The Gibson ES-335 is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $2963.83. Close alternatives include the Gibson ES-345 Electric Guitar and the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335. It pairs well with the Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet and the Vox AC-50.
Gibson ES-335
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson ES-335 is an iconic semi-hollow body electric guitar delivering warm, balanced tone with feedback control. Its center block and dual PAF pickups produce the definitive jazz-rock tone. The ES-335 appeals to jazz, R&B, and rock players.
- jazz
- warm
- complex
- vintage
- rock
- creamy
- workmanship versatile sound
- balanced
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson ES-335 is commonly used in
- Blues
- Country
- Rock
- Jazz
- Smooth Jazz
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag. - Classic Rock
cited
Inferred from shared tonal signals, not a stated genre tag.
Amps that pair well with the Gibson ES-335
Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet
Friedman
36% matchThe ES-335's warm, semi-hollow voice cuts against the Small Box's modern, articulate high gain instead of just adding more crunch.
Vox AC-50
amplifier
21% matchThe ES-335's warm, complex semi-hollow voice suits the AC-50's own rich, punchy tube clarity.
Bad Cat Cub
Bad Cat
21% matchBoth stay clean and articulate, so the 335's warm humbuckers don't overload the Cub's chiming headroom.
Bad Cat BC-50 Head
Bad Cat
20% matchGibson ES-335's own warm character is the real reason this is worth trying
ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature v2
Engl
20% matchGibson ES-335's warm voice suits ENGL Ritchie Blackmore Signature v2's own bright character
Traynor YCV40 Custom Valve Combo
Traynor
20% matchThe ES-335's warm, complex semi-hollow voice suits the YCV40's spring reverb and headroom-forward clean.
Marshall JCM800 2203
Marshall
19% matchThe ES-335's warm, semi-hollow voice cuts against the JCM800's aggressive midrange crunch instead of just adding more crunch.
Fender '59 Bassman LTD
Fender
19% matchWhat Gibson ES-335 brings here leans toward warm — that's worth building a pairing around — also used together by 1 artist
Pedals that stack with the Gibson ES-335
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Ibanez
45% matchThe Screamer's mid-forward boost suits the ES-335's warm, complex hollowbody tone without burying its jazz-inflected clarity.
Klon Centaur
Klon
40% matchOne documented player runs the ES-335 into a Klon — the semi-hollow's own warmth gets a transparent midrange push, not a new color. — also used together by 1 artist
NuX SSD-10
Nux
tonal matchGibson ES-335 leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform NuX SSD-10 wants
Fender Hammertone Overdrive
Fender
tonal matchGibson ES-335 leans into a clean amp's front end, precisely the platform Fender Hammertone Overdrive wants
Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature
Ashdown
tonal matchInto Gibson ES-335, Ashdown Geezer Butler Signature is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Black Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz
Black Arts Toneworks
tonal matchBlack Arts Toneworks LSTR Fuzz's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-335 delivers it
Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz
Behringer
tonal matchBehringer SF300 Super Fuzz's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-335 delivers it
Catalinbread MontaVillian
Catalinbread
tonal matchCatalinbread MontaVillian's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Gibson ES-335 delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Cheaper alternatives
Epiphone Sheraton II
Epiphone
70% similarity“Of all the 335 inspired guitars this turned out to be my favorite.”
Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi Signature Electric Guitar
Epiphone
70% similarity“Comparable build quality to higher-end models like Gibson 335”
Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar
electric guitar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson SG Standard
Gibson
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Yamaha Pacifica 1421
electric guitar
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Epiphone BB King Lucille Ebony
Epiphone
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Fender Stratocaster 1964
Fender
70% similarity“giving Carlton a brighter, snappier alternative to the fuller, warmer tone of his signature 335 when a session or arrangement called for classic Strat character”
Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar
Gibson
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Gibson ES-345 Electric Guitar
Gibson
70% similarity“The ES-345, however, seems to charge a premium for mostly aesthetic enhancements.”
Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335
Gibson
70% similarity“The Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335 is the signature semi-hollow of 'Mr. 335', based on his beloved 1969 ES-335”
Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar
Gibson
70% similarity“this upscale 335 is at home across genres from Jazz to country.”
Gibson Es 335 Tdc
Gibson
70% similarity“distinct from the earlier 1961 sunburst ES-335 also associated with him”
Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul
Gibson
96% similaritysimilar tone character
Höfner Club 50
electric guitar
95% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson ES-335 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson ES-335?+
The closest matches in character are the Gibson ES-345 Electric Guitar, the Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335, the Gibson ES-355 Electric Guitar. Budget picks: Epiphone Sheraton II, Epiphone Riviera Nick Valensi Signature Electric Guitar, Epiphone Riviera Electric Guitar. Boutique upgrades: Fender Stratocaster 1964, Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar.
What pairs well with the Gibson ES-335?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Friedman Small Box 50 Head with 1x12 Cabinet, Vox AC-50, Bad Cat Cub — The ES-335's warm, semi-hollow voice cuts against the Small Box's modern, articulate high gain instead of just adding more crunch..
How much does the Gibson ES-335 cost?+
Around $2963.83 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).