Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Styles' sonic secret
  • I'm Still Standing
  • Stevie Wonder’s '70s synth guru
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

In pictures: Gibson ES-335 Studio unboxed

News
By Michael Brown
Published 29 July 2013

F-holes be damned! We take a look at Gibson's ES reworking

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

It’s been 55 years since Gibson first unleashed the semi-hollow ES-335, and now the company’s Memphis division has seen fit to update the model by removing the f-holes and upping the spec for rock and punk players.

We’ve got our hands on the ES-335 Studio, and we’ve unboxed and shot it in all its hyper-reflective glory. A brave new take or a step too far? Let us know what you think.

For the full review of the Gibson ES-335 Studio, check out Total Guitar issue 245, on sale 2 September.

For £1,099, you not only get the ES-335 Studio, but also this sharp-looking Gibson gigbag

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

Well, hello there! Here’s our ES-335 Studio in a nitrocellulose lacquer Midnight Blue, but you can also grab one in Ebony

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

That nitro finish sure is reflective –try to ignore our glorious post room lighting and note the single super-hot Dirty Fingers Plus humbucker

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

The trapeze tailpiece is nothing but classy

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

An elegant – or obnoxious, depending on your viewpoint – tortoise shell neck joint cover appears at the end of the baked maple fingerboard

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Gibson ES-335 Studio

Gibson ES-335 Studio

And the tortoise shell returns for the truss rod cover, which graces the blacker-than-black Gibson headstock

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices
Get Total Guitar for Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD
Get Total Guitar for Android via Google Play

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Read more
Gibson Custom 1957 L-5 CES
Guitars The Gibson Custom Shop brings back the 1957 L-5 CES with a meticulous VOS reissue
 
 
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 1964 Eric Clapton ES-335
Guitars Epiphone to unveil replica of Eric Clapton’s 1964 ES-335TDC at Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear round-up September 26, ft. Matteo Mancuso's signature Revstar and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Sep 2026 edit, featuring fresh drops from Taylor, Yamaha, ESP and more
 
 
Gibson x Baggs HiFi DNA Pickup
Guitars Have Gibson and Baggs cracked the code for amplified acoustic guitar tone? Meet the HiFi DNA system
 
 
MusicRadar Monthly Guitar Gear Roundup October 2026: ft. Kim Gordon with her Jazzmaster, the Zoom Neurig, Gibson HiFi DNA acoustics and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Oct 2026 edit – fresh drops from EBMM, Gibson, JHS Pedals and more
 
 
Harley Benton Guitar Summit 2026 Launch
Guitars Harley Benton’s mega-drop: S-styles with VegaTrems and semis with BB King and Dave Grohl vibes
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff 2
Guitar Pedals “The Big Muff is back, baby – but is it better?”: Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Big Muff Pi 2 review
 
 
MusicRadar Monthly Guitar Gear Roundup October 2026: ft. Kim Gordon with her Jazzmaster, the Zoom Neurig, Gibson HiFi DNA acoustics and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Oct 2026 edit – fresh drops from EBMM, Gibson, JHS Pedals and more
 
 
Boss Katana-25
Guitars Boss's new Katana-25 is its most practice-friendly combo yet – and it's just $199
 
 
Fender Limited Edition Kim Gordon Jazzmaster
Artists Kim Gordon and Fender reinvent the Jazzmaster with a Seymour Duncan twist
 
 
Epiphone Prophecy Series
Guitars Epiphone makes a huge play for metal players as the Prophecy Series returns with serious upgrades
 
 
Tony Iommi performs live with Black Sabbath in 2016.
Artists Tony Iommi on Black Sabbath’s accidental hit and the track that proved nothing was too far-out for them
 
 
Latest in News
juan atkins
Tech Pioneering techno producer Juan Atkins has died aged 64
 
 
Taylor Swift performs with HAIM and special guest Nelly onstage during the 1989 World Tour at Scottrade Center on September 29, 2015 in St Louis, Missouri.
Singers & Songwriters Nelly reveals Taylor Swift once paid him for a show appearance with $50,000 cash in a McDonald's bag
 
 
speakers
Tech "A once-in-a-lifetime piece of dancefloor history": Ministry of Sound's award-winning sound system is up for sale
 
 
Gene Simmons (born in 1949), Paul Stanley (born in 1952), Eric Carr (1950-1991), Ace Frehley (born in 1951), members of the American hard rock band Kiss, performing live on stage at the Pantin racecourse. Paris (19th arrondissement), September 27, 1980
Gigs & Festivals Kiss legend Gene Simmons claims the band stopped touring due to "respect" for fans
 
 
Donnie Iris
Artists Donnie Iris, the geeky cult hero who has died just weeks after his farewell show
 
 
Prince at the Olympic recording studios in London on September 10, 1988 in London, United Kingdom.
Singers & Songwriters Prince's right-hand man Levi Seacer Jr. talks discovering the late musician's legendary vault
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...