Guitars

Gibson ES-355 Custom Shop with Bigsby

The Gibson ES-355 is one of the most luxurious semi-hollow guitars ever built. Introduced in 1958 as the premium version of the ES-335, it combines elegant craftsmanship with warm resonance and expressive blues tone. Gerbman's black Custom Shop ES-355 with Bigsby adds a rich, vocal quality to his sound palette, filling a role that no Stratocaster can.

Manufacturer and Model Background

The ES-355 was introduced by Gibson in 1958 as the most upscale model in the ES-3xx semi-hollow series. The base platform was the ES-335, which had been introduced earlier that year as the first successful semi-hollow electric guitar. Where the ES-335 offered a practical and versatile design, the ES-355 was intended as the luxury version.

It featured visual and technical upgrades including multi-ply binding, ebony fingerboard with large block inlays, gold hardware, split-diamond headstock inlay and stereo wiring with Varitone on many versions. The ES-355 was often paired with a Bigsby vibrato tailpiece, which allowed subtle pitch modulation and contributed to its expressive character. Today Gibson's Custom Shop builds historically inspired ES-355 models in smaller quantities, considered premium instruments within the Gibson lineup.

Body Semi-hollow laminated maple with solid center block

Fingerboard Ebony with large block inlays

Hardware Gold throughout

Tailpiece Bigsby vibrato

Introduced 1958 (Custom Shop reissues ongoing)

Finish Black (Gerbman's version)

Why This Guitar Matters in Blues

Semi-hollow guitars occupy a special place in blues history. They bridge the gap between solid-body power and hollow-body warmth. The ES-355 in particular delivers warm low end, complex harmonic resonance, smooth sustain and controlled feedback at higher volume. This combination makes it extremely effective for expressive blues phrasing and dynamic playing.

Compared with a solid-body Les Paul or Stratocaster, the ES-355 has a slightly airier response. Notes bloom more gradually and chords feel wider and more three-dimensional.

What Respected Blues Guitarists Did With It

One of the most iconic users of the ES-355 was B.B. King. His famous guitar "Lucille" was based directly on the ES-355 platform. King used the semi-hollow design to produce singing sustain, vocal-like vibrato and warm but articulate lead tones. Albert King and Freddie King also used Gibson semi-hollow guitars during parts of their careers, showing how well these instruments translate expressive blues phrasing.

In modern blues, artists like Joe Bonamassa frequently use ES-335 and ES-355 style guitars for their thick midrange and singing sustain.

Sound Profile

The ES-355 produces a tone that sits between hollow jazz warmth and solid-body punch.

Low end Full and warm with rounded attack. Ideal for blues rhythm.

Midrange Rich and vocal. Carries classic blues phrasing through a mix.

High end Smooth with clarity. No sharp snap like a Stratocaster.

Dynamics Highly touch sensitive. Soft playing is mellow; harder playing bites.

Bigsby effect Subtle pitch modulation. Gentle movement suits blues phrasing.

Sustain character Notes bloom gradually. Chords feel wider and more dimensional.

What Makes It Special

Several design features make the ES-355 unique. The semi-hollow construction uses a laminated maple body with a solid center block that controls feedback while maintaining resonance. The ebony fingerboard produces a slightly tighter attack and clearer note separation compared with rosewood. Gold hardware and Custom Shop build quality contribute to sustain, stability and visual elegance. The Bigsby vibrato adds expressive pitch modulation without compromising the core tone.

Together these elements create a guitar that feels both refined and extremely musical. It is a blues instrument built to last decades.

Why Gerbman Uses It

Gerbman is primarily associated with Fender Stratocasters, which deliver bright Texas blues attack and strong dynamic response. The ES-355 fills a different role in his tonal palette. Where the Strat provides bite and snap, the ES-355 provides thicker lead tone, richer chords and smoother sustain.

It works especially well for slower blues, soul influenced passages and expressive melodic lines. The Bigsby also allows subtle vibrato effects that add character during sustained notes. In a live setup the ES-355 appears when Gerbman wants a warmer and more vocal sound than a Stratocaster can provide.

Live Performance

Rarity and Availability

Custom Shop ES-355 guitars are produced in relatively small numbers compared with standard Gibson models. They appear regularly on the used market through specialist dealers. Collector interest is high among Gibson enthusiasts due to the model's historical importance and premium build quality. Rarity classification: somewhat rare to rare depending on the exact Custom Shop specification.

Variants and Alternatives

ES-355 Stereo — early versions with stereo wiring and Varitone switch
Gibson Lucille — the B.B. King signature model derived from the ES-355 platform
Modern Custom Shop reissues — various historic specifications available through Gibson dealers
Collings I-35 / Heritage H-535 — boutique semi-hollow alternatives with exceptional build quality
Epiphone ES-355 / ES-335 — affordable versions of the semi-hollow concept
Original 1950s–60s ES-355 — the vintage reference, highly collectible and extremely valuable