Ever since 1958, when Gibson introduced the first semi-hollowbody electric guitar (the timeless ES-335) the company’s engineers have been fine-tuning the concept of combining the classic look of a hollowbody with the performance of a solid body. Debuting in 2001, the CS-336 is the ultimate result of that quest and it is a true Gibson Custom Shop beauty.

The CS-336 delivers the classic look of the 335 with its elegantly tapered figured-top but the Custom Shop’s engineers have enhanced the CS-336’s playability. Although the CS-336 has the same body lines as the ES-335, the model is scaled down to provide solidbody style comfort. And its neck has the slim, "fast" profile of vintage ’60s Gibson guitars. To create truly great resonating properties, the back and sides of the CS-336 are a single piece of mahogany that is shaped inside and out like a classic Gibson archtop, but with a solid center beam running the length of the body from the neck tenon to the tail block.

The model’s solid, two-piece maple top is also carved inside and out to the shape and thickness of ES-series archtops, but it too has a solid center section that matches up to the center beam of the body. And before each CS-336 leaves the Custom Shop it is checked and adjusted by one of Gibson’s state-of-the-art Pleck machines, ensuring the ultimate ready-to-play set-up.

Frankly, it's a stunner - and at a just £1999, we expect love at first sight!