1963 Gibson ES-335

For your consideration, Garrett Park Guitars presents this 1963 Gibson ES-335, a beautifully preserved example of Gibson’s landmark semi-hollow electric from the model’s golden era.

Introduced in 1958 under the direction of Ted McCarty, the ES-335 was Gibson’s groundbreaking answer to the demands of modern electric performance. By pairing fully hollow maple laminate wings with a solid maple center block, Gibson achieved a design that retained the warmth and resonance of a hollowbody while dramatically reducing feedback at higher stage volumes. The result was one of the most versatile electric guitars ever produced—equally at home in jazz, blues, rock, and beyond.

This 1963 example embodies many of the features most sought after by collectors and players alike, including a vibrant cherry finish, small block inlays, and a factory Bigsby vibrato. The laminated maple body displays excellent overall preservation, with the most notable cosmetic wear consisting of decal residue running parallel to the bass strings along with buckle rash.

The one-piece mahogany neck is topped with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and carved into a comfortable medium C profile, offering the fast, articulate feel associated with early-’60s ES models. Original frets remain intact and the guitar has been professionally set up for smooth playability with low action and excellent fret response throughout the register. The original Kluson Deluxe single-line tuners remain fitted, preserving the instrument’s vintage-correct appearance and functionality.

Electronically, this ES-335 is equipped with a mixed pair of original humbuckers: a PAF in the neck position and an early patent number in the bridge position. Original wiring, pots, and switch remain in place. Together, they provide a broad tonal palette ranging from warm, vocal neck pickup textures to articulate bridge pickup bite.

Overall, this 1963 Gibson ES-335 represents an exceptional combination of vintage originality, elegant aesthetics, and legendary semi-hollow tone. With its factory Bigsby configuration, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and early Patent Number pickups, it stands as a highly desirable example from one of Gibson’s most celebrated production periods.

Specifications

Model & Year

• Model: Gibson ES-335
• Year of manufacture: 1963
• Serial Number: 111021

Body

• Style: Semi-hollow
• Material: Maple laminate (maple/poplar/maple)
• Finish: Cherry nitrocellulose lacquer
• Weight: 8lb 4oz

Neck

• Material & Construction: Mahogany, set
• Fingerboard: Brazilian rosewood
• Profile shape: C
• Radius: 12"
• Nut Width: 1.66"
• Depth: .81" (1st), .95" (12th)
• Inlays: Pearloid small block
• Frets: Original
• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe single-line

Hardware

• Bridge / Tailpiece: ABR-1 with factory Bigsby
• Pickguard: 5-ply short guard
• Knobs: Top hat reflectors

Electronics

• Pickups: Patent Applied For (neck position) and early Patent Number (bridge position)
• Impedance / DCR readings:
  • Bridge: 7.66kΩ
  • Neck: 7.90kΩ
• Potentiometers: Original
• Wiring: Original
• Switch: Original

Condition: Excellent

• Excellent cosmetic condition with oversprayed buckle rash on the back and decal residue on the top
• Excellent structural condition with no cracks, breaks, or repairs
• Professionally set up for low action with no buzzing or dead spots
• Original finish retains strong color and gloss throughout
• Comes with original brown Lifton hardshell case