Gibson ES-335

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The Gibson ES-335 was the world's first commercial semi-hollowbody electric guitar, released by Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1958. It is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body, but the sides are hollow, sporting violin-style f-holes. [1]

1 Origins
2 Models and variations
3 "Lucille"
4 Famous ES-335 Series Users
5 External links

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Origins

Its origins may lie in the one of the World's first solid-body electrics: Les Paul's experimental "The Log", which was simply a block of wood with a neck, electronics, and the sides of an Epiphone archtop guitar screwed on. The ES-335 features a refined and improved version of the same basic approach.

The ES-335 and other semi-hollowbody guitars have a rather distinctive, "woody" sound, mellower than solid-bodies, but retain their high sustain and low feedback. Due to their sonic flexibility, 335s have found popularity in nearly all genres of popular music, including jazz and rock.

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Models and variations

The 335 was an important landmark in electric instrument technology. Its innovative body design was complemented by a slim, comfortable neck with excellent access to the upper frets. At a basic price of $267.50 it quickly became a best-seller, and has been in continuous production since 1958.

The Trini Lopez Standard, manufactured 1964-1970, was based on the ES-335. It had narrow diamond-shaped soundholes replacing the f-holes, a headstock with all the tuners on one side, and slashed-diamond inlays reminiscent of the "slash cuts" used by Rickenbacker on its American semi-hollowbody models. Other models based on the 335 include the ES-345 (wired for stereo capabilities), the deluxe ES-355, and the EB-2 electric bass. Interestingly, although the ES-330 resembles the 335, it is actually fully hollow (as opposed to semi-hollow) and features two P-90 pickups (as opposed to 2 humbucking pickups).

Gibson also markets a much less expensive version of the ES-335 under its Epiphone brand, called the Dot (referring to its dot-style fret markers). Other Epiphone 335-style models include the Sheraton, the Riviera, and the Dot Studio.

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"Lucille"

B. B. King was the first well-known guitarist to make the 335 his main guitar, or rather the fancier ES-355, called "Lucille", almost exclusively through his career. His endorsement with Gibson began in 1980, with his signature "Lucille" model, which is basically a black ES-355 without f-holes. One minor difference with the "Lucille" model is the maple neck - usually mahogany on ES guitars. It makes for a somewhat brighter attack.

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