Description
The Gibson Custom Memphis ES-275-295 Mashup in Goldtop is a true one-off; a 2018 prototype that never made it into production and was never replicated. When we saw it at Gibson's special NAMM 2026 Auction, we knew we had to have it. This is not a limited edition or special run; it is a genuine factory experiment that merges two distinct Gibson hollowbody ideas into a single, cohesive instrument. What you have here is a rare glimpse into Gibson's development process; a piece that somehow made its way beyond the prototype stage.
Built on the ES-275 platform, this guitar features a fully hollow thinline body with no center block, giving it a more open and resonant voice than a typical semi-hollow design. The Goldtop finish and visual cues draw directly from the ES-295, with its floral pickguard, cream plastics, and Bigsby vibrato delivering unmistakable vintage Gibson character. It sits in a unique space; structurally modern by Memphis standards, yet visually tied to one of Gibson's most celebrated post-war designs.
A pair of Gibson MHS P-90 pickups bring clarity and bite, exactly what you want from a great P-90. In this fully hollow construction, they take on an added dimension, with more air and bloom behind each note. Clean tones feel wide and expressive, while driven sounds hold their definition without becoming muddy. The Bigsby offers smooth, musical vibrato that complements the guitar's natural resonance rather than overpowering it.
The mahogany neck features a Rounded C profile paired with a dark rosewood fingerboard and split parallelogram inlays. It feels instantly familiar; comfortable in the hand without leaning too modern or too vintage. The script logo peghead inlay and cohesive aesthetic make the design feel fully realized, even as a prototype.
For players and collectors chasing something truly singular, this is not just rare; it stands alone. There is no production counterpart and no future reissue waiting in the wings.
At Cream City Music, we come across some incredible instruments, but pieces like this are on another level. It captures a moment of creative exploration from Gibson that you can actually hold and play, and that is something special.
Specifications:
- Body: Thinline Hollowbody, Venetian Cutaway, Goldtop Finish
- Top: 3-Ply Figured Maple/Poplar/Maple
- Back: 3-Ply Figured Maple/Poplar/Maple
- Bracing: Quarter Sawn Adirondack Spruce
- Center Block: None
- Neck: Mahogany, Rounded C Profile
- Fingerboard: Dark Rosewood, Split Parallelogram Inlays
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
- Tailpiece: Bigsby Vibrato
- Pickguard: ES-295 Style Floral Design
- Pickups: Gibson MHS P-90 (Neck, Bridge)
- Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Toggle, Vintage style Speed Knobs
Sku: USAPROT0123
