Gibson ES-350TN (1956)

Gibson's ES-350T combined archtop-like hollowbody tone with distinct ergonomics and playability that helped put the "thinline" electric guitar style on the map.

1956 Gibson ES-350TN just into the shop!

It's our first thinline 350 from this era, and we totally get what makes these guitars so desirable, particularly to jazz and blues players.

The combination of short scale - we're talking Byrdland scale length here, so 23.5" - with slightly narrower nut width and a 17" thinline laminated Maple body give the guitar this full but punchy and woody acoustic voice that works incredibly well with the original P90s. Complex chords and melodic work have never felt easier, and yet the guitar maintains the kind of response and attack we often associate with standard scale instruments. This Natural variant - just 1 of 62 shipped in 1956 - has one of the best looking finishes we've ever seen in this color. With clean Natural-finished Gibsons maintaining that brighter, more pale yellow look, this 350TN is quite the opposite. Its top coat has aged into this gorgeous smokey honey amber color, almost like what we see in modern guitars that are built with torrefied Maple. It's really stunning and so befitting of a guitar of this age and style. The contrast of the black plastics, gold hardware, and amber bonnet knobs gives it such a classic 50s aesthetic.

The original P90 pickups have great output, with a sweet and clear voice that has snap but isn't overly aggressive; a perfect set for a fully hollow thinline guitar. They're out of phase from the factory in the middle position, which could be "corrected" with a flip of the magnets in one of the pickups. We've elected to leave it as we acquired it, and let the next owner decide what to do.

When we first got the guitar, the original ABR-1 saddles were too worn out to function properly. We installed a fresh set of Kluson saddles and have put the originals in the case for safe keeping. Our repair staff has the guitar set up wonderfully and playing great with comfortable action.

The original label seemed to have delaminated and fallen out of the guitar long ago, likely due to long-term storage and subsequent dryness. Thankfully, the FON ink stamp remains strong and visible, and the original harness gives us a good window into the guitar's production timeline.

This 350TN is paired with its original brown Lifton case that remains in very nice shape.