What is the primary difference between the ES-335 Figured and a standard ES-335?

The Figured model uses AAA-grade figured maple for the body laminates, providing a more decorative wood grain. It also typically features small block inlays on the fingerboard instead of simple dots.

What material is used for the centreblock?

The guitar features a solid maple centreblock. This component is essential for providing sustain and preventing the feedback issues typically associated with fully hollow guitars at high volumes.

What type of bracing is found inside the Blood Moon Burst ES-335?

The guitar is constructed with quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing. This material is chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and its ability to enhance the body's resonance.

What is the neck profile of this model?

The neck has a Mahogany 'Rounded C' profile. This is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes, offering a substantial but not overly bulky feel.

What kind of fingerboard does the ES-335 Figured have?

It features a rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius. This radius is standard for Gibson guitars and is known for facilitating easy string bending.

What are the fret specifications for this guitar?

The guitar is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. These provide a balance between vintage feel and modern ease of play, particularly for vibrato and bending techniques.

Is the Blood Moon Burst finish transparent?

Yes, the Blood Moon Burst is a translucent finish. It is specifically designed to showcase the AAA flame maple grain beneath the lacquer.

How does the ES-335 compare to the ES-339?

The ES-335 is the full-sized original semi-hollowbody design. The ES-339 offers similar construction and materials but in a smaller, more compact body size similar to a Les Paul.

What kind of pickguard is installed on this model?

The guitar comes with a black 5-ply pickguard. This is a classic Gibson appointment that provides a visual contrast to the Blood Moon Burst finish.

Is this guitar suitable for high-gain rock music?

Yes, because of the solid maple centreblock, the ES-335 is much more resistant to feedback than a fully hollow guitar. This makes it suitable for genres ranging from jazz to hard rock.

What inlays are used on the fretboard?

The fretboard features acrylic small block inlays. These give the guitar a more upscale appearance similar to the higher-tier ES-345 models.

What is the typical price for a Gibson ES-335 Figured?

In the current market, this specific model typically retails for approximately £3,399. Prices may vary slightly based on specific dealer stock or unique wood figuring.

Gear article

Gibson ES-335 Figured Blood Moon Burst #219850257

The Gibson ES-335 Figured Blood Moon Burst is a premium semi-hollowbody electric guitar featuring a 3-ply AAA figured maple body and a solid maple centreblock. This specific model, identified by serial #219850257, represents a luxury iteration of the foundational 1958 design, blending high-end aesthetics with traditional resonance.

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Overview and Construction

The Gibson ES-335 Figured is a refined take on the world's first semi-hollowbody electric guitar. The construction utilizes a 3-ply AAA figured maple and poplar laminate for the top, back, and sides, providing a striking visual flame. A solid maple centreblock runs through the middle of the body, which serves to anchor the bridge and pickups while significantly reducing the susceptibility to feedback common in fully hollow instruments.

Internally, the guitar features quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing. This choice of tonewood for the bracing increases the structural integrity and enhances the overall resonance of the body, allowing for a more responsive acoustic character than standard laminates might provide alone.

Neck and Playability

The mahogany neck is carved into a 'Rounded C' profile, designed to offer a balance between vintage thickness and modern ergonomic comfort. It is topped with a rosewood fingerboard featuring a 12-inch radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. The aesthetic is completed by acrylic small block inlays, which distinguish the Figured series from the dot inlays found on standard 335 models. The playability is intended to be versatile, supporting both technical lead work and rhythm playing across the entire scale.

Sound and Character

Because of its semi-hollow design, this ES-335 offers a specific tonal balance characterized by the sustain of a solid body and the 'air' of a hollow body. The solid maple centreblock provides a bright, biting attack and clear note definition, while the figured maple and spruce bracing add warmth and harmonic complexity. The instrument is capable of producing the 'woody' tones associated with jazz and blues, yet it remains stable enough to handle the higher gain levels required for rock music.

Aesthetics and Finish

The 'Blood Moon Burst' finish is a distinctive feature of this model, designed to highlight the natural flame patterns of the AAA maple top and back. The dark, saturated hues are complemented by classic cream binding and a black 5-ply pickguard. This combination maintains the 'unmistakable Gibson class' while providing a modern alternative to traditional finishes like Sixties Cherry or Vintage Burst.

Market Comparison

Within the Gibson catalogue, the ES-335 Figured sits above the standard ES-335 and the smaller-bodied ES-339. It shares the semi-hollow architecture with the ES-345, though it differs in its specific aesthetic appointments and electronics configurations. For players seeking a similar silhouette at a different price point, the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue offers a vintage-voiced alternative, while Gretsch's Nashville hollow bodies provide a different mechanical feel due to their Bigsby vibrato systems and fully hollow designs.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary difference between the ES-335 Figured and a standard ES-335?: The Figured model uses AAA-grade figured maple for the body laminates, providing a more decorative wood grain. It also typically features small block inlays on the fingerboard instead of simple dots.
What material is used for the centreblock?: The guitar features a solid maple centreblock. This component is essential for providing sustain and preventing the feedback issues typically associated with fully hollow guitars at high volumes.
What type of bracing is found inside the Blood Moon Burst ES-335?: The guitar is constructed with quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing. This material is chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio and its ability to enhance the body's resonance.
What is the neck profile of this model?: The neck has a Mahogany 'Rounded C' profile. This is designed to be comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes, offering a substantial but not overly bulky feel.
What kind of fingerboard does the ES-335 Figured have?: It features a rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius. This radius is standard for Gibson guitars and is known for facilitating easy string bending.
What are the fret specifications for this guitar?: The guitar is equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets. These provide a balance between vintage feel and modern ease of play, particularly for vibrato and bending techniques.
Is the Blood Moon Burst finish transparent?: Yes, the Blood Moon Burst is a translucent finish. It is specifically designed to showcase the AAA flame maple grain beneath the lacquer.
How does the ES-335 compare to the ES-339?: The ES-335 is the full-sized original semi-hollowbody design. The ES-339 offers similar construction and materials but in a smaller, more compact body size similar to a Les Paul.
What kind of pickguard is installed on this model?: The guitar comes with a black 5-ply pickguard. This is a classic Gibson appointment that provides a visual contrast to the Blood Moon Burst finish.
Is this guitar suitable for high-gain rock music?: Yes, because of the solid maple centreblock, the ES-335 is much more resistant to feedback than a fully hollow guitar. This makes it suitable for genres ranging from jazz to hard rock.
What inlays are used on the fretboard?: The fretboard features acrylic small block inlays. These give the guitar a more upscale appearance similar to the higher-tier ES-345 models.
What is the typical price for a Gibson ES-335 Figured?: In the current market, this specific model typically retails for approximately £3,399. Prices may vary slightly based on specific dealer stock or unique wood figuring.