The Gibson ES355 has always been the big brother of the famed ES335. The same semi-hollow formula, but with more refinement and detail. This Wine Red version from 1979 is a prime example, with its cream binding, multi-line purfling, and bound tortoiseshell pickguard, giving the guitar a more distinctive look than its more understated sibling, the ES335.

The ES355 was introduced in 1959 as the top model in Gibson's semi-hollow series and, in the years that followed, found its way into the hands of, among others, B.B. King, who based his famous "Lucille" on this model. The guitar combines the resonance and warmth of a hollow body with the feedback resistance and playability of a solid body, a combination that makes the instrument exceptionally versatile for blues, rock, and jazz.

What makes this ES355 from 1979 particularly interesting are the two original Gibson Patent No. 1s. Stamped humbuckers from the same year. These pickups are known for their clear and detailed character with a warm undertone and are particularly popular with fans of vintage Gibson sounds. The guitar also features dual outputs, allowing you to use it in both mono and stereo modes, a feature that gives the ES355 that extra something. The guitar also features original hardware such as Schaller tuners and a TPS-6 Fine Tune tailpiece, and is in original condition except for a refret.

This Gibson is in excellent condition and bears the playwear you would expect from an instrument of this age, but the guitar certainly looks very neat. Light scratches on the top, some superficial buckle wear on the back of the body, and some scratches on the front of the headstock reveal that this is not a new guitar. It is notable that there was a code on the back of the headstock between the tuners, but this has been removed and partially refinished.

This graceful guitar is undoubtedly a valuable addition to any collector's collection!