Gibson ES-359 Black Beauty, (Used, Comm)

The Gibson ES-359 Black Beauty is a compact, premium semi-hollow electric guitar that builds on the foundation of the ES-339 with elevated Custom Shop aesthetics. It features a three-ply maple/poplar/maple body with a thermally chambered maple centre block and nitrocellulose finish, all bound in a five-ply black purfling that adds both durability and visual depth. The neck is quarter-sawn mahogany with a rounded “C” profile, capped by a dark rosewood fretboard adorned with full mother-of-pearl block inlays—preserving elegance in a reduced form factor.

Electrically, the ES-359 Black Beauty is outfitted with three MHS humbucking pickups—Rhythm (neck), middle (reverse-polarity), and Lead (bridge)—giving it a versatile tonal palette. Controls include two individual volume knobs, a master tone, and a blend potentiometer to bring in the middle pickup in any switch position, all wired via Memphis Tone Circuit Premiere using high-quality components like matched 550k pots and orange drop capacitors for clarity at any volume. The hardware complements its high-end design with gold-plated ABR-1 bridge sporting titanium saddles, a Bigsby B-7 vibrato tailpiece, and Grover Milk Bottle Rotomatic tuners, rounding out both form and function in classic Black Beauty style.

This instrument captures the tonal and visual essence of the legendary Les Paul Black Beauty within a more manageable semi-hollow format. Its lightweight design, refined electronics, and bold appointments make it a uniquely expressive guitar that stands out both on stage and in the studio.