The ES-355TD was Gibson’s flagship of the semi-hollow thinbody lineup, originally designed as an upgrade to the ES-335T in late 1958. The model was offered as a mono 355TD or as an upgraded TD/SV with stereo Varitone circuitry. A fairly rare guitar in either configuration, Gibson built ten times as many ES-335s as 355s in 1963.

This example remains in great condition and is quite clean. It has been converted to mono with the neck PAF’s magnet flipped and the stereo jack replaced with a mono one. The Varitone circuitry remains functional, and the switch’s middle position yields the familiar full-bodied in-phase tone you most likely prefer! All of the visible solder on the pots is original, the original neck PAF has a DC value of 8k, and the one visible potentiometer is date coded to the 6th week of 1963. The bridge pickup is a Pat. # that’s never been opened. The wiring was spliced close to the pickup, leaving the original solder and lead wire intact at the potentiometer. Bridge pickup DC value is 8k.

The Bigsby tailpiece and all the guitar’s hardware is factory original. The frets and nut have been replaced. Playability is excellent thanks to high-quality fretwork and 50/103 fretwire. Setup with 10-46 strings in our shop. The neck has a low C carve with a depth of .789” at the 1st fret and .904” at the 12th. The nut width is 1.67”, or 1-11/16”.

Maple laminate body with 7-layer top binding and 5-layer binding on the back. Mahogany neck with bound ebony fretboard and pearl inlays, multi-bound headstock with pearl logo and inlays, blank truss rod cover, Kluson Super tuners, and gold hardware throughout. The guitar’s original finish remains in excellent condition. No neck issues, good neck angle.

With original hardshell case