Gibson Custom Historic '63 ES-335 Block 2009 - Vintage Sunburst

This is a very fine 2009 Gibson Custom Shop Historic ’63 ES-335 Reissue, presented in exceptionally clean, original condition. It is complete with its original hard case, paperwork, and certificate of authenticity.

This particular example is in excellent overall condition. The Vintage Sunburst finish remains rich and vibrant, showing only a few light play marks and minor signs of use, all entirely consistent with a carefully looked-after instrument. The guitar has been very well set up, with a superb, comfortable playing action. The frets show plenty of life, neatly crowned and polished, and feel exactly as they should under the fingers. Tonally, it delivers everything one would expect from a pair of Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers: open, articulate, and unmistakably authentic. It is very much the real thing and will not disappoint. This 63' ES-335 weighs 8.33 lb.

There is a tiny ding on the very edge of the face of the headstock, but this is minor and visually insignificant. Overall, this is a fantastic example from the final year of production for this particular Historic series.

From the correct block inlays to the distinctive “pinched” headstock ears, this ’63 ES-335 Historic Reissue is a faithful and highly regarded recreation of one of Gibson’s most desirable early-1960s semi-hollow designs. Finished in a deep Vintage Sunburst and paired with a dark, attractively figured rosewood fingerboard, it is an instrument that both plays beautifully and sounds exactly as it should.

Design features for this series include a period-correct single-bound thinline body with f-holes, and a bound 22-fret rosewood neck with small block inlays, a specification introduced by Gibson in 1962 and carried through the early years of the decade. The headstock carries a pearl-inlaid crown alongside the modern Gibson logo, with double-line Gibson Deluxe tuners as favoured by the Custom Shop at the time. Nickel hardware is used throughout and, as this is a non-VOS model, it remains bright and free from any artificial ageing.

Further correct details include a short, period-style pickguard, silver reflector knobs, a lightweight stop-bar tailpiece, and an ABR-1 bridge. Electronics comprise the ever-reliable Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers: vintage-voiced, PAF-style pickups wound to Seth Lover’s original specifications and wired to a traditional Gibson control layout.

A highly accurate and beautifully presented Historic ES-335, equally suited to the discerning player or the serious collector.