Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue VOS, Ebony #30173

Full Description

The top of the ES family

The ES-355 has always been the crown jewel of Gibson’s semi-hollow range. Starting with the same construction that made the ES-335 legendary – a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple body with a solid maple centreblock – it delivers that unmistakable clarity, warmth, and feedback control. But with its upscale appointments and refined details, the ES-355 sets itself apart as the model that jazz greats, blues icons, and rock pioneers gravitated towards when they wanted something truly special.

Vintage tone, Custom Shop precision

Loaded with a pair of Custombuckers, this reissue nails the voice of a late-50s ES. Articulate highs, warm lows, and a woody resonance are all here, perfectly captured through period-correct wiring, CTS pots, and paper-in-oil capacitors. Whether you’re chasing smoky jazz chords, biting blues leads, or that throaty ES growl with overdrive, the 355 delivers with an authenticity only Gibson Custom can provide.

Luxury in every detail

This model isn’t just about sound – it’s about presence. The ebony fretboard with mother of pearl block inlays feels smooth and fast, while the split-diamond headstock inlay instantly marks this as a top-tier Gibson. Gold hardware, multi-ply binding, and that distinctive VOS finish add up to a guitar that looks as commanding under stage lights as it does in a collection.

A true player’s heirloom

Every inch of this guitar has been crafted to honour the original 1959 design, from its rounded medium C neck profile to the authentic stepped truss rod cover. It’s built not just to be admired, but to be played – offering a feel and response that connects you straight to the era that defined the ES. Supplied in a Lifton hardshell case with a Certificate of Authenticity, this ES-355 is more than just an instrument – it’s a lifelong companion with history in its DNA.

Attention to detail

Every element of this ES-355 Reissue has been crafted with precision by the Gibson Custom Shop. From the split diamond headstock inlay to the multi-ply binding and authentic stepped truss rod cover, it’s a faithful recreation of one of Gibson’s most sought-after models. Supplied in a five-latch Lifton hardshell case with a Certificate of Authenticity, this is a true collector’s piece that stands tall as the king of the ES models.

Specifications

• Product Name: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue VOS, Ebony #30173
• Product Code: 59ES355VOEBGH1 #30173

Body

• Body Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
• Body Shape: ES-335
• Body Style: ES
• Centerblock: Solid Maple
• Binding: Multi-ply
• Body Finish: Nitrocellulose VOS
• Weight Relief: None

Neck & Fretboard

• Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
• Neck Profile: 50s Rounded Medium C
• Scale Length: 628.65mm / 24.75"
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm / 12"
• Fret Count: 22
• Frets: Authentic Medium Jumbo
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Block
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 42.85mm / 1.69"
• Neck Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit

Hardware & Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: Custombucker
• Neck Pickup: Custombucker
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone; CTS 500k Audio Taper Pots, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Toggle
• Output Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft
• Bridge: ABR-1
• Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminium Stop Bar
• Tuning Machines: Grover Rotomatic with Kidney Buttons
• Pickguard: Multi-Ply Bound Celluloid
• Control Knobs: Gold Top Hat
• Hardware Finish: Gold
• Pickup Covers: Authentic Profile Gold-plated Nickel Silver
• Mounting Rings: Black M69
• Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
• Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
• Saddle Material: Nickel-plated Brass
• Strap Buttons: Cream Plastic
• Switch Tip: Amber Catalin

Miscellaneous

• Headstock Inlay: Gibson Logo and Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl
• Case: Lifton Custom Shop 5-Latch Hardshell
• Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity
• String Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046