Epiphone Limited Edition ES-355

Epiphone have released their re-issue of the Gibson classic thinline, double cutaway, archtop semi-electric guitar - the ES-355.

The ES-355 was manufactured by Gibson from 1958 to 1982 and it had a split-diamond headstock inlay rather than the smaller crown inlay on the 345, in addition to a binding.

The original came with Humbuckers and had the bell-like sustain of a solid body guitar but with the darker, more complex tones of an archtop.

This model became a favorite of B.B. King, and in 1982 Gibson released the signature model B.B. King Lucile based on the ES-355.

Keith Richards, Chuck Berry, and Noel Gallagher are other well known musicians who played the ES-355.

Epiphone's Limited Edition ES-355 has a 5-layer laminated Maple body which comes in 3 finishes: Ebony (pictured above), Alpine White, and classic Cherry.

The solid Mahogany 24.75" SlimTaper 1960s "D" profile neck with single layer binding has an Ebony fingerboard with a 12" radius and a 1.68" nut width.

The neck also reproduces the classic Mother-of-Pearl "Block" inlays and vintage style Mother-of-Pearl "Split Diamond" headstock design.

And let's not forget the gold Bigsby Tremolo and LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge.

The Alnico Classic pickups, found in both the neck and bridge positions, are modeled on the original Gibson '57 Classics, and use Alnico-V magnets with enamel wire.

The Gibson re-issued ES-355's generally come with an MSRP over $5,000, however the Epiphone Ltd Edition ES-355 version will only cost you $699 at most online stores, and you can expect delivery to begin at the end of November.

For complete specifications see epiphone.com/Products/Archtop/ES-355.aspx.

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