I was recently asked to provide evidence that I had some music expertise, so I used this blog as a reference. Which got me to thinking, I haven’t added my latest acquisition to the site.

Gibson ES335 Walnut

This is a NOS (new, old stock) 2017 Gibson Memphis Limited Edition ES-335 Walnut. I have long lusted after a 335. It’s an iconic guitar (to me, at least). Alvin Lee played his “Big Red” at Woodstock.

“Marty McFly” (Michael J. Fox) played one in the original Back to the Future movie. Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Larry Carlton — even Eric Clapton — have played the 335.

Red is (to me) the traditional color, but there are natural finishes, colored (Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters plays a blue 335), and then I came across the Walnut. I’m a sucker for wood looks, so I couldn’t resist.

A short back story: I’ve had and played a 1957 Gibson ES-225 since the early 1980s. It was my main guitar for years, and I played it unplugged as well as amped. It’s a wonderful guitar, but its one pickup is somewhat limiting, and it’s shown the signs of time and wear. It’s earned its place in its case…

So, enter the ES-335, and the from the moment I picked it up and started to play (without even removing the plastic from the pickguard), I felt like I was home again! Same feel of the neck, same heft of the body, same cradling sensation when seated — man, this guitar was ME!

I hesitate to call this my favorite guitar, as I have several that earn that appellation each time I strap one on. But it’s won a place in my heart — and an honored place in my “go to” spot.