The 1962 ES-330 Reissue has officially rejoined the Gibson Custom Historic Collection. While Gibson instruments have undergone gradual shifts throughout their existence, the ES-330 is a notable example of this evolution, having debuted in 1959 and integrated various updates by 1962. It is important to note that the ES-330 actually preceded its sibling, the Epiphone Casino, which did not arrive until 1961. Following an eight-year hiatus, Gibson Custom is thrilled to bring the 1962 ES-330 Reissue back as a permanent addition to the Historic Reissue Collection.

This reissue is built with a fully hollow, thinline body composed of three-ply maple, poplar, and maple. Distinguishing itself from the similar-looking ES-335, the ES-330 lacks a maple centerblock, which provides a more resonant, open quality and a remarkable acoustic presence when played without an amplifier. Consequently, it remains an incredibly inspiring and pleasant electric guitar for casual practice sessions at home. The guitar features a one-piece mahogany neck crafted in an Authentic 1961 Thin D profile, offering a sleeker, less rounded feel than the 1959 iterations.

The neck is capped with a bound, one-piece rosewood fretboard containing 22 period-correct medium jumbo frets, accented by cellulose small-block inlays that replace the basic dot markers of earlier models. To maintain 1962 accuracy, the neck joins the body at the 16th fret to ensure the bridge is positioned perfectly. The guitar is powered by a pair of P-90 pickups featuring black Dogear covers. The bridge pickup utilizes an Alnico 3 magnet with standard windings, while the neck pickup is underwound with an Alnico 5 magnet, creating a balanced and harmonious tonal pairing.

Each pickup is hand-wired to dedicated volume and tone controls utilizing CTS potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, with the electronics package completed by a Switchcraft three-way selector and a 1/4” output jack. As with all fully hollow guitars, users may encounter feedback more easily than on semi-hollow or solidbody models when using extreme stage volume or high gain. However, the ES-330 stays remarkably controllable with moderate overdrive, and its sensitivity to muting techniques from both hands allows for a singing, expressive voice. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for jazz, country, blues, Americana, 60s pop, rock, and beyond.

The instrument is packed with historically accurate components, including nickel hardware, a Historic no-wire ABR-1 bridge, a trapeze tailpiece, a nylon nut, Kluson Deluxe tuners, a multi-ply ES-330 pickguard, and black Top Hat knobs equipped with dial pointers and silver inserts. A gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish combined with VOS hardware creates the subtle, aged aesthetic of a perfectly maintained vintage guitar. We are delighted to restore the 1962 ES-330 Reissue to the Gibson Custom Historic lineup and anticipate the music that contemporary musicians will produce with it. Every guitar includes a Lifton hardshell case for travel and protection.