Gibson Custom
Carrying on Orville Gibson’s historic pursuit of sonic excellence and aesthetic perfection, the Gibson Custom Shop combines traditional instrument-making techniques, innovative methods, and meticulous attention to detail to craft instruments worthy of its banner-era slogan, “Only a Gibson is Good Enough.”

This instrument exclusively features woods hand-picked by CME’s expert guitar-buying team at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, paired with one of our favorite finishes, plus a thoughtful combination of preferred fingerboards, neck profiles, pickups, and hardware, to make this customized Gibson guitar.

Murphy Lab
Following decades of research for the Gibson Custom, Art, and Historic Division founded in 1993, Gibson Custom Shop established the Murphy Labs Division in 2017 to take Tom Murphy’s proprietary techniques to the next level.

Sporting a scientifically reverse-engineered nitrocellulose lacquer identical what was used on Gibson guitars of the ‘50s and ‘60s, this Custom Shop instrument has been meticulously aged by hand at Murphy Labs—with all the wear-and-tear of a well-played original, including an extra-rolled fingerboard binding for a broken-in feel and true-to-life look.  

The King of the ES Models
What could be better than the legendary ES-335? The ES-355! The ES-355 starts with all the features that make the ES-335 iconic - the feedback-resistant semi-hollowbody construction, the two humbucking pickups with individual volume and tone controls, the legendary sonic versatility and exceptional playability - and kicks it into overdrive with an ebony fretboard that's adorned with 50s pattern mother of pearl block inlays and 22 authentic medium jumbo frets. A split diamond headstock inlay, multi-ply binding, and gold hardware further reinforce the fact that the ES-355 is the top of the line ES™ model. This expertly crafted Custom Shop rendition's attention to detail makes it an outstanding recreation of the legendary and highly-prized 1959 ES-355. A five latch Lifton™ case is also included. It also features Light Aging by the skilled artisans of the Murphy Lab. The Murphy Lab Light Aged finish treatment, paired with lightly aged hardware, simulates decades of natural play wear, giving it the unique character, vibe, and feel of an original example from the Gibson Golden Era.

General:
Brand Name: Gibson
Case Type: Hardshell Case
Hardware Color: Murphy Lab LIght Aged Gold
Made in: Made in the USA
Product Color: Watermelon Red
Relic or Aging Level: Murphy Lab Light Aged
Serial Number: A960151
Series: Gibson Custom Shop Historic
Weight: 8lbs 5oz

Body:
Body Binding: Multi-Ply
Body Finish: Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
Body Shape: ES-335
Top Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

Neck:
Fingerboard Inlay: 1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Neck Binding: Cream
Neck Finish: Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Neck Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
Neck Shape: Medium C
Number of Frets: 22 Frets
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.687" (42.85mm)
Side Marker Inlay: Dots
Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube

Electronics:
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Controls and Switching: 3-Way Switchcraft; 2 Volume/2 Tone CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)

Hardware:
Bridge: ABR-1
Fret Wire: Authentic Medium-Jumbo
Knobs: Black Butyrate Top Hats w/Dial Pointers
Pickguard: Multi-Ply Bound Celluloid
Saddle Material: Nickel-Plated Brass
Switch Cap: Amber Catalin
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
Tuning Machines: Kluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips