Gibson Custom Shop "Art and Historic" 1959 ES-335 RI | Tobacco Sunburst

This Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1959 Reissue ES-335 represents the era when Gibson’s reissue program had matured into something truly dialed-in: accurate shapes and neck carves, period-correct details, lacquer that breathes, and a feel that bridges vintage inspiration with modern consistency. These mid-2000s Historics sit at a sweet spot for many players and collectors—long after the earliest experimental reissue years, yet before the later “True Historic” era reshuffled specs and pricing.

What makes this example compelling is how well it captures the core 335 experience without the vanity distractions. No flame, no gimmicks—just the classic semi-hollow recipe that made the model a session staple since the late ’50s. The lacquer finish settles beautifully into the wood, the binding and plastics are appropriately vintage-leaning, and the guitar resonates in a way only a lightly-built semi-hollow with a solid maple center block can. It feels alive in the hands, responsive to touch, and confident in any genre from blues to jazz to rock and beyond.

By 2007, Gibson’s Custom Shop was operating with enough institutional memory, historical research, and manufacturing focus to produce Historic instruments that hit the mark sonically and aesthetically—and these years have quietly become favorites for players who value feel and tone over collector theatrics.

This isn’t just a ’59-style ES-335—it’s a well-executed Custom Shop reissue from a strong production window, built to be played, recorded, and loved for decades.