Sustain center block on late 70s ES-355

[El Chiguete]

Hello, just a quick question, what wood is the sustain center block on a late 70s ES-355 (when they had maple necks)? And has that ever change? 

[10PoundLester]

 A 355 is basically a 335 dressed up for dinner so a good bet that it's  maple.

[Sgt. Pepper]

On 5/23/2023 at 8:05 PM, 10PoundLester said:

 A 355 is basically a 335 dressed up for dinner so a good bet that it's  maple.

Yep good old maple.

[LG King]

My 2013 Gibson Memphis 335 has the standard 'maple' as well. However, before acquiring my Gibson, I had picked up an Epi 'Dot' for $250 just for kicks, and found that it had a 'Mahagony' center block.

And although it is definitely sub-standard in comparison, it does produce some very nice tones. Just a little fuller and slightrly more meaty. If I was to ever order a Custom-shop ES-335, that just might be one of my requests.

[Grog]

When they made the ES Les Paul, they used mahogany for the much thinner center block to make it sound like a Les Paul………

 

[merciful-evans]

I know we all know what the subject here is, but the pedant in me is compelling me to point out that 'sustain block' in this example is a misnomer. 

Its a curious subject though, due to the acoustic chamber, the block wood is going to affect the sound. I'm now wondering what my semi-hollow bodies would sound like with a different wood species for centre block.