This 2012 Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue in Cherry recreates the earliest version of Gibson’s legendary fully hollow thinline electric, combining a lightweight resonant body with twin dog-ear P-90 pickups and historically inspired late-1950s appointments.
Produced by Gibson’s Memphis Custom operation, the ’59 Reissue uses a laminated maple/poplar/maple hollow body with no centre block, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24.75" scale and the period-correct 16th-fret neck joint.
A pair of underwound Gibson dog-ear P-90 pickups provides the clear attack, open midrange and touch-sensitive response that gives the ES-330 its distinctive character, while the ABR-style bridge and trapeze tailpiece retain the traditional vintage layout.
At just 6.16 lbs, this individual guitar is exceptionally lightweight and lively.
Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, it is a compelling choice for blues, jazz, rock ’n’ roll, indie, Americana and players looking for a more resonant alternative to an ES-335.
At A Glance
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | ES-330 ’59 Reissue |
| Year | 2012 |
| Finish | Cherry |
| Production | Gibson Memphis / Custom |
| Body Type | Fully Hollow Thinline |
| Centre Block | None |
| Body Construction | Laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Neck Profile | ’59-Style / Full C |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Body Joint | 16th Fret |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Frets | 22 |
| Pickups | 2 x Underwound Dog-Ear P-90s |
| Bridge | ABR-Style Tune-O-Matic |
| Tailpiece | Trapeze |
| Weight | 6.16 lbs |
| Condition | Very Good |
| Included | Hardcase |
| Main Appeal | Lightweight fully hollow Gibson with vintage-spec P-90 character |
Condition Overview
Very Good Condition
This 2012 Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue is presented in Very Good Condition.
Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means the guitar shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and suitable for regular playing.
At 6.16 lbs, this is an especially lightweight example.
What’s Included?
✔ 2012 Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue Cherry
✔ Hardcase
No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.
The supplied hardcase has not been confirmed as the original Gibson factory case, so no claim of originality is made.
Condition Notes
- Very Good overall condition
- Cherry nitrocellulose finish
- Fully hollow construction
- Twin dog-ear P-90 pickups
- Period-correct 16th-fret neck joint
- 6.16 lbs actual measured weight
- Hardcase included
- Passive electronics
Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment
This pre-owned Gibson has been assessed for general operation and playability.
Checks include:
- Neck P-90 operation
- Bridge P-90 operation
- 3-way selector
- Both volume controls
- Both tone controls
- Output jack
- Neck condition
- Rosewood fingerboard
- Frets
- Nut
- Tuning machines
- Adjustable bridge
- Trapeze tailpiece
- General hardware
- Fully hollow body integrity
- Overall setup
- General playability
Service / Setup Work
All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.
Key areas assessed include:
- Action
- Neck relief
- Fret condition
- Intonation
- Tuning stability
- Pickup operation
- Electronics
- Bridge positioning and adjustment
- Hardware
- General playing feel
As with any fully hollow instrument, changes in temperature and humidity can cause minor setup movement during transport.
What Makes The Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue Special?
The ES-330 looks superficially similar to an ES-335, but structurally it is a very different instrument.
Rather than using a solid maple centre block, the ES-330 is fully hollow. This gives it greater acoustic resonance, lower weight and a more immediate interaction between the strings, body and amplifier.
The ’59 Reissue recreates the earliest ES-330 layout, including the 16th-fret neck joint, twin dog-ear P-90s, dot fingerboard inlays, trapeze tailpiece and traditional nickel hardware.
Fully Hollow Construction
The ES-330 contains no solid centre block.
This gives it:
- Greater unplugged volume
- Lighter weight
- More acoustic resonance
- Strong dynamic response
- A lively feel beneath the hands
- Increased interaction with amplified volume
Compared with an ES-335, it feels more acoustically active and responds more dramatically to changes in picking intensity.
Laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple Body
The thinline body uses traditional laminated maple/poplar/maple construction.
Laminated construction helps provide:
- Structural stability
- Clear attack
- Controlled resonance
- Resistance to cracking compared with some carved solid-top designs
The result is the characteristic airy but focused ES-330 response.
No Centre Block
The absence of a centre block is one of the model’s defining characteristics.
It contributes to the ES-330’s extremely low 6.16 lbs weight and resonant playing feel.
It also means the guitar can become more feedback-sensitive than an ES-335 when used at high volume or with substantial gain.
For many players, that interaction is part of the ES-330’s appeal.
Mahogany ’59-Style Neck
The set mahogany neck uses a substantial late-1950s-inspired profile.
It provides a fuller feel than many slimmer Gibson necks while remaining comfortable for:
- Chord work
- Blues
- Lead playing
- Jazz
- Rock ’n’ roll
Period-Correct 16th-Fret Neck Joint
One of the important details of the 1959 specification is the 16th-fret neck-to-body joint.
Later ES-330 designs moved the neck joint further into the body, changing both the feel and bridge placement.
The earlier joint contributes to the distinctive proportions and playing experience of the ’59 Reissue.
Rosewood Fingerboard
The rosewood fingerboard features:
- 22 frets
- Dot position markers
- Traditional Gibson radius
- Bound construction
- 24.75" scale length
The simple dot inlays are consistent with early ES-330 styling.
24.75" Scale Length
Gibson’s traditional 24.75" scale length provides slightly softer string tension than a typical 25.5" scale guitar.
This is particularly comfortable for:
- String bending
- Vibrato
- Blues phrasing
- Chord work
- Expressive lead playing
Twin Underwound Dog-Ear P-90 Pickups
The 2012 ’59 Reissue uses two underwound Gibson dog-ear P-90 single-coil pickups.
The lower-output vintage-style wind gives the pickups a particularly open and responsive character.
They provide:
- Clear pick attack
- Strong midrange
- Excellent dynamics
- Warm neck tones
- Biting bridge sounds
- Greater clarity than many high-output pickups
Neck P-90
The neck pickup works particularly well for:
- Jazz-inspired cleans
- Blues leads
- Warm rhythm sounds
- Soul
- Smooth overdrive
Bridge P-90
The bridge P-90 adds:
- Stronger upper-mid presence
- Classic rock ’n’ roll bite
- Cutting lead tones
- Excellent edge-of-breakup response
- Clear rhythm definition
Traditional Four-Control Layout
The electronics use the classic Gibson configuration:
- Neck Volume
- Bridge Volume
- Neck Tone
- Bridge Tone
- 3-Way Pickup Selector
Each pickup can therefore be balanced independently.
Vintage-Style Adjustable Bridge
The bridge uses a traditional ABR-style Tune-O-Matic arrangement, providing individual saddle adjustment for accurate intonation.
Because there is no centre block, the bridge placement and top interaction are particularly important parts of the ES-330 design.
Trapeze Tailpiece
The strings anchor to a traditional trapeze tailpiece rather than a stopbar.
This avoids mounting a stopbar directly into the fully hollow top and preserves the traditional ES-330 appearance.
Nickel Hardware
The vintage-inspired hardware treatment complements the Cherry finish and traditional black pickup covers.
On VOS-style Gibson instruments, slightly dulled or aged-looking hardware may form part of the intended factory appearance.
Cherry Finish
The Cherry nitrocellulose lacquer finish is one of the classic colours associated with Gibson’s ES family.
It highlights the body shape while pairing naturally with:
- Black P-90 covers
- Black pickguard
- Nickel hardware
- Rosewood fingerboard
Weight
6.16 lbs
This is the actual measured weight of this individual guitar.
That exceptionally low weight is one of the most noticeable differences between an ES-330 and many centre-block semi-hollow guitars.
It makes the guitar particularly comfortable for long rehearsals, recording sessions and live sets.
ES-330 vs ES-335
Although the two guitars share a similar thinline double-cut silhouette, their construction is fundamentally different.
ES-330
- Fully hollow
- No centre block
- P-90 pickups
- Trapeze tailpiece
- Lighter weight
- More acoustic resonance
- More feedback interaction
ES-335
- Semi-hollow
- Solid centre block
- Usually humbuckers
- Stopbar or vibrato hardware
- Greater feedback resistance
- More solidbody-like sustain
The ES-330 is therefore much more than simply a P-90 version of an ES-335.
ES-330 vs Epiphone Casino
The Epiphone Casino is closely related to the ES-330 and shares the fully hollow thinline concept with twin P-90 pickups.
The Gibson predates the Casino, with the ES-330 appearing in 1959 and the Casino following in the early 1960s.
Players attracted to one model often appreciate the other because of their similarly resonant feel and direct P-90 response.
Who Is It For?
Blues players – P-90 dynamics and hollowbody resonance work beautifully with responsive amplifiers.
Jazz guitarists – The neck pickup provides warm, rounded clean tones.
Rock ’n’ roll players – The bridge P-90 delivers excellent bite and attitude.
Indie and alternative players – Fully hollow feedback interaction works particularly well with delay, fuzz and modulation.
Americana players – The articulate P-90 response suits roots-oriented playing exceptionally well.
Players who prefer lightweight guitars – At only 6.16 lbs, this is exceptionally comfortable.
Vintage Gibson enthusiasts – The ’59 Reissue captures important early ES-330 details without requiring an original 1950s instrument.
Suitable Genres & Applications
Particularly well suited to:
- Blues
- Jazz
- Rock ’n’ roll
- Indie
- Alternative
- Americana
- Country
- Soul
- Garage rock
- Psychedelic rock
- Singer-songwriter
- Studio recording
- Live performance
- Effects-based rigs
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Fully Hollow Thinline Electric Guitar |
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | ES-330 ’59 Reissue |
| Year | 2012 |
| Production | Gibson Memphis / Custom |
| Finish | Cherry |
| Body Style | Double-Cut Thinline |
| Body Construction | Fully Hollow |
| Centre Block | None |
| Top | Laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple |
| Back | Laminated Maple |
| Sides | Laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Construction | Set Neck |
| Neck Profile | ’59-Style Full C |
| Neck-to-Body Joint | 16th Fret |
| Fingerboard Material | Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius | Approx. 12" |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Position Inlays | Dot |
| Nut Width | Approx. 1 11/16" |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Neck Pickup | Gibson Underwound Dog-Ear P-90 |
| Bridge Pickup | Gibson Underwound Dog-Ear P-90 |
| Electronics | Passive |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone |
| Switching | 3-Way Toggle |
| Bridge | Vintage-Style ABR Tune-O-Matic |
| Tailpiece | Trapeze |
| Tuners | Kluson-Style / Gibson Deluxe |
| Hardware Finish | Nickel |
| Weight | 6.16 lbs |
| Included | Hardcase |
| Condition | Pre-Owned, Very Good |
2012 Reissue Specification Note
This guitar belongs to Gibson’s 2012 Memphis-built ’59 ES-330 Reissue production.
Documented examples from this period confirm key features including:
- Fully hollow body
- No centre block
- 16th-fret neck joint
- Mahogany neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- 24.75" scale
- 22 frets
- Twin underwound dog-ear P-90s
- Traditional trapeze-tailpiece layout
These details distinguish the ’59 Reissue from later ES-330 versions.
Hollowbody Feedback Note
Because the ES-330 is fully hollow, it naturally interacts with amplified sound more strongly than a centre-block semi-hollow guitar.
At moderate volume this contributes to its lively, resonant feel.
At high gain or high stage volume, it can become more prone to feedback.
This is normal behaviour for the design and not a fault.
Players often use controlled feedback creatively as part of the ES-330 sound.
Hardcase Note
A hardcase is included.
The case has not been confirmed as the original Gibson factory case, so it is described simply as a hardcase.
Power Requirements
None.
The two P-90 pickups and traditional passive electronics require:
- No battery
- No external power supply
Fair Deal Music Verdict
The 2012 Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue in Cherry is a superb choice for players who want something more open, lightweight and acoustically responsive than a conventional centre-block semi-hollow.
Its combination of a fully hollow laminated body, ’59-style mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and twin underwound dog-ear P-90 pickups gives it a lively feel and an exceptionally expressive amplified voice.
The period-correct 16th-fret neck joint and traditional trapeze-tailpiece layout further distinguish it from later ES-330 interpretations.
At only 6.16 lbs, this individual example is exceptionally comfortable while retaining the substantial feel of its fuller ’59-style neck.
Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with a hardcase, this is a particularly appealing Gibson for blues, jazz, rock ’n’ roll, indie and studio work.
Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?
Every pre-owned guitar at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its actual condition, measured weight and included accessories are represented clearly.
On this ES-330, the 2012 production year, Very Good condition, 6.16 lbs measured weight and included hardcase are all clearly stated.
Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?
When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.
When you buy from us, you benefit from:
- Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
- Birmingham's largest independent music store
- 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
- Expert musician-led advice
- Extensive experience with Gibson and pre-owned guitars
- Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
- Clear condition grading
- Secure ordering
- Fast UK delivery
- Large Birmingham showroom
- Friendly support before and after purchase
Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.
Your existing guitar could help towards the cost of this Gibson.
Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.
Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current gear could be worth towards this 2012 Gibson ES-330 ’59 Reissue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year is this Gibson ES-330?
This example dates from 2012.
What condition is it in?
It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.
What finish does it have?
It is finished in Cherry.
Is the ES-330 semi-hollow?
Technically, no. The ES-330 is fully hollow and has no centre block, despite often being grouped with semi-hollow ES models.
How is that different from an ES-335?
An ES-335 has a solid centre block running through the body. The ES-330 does not, making it lighter and more acoustically resonant.
What is the body made from?
It uses traditional laminated maple/poplar/maple construction.
What is the neck made from?
It has a mahogany neck.
What neck profile does it have?
The ’59 Reissue uses a substantial late-1950s-style C profile.
Where does the neck join the body?
The ’59 Reissue uses the period-correct 16th-fret neck joint.
What fingerboard does it have?
It has a rosewood fingerboard.
What is the scale length?
It uses Gibson’s traditional 24.75" scale length.
How many frets does it have?
It has 22 frets.
What pickups are fitted?
It uses two underwound Gibson dog-ear P-90 single coils.
Are P-90s humbuckers?
No. P-90s are single-coil pickups, so some normal single-coil hum may be audible, particularly at higher gain settings.
What controls does it have?
It uses two volume controls, two tone controls and a 3-way pickup selector.
Does it have a centre block?
No.
What tailpiece does it use?
It uses a traditional trapeze tailpiece.
How much does it weigh?
This individual guitar weighs just 6.16 lbs.
Is 6.16 lbs unusually light?
It is notably lightweight compared with many centre-block semi-hollow and solidbody guitars, largely because the ES-330 is completely hollow.
Is it suitable for jazz?
Yes. The neck P-90 and hollow construction produce warm, articulate clean tones that work very well for jazz.
Can it handle overdrive?
Yes. P-90 pickups sound excellent with overdrive, although the fully hollow body becomes more feedback-sensitive as gain and volume increase.
Is feedback a fault?
No. Greater feedback interaction is a normal characteristic of a fully hollow electric guitar.
Does it require a battery?
No. The electronics are entirely passive.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A hardcase is included.
Is the hardcase original?
The case has not been confirmed as the original Gibson case, so no claim of originality is made.
Can I request a video demo?
Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is particularly useful if you would like to hear the twin P-90s, acoustic resonance and individual character of this ES-330 before purchasing.
Can I part-exchange another guitar against it?
Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of guitars and other musical equipment.