Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VB VOS

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VB VOS review

The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VB VOS is a U.S.-made, semi-hollow electric guitar with a Vintage Burst VOS finish. Available since April 2020, it is listed at $4,999. Its design draws on the 1959 ES-335, with period-inspired appointments and a pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups. Player feedback supplied for this review is consistently enthusiastic, especially about the instrument's playability, sound, and sustain. That feedback is personal testimony rather than a substitute for a controlled comparison, but it gives a useful sense of what owners value.

Construction and specification details

The detailed construction description specifies a maple, poplar, and maple body, a one-piece mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard. The general specification list separately identifies a maple body and rosewood fingerboard. Those entries conflict, so buyers should confirm the exact materials of the individual instrument with the retailer or Gibson before purchase. The guitar is identified as semi-hollow, not hollowbody.

The neck has a medium "C" profile based on the 1959 design, and the scale length is 628 mm. There are 22 frets. The available information does not provide fret dimensions, neck measurements, or setup details, so a specific judgment about action or fret feel would depend on the instrument in hand. One owner describes the neck as thick, which may appeal to players who prefer a substantial grip, though it may feel less familiar to those accustomed to slimmer necks.

Visual details include a split-diamond headstock inlay, pearl block inlays, and five-ply binding. The gold-finished hardware pairs an ABR-1 bridge with an aluminum stop tailpiece, while Kluson waffleback tuning machines complete the vintage-inspired specification. A case and custom shop certificate are included. No bag is listed.

Pickups and controls

The pickup system consists of two unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers. The controls are arranged as two volume knobs and two tone knobs, giving each pickup its own volume and tone adjustment. There is no tremolo. The supplied owner comments describe the sound as meeting expectations for this model and specifically praise the unpotted humbuckers. They do not identify particular settings, amplifiers, or musical styles, so claims about a precise tonal range would go beyond the available evidence.

The semi-hollow format and humbucker setup make this a distinct option from a solidbody guitar with single-coil pickups. One reviewer calls it versatile, but offers no detailed examples of how it performs across genres or at different gain levels. Players considering it for a particular role should try it with their own amplifier and preferred settings when possible.

Playing impressions and owner feedback

Across the comments provided, playability is the clearest point of agreement. Owners describe the guitar as a pleasure to play and one calls it a favorite in their collection. Another characterizes the purchase as a keeper despite the high cost. The thick "C" neck and the body's semi-hollow construction are credited by one player with producing substantial sustain. This is a subjective report, not a measured sustain comparison, but it gives a concrete reason that owner enjoys the instrument.

The responses also convey a strong sense of satisfaction with the purchase. One owner says they have nothing negative to report, while another recommends the guitar without reservation. No complaints about setup, finish, tuning stability, or hardware were included in the supplied feedback. That absence should not be read as proof that every example will arrive in identical condition; setup and individual preference still matter.

Value and buying considerations

At $4,999, this is a premium instrument, and the price makes checking the details especially important. Confirm the fingerboard and body materials because the supplied specification entries do not agree. It is also worth trying the substantial neck profile in person and checking how the guitar balances while standing and seated. The case and custom shop certificate are included, and the model is not listed as a limited run.

The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VB VOS is best suited to players seeking a U.S.-made semi-hollow guitar with a 1959-inspired neck, unpotted Alnico III humbuckers, and vintage-style appointments. Owner reports point to an engaging playing feel and strong sustain, while the stated price calls for careful verification before buying. Its strongest case rests on that combination of period-focused design and positive hands-on impressions, rather than on specifications that are not provided, such as weight or detailed setup measurements.