The 1961 Gibson ES-335 is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $41000. Close alternatives include the Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul and the Ibanez Custom AS200 with 2-Tone Finish. It pairs well with the Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet and the Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head.
1961 Gibson ES-335
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson ES-335 from 1961 is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a maple body, a solid center block, and two PAF humbucking pickups. It produces the archetypal semi-hollow tone, balancing the woody resonance of a hollowbody with the clarity and sustain of a solidbody. The 1961 PAFs use shorter magnets, giving a slightly warmer, less aggressive midrange, with clean, expansive, piano-like lows and a characteristic airy honk that never sounds harsh. The neck pickup is warm and thick for jazz and blues, while the bridge pickup has a characterful honk for rock and rhythm. It is a versatile vintage instrument prized for blues, jazz, and classic rock tones.
- jazz
- blues
- airy
- resonance
- clear
- classic rock
- woody
- rhythm
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the 1961 Gibson ES-335 is commonly used in
- Classic Rock
- Rock
- Blues
- Jazz
- Blues Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Smooth Jazz
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the 1961 Gibson ES-335
Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet
Friedman
20% matchFriedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet's mid-forward fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head
Revv
19% matchRevv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Synergy SL2 Module
Synergy
tonal matchRun Synergy SL2 Module into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchRun Ceriatone 2202H into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Bad Cat Lynx 50
Bad Cat
tonal matchRun Bad Cat Lynx 50 into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Friedman Jose LTD
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Jose LTD's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Mesa Boogie Mark I
Mesa Boogie
tonal matchThe transparent tone has headroom to spare — Mesa Boogie Mark I gives it mid-forward to fill it with
Friedman Jose Arredondo
Friedman
tonal matchRun Friedman Jose Arredondo into that transparent platform and it finally gets some high gain
Pedals that stack with the 1961 Gibson ES-335
Klon KTR
Klon
19% matchInto a transparent tone, Klon KTR brings the medium gain it's missing
Mooer 008
Mooer
18% matchMooer 008's high gain fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchFender Hammertone Overdrive's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and 1961 Gibson ES-335 delivers it
NuX SSD-10
Nux
tonal matchInto 1961 Gibson ES-335, NuX SSD-10 is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal match1961 Gibson ES-335 leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature wants
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz is voiced for a clean amp's front end — 1961 Gibson ES-335 gives it exactly that
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchCatalinbread MontaVillian is voiced for a clean amp's front end — 1961 Gibson ES-335 gives it exactly that — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
tonal match1961 Gibson ES-335 leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz wants
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson Es 335 Dot
Gibson
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-125
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony
Epiphone
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul
Gibson
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez Custom AS200 with 2-Tone Finish
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Custom Gibson Es 335 Reissue Blonde
Gibson
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Höfner Club 50
electric guitar
94% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the 1961 Gibson ES-335 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the 1961 Gibson ES-335?+
The closest matches in character are the Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul, the Ibanez Custom AS200 with 2-Tone Finish, the Custom Gibson Es 335 Reissue Blonde. Budget picks: Gibson Es 335 Dot, Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, Fender Dave Murray Stratocaster.
What pairs well with the 1961 Gibson ES-335?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet, Revv Generator 100P MkIII 3-Channel Head, Synergy SL2 Module — Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet's mid-forward fills in what this transparent tone doesn't make on its own.
How much does the 1961 Gibson ES-335 cost?+
Around $41000 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).