Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Bigsby Varitone Alpine White Ultra Light Aged A960446

Serial: A960446
Weight: 9lb 3.7oz

This Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Bigsby Varitone in Alpine White combines the upscale appointments of Gibson's flagship semi-hollow design with Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aging. Built with a laminated maple/poplar/maple body, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard, this Custom Shop instrument features an Alpine White finish, gold hardware, and a Bigsby B7 vibrato. The Murphy Lab aging treatment gives the guitar a subtly worn vintage appearance while retaining the refined character of the ES-355.

The semi-hollow body features three-ply maple/poplar/maple construction for the top, back, and rims, along with red spruce bracing and a windowed center block. Traditional ES-style f-holes, multi-ply body binding, and a bound tortoiseshell pickguard complete the construction. The Alpine White finish extends across the body, while the gold hardware provides a distinctive contrast.

The mahogany neck features a 1959 ES-335 C-shaped profile measuring approximately .874" at the first fret and .957" at the twelfth. Its ebony fingerboard features pearl block inlays, white binding, and Jescar medium-jumbo fretwire. A 24.75" scale length, nylon nut, and traditional split-diamond headstock inlay complete the vintage-inspired neck appointments.

Two unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 humbuckers provide the electronics, paired with a mono Varitone circuit for additional tonal filtering. The Varitone's six-position rotary selector expands the available sounds beyond the standard pickup combinations. A gold ABR-1 bridge and Bigsby B7 vibrato provide the hardware foundation, complemented by gold Grover tuners with kidney-shaped buttons. A brown and pink vintage-style hardshell case and Murphy Lab Certificate of Authenticity are included.

Highlights

• Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged Alpine White finish

• Semi-hollow maple/poplar/maple body with red spruce bracing

• Mahogany neck with 1959 ES-335 C profile and ebony fingerboard

• Dual unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 humbuckers with six-position Varitone

• Gold Bigsby B7 vibrato, ABR-1 bridge, and Grover tuners

Specifications

Body

• Body Style: Semi-Hollow

• Body Shape: ES-355

• Top Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

• Back Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

• Rim Material: 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple

• Bracing: Red Spruce

• Center Block: Windowed

• F-Holes: Traditional ES-Style

• Top Binding: 7-Ply Black/White

• Back Binding: Multi-Ply Black/White

• Finish Color: Alpine White

• Aging: Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aged

Neck

• Neck Material: Mahogany

• Neck Profile: 1959 ES-335 C-Shape

• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .874"

• Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: .957"

• Scale Length: 24.75"

• Fingerboard Material: Ebony

• Fingerboard Inlays: Pearl Blocks

• Fingerboard Binding: White

• Frets: Jescar Medium Jumbo

• Nut Material: Nylon

• Headstock Veneer: Black with Split-Diamond Inlay

Hardware

• Bridge: Gold ABR-1 Historic

• Tailpiece: Bigsby B7 Vibrato

• Tuning Machines: Gold Grover with Kidney Buttons

• Hardware Finish: Gold, Ultra Light Aged

• Pickguard: Bound Tortoiseshell ES-355 Long

• Pickup Covers: Gold

• Pickup Mounting Rings: Black

• Control Knobs: Black Top Hats

• Varitone Knob: Chicken Head

• Strings: .010–.046

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 Humbucker, Unpotted

• Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 Humbucker, Unpotted

• Pickup Configuration: HH

• Pickup Selector: 3-Way Toggle

• Special Electronics: Mono Varitone Circuit

• Varitone Switching: 6-Position Rotary Selector

Miscellaneous

• Brand: Gibson Custom

• Model: 1959 ES-355 Bigsby Varitone

• Collection: Murphy Lab

• Aging Level: Ultra Light Aged

• Serial Number: A960446

• Case: Vintage-Style Brown Hardshell with Pink Interior

• Certificate of Authenticity: Murphy Lab COA Included

Why Buy from Tone Shop Guitars?

Tone Shop Guitars is an independent Gibson dealer with locations in Addison, Southlake and Fort Worth, Texas. We offer free nationwide shipping on new instruments and multiple financing options.