Hype Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Hey guys, Just curious did Gibson ever make a custom ES-355 Keith Richards model? I know back from approx 2008 to 2011 Gibson made those Ebony and Cherry colored ones with the Bigsby sometimes they would even make VOS versions of these guitars (calling them Antique Ebony or Faded Cherry)....But although the Ebony colored ones looked almost identical to Keith's except of course Keith removed the red/dark pickguard and the Bigsby was not painted black, but was all Gold....Did these models ever use Keith Richards name on them? Just curious.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I am not 100% certain... but upon conducting a brief online research, I see no evidence that Gibson ever attached Keith's name to any guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Rayba Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 Back in the 60's from what I read, the first Ebony ES-335 was made for Johnny Rivers. Trini Lopez had his model which was a re-designed ES-335. Funny but Johnny Rivers actually played a 335 whereas Lopez didn't. Both great recording artists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayyj Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I think there were quite a few factory black thinlines from what I've seen: definitely a 335, 345 and at least four 330s. The 330s are dot necks, I think fromnn 1961. Keith Richards has one of these as well as the 355, as does his tech, and Bernard Butler has one with a Bigsby. I've seen Bernard's up close a few times and it's absolutely gorgeous, beautiful condition and sounds amazing. I've heard of VOS Ebony ES355s referred to by dealers as the Kieth Richards model but I don't think it was ever an official designation, more an easy way to advertise the guitar on the dealer's part. I'm sure Gibson weren't unaware they were putting out something that would appeal to Keith fans when they did the VOS version. It's got to be one of the coolest celebrity owned Gibsons out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hype Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 The reason why I asked Jayyj is cos, well I have a 2011 VOS ES-355 Antique Ebony with Bigsby, but if you checkout eBay, there is currently a 2011 VOS ES-355 for sale. The seller says it was a limited Keith Richards model. It looks like an exact replica or close to of Keith's, the Bigsby is that faded all gold look (most of the other VOS ES-355's were had black paint on it). But I guess the seller could've easily replace the Bigsby or rubbed the black paint off himself. All other minor tweaks was probably done by the seller (ie - reversed the bridge to face the opposite way, remove the pickguard).... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 Well, I did find this: Keith Richards ES-335 You'd just need to shrink yourself down in order to play it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dReit1 Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I am not 100% certain... but upon conducting a brief online research, I see no evidence that Gibson ever attached Keith's name to any guitar. Sorry, but I think that should be written the other way around. "I found no evidence that Keith Richards ever attached his name to a Gibson" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darling67 Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Sorry, but I think that should be written the other way around. "I found no evidence that Keith Richards ever attached his name to a Gibson" Semantics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretplay Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I don't think Keith endorsed any guitar Gibson or otherwise. He is sometimes thought of as the instigator of the Fender Teli Custom of which he plays an all black one but it doesn't carry his name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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