What does 'VOS' stand for in this Gibson model?

VOS stands for Vintage Original Spec. It refers to a finish process that gives the nitrocellulose lacquer and hardware a light, authentic patina, simulating the look of a vintage guitar that has been well-preserved.

What is the benefit of the maple centre block?

The solid maple centre block provides two main benefits: it increases the guitar's sustain and helps to suppress the feedback issues typically associated with fully hollowbody guitars at high volumes.

What kind of pickups are installed in the 1959 Reissue?

The guitar is equipped with a pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico III pickups. These are designed to replicate the clarity and warmth of late-50s PAF pickups.

What does 'unpotted' mean regarding the pickups?

Unpotted means the pickup coils have not been dipped in wax. This allows for a more open, harmonically rich sound and greater dynamic sensitivity, though it can be more prone to feedback at extreme gain levels.

What neck profile does this guitar have?

It features a 50s Rounded Medium C profile. This is a thicker, more substantial neck shape compared to the 'Slim Taper' profiles found on later 1960s models.

Is the neck joint historically accurate?

Yes, it uses a long tenon neck joint secured with hide glue. This construction method is a hallmark of vintage accuracy and is believed to improve resonance between the neck and body.

What materials are used for the body construction?

The body is constructed from 3-ply maple/poplar/maple. This combination provides a balance of brightness from the maple and warmth from the poplar.

What type of fingerboard is used on this model?

The guitar features an Indian rosewood fingerboard. It is adorned with pearloid dot inlays, staying true to the original 1959 design aesthetics.

How does this compare to a Gibson ES-339?

While both are semi-hollow, the ES-339 has a significantly smaller body size. The 1959 ES-335 Reissue maintains the full, original body dimensions for a larger acoustic footprint.

What hardware is included with the 1959 ES-335 Reissue?

The guitar is fitted with premium vintage-style hardware, including Kluson tuners and an ABR-1 bridge, all finished to match the VOS aesthetic.

Who is this guitar primarily designed for?

This guitar suits professional musicians and collectors seeking the highest level of vintage accuracy. Its versatile sound makes it suitable for jazz, blues, and rock.

What is the typical price for this Custom Shop model?

The typical price for the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 Reissue VOS is approximately £5,199, reflecting its premium Custom Shop construction and materials.

Gear article

Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-335 Reissue VOS

The Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-335 Reissue VOS is a high-end, historically accurate recreation of the definitive 1959 semi-hollowbody electric guitar. Featuring a 3-ply maple/poplar body, a solid maple centre block, and unpotted Custombucker Alnico III pickups, it is designed to replicate the specific tone and tactile feel of the original late-1950s production models.

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Historical Context and Build

The 1959 ES-335 represents a pivotal moment in Gibson's history, bridging the gap between traditional archtops and solid-body electrics. This Gibson Custom Shop reissue meticulously follows the original blueprints, utilising a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple construction for the top, back, and sides. A defining characteristic of this model is the long tenon neck joint, which is secured using authentic hide glue—a traditional adhesive known for its superior resonance and long-term stability.

The aesthetic is defined by the 'Vintage Original Spec' (VOS) treatment, which applies a light patina to the nitrocellulose lacquer and hardware. This creates a gently aged appearance that avoids the heavy distressing of 'relic' models, instead mimicking a well-maintained vintage instrument. Hardware includes period-correct Kluson tuners and pearloid dot inlays on an Indian rosewood fingerboard.

Tone and Electronics

The sonic profile of the 1959 ES-335 Reissue is centred around its pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico III pickups. These electronics are engineered to capture the dynamic response, warmth, and clarity associated with original late-50s Patent Applied For (PAF) humbuckers. Because the pickups are unpotted, they remain highly sensitive to player touch and volume adjustments.

The internal architecture, specifically the solid maple centre block, plays a crucial role in the guitar's sound. By anchoring the bridge and pickups in solid wood, the design enhances sustain and significantly reduces the microphonic feedback common in fully hollow instruments, allowing for higher gain applications without sacrificing the airiness of a hollowbody.

Playability and Feel

The neck of this reissue features a '50s Rounded Medium C profile, offering a substantial but comfortable grip that distinguishes it from the thinner profiles found on 1960s models. The Indian rosewood fingerboard provides a smooth playing surface, complemented by the traditional 24.75-inch scale length. The use of premium materials and hand-finished construction ensures that the instrument maintains the tactile response expected from the Gibson Custom Shop.

Market Comparisons

When compared to standard production models like the Gibson ES-335 Sixties Cherry, the 1959 Reissue offers higher-grade materials, unpotted pickups, and historically accurate construction techniques such as the hide-glue neck joint. While the Gibson ES-345 offers similar semi-hollow tones with different aesthetic appointments and circuitry, the 1959 ES-335 remains the preferred choice for purists seeking the original 'dot neck' configuration.

For those seeking different tonal palettes or budget points, alternatives include the Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body for a brighter, 'Twang' sound, or the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue for a more accessible entry into vintage-styled semi-hollow instruments.

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Frequently asked questions

What does 'VOS' stand for in this Gibson model?: VOS stands for Vintage Original Spec. It refers to a finish process that gives the nitrocellulose lacquer and hardware a light, authentic patina, simulating the look of a vintage guitar that has been well-preserved.
What is the benefit of the maple centre block?: The solid maple centre block provides two main benefits: it increases the guitar's sustain and helps to suppress the feedback issues typically associated with fully hollowbody guitars at high volumes.
What kind of pickups are installed in the 1959 Reissue?: The guitar is equipped with a pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico III pickups. These are designed to replicate the clarity and warmth of late-50s PAF pickups.
What does 'unpotted' mean regarding the pickups?: Unpotted means the pickup coils have not been dipped in wax. This allows for a more open, harmonically rich sound and greater dynamic sensitivity, though it can be more prone to feedback at extreme gain levels.
What neck profile does this guitar have?: It features a 50s Rounded Medium C profile. This is a thicker, more substantial neck shape compared to the 'Slim Taper' profiles found on later 1960s models.
Is the neck joint historically accurate?: Yes, it uses a long tenon neck joint secured with hide glue. This construction method is a hallmark of vintage accuracy and is believed to improve resonance between the neck and body.
What materials are used for the body construction?: The body is constructed from 3-ply maple/poplar/maple. This combination provides a balance of brightness from the maple and warmth from the poplar.
What type of fingerboard is used on this model?: The guitar features an Indian rosewood fingerboard. It is adorned with pearloid dot inlays, staying true to the original 1959 design aesthetics.
How does this compare to a Gibson ES-339?: While both are semi-hollow, the ES-339 has a significantly smaller body size. The 1959 ES-335 Reissue maintains the full, original body dimensions for a larger acoustic footprint.
What hardware is included with the 1959 ES-335 Reissue?: The guitar is fitted with premium vintage-style hardware, including Kluson tuners and an ABR-1 bridge, all finished to match the VOS aesthetic.
Who is this guitar primarily designed for?: This guitar suits professional musicians and collectors seeking the highest level of vintage accuracy. Its versatile sound makes it suitable for jazz, blues, and rock.
What is the typical price for this Custom Shop model?: The typical price for the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-335 Reissue VOS is approximately £5,199, reflecting its premium Custom Shop construction and materials.