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The downsized ES-335 outline is simple and classic

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• Review
• Manufacturer's Description

There's a wonderful, chiming, lively acoustic resonance to the Deluxe and, despite its substance, strapped on it's well balanced to ready to go. Immediately it feels like an old friend, the dirty bite of the bridge JB is engulfed by a dark resonance that's juicy and very rock/blues ready.

The Jazz is a good match, widening the sound in a very soulful and bluesy way. The push/push coil-split switch on the tone control is very fast to use and neither split sound disappoints – cleaner and brighter with a lower output but never spiky. The volume and tone controls feature smooth tapers and a good value tone capacitor creates a very musical and usable full-off 'woman' tone.

If pristine highs are your bag you might want to look at a maple topped version; the Deluxe is for those who prefer a rounder high end, be it clean with a little volume and tone reduction for convincing lounge jazz, or fully wound up for sweat-soaked soloing and riffage. It's a very grown up guitar, deceptively versatile and with an excellent, in tune vibrato system. Martyn Booth has never let us down before, and this is no exception.

Martyn Booth exemplifies guitar making at its best. It's not just the fit and finish, but the way his instruments work as tools of your trade – they're never style over substance. The Deluxe has a beautiful resonance, blues- and rock-ready tones, a great vibrato system and a thoroughly of-the-moment vibe. There's no unnecessary bling here, it's a pro-spec working tool.