The ES-355 semi-hollowbody represents a hallmark of the blues and rock ’n’ roll. Now, you can own an extremely authentic vintage re-creation with the Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Reissue semi-hollow electric guitar. This is hardly your typical Epiphone, as it boasts numerous vintage-inspired perks, from Gibson CustomBucker pickups to hardware contributed by Gibson Custom Shop. The body is made from layered maple and poplar for a traditional sound. Two vintage-voiced CustomBucker pickups deliver open, organic, and old-school tones with remarkable fidelity. And the visual aspect is out of this world, thanks to Gibson Custom Shop! Devotees of the ES-355 here at Music Experience have noted the authenticity of a Vintage Original Sheen finish, a gold-plated tailpiece, a period-correct “long” pickguard, and Gibson-style inlays and binding throughout. The Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Reissue is your key to revisiting the past or engineering the next great rock ’n’ roll revolution — the choice is yours!

The quintessential ES formula

When it comes to semi-hollow tonewoods, maple has been the gold standard for generations. The 1959 ES-355 Reissue utilizes a layered maple top, back, and sides blended with poplar for enhanced tone and durability. The result is a responsive sound and mellow vibrations that morph into a grittier, meaner sound when paired with a dirty amp. The ES-355’s smooth mahogany neck features a ‘50s-shaped “Medium C” profile, topped with a 24.75-inch scale ebony fingerboard for welcoming playability, and the neck is further enhanced with a long neck tenon that extends slightly into the body for added sustain and improved durability.

CustomBucker pickups with upgraded wiring 

Every part of the 1959 ES-355 Reissue’s electronics is built for dead-on vintage accuracy. Of course, it’s next to impossible to find genuine vintage PAF pickups (even for Gibson); however, the 1959 ES-355 Reissue sports two potted Gibson CustomBucker pickups, the most faithful substitute you can find. The CustomBucker is the most historically accurate PAF copy ever, with an open tone and incredible dynamic response that simply must be heard. Epiphone also added premium wiring components, including a Switchcraft jack, CTS potentiometers, and Mallory capacitors, for vintage-style performance that’s sure to please.

Bound for glory

If you love deluxe looks at a phenomenal price, then this Epiphone ES-355 is the guitar for you! Epiphone upgraded this ES-355’s body, fingerboard, and headstock with the help of Gibson Custom Shop. Each portion is framed by black or ivory binding; the fingerboard and headstock sport iconic block inlays; and the pickguard is similarly bound and built using the longer dimensions Gibson favored back in ’59. Lastly, top-tier hardware seals the deal, including control knobs that feature old-school nickel pointers and Grover tuning machines that support consistent performance, alongside a gold-plated bridge vintage bridge from Gibson Custom Shop.

What Epiphone Says...

In partnership with Gibson™ Custom, Epiphone is proud to release the 1959 ES-355, a stunning recreation of the preeminent ES™ model from the legendary class of 1959. It’s the top-of-the-line ES model in all its glory, from the dimensions to the contours to the precise inlay patterns and sonic experience. The 1959 ES-355 features a 5-ply layered maple/poplar body with a solid maple centerblock for sustain and feedback resistance, a one-piece mahogany neck with a 50s Rounded Medium C profile, and an ebony fretboard that is adorned with block mother of pearl inlays. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock features the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays in mother-of-pearl, along with gold Grover® Rotomatic® tuners and the Inspired by Gibson double diamond logo etched on the back. The 1959 ES-355 is powered by a pair of Gibson Custombuckers that are hand-wired to CTS® potentiometers, Mallory™ capacitors, and a Switchcraft® pickup selector switch and output jack. A brown and pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo is also included.