A limited-edition replica of the “beautiful and killer-sounding” vintage ES-335 Slash used on his new blues album, with just 50 pieces available to pre-order
Gibson Custom has announced a limited Collector’s Edition reproduction of Slash’s 1963 ES-335, used to formidable effect on his upcoming blues album, Orgy of the Damned, released May 17 on Gibson Records.
Although Slash is somewhat famous for being a Les Paul guy, when it came to the recording sessions for his new studio album—a project featuring guest vocalists Brian Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Beth Hart, Iggy Pop, Paul Rodgers, Gary Clark Jr., Billy F. Gibbons, Chris Robinson, Demi Lovato, Dorothy, and Tash Neal—Slash found a blues muse in the shape of a vintage ES-335 with a Bigsby® vibrato tailpiece.
“I used a beautiful and killer-sounding 1963 ES-335 Gibson for more than a few songs on Orgy of the Damned,” he says. “Gibson has now built a fantastic replica of this extraordinary guitar. Same block neck, Bigsby tremolo, and finish. You have to check it out.”
Sporting a Vintage Sunburst finish with Murphy Lab Light Aging to match his original, a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece, unpotted Custombucker pickups with Alnico 2 magnets, and period-correct nylon saddles, the Gibson Custom Slash 1963 ES-335 Collector’s Edition is limited to just 50 pieces.
In addition, buyers will be invited to attend an exclusive VIP experience at the Gibson Garage Nashville, where Slash and his blues band will treat fans to an intimate live performance and signing event.
Back in the saddle
Nylon saddles came into vogue in the late 1950s, and by 1963, they featured on many of Gibson’s ES models. Compared to their metal counterparts, they reduce vibration and deliver a warmer tone with a less explosive attack.
In addition, the self-lubricating quality of nylon saddles not only reduces string breakages but also reduces friction, offering greater tuning stability and smoother action when used in combination with a Bigsby vibrato or Maestro™ Vibrola™ tailpiece.
According to many vintage guitar fans, the 1963-64 period represents a Goldilocks zone for ES-335 specifications when this supremely versatile electric guitar design coalesced into its most potent iteration. Gibson Custom’s latest collaboration with Slash celebrates both this iconic instrument at its finest and the Gibson Global Brand Ambassador’s return to his blues roots on Orgy of the Damned.
Find out more about the Gibson Custom Slash 1963 ES-335 Collector’s Edition guitar and shop now. Orgy of the Damned drops on May 17. Catch Slash this summer on the S.E.R.P.E.N.T. Festival blues tour. To see more of Slash’s favorite guitars, check out The Collection: Slash, a premium coffee table book from Gibson Publishing.
