The Guitar

The CS-356 is one of the more genuinely interesting things Gibson's Custom Shop has built, and it gets overlooked because from ten feet away it reads as a small ES-335. It is not.

The back, the rims and the center block on this guitar are all carved from a single piece of mahogany. Not a laminated body with a maple block glued inside it, the way a 335 is built, but one solid piece of wood hollowed out and shaped into all three. Gibson introduced this construction in 2001 and called it tonally carved, and it was the first time the company had actually achieved the one-piece back-and-sides idea that Orville Gibson was chasing a hundred years earlier. Mated to a carved AAA figured bookmatched maple top, it gives you something that sits between an archtop, a Les Paul and a semi-hollow, with more focus and less feedback than a 335 and considerably more air than a solidbody.

It is also small and light, which is the other thing people notice immediately. The compact body balances well and is comfortable in a way a full size 335 simply is not.

This one is a 2002 in Cherry Flame, and the figure in the top is excellent. One piece mahogany neck with a rounded C slim taper profile, 1 11/16" nut, 12" radius, 22 frets.

Worth knowing if you are shopping this model: this is an early example with a genuine ebony fingerboard. Gibson moved the CS-356 to Richlite in later years. If a real ebony board matters to you, the year matters, and 2002 is on the right side of that line.

Two 57 Classics, two volumes, two tones, a Switchcraft three-way, 500k CTS pots, and gold hardware throughout.

Condition: Honest & Detailed

We'd grade this very good. It has minor marks and dings throughout consistent with a guitar that was played and enjoyed rather than stored.

Two things to call out specifically.

There is some finish separation along the center seam of the bookmatched top in a few places. It is visible in the photos and worth understanding before you buy.

The original tortoiseshell bound pickguard is included with the sale, but it is offgassing and has developed heavy wear as a result. This is celluloid breakdown, a well documented issue with tortoiseshell pattern guards, and it is not the result of anything the guitar was put through. The guard is included for completeness rather than as a usable part, and a buyer wanting a clean guard should plan on sourcing a replacement.

Everything else is straight and functioning as it should.

Additional photos are always available on request, and we're happy to answer any question before you buy.

Provenance & Documentation

This guitar comes with its original Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity, confirming exactly what it is and what it left the Custom Shop as.

The Case

Comes with the original Gibson hardshell case.

Who Is This For?

This is for the player who wants the sound and feel of a Custom Shop semi-hollow without hauling around a full size 335, and who appreciates what the tonally carved construction actually does. AAA figured Cherry Flame top, real ebony board, 57 Classics, gold hardware, and a body you can play sitting down for three hours without thinking about it.

Priced to reflect the honest wear and the pickguard, not the Custom Shop badge.

Additional photos available on request, just send a message.

Specifications

∙ Year: 2002

∙ Model: Gibson Custom Shop CS-356

∙ Country of Origin: USA

∙ Finish: Cherry Flame

∙ Body: Semi-hollow; back, rims and center block carved from one piece of mahogany; AAA figured bookmatched maple top

∙ Neck: One-piece mahogany, set neck

∙ Neck Profile: Rounded C, slim taper

∙ Fingerboard: Ebony, single-ply binding, pearl block inlays

∙ Fingerboard Radius: 12"

∙ Frets: 22

∙ Nut Width: 1 11/16"

∙ Scale Length: 24.75"

∙ Pickups: Gibson 57 Classics (neck and bridge)

∙ Electronics: Two volume, two tone, three-way Switchcraft toggle, 500k CTS pots

∙ Hardware Finish: Gold

∙ Cosmetic Notes: Minor marks and dings throughout; finish separation along the center seam of the top in a few places; original tortoiseshell bound pickguard included but offgassing with heavy wear

∙ Documentation: Original Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity

∙ Included: Original Gibson Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity; original tortoiseshell bound pickguard (offgassing, heavily worn)

∙ Case: Original Gibson hardshell case

Shipping

Local pickup in Snohomish, Washington is always welcome. All instruments shipped by KanaLei Guitars are shipped using Reverb's Safe Shipping option, so your purchase is protected from the moment it leaves our hands to the moment it arrives at yours.