Electric guitars

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2

The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2 pairs a maple-poplar-maple semi-hollow body with two unpotted Alnico III humbuckers and an extensively aged finish. Its specification is aimed at buyers who want a vintage-style ES-335 with premium appointments and do not mind pronounced cosmetic wear.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2: Technical Review

The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2 is a U.S.-made Custom Shop semi-hollow electric guitar with a Vintage Natural finish and an Ultra Heavy Aged treatment. Its listed price is $6,599. The model has been available since October 2025, and its item number is 627125. Gibson identifies it as an ES-335, built in the ES style, with a maple and poplar body, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two humbucking pickups.

There are no customer reviews available for this product. The assessment here is therefore limited to the supplied specifications. Those details establish the guitar's construction and hardware, but cannot confirm its weight, acoustic volume, setup, or sound in a particular room.

Body, Neck, and Fingerboard

The body uses a three-layer maple, poplar, and maple construction, while the top is listed as maple. Gibson classifies the guitar as semi-hollow, not fully hollow. That distinction matters when comparing it with a fully hollow guitar, although the available specifications do not state the internal bracing pattern or body dimensions. The finish color is described as Vintage Natural, while the broader color listing is Natural.

The mahogany neck has an Authentic Medium C profile and a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays. There are 22 frets and a 628 mm scale, equivalent to about 24.7 inches. That scale length is a useful reference for players comparing string tension and reach with other guitars, but feel also depends on setup, string gauge, and individual preference. The headstock has a holly veneer, and the neck and body use Royalite binding.

Pickups and Controls

The pickup set consists of two Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers. Gibson specifies that they are unpotted. The listing does not provide output measurements, frequency response, or a description of how the pickups are voiced, so those qualities should not be assumed from the model name alone. Unpotted construction is a specific design detail, but the supplied information does not establish how the pickups will behave at any given volume or gain level.

Controls include two volume knobs and two tone knobs, with a three-way toggle switch. The guitar also has CTS potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors. These component details identify what is fitted, but do not provide measured control taper or tonal differences. The five-ply pickguard is another construction detail noted in the specifications.

Bridge, Hardware, and Finish

The bridge is an ABR-1, paired with a lightweight aluminum tailpiece. Hardware is nickel, and the tuners are vintage-style double-ring tulip machines. No tremolo is fitted. Together, these details define the listed bridge and tuning arrangement; the specifications do not include adjustment range, tuning stability tests, or setup measurements.

The Ultra Heavy Aged finish is described as showing extreme signs of wear and tear. That treatment is part of the guitar's intended appearance, rather than evidence of accidental damage. Buyers should distinguish the deliberately aged finish from a clean or lightly worn finish when judging appearance and value. The listing does not detail the exact aging locations or provide a finish-condition map.

Included Items and Buying Considerations

A case and certificate are included. No bag is listed. The product is not identified as a limited run, despite its Custom Shop designation. For prospective buyers, the strongest specification-based reasons to consider it are the ES-335 semi-hollow format, the stated wood and neck profile, the pair of unpotted Alnico III Custombuckers, and the extensive aged finish. Whether those choices suit a player depends on priorities that cannot be settled by a specification sheet alone.

At $6,599, this is a substantial purchase. Before ordering, confirm the delivered instrument's weight, setup, included certificate details, and the precise appearance of its aging with the seller. The listed information does not state those specifics. It also does not establish a particular sound, playing feel, or customer experience. The evidence supports a clear description of the build, but a hands-on evaluation is needed to judge those personal factors.

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, front view
7.8/ 10 overall score
$6,599current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Two unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers with separate volume and tone controls
  • Maple-poplar-maple semi-hollow body with a mahogany neck and rosewood fingerboard
  • Includes a case and certificate; made in the USA

What bugged me

  • Ultra Heavy Aged finish has extensive simulated wear that may not suit every buyer
  • No tremolo system, and the listed price is 6599

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking a vintage-style semi-hollow guitar with two humbuckers and premium listed appointments. Also suited to buyers who specifically want an extensively aged appearance and an included case.

Look elsewhere if

Not a good fit for buyers who prefer a clean, unworn finish or require a tremolo system. Consider another option if the listed price does not match your budget.
RockBluesJazz

Suggested level: Intermediate

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, $6,599Check today's price →

Specifications

Hollowbody guitar
No
Semi hollowbody guitar
Yes
Color
Natural
Body
Maple
Top
Maple
Neck
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood
Frets
22
Scale
628 mm
Pickups
HH
Tremolo
No
Including case
Yes
Incl. bag
No
Limited run
No

Up close

Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, detail 2Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, detail 3Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, detail 4Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2, detail 5

Before you decide

Questions players ask

Is this guitar semi-hollow or fully hollow?

It is listed as a semi-hollow guitar, not a fully hollow guitar.

What pickups does it use?

It has two unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers, controlled by two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way toggle switch.

How pronounced is the aged finish?

The finish is described as Ultra Heavy Aged, with extensive signs of wear and tear.

What is included with the guitar?

The listing includes a case and a certificate. It does not list a separate bag.

Does it have a tremolo, and what is its scale length?

It has no tremolo system. The scale length is 628 mm.

The last word from the bench

This Murphy Lab Custom Shop model combines a mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, and a 628 mm scale with vintage-oriented electronics and hardware. Separate volume and tone controls provide familiar pickup shaping, while the three-way switch selects between the two humbuckers. The Ultra Heavy Aged finish is a defining visual feature and a clear preference point. With no customer reviews supplied, buyers should assess the listed specifications and price rather than rely on user feedback.

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Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN UHA #2

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