Gibson Custom Shop '64 ES-335
I finally got my hands on a Gibson again. More than that, I found the left-handed ES-335 I had wanted for years: unusual, beautifully figured, and built through Gibson Custom’s Made 2 Measure program.
At A Glance
Section titled “At A Glance”| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Full model | Gibson Custom Shop ’64 ES-335, left-handed |
| Build year | 2024 |
| Program | Made 2 Measure |
| Finish | Figured Cinnamon Burst, VOS NH |
| Body | Semi-hollow, 3-ply maple/poplar/maple top and back |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | One-piece rosewood |
| Pickups | Aged CustomBuckers, Alnico 3, unpotted |
| Status | Owned; pride of the collection |
The Story
Section titled “The Story”This guitar followed a long search for a left-handed ES-335 that truly spoke to me. It was made to specification for a dealer in 2024, and Gibson later confirmed the model, build year, Made 2 Measure origin, and detailed build record.
It is the sort of guitar that makes a collection feel personal rather than complete. I bought myself a little bit of happiness, and it was worth the wait.
Factory-Confirmed Specifications
Section titled “Factory-Confirmed Specifications”Neck And Fingerboard
Section titled “Neck And Fingerboard”| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Neck material | Mahogany |
| Neck profile | Authentic 1959 ES-335 C-shape |
| Fingerboard | One-piece rosewood |
| Fingerboard binding | Cream |
| Side dots | Tortoise shell, left-hand placement |
| Nut | Nylon reissue |
| Head veneer | ES holly veneer with Gibson logo and crown inlay |
The model is a ’64 ES-335, while its factory record specifically lists the neck profile as an Authentic 1959 ES-335 C-shape. That distinction is preserved here rather than simplified into a generic reissue description.
Body, Finish, And Hardware
Section titled “Body, Finish, And Hardware”| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Top and back | 3-ply maple/poplar/maple |
| Colour | Cinnamon Burst |
| Finish | VOS |
| Hardware finish | Lightly aged VOS |
| Hardware material | Nickel |
| Tuners | Kluson Deluxe |
| Bridge | Historic ABR-1 |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Knobs | Black top hats with silver inserts and dial pointers |
Electronics
Section titled “Electronics”| Position | Pickup |
|---|---|
| Neck | Aged CustomBucker, Alnico 3, unpotted |
| Bridge | Aged CustomBucker, Alnico 3, unpotted |
Setup And Care
Section titled “Setup And Care”The guitar received a professional PLEK setup before delivery. Future updates will cover how it settles in, the sounds it is best at, maintenance, and a serial-safe personal photo set.
Source Notes
Section titled “Source Notes”The instrument-specific specifications above come from Gibson support’s build record. Dealer and purchase records remain in the private archive; serial number, invoice data, price, and correspondence are intentionally not published.