Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1959 ES-335, Ultra Heavy Aged, Vintage Natural

Full Description

Ultra heavy aged finish with vintage vibe

The Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1959 ES-335 stands out with its Ultra Heavy Aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish, meticulously crafted by the skilled artisans at Gibson’s Murphy Lab. This process goes far beyond cosmetic distressing—it authentically replicates decades of heavy use, right down to the fine lacquer checking, arm wear, buckle rash, and dulled hardware. Every mark tells a story, giving the guitar a deeply resonant vintage vibe straight out of the case. Combined with aged nickel hardware and vintage-accurate plastics, this model evokes the look and feel of a true 1950s original, capturing the spirit of a road-worn instrument that’s been played and loved for generations.

Historically accurate construction

This 1959 reissue delivers exceptional build quality that faithfully mirrors the original blueprints. The body is made from 3-ply maple/poplar/maple with a solid maple centreblock, which ensures the perfect balance of resonance and feedback resistance that defines the ES-335’s iconic tone. It also features a 1-ply Royalite binding that adds a refined vintage aesthetic. Internally, the neck is joined with a long tenon and secured using hide glue, both period-correct details that enhance tonal transfer and sustain. Every element—from the carve of the top to the neck joint construction—has been researched, scanned, and replicated to ensure a truly authentic experience for vintage guitar enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Premium electronics and unpotted pickups

To deliver genuine late-‘50s tone, this ES-335 is equipped with a pair of unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups. These pickups are carefully wound to replicate the sonic characteristics of original PAFs, offering a beautifully dynamic response with warm lows, clear highs, and sweet harmonic complexity. Being unpotted, they capture more air and nuance—ideal for players looking for touch-sensitive clarity and open vintage tone. The electronics are equally period-correct, with CTS 500K audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors ensuring smooth, responsive control. From jazz cleans to snarling blues and classic rock crunch, the tonal palette is as versatile as it is authentic.

Comfortable vintage neck profile

One of the most defining aspects of this reissue is its expertly recreated neck profile. Scanned directly from original 1959 examples, the Medium C profile feels instantly familiar and incredibly playable. Crafted from solid mahogany and topped with a 12" radius Indian rosewood fingerboard, the neck offers a comfortable and stable feel for a wide range of playing styles. The authentic 22 medium-jumbo frets give just the right amount of grip and slide, while the nylon nut and long tenon joint further enhance the feel and sustain. You can move effortlessly between chord work and expressive lead lines with vintage-style finesse.

Collector-grade details and appointments

Every component on the Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1959 ES-335 has been thoughtfully selected to reflect its vintage inspiration. From the Kluson single line tuners and ABR-1 bridge to the lightweight aluminium stop bar tailpiece, each part has been historically matched and aged to perfection. The black wide-bevel pickguard, gold butyrate top hat knobs, and amber Catalin switch tip all echo the aesthetic of late-‘50s craftsmanship. Even the mounting rings, strap buttons, and pickup covers are vintage-correct in material and profile. To complete the experience, the guitar comes housed in an aged brown/pink Lifton reissue 5-latch case and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.

Specifications

• Product Name: Gibson Custom Murphy Lab 1959 ES-335, Ultra Heavy Aged, Vintage Natural
• Product Code: 59ES335UHVNNH1

Body

• Body Style: ES
• Body Shape: ES-335
• Body Material: 3-ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
• Centerblock: Solid Maple
• Binding: 1-Ply Royalite
• Body Finish: Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Weight Relief: None

Neck & Fretboard

• Profile: Medium C
• Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
• Neck Material: Solid Mahogany
• Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
• Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
• Fret Count: 22
• Frets: Authentic Medium-Jumbo
• Nut Material: Nylon
• Nut Width: 42.85 mm / 1.687 in
• Inlays: Pearloid Dot
• Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit

Hardware & Electronics

• Finish: Nickel; Murphy Lab Heavy Aged
• Bridge: ABR-1
• Saddle Material: Nickel-plated Brass
• Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
• Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Line, Single Ring
• Pickguard: Black 5-Ply Wide Bevel
• Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
• Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply
• Control Knobs: Gold Butyrate Top Hats with Dial Pointers
• Switch Tip: Amber Catalin
• Strap Buttons: Cream Plastic
• Mounting Rings: Black M69 Medium & Tall
• Pickup Covers: Authentic Profile Nickel Silver
• Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
• Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
• Output Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft
• Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Case: Aged Brown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case
• Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity