Gibson 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissues: Classic Hollow Body with P-90 Tones
Perfect tones for Americana, Blues, Country, Jazz, and Sixties Pop!
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Gibson 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissues: Classic Hollow Body with P-90 Tones · Source: Gibson
Gibson 1959 ES-330 Reissue · Source: Gibson
The Gibson 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissue is available now in Vintage Natural and Vintage Burst. This latest release resumes production on this highly sought-after model after an eight-year hiatus, meticulously adhering to the exact specifications of the original 1959 and 1962 instruments.
Contents: Gibson ES-330 Reissue
Gibson 1959 ES-330 Reissue
The Gibson 1959 ES-330 Reissue is an accurate reissue of a hollow-body classic first released at the tail end of the 1950s.
While it shares a similar body shape with the iconic ES-335 and a close design lineage with the Epiphone Casino, the ES-330 sets itself apart as a true hollowbody electric guitar. By completely forgoing a traditional center block, Gibson has created a significantly lighter instrument.
According to the manufacturer, this fully hollow construction delivers an exceptionally resonant, open tone and a lively response that allows the guitar to double as an excellent acoustic instrument.
These are premium models and so come with a premium price tag, which offers a vintage accurate recreation for tone purists.
1962 Reissue
Honouring its 1962 heritage, the one-piece mahogany neck joins the body at the 16th fret for optimal bridge positioning.
It features a fast, sleek SlimTaper 60s C profile, offering a noticeable shift from the bulkier 1959 shape. Completing the vintage aesthetic is a bound rosewood fretboard equipped with 22 medium jumbo frets and premium cellulose small-block inlays.
Vintage Accurate Specifications
True to its vintage heritage, the thinline body features top binding, dual f-holes, and a three-ply pickguard, all constructed from a premium three-ply laminate of maple, poplar, and maple. The guitar is available in two distinct VOS-aged nitrocellulose lacquer finishes: Vintage Burst and Vintage Natural.
The historically accurate construction continues with a set mahogany neck sporting a classic rounded-C profile. It features a bound rosewood fretboard with a 12-inch radius, 22 frets, traditional dot inlays, a nylon nut, and a standard Gibson scale length of 24.75 inches.
. In keeping with the original 1959 design rather than later long-neck iterations, the neck-body joint is located at the 16th fret. While this positioning slightly restricts upper-fret access, it ensures the bridge remains in its historically accurate position.
Hardware
The hardware package is completed by a nickel-finished ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge with a trapezoid tailpiece and Kluson Deluxe tuners. This is all classic stuff, and there is no messing around with the original formula.
Dogear P-90
Gibson has equipped the reissue with two specially matched, black Dogear P-90 pickups. The bridge pickup utilises an Alnico 3 magnet, whereas the neck pickup is wound with a slightly lower number of turns and employs an Alnico 5 magnet.
The electronics utilise a traditional Gibson circuit layout, featuring independent volume and tone controls for each pickup, a three-way toggle switch, CTS potentiometers, and paper-in-oil capacitors.
I love a good P-90, and so I would expect these guitars to sing through a slightly overdriven tube amp, as they have all the correct ingredients for sweet tones.
Who is it for?
Due to the fully hollow design, the ES-330 is inherently more susceptible to feedback than its semi-hollow counterparts.
Making it less ideal for modern, high-gain musical styles. Instead, the instrument thrives in genres such as Americana, blues, country, jazz, and sixties pop, where it is reported to deliver a remarkably singing, dynamic, and expressive tone when paired with slightly overdriven amplifiers.
Price & Availability
The Gibson Custom 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissues represent a premium, highly authentic historical reproduction aimed at serious players and collectors alike. Both Vintage Natural and Vintage Burst 1959 models and the 1962 60s Cherry and Vintage Burst finishes are now available from Thomann, retailing at$5599/£5099/€5,799 each, which includes a Lifton hard case.
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One response to “Gibson 1959 and 1962 ES-330 Reissues: Classic Hollow Body with P-90 Tones”
Thanx for the interesting review.
I own an original sunburst and am looking to sell it. Are they valuable,? It’s in very good shape with all original pts. Thank you for the trip down memory lane.