Part of the reason the ES-355 became so widely used was because it never really forced players into one sound. BB King found warmth and sustain in them for his soulful lead lines, while players like Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher leaned into the brighter and more cutting side of their rhythm playing. That flexibility is a large part of why the model remained relevant across such different styles of music for so long.
This example remains in very well preserved condition overall. While fitted with a factory style Vibrola unit, there is evidence the guitar originally left Gibson with a trapeze tailpiece, visible through three small screw holes near the rear strap button. The Grover tuners appear to have been installed later in the guitar’s life, with traces of the original Kluson footprint visible on the rear of the headstock. The Grovers offer improved tuning stability while remaining sympathetic to the instrument overall.
Previously owned by American singer songwriter Eli “Paperboy” Reed, the guitar still carries his handwritten details on the underside of the case, adding an interesting piece of provenance to the instrument’s history.
Tonally, the guitar delivers the wide, compressed response associated with early Gibson Patent humbuckers, while the Varitone circuit opens up a surprisingly broad range of sharper and more scooped sounds. The center block construction keeps feedback under control while still retaining the openness expected from a semi hollow Gibson. Combined with the Vibrola system, it remains one of Gibson’s more ambitious and distinctive designs from the period.
Specifications:
Action at 1st Fret: 0.4mm (0.015")
Action at 12th Fret: 1.5mm (0.059")
Neck Depth at 1st Fret: 21.1mm (0.83")
Neck Depth at 12th Fret: 25.6mm (1.00")
Nut Width: 39.9mm (1.57")
Width at 12th Fret: 51mm (2.00")
Weight: 4.49kg (9.89lbs)
Scale Length: 628.7mm (24 3/4")
Fingerboard Radius: 304.8mm (12")
Lower Bout Width: 450mm (17.7")
Body: Maple semi hollow construction with center block
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Pearl block
Pickups: Gibson Patent humbuckers
Electronics: Original Varitone circuit
Bridge: ABR-1
Tailpiece: Vibrola
Tuners: Grover Pat Pend aftermarket tuners
Hardware: Gold plated
Case: Non original hard shell case
Crafted in: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
