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Gibson Custom Shop “Benchmark” CS-336 2013 Pelham Blue. Limited Run. Excellent Condition 9.5/10.

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Weight: 7.4lb

The CS-336 "Benchmark" a seriously rare and unusual Gibson Custom Shop model. One of those guitars that is unlikely to come back around again any time soon.

The “Benchmark” CS-336 was a very limited dealer-exclusive run, designed specifically for and distributed through just five key US Gibson dealers. They were designed to be the "benchmark" for the very finest guitars to leave the Gibson Custom Shop with highly desirable custom features and specifications. We believe round 50 examples were produced worldwide, making this one of the rarer more modern Custom Shop Gibson guitars.

Finished in Pelham Blue, this particular example is immaculate with no dings, dents or damage to speak of aside from some minor tarnishing of the hardware and natural ageing. The guitar looks to be hardly played and is in excellent condition, it is believed to be the only example currently in the UK.

The concept is essentially a compact, semi-hollow take on the DG-335, combining a smaller CS-336 body with a number of particularly desirable custom features. The result is a guitar that has the feel and immediacy of a solidbody, while retaining the character and resonance you would expect from the semi-hollow construction.

The details are what make this model so special. It features diamond-shaped f-holes, typically used on the Trini Lopez & DG-335 models, a non-reverse Firebird-style headstock, a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and cream binding throughout along with a beautifully carved one-piece mahogany back, sides and centre block topped with a carved maple cap.

The Custom Shop E-Bucker pickups are essentially an underwound custombucker. These pickups deliver plenty of clarity and definition, with a tight low end and a rich, articulate voice. The ’59-style tapered C neck profile feels particularly comfortable and familiar, while the ABR-1 bridge, stop tailpiece and nickel hardware keep the specification suitably classic.

At just 7.4lb, it is also an exceptionally manageable weight for a guitar with this construction, and it has that lovely combination of resonance, sustain and solidbody immediacy that makes these CS-336s so appealing.

Specification:

- Gibson Custom Shop “BENCHMARK” CS-336

- Pelham Blue

- Believed to be limited to approximately 50 units worldwide

- Dealer-exclusive run for five key US dealers

- Believed to be the only example currently in the UK

- Diamond f-holes

- Non-reverse Firebird-style stock

- 22-fret rosewood fingerboard

- Dot inlays

- Cream binding

- Carved maple top

- One-piece carved mahogany back, sides & centre block

- ’59-style tapered C neck profile

- 2 x Custom Wound E-Bucker (Underwound Custombucker) pickups

- ABR-1 bridge & stop bar tailpiece

- Nickel Hardware

The guitar is supplied with its original Gibson hard case, COA, case candy and unfitted pickguard.

A genuinely unusual Custom Shop Gibson and a very difficult guitar to find. One for the serious Gibson collector.

Video demo: youtu.be/edNrp-lHTNQ

Guitar will be well packed and sent fully insured. Thanks for viewing!

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