The 2005 Gibson Custom Shop Larry Carlton ES-335 “Mr. 335” in Vintage Burst is a highly distinctive Artist Signature model based on the modified late-1960s ES-335 that became inseparable from Larry Carlton’s legendary studio and solo career.

Built around Gibson’s classic semi-hollow construction, it combines a laminated maple/poplar/maple body with a solid centre block, set mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard. A pair of Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers provides the articulate, open and dynamically responsive twin-humbucker sound for which this signature model is known.

The details that really distinguish the Carlton model include its custom neck profile, relatively narrow nut, Schaller M6 tuners, small block inlays, “Mr. 335” truss-rod cover and unusually positioned stop tailpiece, replicating modifications found on Carlton’s own instrument.

Serial CS53104 identifies this as an early 2005 Gibson Custom Shop example. It is offered in Very Good condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This 2005 Gibson Custom Shop Larry Carlton ES-335 “Mr. 335” is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition reflects normal evidence of previous ownership and age while the guitar remains well presented and suitable for continued professional, studio, live and home use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ 2005 Gibson Custom Shop Larry Carlton ES-335 “Mr. 335”
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This individual guitar has been graded Very Good, giving it the character expected from a twenty-year-old instrument while remaining well presented overall.

With an older Custom Shop semi-hollow such as this, the attraction lies in owning and playing a genuine early example rather than requiring untouched collector-level cosmetic condition.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Gibson Custom Shop ES-335 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include the two humbuckers, three-way selector, individual volume and tone controls, output socket, frets, bound rosewood fingerboard, neck condition, Schaller tuners, Tune-O-Matic bridge, stop tailpiece, hardware, tuning stability and overall playability.

The supplied hardcase is also checked for basic usability.

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup balance, bridge setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please note that setup can shift slightly during delivery because temperature and humidity changes can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Gibson Larry Carlton ES-335?

Built Around One Of The Most Famous ES-335s

Larry Carlton’s long association with the ES-335 earned him the nickname “Mr. 335”, and this Gibson Custom Shop model was developed around the specification of the heavily used late-1960s guitar that became central to his sound.

Rather than simply adding signature graphics to a standard ES-335, Gibson recreated several of Carlton’s personal modifications and preferences.

Gibson ’57 Classic Humbuckers

The two ’57 Classics give the guitar the warm but articulate response that suits the ES-335 platform particularly well.

They provide enough clarity for jazz, soul and clean studio work while responding naturally to overdrive for blues, fusion and rock.

Distinctive Tailpiece Position

Carlton’s original guitar began life with a trapeze tailpiece before being converted to a stop tailpiece.

That replacement tailpiece was positioned further back on the body than on a conventional stop-tail ES-335, and Gibson reproduced that unusual placement on the signature model.

It is one of the easiest ways to distinguish a genuine Larry Carlton model from a regular ES-335.

Custom Carlton Neck Specification

This model uses a neck based around Carlton’s own instrument rather than a generic contemporary ES-335 profile.

Its relatively narrow nut gives the guitar a distinctly late-1960s Gibson feel and makes it noticeably different in the fretting hand from modern 335s with wider nut dimensions.

Schaller M6 Tuners

Schaller tuners were another modification found on Carlton’s original guitar and were incorporated into the signature model.

They contribute to the distinctive appearance of the headstock while reflecting an actual functional change made to his working instrument.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Larry Carlton ES-335 vs Standard Gibson ES-335

A regular ES-335 provides the classic semi-hollow formula with more conventional modern specifications. The Carlton is far more specialised, with its narrow neck, Schaller tuners, relocated stop tailpiece, artist-specific finish and “Mr. 335” detailing.

Larry Carlton ES-335 vs Gibson ’64 ES-335 Reissue

A ’64 Reissue aims at historical factory accuracy. The Carlton instead recreates a particular working musician’s modified late-1960s guitar, making it more about one iconic instrument than a general production year.

Larry Carlton ES-335 vs Gibson ES-339

The ES-339 reduces the semi-hollow concept into a considerably smaller body. The Carlton retains the full traditional ES-335 dimensions and the broader acoustic character associated with the larger platform.

Larry Carlton ES-335 vs Les Paul Standard

Both provide twin humbuckers and Gibson’s 24.75" scale, but the semi-hollow ES-335 body gives the Carlton a more open and resonant character, while a Les Paul tends towards a denser, more solid-body response.

Who Is It For?

Blues And Fusion Players

This is the natural territory for the Carlton ES-335. The guitar moves easily from warm clean sounds into articulate overdrive while preserving note definition.

Jazz Guitarists

The neck pickup produces the rounded, expressive sound expected from a semi-hollow Gibson while the centre block helps keep the instrument more controllable than a fully hollow archtop.

Session Musicians

Larry Carlton’s own career demonstrates why the 335 became such an important studio instrument. It can cover clean rhythm, jazzier chord work, blues, sustained leads and rock without requiring specialised electronics.

Classic Rock Players

The ’57 Classic bridge pickup responds naturally to overdrive and works particularly well for players who want humbucker weight without the denser response of a solid Les Paul.

Gibson Collectors

An early 2005 Custom Shop Larry Carlton model has additional interest as part of the original production period for one of Gibson’s more carefully specified artist ES models.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Blues
• Jazz
• Jazz fusion
• Classic rock
• Soul
• R&B
• Funk
• Pop
• Adult contemporary
• Session work
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Clean playing
• Edge-of-breakup tones
• Studio recording
• Live performance

What Makes The Larry Carlton ES-335 Different?

The biggest difference is that Gibson was not simply trying to create a generic late-1960s ES-335.

Carlton’s original instrument had evolved through years of professional use. Its Schaller tuners, replacement tailpiece, fret work and other details became part of the guitar he relied upon for countless sessions and performances.

The signature version incorporates several of those quirks, including the unusually positioned stop tailpiece, narrow late-’60s-style neck dimensions, Schaller M6 machines and “Mr. 335” truss-rod cover.

That gives the model a personality quite different from either a standard ES-335 or a straightforward Historic Reissue.

Story & Context: Larry Carlton And “Mr. 335”

Larry Carlton became one of the defining session guitarists of the 1970s and beyond, appearing on recordings spanning jazz, rock, pop and fusion.

His credits include major work with Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, The Crusaders and numerous other artists, alongside a highly successful solo career.

At the centre of much of that work was his late-1960s Gibson ES-335. Carlton’s association with the model became so strong that he acquired the nickname “Mr. 335.”

His main guitar was modified over the years, including the installation of Schaller tuners and the conversion from its original trapeze tailpiece to a stop-tail arrangement positioned unusually far back on the body.

In 2005, Gibson Custom recreated that instrument as the Larry Carlton Signature ES-335, incorporating those personal details rather than simply producing another conventional vintage reissue.

Serial CS53104 places this guitar directly within that first-year Custom Shop production, making it an especially interesting example of the model.

Technical Specifications

Specification Note

Serial CS53104 identifies this as 2005 Gibson Custom Shop production.

A documented Larry Carlton ES-335 carrying serial CS53106, only two production sequence numbers later, confirms the characteristic specification of this early Custom Shop run.

Exact weight and any original certificate or case documentation have not been supplied for this individual guitar, so those details have not been assumed.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required.

The Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers and controls are entirely passive. Connect the guitar to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned is often the only practical way to access discontinued Gibson Custom Shop signature instruments such as the Larry Carlton ES-335.

The appeal goes considerably beyond artist association. Its narrow neck dimensions, unusual tailpiece placement, Schaller tuners and ’57 Classic electronics create a specification that differs meaningfully from a standard production ES-335.

At Fair Deal Music, every Pre-Owned guitar is individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy older, Custom Shop and second hand instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 2005 Gibson Custom Shop Larry Carlton ES-335 “Mr. 335” is a genuinely distinctive signature guitar and a particularly interesting early example of the model.

The semi-hollow construction and ’57 Classics provide the versatility expected from a great 335, but the narrow Carlton neck, Schaller tuners and unusual tailpiece position make the playing experience and appearance much more specific.

Best suited for: Blues, jazz, fusion, soul, classic rock and serious studio players.

Customers usually upgrade from: Standard-production ES-335s, ES-339s, Les Pauls and other high-quality twin-humbucker semi-hollow guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Low-to-medium-gain valve amplifiers, overdrive, compressor, delay, reverb and volume pedals.

Our tip: Use the individual pickup volume controls as part of the sound rather than leaving everything wide open. An ES-335 responds beautifully when the pickups are balanced against each other and the amplifier is allowed to sit just on the edge of breakup.

Showroom feedback: The narrower neck and unusual tailpiece placement immediately distinguish the Carlton from a normal ES-335. It feels like a model designed around one musician’s long-developed working guitar rather than a standard 335 with signature branding.

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.

Our knowledgeable musician-led team can help you choose the right instrument whether you're upgrading an existing setup, searching for a specialist Custom Shop guitar or adding something significant to a collection.

You can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned equipment
• Birmingham showroom
• More than 6,000 Excellent customer reviews
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• Decades of experience with new and second hand musical equipment

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next guitar could cost less than you think.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges a wide range of guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Your existing gear could help reduce the cost of this Gibson Custom Shop ES-335. Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and we'll be happy to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year is serial CS53104?

Gibson’s Custom Shop serial format identifies CS53104 as 2005 production.

What does “Mr. 335” mean?

Larry Carlton became so closely associated with the Gibson ES-335 throughout his session and solo career that he became widely known as Mr. 335. Gibson references that nickname on the signature model’s truss-rod cover.

What pickups are fitted?

The original Larry Carlton signature specification uses a pair of Gibson ’57 Classic humbuckers.

Why is the tailpiece further back than on a normal ES-335?

Carlton’s original late-1960s ES-335 initially used a trapeze tailpiece. When it was converted to a stop tailpiece, the new tailpiece was mounted further towards the rear of the body. Gibson recreated that unusual position on his signature model.

Is the neck particularly slim?

The important difference is its narrow nut width, reflecting Carlton’s late-1960s original. The profile itself has more character than simply being a generic modern SlimTaper neck.

Is the guitar fully hollow?

No. Like a traditional ES-335, it is semi-hollow with a solid centre block running through the body.

Does it need a battery?

No. The electronics are completely passive.

Is a hardcase included?

Yes. This Pre-Owned example is supplied with a hardcase.

Can I request a closer look before buying?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is particularly worthwhile for a Custom Shop instrument of this age if you'd like to see its exact Very Good-condition presentation and hear the ’57 Classics before purchasing.