Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA
The Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA earns high praise for its vintage-like feel, resonance, and setup. Its main compromise, according to the reviewer, is that the Custombucker pickups do not fully match the character of old PAFs.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 1 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA review
The Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA is a Murphy Lab semi-hollow guitar made in the United States. It has a maple and poplar body, a mahogany neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. Its 1960s Cherry finish is heavily aged, with pronounced play marks intended to evoke a well-used vintage instrument. Gibson includes a case and a Custom Shop certificate.
The instrument has been available since March 2021, under item number 504270. Its listed price is 6599. The model uses the ES-335 shape, a 628 mm scale, and 22 frets. The neck has an Authentic '61 Skinny C profile, while small block inlays, Royalite binding, and a holly headstock veneer complete the period-inspired details.
Construction and playing feel
In the field assessment, the guitar's construction, weight, playing feel, and resonance were all strong points. The reviewer found it exceptionally close to original examples from the period, especially in how it responded acoustically and in the hands. The setup was not excessively low, which helped the strings ring clearly and contributed to a lively, direct response.
Intonation and tuning stability also received high marks, including on strings that can be difficult to keep in tune. The reviewer reported no need for a repair technician to reshape the nut slots or reposition the nut. That matters on a guitar in this price bracket: a convincing vintage-style instrument should arrive ready to play, rather than requiring immediate corrective work.
One visual detail stood out against older examples. The reviewer felt that the top's contours around the Mickey Mouse ears were less pronounced than on original guitars made through 1962. This was the only notable appearance-related shortcoming mentioned in the assessment, and it did not detract from the favorable comments on the guitar's overall build and feel.
Acoustic character and amplified tone
Unplugged, the ES-335 Reissue produces a clear, lively semi-hollow sound. The reviewer considered its acoustic voice remarkably difficult to distinguish from that of an old ES-335. It comes across as loud and focused, with the character expected from a good vintage-style instrument. The strong response is consistent with the favorable comments on the instrument's setup and resonance.
Amplified, the two unpotted Custombuckers use Alnico III magnets. The control layout includes two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way toggle switch. CTS potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors are also specified. In the reviewer's assessment, these pickups are capable onstage, but they do not fully reproduce the sound of an original PAF humbucker from the period.
The comparison identified a sharper high end and less seamless movement between the midrange, bass, and treble than the older pickups offered. That is a specific limitation to weigh against the guitar's otherwise convincing vintage character. Players who want the response of an original PAF may prefer to seek out an old pickup. Whether a boutique replacement would provide the same result is a matter of individual judgment.
Hardware and overall assessment
Hardware includes an ABR-1 bridge, a lightweight aluminum tailpiece, nickel-plated components, and vintage-style double-ring tulip tuners. The guitar has no tremolo. A five-ply pickguard finishes the familiar ES-335 layout. Together with the aged finish and detailed neck appointments, these features support the instrument's period-focused presentation.
The reviewer compared three Murphy Lab ES-335 guitars at home with two vintage examples and judged the '61 Reissue among Gibson's strongest ES models of the previous 50 years. That is a personal assessment, not a guarantee that every player will prefer its feel or sound. Still, the favorable observations are specific: convincing unplugged resonance, a stable setup, strong intonation, and a body and neck that feel close to vintage instruments.
The main caveat is the amplified pickup voice. The Custombuckers provide a usable stage sound, but players seeking the smoother frequency balance of an old PAF may find them short of that target. For buyers prioritizing construction, acoustic response, and a heavily aged vintage presentation, the Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA makes a compelling case. Its pickup character is the point to audition carefully before purchase.
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
- The reviewer praises its construction, resonance, weight, and playing feel, comparing them favorably with vintage examples.
- The acoustic sound, tuning stability, and intonation receive strong marks.
- The heavy-aged finish and vintage-inspired details contribute to a convincing period-style instrument.
What bugged me
- The reviewer finds the Custombucker pickups less fluid and less complete across the frequency range than vintage PAF pickups.
- The reviewer notes that the top arch near the Mickey Mouse ears looks less pronounced than on some original guitars.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Ideal for players seeking a vintage-style ES-335 feel, strong acoustic resonance, and a carefully finished instrument. Also suits buyers who value stable tuning and intonation and are open to evaluating the pickups for themselves.Look elsewhere if
Not ideal for buyers who expect the stock pickups to reproduce the sound of original PAFs exactly. Also a poor fit for shoppers seeking a lower-priced instrument or a fully hollow guitar.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Hollowbody guitar
- No
- Semi hollowbody guitar
- Yes
- Color
- Red
- 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 review is strongly positive about the instrument's construction, weight, resonance, setup, and vintage-like playing feel, based on comparisons with other Murphy Lab and vintage ES-335 guitars. The reviewer's main criticism concerns the Custombucker pickups, which are described as less fluid and less balanced than old PAFs. A minor visual difference in the top arch is also noted.
The construction, weight, playing feel, and resonance of the guitar are incredibly well done.
The acoustic sound is genuinely hard to distinguish from an old 335.
The Custom Alnico III pickups do a good job on stage, but in a direct comparison with an old PAF, they still have room for improvement.
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does it feel close to a vintage ES-335?
The reviewer says its construction, weight, playing feel, and resonance are remarkably close to vintage examples, though the top arch near the body's ears differs visually.
How do the Custombucker pickups sound?
The reviewer considers them stage-worthy but says they lack some of the smooth frequency blend and character of an old PAF, with harsher highs and less flowing mids.
Does it need a setup after purchase?
The reviewed guitar had strong tuning stability and intonation, including on difficult strings. The reviewer says its nut did not need further work.
Is this a fully hollow guitar?
No. It is a semi-hollow ES-335-style guitar with a maple, poplar, and maple body.
What comes in the package?
It includes a case and a Custom Shop certificate. A separate bag is not included.
The last word from the bench
The reviewer found this Murphy Lab ES-335 exceptionally convincing in its construction, response, and playing feel, especially when compared with vintage examples. Its acoustic character, tuning stability, and intonation also stood out. The main reservation is the pickup sound, which the reviewer describes as less smooth and complete than that of vintage PAFs. At this price, it is best suited to buyers who prioritize the instrument's vintage-style build and feel and are comfortable with the stock pickups.
Hanging next to it
Gibson 1961 ES-335 Reissue 60s CH HA
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