Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea

Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea review

The Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea is a U.S.-made, semi-hollow electric guitar with a maple body, figured maple top, and mahogany neck. Its Iced Tea sunburst finish and figured wood give it a distinctive look, while a pair of calibrated T-Type humbuckers and an ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles define the main hardware setup. It includes a fitted case.

At a listed price of 3,333, this is a substantial purchase. Owner feedback points to strong playing comfort, stable tuning, and a versatile voice, but also includes reports of inconsistent setup and finish inspection. Those differences make it worth assessing the individual instrument rather than assuming every example will arrive equally well prepared.

Construction and appointments

The ES-335 has a semi-hollow body, not a fully hollow construction. Maple is used for the body and top, with a flamed figure on the top. The mahogany neck has a rounded C profile, and the rosewood fingerboard carries small block inlays. The scale length is 628 mm, the nut measures 42.8 mm across, and the fingerboard has 22 frets.

Other appointments include nickel hardware and Keystone tuning machines. The guitar has no tremolo system. Its ES-style shape and Iced Tea finish give it the familiar visual character expected of this model, while the figured top adds a more pronounced visual feature. One owner describes the front and back figure as having a three-dimensional appearance and singles out the color as particularly effective.

Reported finish quality varies. Several buyers describe excellent overall workmanship and a pristine instrument on arrival. One detailed account, however, describes a first delivery with serious problems, including an uneven cutaway, staining and finish defects, incorrect stringing, poor action, and intonation issues. A replacement was better but still arrived with the pickup height set poorly. Another owner noticed a small area of black paint on the neck binding near the first fret. These are customer reports, not evidence that every guitar has such faults, but they support a careful inspection on delivery.

Playing feel and setup

Owners commonly describe the guitar as comfortable and enjoyable to play. One buyer was particularly impressed by the intonation, while another reports stable tuning even during bends of up to a tone and a half. These experiences suggest that a well-set-up example can perform reliably, though setup quality may differ from one instrument to another.

That distinction matters here. Customer accounts range from guitars described as ready to play, including one set up in-store before collection, to instruments that needed significant adjustment. Buyers ordering online may want to check tuning, intonation, string installation, action, and pickup height as soon as the guitar arrives. If anything seems off, contact the seller before making adjustments yourself, especially on a costly instrument.

Pickup sound and range

The two calibrated T-Type humbuckers are a key part of this version's character. One player, familiar with a Les Paul fitted with Burstbucker Pro pickups, found the T-Types close in overall appeal, with somewhat more treble. That player liked their delivery for blues. Another owner describes a classic ES-335-style voice with rounded bass, defined highs, and long sustain.

There is no single response that will suit every player. A buyer who preferred a softer sound plans to consider different pickups, while another uses the guitar for jazz with flatwound 13-gauge strings. Together, these comments suggest a platform that can cover different approaches, but they also underline the role of personal taste, string choice, and setup. The supplied pickups are not universally preferred, so players with a specific vintage or mellow sound in mind should try them first if possible.

Verdict

The Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea offers a compelling combination of figured maple, a comfortable rounded C neck, a 628 mm scale, and calibrated T-Type humbuckers. Positive owner accounts praise its appearance, playing feel, tuning stability, and expressive semi-hollow tone. The included case is another useful part of the package.

Its price makes quality control and setup especially important. Most feedback is enthusiastic, but the reports of delivery defects and inconsistent adjustment are worth taking seriously. Where possible, play the exact guitar before buying, or arrange a prompt inspection after delivery. For players who want an ES-335 with a striking figured top and a clear, adaptable humbucker sound, this model has plenty to recommend. The main reservations are its cost and the need to verify the condition and setup of the individual instrument.