What is the primary body construction of the Gibson ES-335 Spearmint?

The body is constructed from 3-ply maple/poplar/maple laminate. This combination provides a balance of warmth and resonance while maintaining structural integrity.

What purpose does the solid maple centreblock serve?

The maple centreblock provides the sustain of a solid-body guitar and helps keep unwanted feedback under control. This allows the guitar to be played at higher volumes or with more distortion than a fully hollow guitar.

What neck profile does this model feature?

The guitar features a mahogany neck with a 'Rounded C' profile. This is designed to provide a comfortable playing experience suitable for various hand sizes and playing styles.

Which pickups are installed in the ES-335 Spearmint?

The guitar is equipped with Calibrated T-Type humbucking pickups. These are designed to deliver a range of tones from rich cleans to dynamic overdriven sounds.

What type of capacitors are used in the electronics?

The electronics are hand-wired and utilize Orange Drop capacitors. These are known for providing smooth and responsive tonal shaping when using the guitar's control knobs.

What hardware is used for the bridge and tailpiece?

The instrument uses an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece. This combination is a classic Gibson setup aimed at enhancing sustain.

How does the Spearmint finish differ from standard ES-335 models?

The Spearmint finish is a fresh, modern aesthetic choice. While the internal construction remains classic, this colour provides a unique alternative to traditional finishes like Sixties Cherry or Sunburst.

What is the typical price for this model?

The Gibson ES-335 Spearmint #232640238 is typically priced at approximately £3,099. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and market conditions.

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

The ES-335 is the full-sized original semi-hollow model, whereas the ES-339 features a smaller body size. Both use similar construction techniques, but the 335 offers more acoustic resonance due to its larger internal air volume.

Is this guitar suitable for high-gain music?

Yes, thanks to its internal centreblock, the ES-335 can handle high-gain and overdriven tones much better than a fully hollow guitar. It is widely used in rock and blues for this reason.

What fretboard material is used on this model?

The guitar features a rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is traditionally used for its feel and its contribution to the overall warmth of the instrument's tone.

What are the main tonal characteristics of the ES-335 Spearmint?

The guitar is known for its balance of warmth, resonance, and sustain. It provides a 'woody' character that is more open than a solid-body guitar but more focused than a hollow-body.

Gear article

Gibson ES-335 Spearmint #232640238

The Gibson ES-335 Spearmint #232640238 is a semi-hollow electric guitar featuring a unique contemporary finish on one of the most historically significant guitar designs. Constructed with a 3-ply maple/poplar/maple body and a solid maple centreblock, it is designed to offer a balance of resonance and sustain while minimizing feedback during high-volume performance.

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Background and Design

The Gibson ES-335 has been a staple of the electric guitar world for over six decades. This specific iteration, finished in Spearmint, represents a modern aesthetic take on the classic semi-hollow platform. The guitar utilizes a 3-ply laminate construction consisting of maple and poplar. The central feature of the design is the solid maple centreblock, which provides the structural rigidity of a solid-body guitar while allowing the outer 'wings' of the body to retain hollow-body acoustic properties.

Technical Specifications

The instrument is built around a mahogany neck with a 'Rounded C' profile, paired with a rosewood fretboard for a traditional feel. The hardware includes an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece, components selected to enhance sustain and tuning stability. The electronics are hand-wired and feature Orange Drop capacitors, which are noted for their smooth and responsive tonal shaping capabilities.

Sound Character

The ES-335 Spearmint is equipped with Calibrated T-Type pickups. These are designed to capture the signature ES-335 sound, which is characterized by a wide dynamic range. At lower gain settings, the guitar produces rich, warm cleans suitable for jazz and blues. When pushed, the centreblock allows the instrument to handle overdriven tones and high-gain distortion without the uncontrollable feedback typically associated with fully hollow instruments.

Comparison to Alternatives

Within the Gibson range, this model sits alongside the 'Sixties Cherry' variant and the 'Figured Blood Moon Burst' #219850257, offering the same internal architecture with different aesthetic appointments. For those seeking a more compact body, the Gibson ES-339 Figured provides a similar tonal profile in a smaller frame. Players looking for more ornate hardware and varied electronics might consider the ES-345 Vintage Burst, while the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue offers a similar design ethos for left-handed players at a different price point. Outside of the Gibson family, the Gretsch Nashville Hollow Body with a Bigsby tailpiece provides a different tonal character due to its fully hollow construction and specific Gretsch electronics.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary body construction of the Gibson ES-335 Spearmint?: The body is constructed from 3-ply maple/poplar/maple laminate. This combination provides a balance of warmth and resonance while maintaining structural integrity.
What purpose does the solid maple centreblock serve?: The maple centreblock provides the sustain of a solid-body guitar and helps keep unwanted feedback under control. This allows the guitar to be played at higher volumes or with more distortion than a fully hollow guitar.
What neck profile does this model feature?: The guitar features a mahogany neck with a 'Rounded C' profile. This is designed to provide a comfortable playing experience suitable for various hand sizes and playing styles.
Which pickups are installed in the ES-335 Spearmint?: The guitar is equipped with Calibrated T-Type humbucking pickups. These are designed to deliver a range of tones from rich cleans to dynamic overdriven sounds.
What type of capacitors are used in the electronics?: The electronics are hand-wired and utilize Orange Drop capacitors. These are known for providing smooth and responsive tonal shaping when using the guitar's control knobs.
What hardware is used for the bridge and tailpiece?: The instrument uses an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and an aluminium Stop Bar tailpiece. This combination is a classic Gibson setup aimed at enhancing sustain.
How does the Spearmint finish differ from standard ES-335 models?: The Spearmint finish is a fresh, modern aesthetic choice. While the internal construction remains classic, this colour provides a unique alternative to traditional finishes like Sixties Cherry or Sunburst.
What is the typical price for this model?: The Gibson ES-335 Spearmint #232640238 is typically priced at approximately £3,099. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and market conditions.
How does the ES-335 compare to the ES-339?: The ES-335 is the full-sized original semi-hollow model, whereas the ES-339 features a smaller body size. Both use similar construction techniques, but the 335 offers more acoustic resonance due to its larger internal air volume.
Is this guitar suitable for high-gain music?: Yes, thanks to its internal centreblock, the ES-335 can handle high-gain and overdriven tones much better than a fully hollow guitar. It is widely used in rock and blues for this reason.
What fretboard material is used on this model?: The guitar features a rosewood fretboard. Rosewood is traditionally used for its feel and its contribution to the overall warmth of the instrument's tone.
What are the main tonal characteristics of the ES-335 Spearmint?: The guitar is known for its balance of warmth, resonance, and sustain. It provides a 'woody' character that is more open than a solid-body guitar but more focused than a hollow-body.