Gibson 1959 ES-330 Reissue: Classic Hollow Body with P-90 Tones
Perfect tones for Americana, Blues, Country, Jazz, and Sixties Pop!
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The Gibson 1959 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 instrument.
Contents: 1959 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.
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 1959 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 ES-330 Reissue represents a premium, highly authentic historical reproduction aimed at serious players and collectors alike. Both Vintage Natural 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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