Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS
The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS pairs a comfortable neck and carefully reported workmanship with clear, balanced amplified tones. Its main drawback is the substantial Custom Shop price.
★★★★★ 5/5 · 3 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS review
The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS is a Custom Shop semi-hollowbody guitar built in the United States. Its listed price is $4,499, placing it firmly in the premium tier. The model combines a vintage-inspired specification with a practical control layout, and player feedback points to a carefully finished instrument with a clear, balanced amplified sound.
VN refers to the natural finish in the product name, while the specification lists the finish as Vintage Burst VOS. The guitar has a maple, poplar, and maple body, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its ES-style body is semi-hollow, not fully hollow, and it has no tremolo. A case and certificate are included.
Construction and feel
The neck uses an authentic 1959 medium C profile. One owner describes it as comfortable in relatively small hands, with a shape that feels pleasantly slim without seeming too thin. That is a subjective report, but it gives useful context for players considering a vintage-style neck. The scale length is 628 mm, and the fingerboard has 22 frets with pearloid dot inlays.
Details include Royalite binding, a Holly headstock veneer, a five-ply pickguard, and nickel hardware. The vintage-style double-ring tulip tuners and VOS finish contribute to the period-inspired appearance. One owner initially noticed the aged look of the metal parts, including slight surface oxidation on the tailpiece and a dulled appearance on the tuners, but found the overall effect coherent rather than distracting.
The available feedback describes the guitar arriving well set up and without obvious faults. The owner also reported no rattling when playing it unplugged. That is an individual assessment, not a substitute for inspecting the specific instrument, but it supports the impression of a well-prepared example.
Pickups and controls
The guitar is fitted with two unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers. Its electronics include two volume controls, two tone controls, a three-way toggle switch, CTS potentiometers, and paper-in-oil capacitors. The bridge is an ABR-1, paired with a lightweight aluminum tailpiece. The specification also lists vintage-style tuning machines and nickel-finished hardware.
In owner feedback, the pickups are described as clear, strong, and balanced across the strings. The player particularly valued the amount of detail in the amplified sound and the useful response from both sets of controls. The volume and tone knobs were said to work smoothly across their range, with the tone controls changing the character of the sound rather than merely making it duller. These observations come from one player's experience, but they point to an instrument with a broad range of usable adjustments.
Playing impressions and value
The ES-335 format has long been associated with versatility, and the owner who supplied feedback chose this guitar for use across different styles. They found its amplified tone especially impressive, describing it as more balanced and nuanced than expected. Another brief comparison with a standard ES-335 and a limited-edition model favored this Custom Shop instrument when connected to an amplifier. The feedback does not identify the amplifier or settings, so treat that comparison as a personal impression rather than a controlled test.
At $4,499, this is a substantial purchase. The Custom Shop designation, detailed vintage-style specification, and reported finish quality help explain its premium positioning, but they do not establish that it is the right value for every player. One owner explicitly noted uncertainty about how much of the price reflects the Gibson name, while still feeling that the instrument met a long-held goal and had no personal drawbacks.
Specifications at a glance
- Model: Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS
- Construction: Semi-hollowbody, maple, poplar, and maple body
- Neck and fingerboard: Mahogany neck, 1959 medium C profile, rosewood fingerboard
- Frets and scale: 22 frets, 628 mm scale length
- Pickups: Two unpotted Custombucker Alnico III humbuckers
- Controls: Two volume knobs, two tone knobs, three-way toggle switch
- Bridge and tailpiece: ABR-1 bridge and lightweight aluminum tailpiece
- Included: Case and certificate
- Origin: Made in the United States
Verdict
The Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS brings together a vintage-inspired neck, Custom Shop construction, and a flexible humbucker setup. Reported strengths include a comfortable neck profile, careful setup, clean workmanship, and detailed amplified tones with responsive controls. Its price is the main consideration. For players seeking this particular ES-335 specification and prepared to pay for a Custom Shop instrument, the owner feedback makes a strong case for trying it in person.
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
- Balanced, nuanced amplified tone with clear, powerful-sounding pickups
- Volume and tone controls respond smoothly across their range
- The 1959 medium C neck felt comfortable, including for a player with smaller hands
- The reviewer reported excellent setup, clean workmanship, and stable tuning
- Includes a case and certificate
What bugged me
- The Custom Shop price is high, and the reviewer could not judge how much of it reflects the brand name
- The aged-looking metal hardware may not appeal to every buyer
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Ideal for experienced players seeking a premium semi-hollow guitar with a vintage-inspired feel and expressive controls. A strong fit for buyers who value nuanced amplified tone and are comfortable paying a Custom Shop price.Look elsewhere if
Not for buyers working to a strict budget or seeking a lower-cost alternative. The aged-looking hardware may also be a poor fit for anyone who prefers a pristine, modern appearance.Suggested level: Intermediate
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
What other players say
The customer feedback is strongly favorable. Reviewers praise the guitar's balanced and detailed amplified tone, comfortable neck, smooth control response, and convincing vintage appearance. One owner reports excellent setup, clean workmanship, and reliable tuning, while acknowledging the high price and uncertainty about the contribution of the brand name to the cost.
“The sound is genuinely even better than I had hoped: very balanced and nuanced.”
“The neck thickness is perfect for my relatively small hands: surprisingly comfortable and slim, but not thin.”
“The workmanship is flawless throughout.”
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Is this guitar suitable for a player with smaller hands?
One reviewer with relatively small hands found the 1959 medium C neck pleasantly slim and comfortable. Individual preferences vary, so trying the neck in person is still advisable.
How does it sound through an amplifier?
The customer feedback describes a balanced, nuanced amplified sound, with clear and forceful-sounding pickups. The volume and tone controls were also reported to make gradual, useful changes.
Does the VOS finish mean the hardware looks aged?
Yes. The reviewer noticed aged-looking metal parts, including some surface oxidation on the tailpiece and a dulled appearance on the tuners, and felt the overall vintage effect was convincing.
Is the guitar ready to play when it arrives?
The reviewer reported that their guitar arrived very well set up, nearly in tune, and without rattling when played unplugged. That is one customer's experience, not a guarantee for every unit.
Does the high price seem justified?
The feedback is strongly positive about the sound, feel, and workmanship, but the reviewer could not determine how much the price reflects the Gibson name. Buyers should weigh those qualities against the premium cost.
The last word from the bench
The available customer feedback describes an instrument that arrived well set up, played comfortably, and delivered a nuanced sound through an amplifier. The unpotted Alnico III humbuckers and responsive controls are standout features in the review. The aged hardware is part of the VOS look, though it may not suit every preference. At this price, it is best considered by buyers who specifically want this Custom Shop ES-335 experience.
Hanging next to it
Gibson 1959 ES-335 Reissue VN VOS
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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