Hi all, here for sale a beautiful 2003 Gibson Custom, Art & Historic division Tal Farlow reissue in Wine Red finish. Lovely flamed maple on the sides, back and neck. Signed by master luthier of Gibson - legendary James W Hutchins himself (March 17, 2003).

If you're after ES-350 this is closest you'll get :)

Private seller with tons of positive feedback across multiple platforms. UK based but happy to ship internationally. Open to offers.

Here's "blurb":

A James W. Hutchins "Master Label" on a Gibson guitar signifies that the instrument was built or overseen by James "Hutch" Hutchins, a highly respected Gibson Master Luthier. It represents premium, hand-crafted quality and oversight from a renowned craftsman who worked for Gibson from 1963 to 2008. 

These guitars are particularly desirable to collectors and players due to their high-end construction and the legacy of the luthier.

Hutch’s career with the company spanned 45 years, two states, three changes of ownership, and thousands of guitars. He joined Gibson on March 25, 1963 in the original Kalamazoo, Michigan plant, making a name for himself there before transferring to Nashville in 1983.

The Tal is NOT some kind of cheap L5 and has little to do with that model. Tal did not like "fancy" guitars and always preferred "working men's guitars" (his own words). The Tal is a modified ES 350, not a modified L5. The ES 350 is not available as a re-issue model, like the Tal. ES350T that was reissued was thinline version! The last Gibson ES 350 was made in 1956.

In 1962 Gibson produced the Tal Farlow model, based on the ES-350 that Tal had been using in his trio in the mid '50s. The model featured several distinctive visual enhancements over Tal's original ES-350, including the scroll effect in the cutaway, accented by the four-point pickguard. The fingerboard was inlaid with J-200-style crests upside-down, along with two headstock crowns in mirror image. Gibson reissued the Farlow model through the Historic Collection in 1993, before it was again discontinued in 2015.

FOR US buyers: Musical instruments made in the USA (and other U.S.-origin products) are generally free of duty and taxes when returned to the United States, provided they meet specific criteria, including that they were not advanced in value or improved in condition while abroad. This is processed under the "American Goods Returned" (AGR) provision, often referred to as USGR. 

Any questions - please shoot.

Luthier Report (Dec 2025)

Luthier report ID: 1160725117710

Weight: 7.35lbs  

Serial: 20913004

Aesthetic Condition:

Headstock: Overall very good condition. Fine lacquer cracking can be seen to the top edge at the seam between the wood & binding, as is common with nitro finishes. At either side of the nut where the instrument would make contact with a hanger the binding has discoloured to a slightly red colour. Light scratching to all aspects of the headstock is visible under direct light. 

Neck: Overall very good condition. Very fine lacquer cracking is present to the rear of the neck behind the nut, as is common with nitro finishes. Light indentation is present to the centre rear of the neck behind the 3rd fret, barely felt under the thumb but not impacting playability. The bass side heel of the neck shows very light finish checking, as is expected with nitro finishes.

Body: Overall very good condition. Light discoloration of the finish is present at the treble side F-hole, visible under direct light and close scrutiny. Light scratching of the front face is visible in front of the bridge plate. Light scratching to all aspects of the body is visible under direct light, as is common with high gloss finishes. This is most notable at the bass side of the neck pickup consistent with playwear. 

Condition of Frets:

The frets demonstrate light signs of use, not affecting playability. There is considerable material remaining for any future fret work the new owner may wish to perform.

Current Set Up:

Truss Rod: Fully functional. Truss rod tool (5/16" socket) not included.

Hardware: Fully functional with mild tarnishing of the metal hardware, most notably the pickup covers and tailpiece. The pickguard displays cracking and repairs performed by a previous owner. The pickguard is complete and remains secure.

Structural: No concerns or issues to note.

Height of the string from the 12th Fret-1.5mm - Bass 2mm

Please be aware that the action on a guitar may move slightly in transit and this measurement is the current height.

Strings on Guitar - 10-46 (thomastik)

Electrics: 

Fully functional.

Case & Accessories:

Gibson Hard Case - Overall very good condition and fully functional. The latches to the case display light oxidation.
Original pickguard - present.
Gibson Historic division COA.
Gibson black leather strap

Gibson owner's manual