Gibson Custom Shop 1959 ES-330 Reissue in Vintage Natural

For vintage electric guitar fans, 1959 stands as a landmark year in the Gibson story, producing many of the most sought-after instruments ever built. Among them was the debut of the Gibson ES-330™, introduced that same year. Although it’s often compared to its sibling, the Epiphone Casino™, the ES-330 came first; the Casino didn’t arrive until 1961. Following an eight-year break in production, Gibson Custom is pleased to reintroduce the 1959 ES-330 Reissue as a core offering within the Gibson Custom Historic Reissue Collection.

The ES-330 Reissue features a fully hollow thinline body constructed from three-ply maple/poplar/maple. Unlike the visually related ES-335, it does not include a maple centerblock, which gives the ES-330 a more open, resonant acoustic character and far greater unplugged volume. This makes it a standout choice for casual playing, earning its reputation as one of the finest “couch guitars” around.

Its one-piece mahogany neck is carved to an Authentic 1959 profile—a comfortable, substantial C-shape that feels classic without being oversized. A bound, one-piece rosewood fretboard carries 22 period-correct medium jumbo frets and understated cellulose dot inlays. As on original 1959 models, the neck joins the body at the 16th fret, allowing for ideal bridge placement and vintage-accurate feel.

A matched pair of P-90 pickups with black Dogear covers brings the 1959 ES-330 Reissue to life. The bridge pickup uses standard windings and an Alnico 3 magnet, while the underwound neck pickup employs an Alnico 5 magnet, creating a complementary, well-balanced voice across positions. Each pickup is individually wired to its own volume and tone controls using CTS® potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors. A Switchcraft three-way toggle and 1/4” output jack round out the electronics. As with any fully hollow design, the ES-330 is more susceptible to feedback than a solidbody or semi-hollowbody, and it’s not intended for the highest-gain environments. Even so, with mindful technique, it handles overdrive beautifully, offering a distinctive, singing sustain that sets it apart from nearly every other guitar. Whether used for Americana, blues, 60s pop, country, jazz, rock, or other styles, the ES-330 offers a remarkable expressive range.

Additional historically accurate features include 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 True Historic gold Top Hat knobs with dial pointers. Its combination of a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish and VOS hardware treatment evokes the gently aged appearance of a well-preserved vintage example.

We’re thrilled to welcome the 1959 ES-330 Reissue back into the Gibson Custom Historic lineup and look forward to the music today’s players will create with this exceptional instrument. A Lifton™ hardshell case is included to keep the guitar protected at home and on the road.

Body

• Body Shape: ES-330
• Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
• Body Finish: VOS Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Binding: Single ply top and back
• Body Style: Hollow body

Neck

• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
• Nut: Nylon
• Neck Profile: Authentic 1959
• Frets: 22 Reissue Medium Jumbo
• Fingerboard Binding: Single-ply
• Fingerboard Radius: 12”
• Scale Length: 628.7 mm / 24.75 in
• Joint: Long neck tenon

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: P-90
• Bridge Pickup: P-90
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone; 3-way toggle pickup selector

Hardware

• Tuners: Kluson Deluxe
• Plating: Nickel
• Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
• Tailpiece: Trapeze
• Knobs: Gold Top Hat
• Pickup Covers: Black Dogear

Miscellaneous

• Case: Lifton reissue