#A 29657 - CHERRY FINISH

Although ten examples shipped in 1958, Gibson’s grandiose ES-355 wasn’t officially introduced until 1959, when it became the company’s flagship semi-hollowbody electric guitar. With a block-inlaid ebony fretboard, multi-ply binding, split diamond headstock inlay, and gold hardware, the ES-355 has a show-stopping appearance to match the unrivaled performance of its PAF pickups.

Offered as part of Gibson’s world-first Certified Vintage program, with mono wiring and lack of Varitone circuit, this first-year ES-355 in Cherry is certainly the rarest configuration of the model – and arguably the most desirable, too. The electronics are original, and the PAFs have never been unsoldered. The Bigbsy® B7 tailpiece and Custom Made plaque were added at some point in the early 1960s, but this modification was likely carried out at the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo. The guitar ships in its original pink-lined Lifton™ case.

In recent years, this ES-355 has been owned by Gibson Brands, Inc. and exhibited alongside other iconic vintage instruments in the Vault at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. During its time at the Vault, it has been played by numerous celebrity musicians and used as a benchmark for Gibson Custom’s Historic reissue and Murphy Lab programs.

The buyer will also be invited to visit the Gibson Garage in Nashville for a guided tour of the Vault.

A NEW WARRANTY

Gibson Certified Vintage instruments come with a manufacturer-minted certificate of authenticity and a detailed letter of appraisal confirming the provenance and history of the instrument, signed by both Gibson’s Senior Director of Product Development Mat Koehler and Director of Brand Experience Mark Agnesi. Covered by a new limited lifetime warranty, this guitar from the Gibson Certified Vintage program will ship with its original hardshell case.