1961 Gibson ES-335

Chuck Berry

ES-335 1958 — Semi-hollow 335, his "duck walk" sound. Father of Rock and Roll.

Josh Homme

Gibson ES-335 — ES-335 played on the first Queens of the Stone Age albums. Characteristic desert rock sound.

Freddie King

Gibson ES-335 moderne — The current ES-335 is the accessible equivalent. Same characteristic semi-hollow configuration.

Eric Clapton

Gibson ES-335 TDC (Cherry Red) — Purchased by Clapton in 1964 and used across his career with The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, and his solo work. Used alongside a Gibson Firebird I during Cream's 1968 farewell shows, on Badge (1968), throughout Blind Faith's 1969 sessions and tours, and as a key stage guitar on the 1994 Nothing But the Blues tour (documented in Martin Scorsese's tour film). Featured on the cover of Live in Hyde Park (1996). Per longtime guitar tech Lee Dickson, this guitar accompanied Clapton to nearly every recording session for 25 years.

Tom Bukovac

Gibson ES-335 (1958) — Bukovac's current favorite guitar, extensively documented in his Premier Guitar Rig Rundown features alongside his wider vintage collection.

Popa Chubby

Gibson ES-335 (1961) — Part of Popa Chubby's extensive vintage collection of over 20 guitars.

Larry Carlton

Gibson ES-335 (1968) — Carlton's primary instrument for over five decades, featured on the guitar solo for Steely Dan's Kid Charlemagne. Gibson released a signature "Mr. 335" model based on it.

Jerry Garcia

Gibson ES-335 1961 — ES-335 played during the Grateful Dead's early years, before his custom guitars Wolf and Tiger.

Bo Diddley

ES-335 1958 — ES-335 used before he adopted his signature rectangular guitar. Distinctive syncopated rhythm playing.

Tom Morello

Gibson ES-335 — ES-335 used for Metallica's more bluesy and jazzy passages live.