Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar, (Used)
The Gibson ES-335 Figured in Iced Tea is a premium semi-hollow electric guitar that combines classic Gibson heritage with beautiful figured maple styling and a highly versatile voice. As one of the most iconic semi-hollow designs ever made, the ES-335 is loved for its ability to move effortlessly between warm jazz cleans, expressive blues, articulate rock tones, soulful rhythm work and smooth lead playing.
This pre-owned Gibson ES-335 Figured is listed in Excellent condition, meaning it shows very light signs of use while remaining fully functional and ready to play. It is a superb choice for players who want a professional Gibson semi-hollow with visual elegance, strong resonance and the unmistakable feel of a high-quality ES-style guitar.
With its figured top, semi-hollow body construction, dual humbucker layout and classic Gibson control setup, the ES-335 Figured delivers a blend of warmth, sustain, clarity and dynamic response that makes it one of the most useful guitars for stage, studio and serious home playing.
Condition Overview
Excellent Condition
This Gibson ES-335 Figured is in Excellent condition. This means it shows very light signs of use while remaining fully functional and ready to play.
Excellent condition is ideal for players who want a clean, carefully kept pre-owned guitar with only minimal evidence of previous ownership.
What’s Included?
✔ Gibson ES-335 Figured Iced Tea Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
✔ Hardcase
✘ No Additional Accessories Included
Condition Notes
This guitar shows very light signs of 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.
Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment
This pre-owned Gibson ES-335 Figured has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.
Our checks include:
- Electronics tested
- Humbuckers checked
- Pickup selector tested
- Volume and tone controls checked
- Output jack tested
- Frets inspected
- Tuners checked
- Bridge checked
- Tailpiece checked
- Neck relief assessed
- General playability assessed
- Case 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 ES-335 Figured has been assessed for playability, with the following checked:
- Action checked
- Neck relief checked
- Frets inspected
- Tuning stability checked
- Electronics tested
- Hardware checked
- Bridge setup 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 ES-335 Figured?
Iconic Semi-Hollow Gibson Tone
The ES-335 is one of Gibson’s most important electric guitar designs. Its semi-hollow construction gives it more air, warmth and resonance than a solid body, while the centre block helps control feedback and adds sustain.
This makes it one of the most versatile Gibson guitars available, capable of rich cleans, bluesy breakup, classic rock drive, jazz warmth and expressive lead tones.
Figured Maple Elegance
The figured maple appearance gives this ES-335 a more premium visual character than a plain-top model. The Iced Tea finish highlights the figuring beautifully, giving the guitar a classic Gibson look with added depth and refinement.
Excellent For Blues, Rock And Jazz
The ES-335 has a long-standing reputation as a guitar that can cover multiple styles convincingly. It has enough warmth for jazz, enough bite for blues, enough sustain for rock and enough clarity for cleaner rhythm work.
For players who need one guitar that can move between genres without feeling compromised, the ES-335 is a proven choice.
Dual Humbucker Versatility
The dual humbucker layout gives the guitar a wide tonal range. The neck pickup offers smooth warmth and rounded lead tones, the bridge pickup delivers bite and articulation, and the middle position blends both for balanced rhythm sounds.
With individual volume and tone controls, the ES-335 also allows detailed adjustment directly from the guitar.
Comfortable Professional Feel
The ES-335 body gives players a larger semi-hollow feel without becoming a fully hollow jazz box. It sits comfortably for seated playing, looks excellent on stage and provides strong upper-fret access for lead work.
Stage And Studio Ready
The ES-335 Figured works beautifully in both live and recording environments. It responds well to clean amps, valve breakup, overdrive pedals, fuzz, delay, reverb and modulation, making it highly adaptable for working guitarists.
Comparison Against Popular Alternatives
Gibson ES-335 Figured vs Gibson ES-335 Plain Top
The ES-335 Figured offers the same core semi-hollow appeal with a more visually striking figured maple appearance. A plain-top ES-335 is more understated, while the Figured model adds a premium look that suits players who want extra visual impact.
Gibson ES-335 Figured vs Gibson ES-339
The ES-339 offers a smaller body size and a slightly more compact feel. The ES-335 has the classic full-size semi-hollow experience, with greater visual presence and a more traditional feel under the arm.
Gibson ES-335 Figured vs Gibson Les Paul Standard
A Les Paul Standard delivers thicker solid-body sustain and a more focused rock voice. The ES-335 feels more open and resonant, with extra acoustic character and a wider clean-to-drive range.
Gibson ES-335 Figured vs Epiphone Inspired By Gibson ES-335
The Epiphone ES-335 is a strong value option for players who want the shape and style at a more accessible price. The Gibson ES-335 Figured sits in the premium category, offering USA-made build quality, higher-end materials and a more refined playing experience.
Who Is It For?
Beginner Players
This is a premium choice for a beginner, but it can suit a committed new player who wants a professional-quality guitar from the start. Its versatile sound and comfortable playability make it an inspiring instrument to grow with.
Intermediate Players
Intermediate players will appreciate the ES-335 Figured as a serious upgrade. It offers a broader tonal range, improved resonance and a more refined playing experience than many mid-range semi-hollow guitars.
Professional Players
Professional players will get the most from this guitar. The ES-335 is a proven stage and studio instrument, ideal for players who need versatility, reliability and a premium semi-hollow voice.
Suitable Genres And Uses
This Gibson ES-335 Figured is well suited to:
- Blues
- Jazz
- Classic rock
- Soul
- Funk
- Indie
- Alternative
- Country rock
- Americana
- Pop
- Worship music
- Studio recording
- Live performance
- Clean rhythm playing
- Smooth lead tones
- Players wanting a premium semi-hollow Gibson
Why Choose A Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar?
A semi-hollow electric guitar gives players a unique balance of resonance, warmth and control. Compared with a solid body guitar, it has more acoustic character and a more open response. Compared with a fully hollow guitar, it offers better feedback control and stronger sustain.
This makes the ES-335 format one of the most versatile electric guitar designs ever created. It can sound smooth and warm through a clean amp, expressive and vocal with overdrive, or articulate and punchy in a full band mix.
For players who want a guitar that can handle multiple styles without losing its own character, the semi-hollow format remains a brilliant choice.
Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson ES model, semi-hollow guitar or premium pre-owned electric? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.
Story & Context: Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 was introduced in 1958 and quickly became one of the most influential electric guitars of all time. Its semi-hollow design gave players the warmth and resonance of a hollow guitar with the sustain and control of a solid body, creating a new category of electric guitar.
Over the decades, the ES-335 has been used across blues, jazz, rock, fusion, soul, pop and alternative music. Its appeal lies in its flexibility: it can be smooth, biting, warm, open, focused or expressive depending on the player, amp and setup.
The ES-335 Figured builds on that heritage with a more visually refined appearance, pairing classic Gibson semi-hollow performance with a premium figured maple look.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar |
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | ES-335 Figured |
| Finish | Iced Tea |
| Body Style | Semi-Hollow Double Cutaway |
| Top | Figured Maple |
| Pickup Configuration | Dual Humbuckers |
| Pickup Selector | 3-Way Toggle Switch |
| Controls | 2 x Volume, 2 x Tone |
| Bridge | Tune-O-Matic Style Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar Tailpiece |
| String Configuration | 6-String |
| Weight | 8.3 lbs |
| Condition | Pre-Owned, Excellent Condition |
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.
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
Is the Gibson ES-335 Figured suitable for professional use?
Yes. The ES-335 is a professional-level guitar widely used for stage, studio and session work.
What styles does the ES-335 suit best?
It works well for blues, jazz, classic rock, soul, funk, indie, Americana, worship and studio recording.
How does an ES-335 differ from a Les Paul?
An ES-335 has a semi-hollow body, giving it a more open and resonant sound. A Les Paul has a solid body, giving it a thicker and more focused response.
Is the ES-335 good for clean tones?
Yes. The ES-335 produces warm, clear and expressive clean tones, making it excellent for jazz, soul, funk and clean rhythm work.
Can the ES-335 handle overdrive?
Yes. It works very well with overdrive, offering smooth sustain, expressive mids and classic blues-rock character.
Is the ES-335 suitable for recording?
Yes. Its tonal range makes it a strong studio guitar, especially when you need warm cleans, articulate rhythm parts or expressive lead tones.
Does a semi-hollow guitar feed back more than a solid body?
A semi-hollow guitar can be more lively at high gain or high volume, but the ES-335 centre block helps control feedback and makes it practical for stage use.
Is the ES-335 comfortable for long playing sessions?
Yes. The double-cut body gives good upper-fret access, and the semi-hollow construction gives it a comfortable balance for seated and standing playing.
Can this guitar be used with pedals?
Yes. The ES-335 works well with overdrive, fuzz, boost, compression, delay, reverb, modulation and amp-modelling setups.
Can I try this guitar in-store?
Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on Gibson ES models, semi-hollow guitars and pre-owned electric guitars.