The Gibson Custom Historic Collection is proud to welcome back the 1959 ES-330 Reissue, an instrument that marks a return to a truly pivotal era for Gibson. 1959 is widely celebrated by vintage enthusiasts as a landmark year that birthed some of the most desirable guitars in history, including the initial release of the Gibson ES-330. While frequently compared to the Epiphone Casino, the ES-330 actually predates it, as the Casino did not make its debut until 1961. After an eight-year hiatus from the production line, this model is once again a central part of the Gibson Custom Historic Reissue Collection.

Constructed with a fully hollow, thinline body made of three-ply maple, poplar, and maple, this reissue stands apart from the ES-335 because it lacks a maple centerblock. This design choice grants the guitar a remarkably resonant, open acoustic character and significant volume when played unplugged, cementing its status as an ideal "couch guitar" for casual practice. The instrument features a one-piece mahogany neck shaped to an authentic 1959 profile, providing a substantial, comfortable C-shape that feels timeless. Topping the neck is a bound, single-piece rosewood fretboard equipped with 22 period-correct medium jumbo frets and subtle cellulose dot inlays.

Mirroring the original 1959 builds, the neck meets the body at the 16th fret to ensure the correct bridge positioning and a vintage-accurate playing experience. Two P-90 pickups with black Dogear covers provide the sound; the bridge pickup utilizes standard windings and an Alnico 3 magnet, while the neck pickup is underwound with an Alnico 5 magnet for a perfectly balanced tone in every setting. The electronics are rounded out by individual volume and tone controls for each pickup using paper-in-oil capacitors and CTS potentiometers, alongside a Switchcraft three-way toggle and a 1/4” output jack.

Because of its fully hollow construction, the ES-330 is more prone to feedback than solid or semi-hollow instruments and is not suited for high-gain settings; however, with careful technique, it produces a unique, singing sustain when paired with overdrive. It is an incredibly versatile tool for jazz, country, blues, Americana, 60s pop, rock, and more. Historical accuracy is maintained through the inclusion of nickel hardware, a trapeze tailpiece, a Historic no-wire ABR-1 bridge, Kluson Deluxe tuners, a nylon nut, a multi-ply ES-330 pickguard, and True Historic gold Top Hat knobs complete with dial pointers.

The instrument is finished in a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, paired with a VOS hardware treatment to replicate the softly aged aesthetic of a pristine vintage find. Gibson Custom is excited to return the 1959 ES-330 Reissue to the Historic lineup and anticipates the music that modern players will craft with it. Every guitar arrives inside a Lifton hardshell case to ensure protection both at home and during travel