I am offering a Gibson Memphis ES-345 Stereo Reissue VS from 2009, a still handcrafted in Memphis, Tennessee (USA), luxury semi-hollow electric guitar model featuring a laminated maple body with solid maple center block, set-in mahogany neck with Slim Taper neck profile and 43.1mm bone nut, bound Indian rosewood fingerboard with split parallelogram pearl inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets, two warm-sounding Gibson Classic ’57 humbucker pickups, sophisticated electronics with Varitone rotary switch, as well as a high-quality Gibson ABR-1 bridge with Stopbar tailpiece in a beautiful Vintage Sunburst high-gloss nitro finish with brilliant gold hardware and multi-ply body bindings in excellent condition, including original Gibson luxury hardshell case and professional setup with 10-gauge Elixir strings.

Shortly after the introduction of the ES-335 in 1958, Gibson expanded its model lineup with two additional models. Compared to the basic ES-335, the ES-345 and ES-355 featured higher-quality specifications and included a 6-way Varitone rotary switch in addition to a stereo jack.

Gibson naturally viewed this extensive feature set as an upgrade—after all, the concept had already been successfully established by the Les Paul Standard and Les Paul Custom.

However, the ES-345/355 failed to achieve a major breakthrough, as the two capacitors required by the Varitone circuit were quite large and, above all, heavy at the time—players preferred the lighter ES-335 instead.

Today, things are different: the Varitone electronics are, if anything, only marginally heavier than those of the ES-335, but with its array of capacitors and resistors, it offers more than adequate tonal variations that can meaningfully complement the sound palette. The Varitone really shines with overdrive sounds, delivering some highly interesting alternatives with almost singlecoil-like tones.

However, if you don’t know what to do with the Varitone, you can safely leave it in the bypass position. Because what the two Gibson Classic ’57 humbuckers send to the amp is truly impressive. From blues and jazz to solid rock—this ES-345 Stereo is truly at home anywhere.

A sound sample of the model (only from 2003) can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

Playability is extremely comfortable thanks to the Slim Taper neck profile and the short 628mm scale length, and thanks to the Gibson ABR-1 bridge with Stopbar tailpiece, the guitar intonates cleanly across all 22 medium jumbo frets.

In short, a simply wonderful Gibson ES-345 guitar at Custom Shop level, combining perfection in sound, playability, and appearance!

Technical specifications:

• Origin: Memphis, TN, USA
• Year of manufacture: 2009
• Construction: Semi-hollow with solid maple center block
• Back, sides, and top: Laminated maple
• Neck: Mahogany, laminated
• Neck profile: Slim Taper
• Fingerboard: Indian rosewood with split parallelogram pearl inlays, bound
• Fingerboard radius: 12"
• Frets: 22 medium jumbo (retrofitted with PLEK)
• Nut: 43.1mm, bone
• Pickups: 2x Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 2x volume & 2x tone controls; stereo Varitone rotary switch
• Tuners: Gibson Deluxe Vintage Tulip Button Tuners
• Hardware: Gold
• Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic with Stopbar Tailpiece
• Binding: White, multi-layer
• Finish: Vintage Sunburst High-Gloss, Nitrocellulose
• Scale Length: 628mm
• Weight: 3.89kg
• Serial No.: 00449708
• Special feature: Two outputs (mono / stereo)
• Includes black Gibson luxury hardshell case (Note: This is the original case; until 2010, the “B.B. King” lettering was standard on all ES-345 cases from factory)

These Gibson ES-345 models, manufactured at the now-closed Memphis factory, feature excellent build quality and are very rare.

This Gibson ES-345 Stereo Reissue VS is in excellent condition and is technically flawless. Visually, there is only occasional fine superficial wear (see photos). The frets are like new.

The instrument has received a professional setup with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €49.99 within Germany or €99.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All photos shown are of the actual instrument for sale.