Bottom Line: The Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue puts Gibson USA Custombucker pickups in a laminated maple/poplar semi-hollow body with a solid center block at $1,149 — making it the most affordable way to get an authentic 335 experience with Nashville-made electronics.
The ES-335 is the Swiss Army knife of electric guitars — semi-hollow enough to produce warm, resonant acoustic qualities, but with a solid maple center block that prevents feedback under gain. B.B. King, Larry Carlton, Eric Clapton, and Dave Grohl have all leaned on the 335’s versatility. At $1,149, Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Custom 1962 ES-335 Reissue delivers that legendary platform with Gibson USA Custombucker pickups, hand-wired electronics, and period-correct construction details that put it in a different league from the standard Epiphone ES-335.
What’s New on the 1962 ES-335 Reissue
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Body | 5-ply laminated maple/poplar semi-hollow with solid maple center block, spruce bracing |
| Neck | One-piece mahogany, SlimTaper C profile, long neck tenon |
| Fretboard | Bound rosewood, 12″ radius, small block inlays |
| Frets | 22 medium jumbo |
| Scale Length | 24.75″ |
| Pickups | Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers |
| Electronics | Hand-wired, CTS pots, Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors, Switchcraft toggle |
| Bridge | Epiphone ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with stopbar tailpiece |
| Tuners | Epiphone Deluxe vintage with Keystone buttons |
| Finish | Vintage Original Sheen (VOS) — Vintage Burst, Sixties Cherry |
| Extras | Gibson “open book” headstock, f-holes, vintage-style hardshell case |
| Street Price | $1,149 |
The 5-ply laminated maple/poplar construction with spruce bracing is faithful to how Gibson built the original 335s in the early ’60s. The lamination isn’t a cost-cutting measure — it’s the original specification. Laminated tops on semi-hollow guitars are more resistant to feedback than solid tops and produce a controlled, focused resonance that’s ideal for amplified performance. The solid maple center block running through the middle of the body adds mass where the pickups and bridge mount, grounding the tone and preventing the runaway feedback that fully hollow guitars can produce under gain.
The electronics package includes a notable variation: Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors instead of the Bumblebee caps found on the Goldtop or the Mallory caps in the Standard reissues. Black Beauty caps have a slightly different tonal character — they’re associated with a smooth, warm tone rolloff that complements the 335’s natural warmth beautifully. Combined with the Custombucker humbuckers and CTS pots, the electronics are tuned specifically for the semi-hollow platform.
The SlimTaper neck with small block inlays and binding gives the 335 a refined look and feel. The long neck tenon joint is particularly important on a semi-hollow — it extends deeper into the body cavity, improving sustain and tonal transfer where a shorter tenon would leave the neck more isolated from the body’s resonance.
For another take on the Epiphone formula, check out the Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Reissue.
Who Is the 1962 ES-335 Reissue For?
Jazz, blues, and rock players who need one guitar that can cover an enormous range of tones. The 335 is genuinely one of the most versatile electric guitars ever designed. Neck pickup with the tone rolled back: pure jazz warmth. Both pickups on full: thick, creamy blues. Bridge pickup through a cranked amp: aggressive rock with enough body to avoid the thin, brittle sound that solid-body guitars can produce in the same position. If you play in a cover band, a session context, or any situation where you need to shift between styles, a 335 handles it all.
It’s also worth noting that the semi-hollow body produces a natural acoustic resonance you can feel when playing unplugged. For practice and writing, a 335 is more rewarding to play without an amp than a solid-body guitar.
The Epiphone Les Paul Special Double Cut Figured offers a different approach within the same Epiphone family.
✓ PROS
- Semi-hollow construction delivers warmth and resonance that solid-body guitars can’t match
- Gibson USA Custombucker pickups with Black Beauty paper-in-oil caps — tuned for the 335 platform
- At $1,149, it undercuts the rest of the Inspired by Gibson Custom line while offering a unique voice
- One of the most versatile electric guitars you can buy at any price
✗ CONS
- Larger body can be uncomfortable for smaller players or when sitting down
- Semi-hollow guitars can feedback at very high gain settings — not ideal for extreme metal
- Heavier than you might expect thanks to the maple center block
How Does It Compare to the Gibson ES-335?
The Gibson USA ES-335 runs $3,000-$3,500 depending on finish and configuration. The construction approach is similar — laminated maple body, mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard. Both use USA-made pickups and premium electronics. The Gibson uses nitrocellulose lacquer, Gibson-branded ABR-1 bridge, and is assembled in Nashville or Memphis. At roughly one-third the price, the Epiphone delivers the same tonal foundation with the same Nashville-made Custombucker pickups. The differences are in fit, finish, and the intangible craftsmanship details that come with American manufacturing.
The Gibson L-1 Anniversary Limited Edition is a strong alternative from a rival brand.
First Impressions and What Players Are Saying
Guitar Player’s review praised the entire Inspired by Gibson Custom semi-hollow and Firebird lineup, noting “greater attention to vintage-correct details and the use of many of the same parts found on American-made Gibson guitars.” The ES-335 specifically has drawn praise for its resonance, with players describing the acoustic quality as “noticeably more alive” than standard Epiphone 335 models. The Sixties Cherry finish has been the more popular color among early buyers.
Pricing and Availability
Available now at $1,149, making it the second most affordable guitar in the Inspired by Gibson Custom line after the Les Paul Special. Ships with a vintage-style hardshell case. Available in Vintage Burst and Sixties Cherry.
For a competing option, the Squier Sonic Esquire H 2026 targets a similar player at a comparable price point.
FAQ
Is the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue worth it?
At $1,149, it’s an exceptional value for a semi-hollow guitar with USA-made Custombucker pickups and hand-wired electronics. The 335 platform is one of the most versatile in guitar history, and this version delivers the essential experience at roughly one-third the price of a Gibson ES-335.
Can the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 handle high gain?
It handles moderate to high gain well thanks to the solid maple center block that controls feedback. For classic rock, blues-rock, and indie rock gain levels, it’s excellent. For extreme high-gain styles like metal, a solid-body guitar is a better choice — semi-hollow guitars will eventually feedback at very high volumes and gain settings.
What pickups does the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 use?
Gibson USA Custombucker humbuckers, hand-wired to CTS potentiometers and Black Beauty paper-in-oil capacitors. The Black Beauty caps are specifically chosen for the semi-hollow platform, providing a warm, smooth tone rolloff that complements the 335’s natural resonance.
Where is the Epiphone 1962 ES-335 Reissue made?
Made in China with Gibson USA Custombucker pickups from Nashville. The 5-ply laminated maple/poplar body with spruce bracing follows the same construction approach as the original 1962 Gibson ES-335.
The 1962 ES-335 Reissue brings one of the most iconic guitar platforms in history into reach at $1,149. If you need one guitar that can do jazz, blues, rock, and everything in between, the 335 has been the answer for over sixty years — and this Epiphone version makes that answer more affordable than ever.