Electric guitars

Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut

The Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut pairs a semi-hollow maple and poplar body with two T-Type humbuckers and a well-equipped hardware package. Its high price and lack of a tremolo are worth weighing before buying.

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

Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut: Technical Review

The Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut is a U.S.-made semi-hollow electric guitar with a three-layer maple and poplar body, a mahogany neck, and two T-Type humbucking pickups. Its listed price is $3,222, and it includes a case. The specifications describe a traditional ES-style format with a 24.75-inch scale, 22 frets, and a fixed bridge. They do not provide measured weight, setup details, or sound samples, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the available information.

Body and finish

The body and top are both specified as maple, poplar, and maple. The guitar is classified as semi-hollow, not fully hollow. That distinction is important when comparing it with other ES-style instruments: the listed construction places it in the semi-hollow category, but the information does not describe the internal bracing or center-block dimensions. No claims about feedback resistance, resonance, or acoustic volume can be verified from these specifications alone.

Dark Walnut is the finish color, with a high-gloss surface. Single-ply cream binding runs along the body, and a five-ply black pickguard provides a contrasting detail. The nickel hardware keeps the metal parts visually consistent. The product data does not state the finish type or provide close-up images, so the precise color tone and finish thickness should be checked in person if those details matter to a buyer.

Neck, fingerboard, and playability specifications

The set mahogany neck has a Slim Taper profile and a rosewood fingerboard. Small block inlays mark the fingerboard, which has a 12-inch radius. The scale length is 24.75 inches, or 629 millimeters, and the fret count is 22 medium-jumbo frets. A Graph Tech nut is listed. Together, these measurements identify the neck's basic geometry, but they do not establish how a particular guitar will feel. Action, fret finishing, neck relief, and nut-slot setup can vary and are not documented here.

The shorter scale length and 12-inch radius are useful reference points for comparing this model with guitars that use different neck dimensions. The Slim Taper shape is the specified neck profile, though no thickness measurements are supplied. Players who prefer to evaluate neck shape by hand should try the instrument before purchasing rather than infer its feel from the profile name alone.

Pickups and controls

Two T-Type humbuckers are fitted in an HH configuration. The control layout consists of two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a three-way pickup selector. This provides separate volume and tone controls for the two pickups, with the switch selecting between them or combining them according to its position. The data does not state pickup output, magnet type, wiring options, or whether coil splitting is available. No coil-splitting control is listed, so it should not be assumed.

Those details make the electronics easy to compare at a specification level, but they cannot predict the exact frequency balance, output, or response through an amplifier. The supplied information contains no player reviews or listening tests. Any tonal description beyond the pickup type and control configuration would go beyond the evidence provided.

Bridge, tuners, and included case

The bridge is an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, and the guitar has no tremolo. Grover Rotomatic "Milk Bottle" tuning machines are specified, along with nickel hardware. These parts establish the fixed-bridge layout and identify the tuning-machine model. The specifications do not give tuning stability measurements, intonation results, or details about the bridge saddles, so those points require an inspection of the individual instrument.

A case is included, while a separate gig bag is not listed. The product information gives no case dimensions or construction details. Buyers who need to transport the guitar frequently may want to confirm the case type and fit with the seller.

Verdict based on the available specifications

The Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut is defined by its semi-hollow construction, maple-poplar-maple body, set mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and two T-Type humbuckers. Its listed appointments include cream binding, block inlays, a fixed ABR-1 bridge, and Grover Rotomatic tuners. The specifications are detailed enough to establish the principal materials, neck dimensions, electronics layout, and included case.

There are no customer reviews available for this product, and no hands-on findings have been supplied. This review therefore makes no claims about sound quality, comfort, build consistency, or value beyond the listed price and components. The model is a clear candidate for players seeking this particular ES-style semi-hollow configuration, but a final buying decision should account for a personal play test and confirmation of the individual guitar's setup.

Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, front view
8.0/ 10 overall score
$3,222current 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

  • Semi-hollow maple and poplar body with a mahogany set neck
  • Two T-Type humbuckers with separate volume and tone controls
  • Includes a case and features Grover Rotomatic tuning machines

What bugged me

  • No tremolo system
  • The listed price may be difficult to justify for buyers seeking a more basic guitar

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A strong match for players seeking a semi-hollow guitar with two humbuckers, separate tone and volume controls, and an included case. Its listed construction and hardware suit buyers considering a premium ES-style instrument.

Look elsewhere if

Not a fit for players who require a tremolo system or specifically want a fully hollow guitar. Buyers with a strict budget may find the listed price too high.
RockJazzBlues

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Hollowbody guitar
No
Semi hollowbody guitar
Yes
Color
Dark Walnut
Body
Maple, Poplar, Maple
Top
Maple, Poplar, Maple
Neck
Mahogany
Fretboard
Rosewood
Frets
22
Scale
629 mm
Pickups
HH
Tremolo
No
Including case
Yes
Incl. bag
No
Model
ES-335

Up close

Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, detail 2Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, detail 3Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, detail 4Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, detail 5

Watch and listen

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Before you decide

Questions players ask

Is the Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut fully hollow?

No. It is a semi-hollow guitar, not a fully hollow model.

What pickups does this guitar have?

It has two T-Type humbuckers, with two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way switch.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A case is included; a separate gig bag is not listed.

What is the scale length?

The scale length is 629 mm, or 24.75 inches.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. The listed bridge is an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, and no tremolo is included.

The last word from the bench

This ES-335 offers a semi-hollow construction, a mahogany set neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and two humbuckers with independent volume and tone controls. Its 629 mm scale, Slim Taper neck profile, and medium jumbo frets define the playing setup. The included case and Grover tuning machines add practical value, while the price places it in a premium category. With no customer reviews provided, this assessment is based on the listed specifications alone.

Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut, $3,222Check today's price →

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Gibson ES-335 60s Dark Walnut

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