Gibson Custom Gary Clark Jr. ES-355 Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitar - Cobra Burst

Some guitars don’t just show up under the "Bright Lights" on stage—they command it, and the Gibson Custom Gary Clark Jr. ES-355 semi-hollowbody electric guitar carries that authority with unmistakable tone and feel. Crafted in collaboration with Grammy winner Gary Clark Jr. and inspired by the moment he first saw B.B. King perform with an ES-355, this limited run of just 100 guitars reflects the swagger, dynamics and expressive range that define the Texas blues guitarist's playing. Handcrafted by Gibson Custom Shop and Murphy Lab artisans, it pairs a 3-ply figured maple/poplar/maple body with a 50s Rounded Medium C mahogany neck and a bound ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays. A set of unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets merge with a mono Varitone circuit, ABR-1 Historic bridge and Bigsby B7 vibrato, delivering rich harmonic depth, touch sensitivity and controlled movement that feel unmistakably alive in your hands..

Custombucker Pickups and Mono Varitone Deliver Expansive Tone

A pair of unpotted Custombucker humbuckers with Alnico 3 magnets sit at the heart of this ES-355, capturing every nuance of your touch with open dynamics and rich harmonic detail. Wired with CTS audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, the pickups retain clarity whether you’re digging into gritty blues lines or backing off for cleaner textures. A mono Varitone circuit, controlled by a black chicken head knob, adds a powerful layer of tonal shaping—letting you move from full-bodied punch to focused, hollowed midrange tones that cut or bloom as the song demands.

Bigsby B7 and Historic Hardware Support Expressive Playing

The Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece brings subtle movement and shimmer to chords and lead lines without sacrificing stability. Paired with an ABR-1 Historic no-wire bridge finished in VOS nickel, the guitar transfers string vibration efficiently for strong sustain and reliable intonation. Grover Rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons keep tuning solid through long sets, bends and vibrato work, giving you confidence whether you’re on a festival stage or deep into a studio session.

Handwired Controls Feel Immediate and Musical

True Historic Gold Top Hat knobs with dial pointers give you tactile, precise control over two volume and two tone circuits, while a Switchcraft three-way selector keeps pickup changes clean and reliable. All of the guitar's electronics were handwired in Nashville for consistency and a vintage-correct feel. Every adjustment responds immediately, so shaping your sound mid-song feels natural rather than technical.

Premium Materials and Murphy Lab Craftsmanship

The semi-hollow body is built from select figured maple and poplar with multi-ply binding for added strength and visual depth. A bound ebony fretboard resists wear while supporting fast, articulate playing across 22 Historic medium jumbo frets. Meanwhile, the mahogany neck, nylon reissue nut and VOS Cobra Burst finish balance durability with an authentic, broken-in aesthetic.

A Limited ES-355 That Channels Bold, Modern Blues

The Gibson Custom Gary Clark Jr. ES-355 is for you if you want an instrument that feels as expressive and unapologetic as the music you play. Its premium woods, expanded electronics and tactile hardware invite dynamic phrasing and fearless performance. Additionally, each guitar ships in a Gibson Custom hardshell case with custom exterior graphics, offering protection that matches the instrument’s stature. Limited to just 100 instruments, this ES-355 carries forward a blues lineage shaped by B.B. King and carried forward by Gary Clark Jr.—delivering presence, nuance and power every time you plug in.