D'Mule
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2003
- Messages
- 4,621
As some of you know, I recently purchased my 2009 Memphis Gibson ES-335 '59 Dot Reissue. There has been plenty of speculation about how authentic the Memphis '59 Reissues are to the originals. I will refer you to TomGuitar's very fine vintage ES-335 site <http://www.es-335.net/index.html> to compare and draw your own conclusions
My guitar weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. It measures 16 and 1/16 inches across at the widest point (even though Gibson advertises a dimension of 16.5 inches) and is exactly 1 and 3/4 inches deep.
Pictures document the hardware and configuration. I assume the beige switchtip is a replacement and not original to the guitar. Nickel hardware and knobs are standard Gibson Custom shop fare, with wired ABR1 and lightweight tailpiece. Long 4-ply pickguard.
Headstock has a holly veneer. Truss rod cover is in an appropriate higher position. Flower pot is also in a correct higher position, but note the shape is not authentic to the original. Nut width is 1 and 11/16 inches.
Tuner design and positioning seems accurate. Double line Gibson Deluxe case markings. Note the Gibson Custom Shop decal is a Memphis guitar feature. No serial number impression anywhere on the headstock. Neck profile is thick with little taper (much like my '58 LP RI) and round with minimal shoulder.
Neck angle, pup rings are as shown. Neck tenon is long and wide. Center block is solid with holes drilled to pass pup wires.
This documents the 3-ply maple/x/maple top lamination, where x represents the mystery wood (perhaps poplar). This is not unlike the 1958 335, but different than the 4-ply lamination of vintage 1959 335s.
Orange label identifies the guitar as a reissue ES 335 with serial number that starts with A like the originals. At the bottom of the label (not seen) is its origin: Memphis, Tennesee.
This is all I've got for you. Given all the debate regarding Memphis vs. Nashville '59 RI 335s, I would be happy for someone to post pics and data of their own Nashville '59 ES-335 for purposes of comparison and discussion. I would love to settle the question of how these two shops differ in their guitar construction (although the debate as to whether Memphis guitars can ever be as good can and will go on)! :salude
My guitar weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. It measures 16 and 1/16 inches across at the widest point (even though Gibson advertises a dimension of 16.5 inches) and is exactly 1 and 3/4 inches deep.
Pictures document the hardware and configuration. I assume the beige switchtip is a replacement and not original to the guitar. Nickel hardware and knobs are standard Gibson Custom shop fare, with wired ABR1 and lightweight tailpiece. Long 4-ply pickguard.
Headstock has a holly veneer. Truss rod cover is in an appropriate higher position. Flower pot is also in a correct higher position, but note the shape is not authentic to the original. Nut width is 1 and 11/16 inches.
Tuner design and positioning seems accurate. Double line Gibson Deluxe case markings. Note the Gibson Custom Shop decal is a Memphis guitar feature. No serial number impression anywhere on the headstock. Neck profile is thick with little taper (much like my '58 LP RI) and round with minimal shoulder.
Neck angle, pup rings are as shown. Neck tenon is long and wide. Center block is solid with holes drilled to pass pup wires.
This documents the 3-ply maple/x/maple top lamination, where x represents the mystery wood (perhaps poplar). This is not unlike the 1958 335, but different than the 4-ply lamination of vintage 1959 335s.
Orange label identifies the guitar as a reissue ES 335 with serial number that starts with A like the originals. At the bottom of the label (not seen) is its origin: Memphis, Tennesee.
This is all I've got for you. Given all the debate regarding Memphis vs. Nashville '59 RI 335s, I would be happy for someone to post pics and data of their own Nashville '59 ES-335 for purposes of comparison and discussion. I would love to settle the question of how these two shops differ in their guitar construction (although the debate as to whether Memphis guitars can ever be as good can and will go on)! :salude