I've played plenty of vintage ES-335s over the course of my life, and this serial has a scarily similar frequency response profile. The best old 335s have this unique sort of bass response that's hard for new guitars to emulate, but the fine folks at Gibson Memphis have managed to impart a little bit of that vintage magic into this serial. Great old 335s have low end that sounds huge but dry. The bass frequencies are powerful, but they emphasize the fundamental quite clearly. This guitar has this particular vintage vibe in spades. Frankly, if you blindfolded me and hit a low E on this guitar, I might think that you were playing some sort of outrageous ten-foot tall novelty guitar! It's the sort of sound that's easy to get lost in. It's warm and deep, but it retains a visceral, muscular power despite its woodiness. This combination of warmth and strength is what really makes this guitar special! Every note carries immense weight and heft, but it is an unassuming sort of power that comes through even when you play mellow jazz chords and pretty melodic figures. This 335 is especially inspiring when it speaks softly, because it carries a big stick!
Of course, when you crank up the amp and let this guitar speak loudly while carrying the aforementioned big stick, it is capable of wreaking havoc and ruin across the land! I love the way notes bloom when I hold them out for a long time, because the overtones are so juicy that it sounds like I'm playing a full chord, and that makes it so I don't have to work as hard to play radical solos! The bridge pickup provides crushing crunchy rock and roll sounds, and and the neck pickup is great for smooth, wailing leads. Anyone seeking a strong-yet-sensitive ES-335 will love this serial!
Site: https://wildwoodguitars.com/product/80032/2018-limited-1961-es-335-11/
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Clean Tones: Tone King Imperial MKII
Distorted Tones: Friedman Wildwood Smallbox 50
Serial Number: 80032
Brand Gibson Memphis
Model Limited Edition 1961 ES-335
Finish Color Sixties Cherry
Finish Type Hi Gloss 90 Sheen Lacquer - Finished in VOS
Weight 7.91 lbs
Bracing Quartersawn Adirondack Spruce
Top Wood 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
Back & Sides Wood 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
Center Block Silver Leaf Maple
Neck Wood 1-Piece Mahogany
Neck Shape Slim Taper
Neck Dimensions .790 1st - .850 12th
Fingerboard Dark Rosewood with Rolled Binding
Inlays Pearloid Dots
Scale Length 24 3/4"
Nut Material Nylon
Binding Single-Ply Tan
Pickups 2 MHS Humbuckers
Controls 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch
Hardware VOS Nickel
Bridge ABR-1 with Plated Brass Saddles
Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum Stopbar
Tuners Kluson Double Ring Keystone Buttons
Case Gibson Hardshell
COA Yes