Gibson Custom LE 1959 ES-345 Reissue Varitone Bigsby Ebony Heavy Aged

Gibson Custom LE 1959 ES-345 Reissue Varitone Bigsby Ebony Heavy Aged

Serial Number A960480 weighs 8 lbs 14 oz

- Authorized Dealer - This item is Brand New with Full Factory Warranty.

- The photos shown are of the actual instrument being sold.

- Our luthiers at Fuller's Guitar thoroughly inspect and set up each instrument to factory specification action and neck relief prior to shipping to make sure that your new instrument is gig-ready right out of the box.

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A 1959 ES-345 Reissue with a Bigsby and in an exceptionally rare color
The 1959 ES 345™ Reissue, Heavy Aged, Ebony, is a rare opportunity to experience a historically significant semi-hollowbody brought to life with the unmistakable character of a well-loved vintage original. Part of Gibson Custom’s Limited Edition Collection, which was inspired by decades of Made to Measure special orders and the deep expertise and creativity of the artisans at the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, this reissue of one of the most elusive factory combinations from Gibson’s first Golden Age, a 1959 ES 345 finished in Ebony and with a factory-installed Bigsby® Vibrato tailpiece, captures the elegance, tonal complexity, and expressive versatility that made the ES 345 an icon for discerning players.

The body construction uses the classic layered maple/poplar/maple formula with multi-ply binding on the top and back. A solid maple centerblock enhances sustain and greatly increases feedback resistance, creating a powerful voice that thrives in both clean and overdriven settings. The Heavy Aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish, developed and artfully applied by the Murphy Lab, imparts decades of authentic wear, from lacquer checking to subtle playing marks, offering the unmistakable feel of an instrument that has lived a rich musical life.

The mahogany neck is carved to the coveted Authentic 1959 profile and joined to the body with a long neck tenon for exceptional resonance. A rosewood fretboard with aged cellulose split parallelogram inlays, 22 reissue medium jumbo frets, single ply binding, and a 24.75 inch scale length delivers a playing experience that is both familiar and inspiring. The headstock features the Gibson logo and crown, both inlaid in mother of pearl, completing an aesthetic that is as refined as it is steeped in tradition.

Dual Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups deliver the airy bloom, warm midrange, and dynamic sensitivity associated with late 50s Patent Applied For humbucker™ tone. Paired with a three-way toggle switch, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a mono Varitone circuit, the ES 345 offers a broad tonal palette that delivers everything from smoky jazz comping to biting blues and rock leads and everything in between.

Gold hardware, black plastics, and an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge elegantly complement the Ebony finish. For players seeking extra expressiveness, the Bigsby Vibrato tailpiece adds another dimension of musicality with a push or pull of the bar. With Kluson® Deluxe tuners, nickel pickup covers, and a Lifton™ reissue hardshell case, this limited run reissue is both a collector’s piece and a stage-ready instrument of remarkable versatility.

The 1959 ES 345 Reissue with Bigsby, Heavy Aged, Ebony, stands as a testament to the era that defined electric guitar craftsmanship and to the modern artisans who continue that legacy today. Exceptionally rare in its original form and meticulously rendered here, it is a guitar built to inspire—visually, sonically, and artistically.

Highlights
Semi-hollow layered maple/poplar body with solid maple centerblock
Murphy Lab Heavy Aged
Authentic 1959 neck profile
Split-parallelogram fretboard inlays
Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups
Bigsby vibrato tailpiece

Guitar Specifications

Body Specs
Binding Multi-ply top and back
Body Finish Heavy Aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Maple/poplar/maple
Body Shape ES-335
Centerblock Maple

Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue Medium Jumbo
Inlays Split-parallelogram
Joint Long neck tenon
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Profile Authentic 1959
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in

Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3
Controls 2 volume, 2 tone with Varitone
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle

Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Top Hats
Finish Gold
Pickup Covers Gold
Tailpiece Bigsby
Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe

Misc Specs
Accessories Certificate of Authenticity Booklet, Historic Reissue Hang Tags
Model: 59ES34526LE23271
Case Custom Shop Hardshell
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046