been right around 8 pounds 6 ounces give or take an ounce or two. I doubt they vary that much from there.

**Stringswinger** · 01-01-2019, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Every 335. I have weighed from the 90's to 2017 models have been right around 8 pounds 6 ounces give or take an ounce or two. I doubt they vary that much from there.

I had a 2005 ES-335 that weighed 9 pounds even and a 2016 ES-335 that weighed 8 pounds even. After owning many semi-hollows over the years, I finally figured out that they are not the guitars for me and sold them all with no intention of ever owning another. That said, the reissues that Gibson have done are, IMO, a step above other modern Gibsons. I sold my Black 57 Reissue Les Paul Custom (too heavy at 10 pounds) and my Blonde 61 Reissue ES-330 (P90's are too bright for me) but I love my 59 Reissue ES-175 (also a Blonde).

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Congrats... You can't go wrong with a blonde!

Agreed! I have the '63 re-issue (2015) in Cherry and though it's lovely, I really love the antique varnish on natural grain wood on the '59.

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by AKA

3rdwaverider,

Beautiful guitar! My first really nice guitar was a tobacco burst 335 that I purchased new in '80. I eventually sold in the early 90's. In recent years I've been thinking of getting another one. My only concern, as I gotten older, is the weight of my guitars. How much does your 335 weigh?

Also, you went with the 59 Reissue. Short of the original, would you recommend sticking with the '59 Reissue?

AKA

Before I bought this '59 re-issue, I ordered a 2018 new (natural finish) 335. When it arrived, there was nothing unique about the woods. And, it just didn't sound as good as my ES-335 '63 re-issue - not even close. So I returned it.

I think the key is to buy one that is unique in some way, in the event you want to sell it one day. There are a lot of 335's for sale. The re-issues are attracting the higher dollar.

**GNAPPI** · 01-01-2019, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I had a 2005 ES-335 that weighed 9 pounds even and a 2016 ES-335 that weighed 8 pounds even.

Jeez that's HUGE! Even my 345 and a Lucille are only 8lb. 14 ounces.

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

Every 335. I have weighed from the 90's to 2017 models have been right around 8 pounds 6 ounces give or take an ounce or two. I doubt they vary that much from there.

I haven't weighed mine, but I can say this: the '59 blonde is heavier than the '63 Cherry for some reason. But it is what it is ... I love the 335 format and the tone. I most often play sitting down, so it's not an issue for me.

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

I had a 2005 ES-335 that weighed 9 pounds even and a 2016 ES-335 that weighed 8 pounds even. After owning many semi-hollows over the years, I finally figured out that they are not the guitars for me and sold them all with no intention of ever owning another. That said, the reissues that Gibson have done are, IMO, a step above other modern Gibsons. I sold my Black 57 Reissue Les Paul Custom (too heavy at 10 pounds) and my Blonde 61 Reissue ES-330 (P90's are too bright for me) but I love my 59 Reissue ES-175 (also a Blonde).

The '59 175 re-issue is a great guitar. I love mine, as well!

**AKA** · 01-01-2019, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by 3rdwaverider

Before I bought this '59 re-issue, I ordered a 2018 new (natural finish) 335. When it arrived, there was nothing unique about the woods. And, it just didn't sound as good as my ES-335 '63 re-issue - not even close. So I returned it.

I think the key is to buy one that is unique in some way, in the event you want to sell it one day. There are a lot of 335's for sale. The re-issues are attracting the higher dollar.

Thanks for the feedback. The weight may create an issue for me. I play sitting at home, but mainly standing when playing out; and I would definitely use it when playing out. Your suggestion of getting one that is unique in some way is a good one if I move forward and ultimately determine the weight is too big of an issue and have to sell it.

Last question - What price range should I expect for a really nice/clean '59 Reissue - sunburst?

AKA

**Bflat233** · 01-01-2019, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by AKA

Thanks for the feedback. The weight may create an issue for me. I play sitting at home, but mainly standing when playing out; and I would definitely use it when playing out. Your suggestion of getting one that is unique in some way is a good one if I move forward and ultimately determine the weight is too big of an issue and have to sell it.

Last question - What price range should I expect for a really nice/clean '59 Reissue - sunburst?

AKA

You should most definitely play one before you buy if you can. That will help you determine if the weight is going to be a real issue. For me, a good strap is the ticket when I'm standing, as I do with my duo.

Price-wise - check the Reverb.com Price Guide. I just ran the numbers and see that re-issues are running $1800-$2200. Craigslist seems to run higher in my market. Custom Shop re-issues are running roughly $1000 more.

Here's the search results.

I've bought two guitars this year from a collectors reducing their collections as they near retirement. I think it's a phenomenon that's becoming relatively common. Set up a save search at Reverb for a month or two and you'll land something nice.

If you are interested in a very clean Custom Shop ES-336 from the same collector I got mine from, check out the listing here.

Good hunting!

**Woody Sound** · 01-02-2019, 09:37 AM

I really like the look of the 'hog neck on the blond maple body.

**Woody Sound** · 01-02-2019, 09:44 AM

2:10

**AKA** · 01-02-2019, 09:45 AM

Thanks

AKA

Originally Posted by 3rdwaverider

You should most definitely play one before you buy if you can. That will help you determine if the weight is going to be a real issue. For me, a good strap is the ticket when I'm standing, as I do with my duo.

Price-wise - check the Reverb.com Price Guide. I just ran the numbers and see that re-issues are running $1800-$2200. Craigslist seems to run higher in my market. Custom Shop re-issues are running roughly $1000 more.

Here's the search results.

I've bought two guitars this year from a collectors reducing their collections as they near retirement. I think it's a phenomenon that's becoming relatively common. Set up a save search at Reverb for a month or two and you'll land something nice.

If you are interested in a very clean Custom Shop ES-336 from the same collector I got mine from, check out the listing here.

Good hunting!

**GNAPPI** · 01-02-2019, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by Woody Sound

I really like the look of the 'hog neck on the blond maple body.

+1.

I own and have owned a number of 335's and several clone brand 335's, and as well made as they are the clones invariably just miss the mark of the 335 vibe.

So isn't it odd that most of the 335 clones have maple necks with the odd exception being the Ibanez AS-200, and that's a 3 piece laminated hog/maple/hog neck.

**Woody Sound** · 01-02-2019, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

+1.

I own and have owned a number of 335's and several clone brand 335's, and as well made as they are the clones invariably just miss the mark of the 335 vibe.

So isn't it odd that most of the 335 clones have maple necks with the odd exception being the Ibanez AS-200, and that's a 3 piece laminated hog/maple/hog neck.

My Sadowsky JB has a hog neck, and it just seems to be more "vibrant" than maple.

**Paulie2** · 01-02-2019, 11:31 AM

Congrats!! Hard to beat a good 335

**waltf** · 01-02-2019, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by GNAPPI

+1.

I own and have owned a number of 335's and several clone brand 335's, and as well made as they are the clones invariably just miss the mark of the 335 vibe.

I can assure you this one sounds like a 335.