Gibson ES-335 Figured 60s Cherry

Gibson ES-335 Figured 60s Cherry review

The Gibson ES-335 Figured 60s Cherry is a U.S.-made semi-hollow electric guitar with a figured maple top, a mahogany neck, and two calibrated T-Type humbuckers. At $2,999, it sits firmly in the premium price range. Its appeal rests on familiar ES-style construction paired with upgraded details, including titanium bridge saddles and nickel hardware.

Owner feedback is strongly positive about the finish, factory setup, neck comfort, and sound. One buyer, however, reported a serious intonation problem. That disagreement matters at this price: the available feedback points to a guitar capable of impressing its owner, but it also makes an arrival inspection worthwhile.

Construction and finish

The guitar has a maple body and a figured maple top, finished in 60s Cherry. It is semi-hollow rather than fully hollow, a distinction reflected in both the product specification and its construction category. The mahogany neck meets a rosewood fingerboard carrying small block inlays. Gibson lists 22 frets and a 628 mm scale length.

The rounded C neck profile and 42.8 mm nut width give the neck specification a clear, traditional feel on paper. Buyers who prefer very slim necks should consider that profile before ordering. An owner described the neck as especially comfortable, while another said the guitar looked even better in person than in product photographs. That same owner praised the workmanship as flawless.

Another report describes clean finishing and an unusually good factory setup, with no visible paint or construction faults. That buyer compared it favorably with a 2017 Les Paul HP and felt the setup was substantially better. These are individual assessments, not a guarantee that every instrument will arrive identically adjusted, but they suggest careful quality control can be a strong point.

Pickups and hardware

Two calibrated T-Type humbuckers provide the guitar's pickup system. An owner praised their full sound and said the instrument responded more quickly and accurately to picking than a Les Paul. Another described the sound as clear and credited the pickups with delivering the tones they wanted. These comments support a picture of a responsive, substantial voice, though pickup preferences and playing conditions vary.

The hardware includes Gibson Deluxe tuners, an ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles, and nickel-finished parts. There is no tremolo system. The included case is useful at this price and protects the instrument for storage and transport. No gig bag is included, and the guitar is not listed as a limited edition.

Playability and owner experience

Several buyers described the guitar as a long-awaited purchase and said it met or exceeded their expectations. One owner had compared several ES-335 guitars in London shops before choosing this model, then found the online price more attractive even after shipping. That kind of comparison is particularly relevant for a costly instrument: trying different examples in person can reveal preferences in neck feel, weight, and setup that a specification sheet cannot settle.

Reports also praise the instrument's finish and Nashville production. One owner contrasted it with earlier Memphis-made examples they had tried and found this guitar more consistently polished. That is a personal comparison rather than a controlled assessment of production eras, but it gives useful context for buyers weighing older used models against this newer instrument.

The intonation concern

One owner was disappointed by incorrect intonation on arrival and questioned why a premium instrument had been shipped in that condition. This is the clearest negative point in the feedback provided. Intonation can be adjusted, but a buyer should not have to assume that setup work will be needed on a guitar at this price.

Check tuning and intonation across the neck when the guitar arrives, and contact the seller promptly if notes are noticeably sharp or flat as you move up the fretboard. Also inspect the finish and play each fret to catch any issues early. The positive setup report and the negative intonation report describe different experiences, so neither should be treated as a universal outcome.

Verdict

The Gibson ES-335 Figured 60s Cherry combines classic semi-hollow construction with a figured maple top, a comfortable rounded C neck, calibrated humbuckers, and an included case. Owner comments point to a rich, responsive sound and high-quality finishing, while the reported intonation fault is a reminder to check the setup on delivery. At $2,999, it is best suited to players who value this specific ES-style design and are prepared to verify the instrument carefully when it arrives.