Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue Vintage Bu

Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue Vintage Bu review

The Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue Vintage Bu is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a five-ply maple and poplar body, a maple center block, and a set mahogany neck. Its specification sheet gives the scale as both 628 mm and 629 mm, equivalent to 24.75 inches. The fingerboard is rosewood, with small block inlays and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Epiphone lists a price of $1,145 and includes a case.

The feature that sets this model apart from a more basic ES-style guitar is its pair of Gibson Custombucker humbuckers. They sit in the neck and bridge positions and are controlled by separate volume and tone knobs, with a three-way toggle switch for selecting pickups. A few owners praise the pickups for their strong output, articulation, and rounded sound. Others find them especially loud, so players who favor lower-output pickups may want to audition the guitar first.

Construction and hardware

The Vintage Burst finish is paired with single-ply binding on the body and fingerboard, a black pickguard, and nickel-plated hardware. The bridge is an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with an aluminum stopbar, and the guitar has Epiphone Deluxe tuning machines. A Graph Tech nut and a 43 mm nut width complete the listed setup.

The neck has a 1960s Slim Taper C profile. One player describes it as narrow and comfortable for thumb-over playing. Another reports that the instrument is heavier than a Gibson ES-335 they own, and one measured a weight of 3.8 kg. That is an individual measurement, not a published specification, but it is worth considering if low weight is a priority. The guitar has no tremolo system.

Playability and setup

Reports on playability differ sharply. Some owners received an instrument that was well set up and comfortable straight from the case. Others found high action, sharp fret ends, or nut slots that needed attention. One player spent about an hour and a half rounding and polishing fret ends, lowering the nut slots, and adjusting pickup height before describing the guitar as easy to play and stable in tuning.

That spread matters more than any single setup complaint. Fret-end feel and action are easy to assess in person, but a buyer ordering online cannot assume every example will arrive in the same condition. If the guitar needs adjustment, a setup from a qualified technician can address common issues such as string height, nut slots, and fret finishing. Factor that possibility into the cost and the time you are willing to spend.

Sound and finish

Owners who like the sound describe the Custombuckers as clear and responsive, with a full, rounded voice. One reviewer compared the guitar favorably with Gibson ES-335 instruments, while another said the tone was warm but slightly dark and relied on amplifier settings for correction. The control response also drew a less positive comment, with one owner finding the tone knobs had little effect. These are individual impressions, and the amplifier, strings, pickup height, and setup all influence the result.

Finish quality is another area where experiences vary. Some buyers were impressed by the instrument's appearance and construction, while one reported an uneven, slightly grainy feel across parts of the finish. The guitar's looks and case earned praise, but those comments do not rule out flaws on a particular example. Inspect the finish closely when it arrives, especially if you are buying sight unseen.

Verdict

At $1,145, the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue Vintage Bu offers a semi-hollow maple-and-poplar body, a set mahogany neck, Gibson Custombucker pickups, and a fitted case. Its strongest appeal is the combination of those pickups and the familiar ES-335 layout at a lower price than a Gibson-branded original. Several owners consider it a convincing alternative, while others point to fretwork, setup, weight, or finish concerns.

This guitar makes the most sense for players who want this style of semi-hollow instrument and value its pickup package, with the understanding that individual setup and finishing may need inspection. Try one before buying if possible, or check the return terms and arrange a professional setup if required. The reported variation means a good example can be highly satisfying, but careful quality checks are part of the purchase.