Gibson Custom Shop ES-336 1997 Sunburst Snakehead Headstock

Rare 1997 ES-336 with the Snakehead headstock. Only made from 1996 to 1998 before Gibson replaced it with the CS-336. It’s the Goldilocks guitar of the Custom Shop lineup, sitting right between a Les Paul and an ES-335. Smaller and more comfortable than a 335, with more harmonic complexity than a Les Paul. Works for jazz, works for high-gain rock, never feels out of place.

The ES-336 features semi-hollow construction with a one-piece mahogany back, sides, and centerblock, topped with a carved maple cap. Carved solid wood, not laminate. The Snakehead headstock is unique to the original 1996-1998 ES-336 run and is one of the easiest ways to spot a real one. The later CS-336 went back to the traditional Gibson open-book headstock.

Specs

    •    Body: One-piece carved solid mahogany back, sides, and centerblock with carved maple top (not laminate)

    •    Finish: Sunburst

    •    Headstock: Snakehead with Custom Shop logo

    •    Pickups: ’57 Classic humbuckers

    •    Neck: Medium C profile (.845” at 1st fret, .965” at 12th fret), rosewood fretboard, dot inlays

    •    Nut Width: 1 11/16”

    •    Tuners: Original Schallers, chrome-plated (Made in Germany, see photos)

    •    Serial: 791550 (1997 production, 7-prefix inked serial)

Condition

Well-played and well-loved. Shows light player wear and some natural aging on the hardware, which gives it a nice vintage vibe. Resonant and alive. Plays great and has only gotten better with age.

Includes

Hardshell case with secure fit (not original). No paperwork.

**This guitar has some wear. ScraThea, dings etc. The sign of a great guitar used on stage! ***