Description
The Gibson Custom 1961 ES-335 Reissue VOS in Vintage Burst brings one of Gibson's most revered semi-hollow designs back to life with striking authenticity and soul. For players and collectors drawn to the warmth, resonance, and unmistakable feel of early '60s ES models, this reissue offers a beautifully executed alternative to chasing down an original vintage piece. It's a guitar that captures the subtle evolution of the early 335s; a blend of refinement and rawness that's hard to replicate.
This reissue is modeled meticulously after a 1961 ES-335, featuring a lightweight 3-ply maple/poplar/maple body, shaped with the rounded cutaways and body contours that define the era. The solid mahogany neck is carved to the original '61 Skinny C-profile, offering a quick, effortless playing feel without sacrificing depth or grip. The VOS (Vintage Original Sheen) nitrocellulose finish adds a gently worn-in vibe with aged hardware that feels broken-in from the moment you pick it up.
Gibson Custom's un-potted Custombuckers are a perfect match for this build; loaded with Alnico III magnets, they deliver that dry, articulate PAF-style clarity with just enough growl and warmth to thrive in clean or driven tones. From warm jazz cleans to snarling blues leads, the tonal response is harmonically rich and incredibly touch-sensitive. A hand-wired harness with CTS 500K audio taper pots and paper-in-oil capacitors rounds out the electronics for period-correct tone and dynamic range.
The playability is as vintage-authentic as it gets. A 12" radius Indian rosewood fingerboard with medium jumbo frets makes everything from chording to bending smooth and comfortable. Classic Kluson Single Line, Double Ring tuners keep tuning rock-solid, while the ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum stopbar give this 335 its signature sustain and responsiveness.
Visually, the Vintage Burst finish is rich and elegant, shifting from warm amber to deep brown edges-just like the best examples from the early '60s. Pearloid dot inlays, Top Hat knobs, and subtle aging across the metal parts round out the aesthetic with understated vintage charm.
At Cream City Music, we see a lot of reissues, and this one is among the most honest and inspiring. It's not just a tribute to a golden era of guitar design; it's a fully realized instrument with timeless tone and effortless feel, made for serious players and collectors alike.
Specifications:
- Body Type: Semi-hollowbody
- Body Shape: 1961 ES-335
- Body Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar
- Body Finish: Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer with Vintage Patina
- Color: Vintage Burst
- Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
- Neck Shape: Authentic '61 Skinny C
- Neck Joint: Set Neck
- Radius: 12"
- Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
- Fingerboard Inlay: Pearloid Dots
- Number of Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Nut Width: 1.687"
- Nut Material: Nylon
- Bridge/Tailpiece: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Bridge with Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar Tailpiece
- Tuners: Kluson Single Line, Double Ring
- Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker
- Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III Humbucker
- Controls: 2 x volume, 2 x tone
- Switching: 3-way toggle pickup switch
- Strings: Gibson, .010-.046
- Case: Hardshell Case
Sku: 61ES335VOVBNH1
