Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue Vintage Burst, (Used, Comm)

The Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue in Vintage Burst is a premium Nashville-built Custom Shop semi-hollow electric guitar inspired by one of the most desirable eras in ES-335 history. With its block-inlay fingerboard, semi-hollow centre-block construction, vintage-style appointments and classic Gibson humbucker voice, it captures the elegance, warmth and versatility that made the early 1960s ES-335 such an important instrument.

This pre-owned example is listed in Excellent condition, meaning it shows only very light signs of previous use and remains fully functional, well presented and ready to play.

Supplied with a Gibson hardcase and carrying the supplied serial/reference A-32016, this Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue is a superb choice for players and collectors who want a high-end Gibson Custom semi-hollow with vintage-inspired feel, strong stage presence and serious long-term appeal.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Range	Gibson Custom / Historic
Model	’63 ES-335 Block Reissue
Finish	Vintage Burst
Serial / Reference	A-32016
Build Location	Nashville
Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Body Style	ES Double Cutaway
Construction	Semi-Hollow with Centre Block
Fingerboard Inlays	Small Block Inlays
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle
Bridge	ABR-1 Style Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar Tailpiece
Condition	Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition
Included	Gibson Hardcase
Main Appeal	Nashville-built Custom Historic ES-335 with ’63 block-inlay styling
Best For	Blues, jazz, rock, soul, indie, worship, recording, live performance and collectors

Condition Overview

Excellent Condition

This Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue is in Excellent condition. This means it shows very light signs of use while remaining fully functional and well presented.

Excellent condition is ideal for players and collectors who want a clean pre-owned Gibson Custom ES-335 with only minor evidence of careful previous ownership.

What’s Included?

✔ Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue Vintage Burst
✔ Gibson Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This guitar shows very light signs of previous use such as minor surface marks, faint handling wear or small signs of careful previous ownership.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing. The guitar has been checked for playability and functionality before sale.

The supplied serial/reference is A-32016.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.

Our checks include:

• Electronics tested
• Humbuckers checked
• 3-way pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output jack tested
• Frets inspected
• Fingerboard checked
• Neck condition assessed
• Tuners checked
• ABR-1 style bridge checked
• Stopbar tailpiece checked
• Hardware inspected
• Semi-hollow body checked for visible structural concerns
• General playability assessed
• Gibson hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

This Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Hardware checked
• Bridge setup checked
• Intonation checked

Please note that guitar setup can sometimes shift slightly during delivery due to changes in temperature and humidity. We take this into account during our checks, but wood can naturally move in transit.

Why Choose The Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue?

Nashville-Built Gibson Custom Historic Quality

This ES-335 sits within Gibson’s Custom Historic world, built for players who want vintage-inspired construction, premium detailing and a higher level of period-focused specification than a standard production ES-335.

Classic 1963 Block-Inlay Styling

The early 1960s block-inlay ES-335 is one of Gibson’s most recognisable semi-hollow designs. The block inlays give the guitar a refined look while retaining the clean, elegant identity that makes an ES-335 so timeless.

Vintage Burst Finish

The Vintage Burst finish gives this guitar a classic Gibson look that suits the ES body shape beautifully. It has stage presence, collector appeal and the understated elegance expected from a premium Custom Shop semi-hollow.

Semi-Hollow Centre-Block Construction

The ES-335 design combines hollowbody warmth with solidbody-style sustain and feedback control. The centre block gives the guitar focus and stability at higher volume while allowing the body to retain a lively, open acoustic character.

Dual Humbucker Versatility

The HH layout gives the guitar a wide tonal range. The neck pickup is warm and smooth, the bridge pickup offers bite and clarity, and the middle position provides a balanced semi-hollow rhythm voice.

Professional Stage And Studio Guitar

A Custom Historic ES-335 is equally at home in the studio, on stage or in a high-end collection. It can cover clean jazz voicings, expressive blues leads, soul rhythm parts, indie textures and driven classic rock tones with ease.

Gibson Hardcase Included

The included Gibson hardcase provides proper protection for storage, transport, rehearsals and gigs.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 vs Standard Gibson ES-335

A standard ES-335 gives the core Gibson semi-hollow experience. The Custom Historic ’63 Reissue is aimed at players who want more period-inspired appointments, block-inlay styling and a higher-end Custom Shop feel.

Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 vs 1959 ES-335 Reissue

A 1959 ES-335 Reissue is associated with the earlier dot-inlay look and a different vintage neck feel. The ’63 Block Reissue is better for players who want early 1960s block-inlay style and a sleeker period-inspired playing identity.

Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 vs ES-345

An ES-345 offers additional appointments and, depending on the period or model, more complex wiring features. The ES-335 is more direct, making it ideal for players who want the essential Gibson semi-hollow voice without extra complication.

Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 vs Gibson Les Paul Standard

A Les Paul Standard gives a thicker solidbody voice with more focused sustain. The ES-335 is more open, airy and responsive, making it especially useful for blues, jazz, soul, indie, worship and expressive clean-to-drive playing.

Who Is It For?

Serious Gibson ES Players

This is ideal for guitarists who want a premium ES-335 with Custom Historic appeal, vintage-inspired styling and professional-level playability.

Blues Players

The ES-335 is legendary for blues thanks to its warm neck pickup, vocal sustain and responsive semi-hollow character.

Jazz And Soul Guitarists

The smooth neck position, open body response and dynamic feel make it excellent for jazz chords, soul rhythm work and expressive clean playing.

Rock And Indie Players

The centre-block design allows the ES-335 to handle overdrive and stage volume more confidently than a fully hollow guitar.

Studio Musicians

A high-end ES-335 records beautifully because it offers warmth, clarity, body and articulation without becoming overly compressed or muddy.

Collectors And Long-Term Owners

This Custom Historic ’63 Block Reissue has strong appeal for players and collectors who value Gibson Custom Shop instruments, Nashville-built Historic models and early 1960s ES-335 styling.

Suitable Genres And Uses

This Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue is well suited to:

• Blues
• Jazz
• Rock
• Classic rock
• Soul
• Funk
• Indie
• Alternative
• Pop
• Americana
• Worship music
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Rehearsals
• Clean rhythm playing
• Overdriven lead tones
• Pedalboard-based rigs
• Players wanting a premium Gibson Custom semi-hollow

Why Choose A ’63 Block Reissue ES-335?

A ’63-style ES-335 is a brilliant choice for players who want the warmth and depth of a semi-hollow guitar with the control and sustain needed for real-world amplified playing. The centre block is the key: it helps manage feedback while keeping the guitar lively, open and expressive.

The block-inlay era gives the ES-335 a refined visual identity, while the dual humbucker layout gives it the musical flexibility to move between clean, edge-of-breakup and driven sounds. It is one of the few electric guitar designs that feels equally natural for jazz, blues, rock, soul and modern pedal-based playing.

The Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue takes that formula and adds Nashville Custom Shop craftsmanship, period-focused appointments and high-end used-market appeal.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson ES-335, Custom Shop semi-hollow or pre-owned Gibson electric? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue

The Gibson ES-335 was introduced in 1958 and quickly became one of the most important electric guitar designs ever made. Its thinline semi-hollow body with a solid centre block gave players a practical middle ground between hollowbody warmth and solidbody feedback control.

By the early 1960s, the ES-335 had evolved into the block-inlay era, giving the model a more refined visual identity while retaining its core semi-hollow voice. The 1963-inspired format remains especially desirable for players who want the look, feel and versatility associated with classic early 1960s Gibson ES guitars.

This Nashville-built Custom Historic example in Vintage Burst, serial/reference A-32016, is a premium pre-owned Gibson for players who want a serious semi-hollow instrument with vintage-inspired style and modern playability.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Range	Gibson Custom / Historic
Model	’63 ES-335 Block Reissue
Finish	Vintage Burst
Serial / Reference	A-32016
Build Location	Nashville
Body Shape	ES Double Cutaway
Body Construction	Semi-Hollow with Centre Block
Body Material	Laminated Maple / Poplar / Maple
Centre Block	Maple
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Fingerboard Inlays	Small Block Inlays
Scale Length	24.75"
Nut Width	1 11/16"
Number of Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Switching	3-Way Toggle Switch
Bridge	ABR-1 Style Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Stopbar Tailpiece
Tuners	Kluson-Style Tuning Machines
Hardware Finish	Nickel
String Configuration	6-String
Included	Gibson Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition

Specification Note

This listing is based on the supplied product details and published reference information for Gibson Custom Historic / Custom Shop 1963 ES-335 Block Reissue models.

Period references for Nashville-built ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue examples describe laminated maple/poplar/maple semi-hollow construction, a solid maple centre block, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, 12" radius, 24.75" scale length, 1 11/16" nut width, block inlays, ABR-1 style bridge, stopbar tailpiece and Kluson-style tuners.

Exact pickup model, certificate status, case candy, production year, weight, neck measurements and collector-level originality should be confirmed directly from the guitar, Gibson paperwork or Custom Shop records before making final provenance claims.

Power Requirements

No power supply or battery is required. This is a passive electric guitar and only needs a standard 1/4" instrument cable and a suitable guitar amplifier, pedalboard or audio interface.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue Vintage Burst is an outstanding choice for players who want premium Nashville-built Gibson Custom quality, classic early-1960s block-inlay styling and one of the most versatile semi-hollow tones available. It has the warmth, sustain, clarity and dynamic response that make the ES-335 such a legendary guitar.

This Excellent condition example, serial/reference A-32016, is ideal for blues, jazz, rock, soul, worship, studio players and collectors who want a serious Gibson Custom Historic semi-hollow with a Gibson hardcase included.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
Competitive prices on leading music brands
Secure UK-wide delivery
Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
Friendly support before and after your purchase
A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

FAQ

What condition is this Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 in?

This guitar is listed in Excellent condition, meaning it shows very light signs of previous use while remaining fully functional.

Does this guitar come with a hardcase?

Yes. This Gibson Custom Historic ’63 ES-335 Block Reissue comes with a Gibson hardcase.

What is the serial or reference number?

The supplied serial/reference is A-32016.

Where was this guitar built?

The supplied details state that this guitar is Nashville-built.

What finish is this guitar?

This guitar has a Vintage Burst finish.

Is this a semi-hollow guitar?

Yes. The ES-335 is a semi-hollow electric guitar with a centre block.

What makes a ’63 Block Reissue different from a dot-neck ES-335?

A ’63 Block Reissue uses the early 1960s block-inlay styling associated with later ES-335 models, while earlier ES-335 designs are known for dot inlays.

What styles does this ES-335 suit?

It suits blues, jazz, rock, soul, funk, indie, pop, Americana, worship music, studio recording and live performance.

Does it require a battery?

No. This is a passive electric guitar and does not require a battery.

Can I try this guitar in-store?

Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Gibson Custom Shop guitars, ES-335 models and pre-owned semi-hollow electrics.