Nixx Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 Ok so I'm about to purchase a Gibson ES-355 Antique Ebony such as this... http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/gibson_es-355_with_bigsby_ebony.asp I'm confused because the certificate of authenticity says it's a Gibson Memphis but has 'Custom' written on the front of the passport style booklet. it is an 8 digit serial number not starting with CS and hasn;t the custom shop symbol at the bottom of the headstock. It looks pretty much identical to this one of the same year http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Gibson-ES-355-Mono-Custom-Shop-/390999144625?pt=Guitar&hash=item5b095d78b1 But this one has a CS seriel number... Does anyone know what the difference is? Will the hardware be the same but just not made in the custom shop? I can't find anything online comparing the two... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 11, 2014 Share Posted December 11, 2014 I can't answer your questions but the 2011 has an ebony fret board. I also noticed this line from the eBay ad: Not much else to say, erect it pains me to sell this ( wife wants to remodel bathrooms, so few guitars have to go)............ I gather the Mrs. has been withholding her favors in the bedroom until the bathrooms are done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanC Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Ok so I'm about to purchase a Gibson ES-355 Antique Ebony such as this... http://www.richtonem...igsby_ebony.asp I'm confused because the certificate of authenticity says it's a Gibson Memphis but has 'Custom' written on the front of the passport style booklet. it is an 8 digit serial number not starting with CS and hasn;t the custom shop symbol at the bottom of the headstock. It looks pretty much identical to this one of the same year http://www.ebay.co.u...=item5b095d78b1 But this one has a CS seriel number... Does anyone know what the difference is? Will the hardware be the same but just not made in the custom shop? I can't find anything online comparing the two... Can a 355 not have a Bigsby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pin Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Ok so I'm about to purchase a Gibson ES-355 Antique Ebony such as this... http://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/products/gibson_es-355_with_bigsby_ebony.asp For me, that guitar is not a 355 - no Varitone. It wouldn't bother some others but I just wouldn't go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 I'm with Pin - if you haven't already made the purchase go with an older one. You'll get the ebony, VariTone and Lyre tail piece if you hunt around a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 I bought my first ES-355 in 1962--it had no Varitone, Over the years I've owned a number of others, some with and some without. I've found I always preferred to leave the knob at "1" on the ones that had it. Since Gibson has always made some of these without Varitone, it's not exactly a new phenomenon. All the ES-355s in this photo are 20 years old, but only one has it: Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Do you still have all those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny W. Posted December 13, 2014 Share Posted December 13, 2014 Do you still have all those? No, just the one in the front. I did have others with Varitones, but they are gone too: Danny W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike_L Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Can a 355 not have a Bigsby? Yep My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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