1959 Gibson ES-335
The 1959 ES-335 combines the legendary 1959 PAFs with the ideal dot-neck semi-hollow body. One of the most musically versatile vintage electrics ever made — equally at home in jazz, blues, and rock.
Current Market Value
* Prices are estimates based on recent market data. Actual value depends on originality, condition, and provenance. Pricing methodology
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Recent Sales
Showing 7 verified sales for 1959 Gibson ES-335. Reissues, replicas, and parts listings are filtered out.
Specifications
| Body Wood | Maple (semi-hollow thinline with solid center block) |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood (dot inlays) |
| Scale Length | 24.750" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickup Config | HH |
| Bridge | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic, stop tailpiece or Bigsby |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Nut Width | 1.69" |
| Finish Options | Sunburst, Natural, Cherry (rare) |
| Est. Production | 521 |
Pickups & Electronics
Two PAF humbuckers — 1959 PAFs are among the most prized of all. Some examples have Varitone circuit.
What Changed in 1959
Production increased from the inaugural year. The 1959 ES-335 represents the peak dot-neck year, with all the magic of 1959 PAFs in the semi-hollow format.
Collector's Notes
Cherry finish 1959 ES-335s are extremely rare and command a significant premium. Natural finish models are also rare. Standard sunburst is most common. Factory Bigsby models reduce value slightly vs. stoptail.
How to Authenticate a 1959 Gibson ES-335
Gibson serial numbers from this era are ink-stamped on the back of the headstock. Cross-reference with known Gibson serial tables — numbering was not strictly sequential. Potentiometer date codes are critical: look for CTS pots (code 137) with two-digit year codes matching 1959 or up to 18 months earlier. This is the most reliable dating method for Gibson guitars of this era. The finish should be nitrocellulose lacquer showing age-appropriate checking (fine crazing). Under blacklight, original nitro fluoresces a distinctive green-yellow — refinished instruments lack this characteristic. Check for original PAF or patent-number humbuckers — examine baseplate markings, wire colors, and magnet type. The ES-335's pickups should match each other in construction details. Semi-hollow body — tap test (solid center, hollow bouts). Dot neck inlays (most collectible). Verify long-tenon neck joint for this era (correct). Original Kluson Deluxe should be present with no evidence of replacement (no oversized bushing holes). Original hardshell case adds provenance value.