Gibson ES335 - 2011 Custom Shop Iced Tea

No smoke blowing allowed here at TonalityTools Studios!, but we must brag a bit and say this particular 2011 ES335 is one of the best we’ve had the pleasure to play and present on Reverb. 

Why?

The finish…While Iced Tea is limitedly offered by Gibson, it is rare-ish. Moreover, a real Memphis Iced Tea with the famous actual tea color that’s not too red or dark - somewhat similar to those instruments produced in the mid ‘60s and early 70’s - is quite uncommon. This one is beautiful. A real Iced Tea!

(And it is actually like, and done by the same artisans as, Larry Carlton’s now very desirable Signature 335 also issued around the same time. It’s 2010, 2011 and 2012 that were exceedingly great years for the Memphis factory with their very experienced builders and crew, and excellent woods!)

The professionally made custom pickguard was specially ordered for this guitar and it’s exquisite in the classy long-guard style found on more expensive Gibson jazz boxes. (The original black pickguard is in the case.)

A superb pro player had this guitar and it is unusually well-appointed and set up. For example, it has expensive Luxe-Radio Bumblebee oil caps - the very best. Inside too, are matched ViPots (USA-made “Vintage Inspired Pots”) and wired with audiophile-grade Analysis Plus silver wire. The sound and fidelity are wonderful. It responds extremely well to all playing dynamics and nuances. (The pots are manufactured to nearly match the famous 50’s Centralab pots with the same perfect audio taper and torque.)

Analysis Plus, John Mayer’s preferred instrument cable company, also provided the “QiJACK” - the 1/4” jack with its four gold internal contacts that securely grip your guitar cable for markedly improved sonics and longevity. Audiophile-grade! This 335 is the very best for studio and live stage work.

The original frets are immaculately improved by one of the top Luthiers on the West Coast. They look and feel like fine jewelry. And the fretboard, fret ends and nibs are perfectly rolled and polished so very much smoother to the touch. Incredible feel and playability.

The guitar is also factory PLEK’ed, and its Luthier setup and intonation are to precise studio musician standards.

Custom fret crowning…We all know Gibson’s square-ish factory fret wire has oddly angular flat tops that feel sharply bumpy and uncomfortable under the fingers. These frets, while wholly original, have been meticulously crowned and their profile slightly rolled cross the width of the fretboard so they feel fantastic and invite long shows and sessions of advanced playing and lead work. See pictures.

The optimized nut, while also original, is perfected so it precisely and correctly places the strings’ heights at the first few frets exactly. What a difference this makes! And the open strings sound amazing as a result.

Let’s talk about pickups! This ES335 has very special ‘59 pickups handwound by Cat, of Black Cat Guitars in Boston. (The original Gibson zebra pickups with their PAF stickers are included in the case.) Notes sound very responsive, open and alive with outstanding timbre and bloom…And, both clean and breakup tones are truly outstanding. This guitar really has some sort of X-factor mojo.

Note: The Luthier takes great care when installing pickups. For example, you will note each pickup sits precisely level with the strings, not sloped compared to the strings as so often seen. And then the pickups are carefully adjusted in terms of overall height and individual poles for best and most balanced frequency response for playing all over the neck. And not for just one amp. Virtually any quality amp or modeling setting will sound exceptional.

Factory installed Grover locking tuners improve tuning stability, tone and instrument balance while seated or standing. And, importantly, they make for quick string changes. This is a performer’s instrument.

And so too, factory gold Gibson Speed Knobs enable 335 players to better see and adjust volume and tone precisely on stage. (They also complement the beauty of the finish far nicer than black top hats!)

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The neck and playability of this particular 335 are outstanding. It is fast. And it’s neck is not overly thin. Nor too big. It’s just frickin’ right. We don’t know what else to say. All up and down the fretboard, palm and fingers just fly. The neck’s satin finish is fantastic. No “gloss grabbies!” Moreover, the back of the neck fits the palm nicely and gives the thumb perfect locating. Any styles are possible with this guitar.

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This instrument is also being sold locally in both Pheonix and Los Angeles, so we reserve the right to end this Reverb listing the instant the guitar finds its new home. (Hopefully it goes quickly to you first! :-)!!

Please look closely at all photos and read this description carefully. There are no returns. This is a wholly professional instrument of the highest quality and it has had all the best work already done making it immediately performance ready for any top or aspiring pro. Note: Hiding in a very few places, the top of the laminated top has small hairline age lines from humidity changes over the years, but only in the very top veneer layer. These have been fully inspected and have not changed in ages. They are entirely superficial and in no way affect the structural integrity or sound of the instrument. We have tried to show them in several of the photos but they are not particularly noticeable. There are other minor usage wear signs, but overall this ES335 is in remarkable condition and looks stunning in person and on stage, front and back! Just see the photos!

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We are offering free shipping within the continental United States. Contact us if shipping outside the USA is desired. 

The guitar will be carefully double boxed and fully insured.

This instrument is being sold on behalf of a professional musician and close friend of our studios. He has had some unfortunate health issues and we have worked to price the instrument more than fairly on his behalf. We are not accepting trades or offers and would certainly love to see the guitar in your hands!

She’s a truly fantastic guitar and we look forward to helping you to obtain this very special instrument.

TonalityTools Studios, Phoenix, AZ