BB King Live at the Regal ES-335 Review. The craftsmanship quality and sound excellence. This Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab ES335 in Argentina Grey Sunburst pays homage to blues legend Robert Johnson’s 1964 live album with an authentic ’59 Medium C-shape neck, 12″ Indian rosewood fingerboard, and nitrocellulose dot inlays.

It is equipped with premium features like Grover “Milk Bottle” Rotomatic tuners, Bigsby vibrato, and a Varitone switch. Finally, it has been finished in nitrocellulose lacquer aged by Murphy Lab for an aged look.

BB King Live at the Regal ES-335 Review

Body and Neck

The Live at the Regal ES-335 is a limited-edition Gibson Custom Shop recreation of B.B. King’s guitar used for recording one of music history’s greatest live blues albums, Live at the Regal Theater (1964), released in November and considered by many music connoisseurs to be one of the finest blues recordings ever made.

Gibson Custom Shop’s Murphy Lab was commissioned to craft a replica of King’s 1959 ES-335 guitar, complete with its famous Grey Sunburst finish, Bigsby vibrato, and Varitone switch. As you can see below, this meticulously constructed instrument looks just like its famous counterpart!

This guitar also features Grover “Milk Bottle” Rotomatic tuners, pearl dots to cover the stop bar holes and nitrocellulose dot inlays on its rosewood fretboard. All of its hardware and nitrocellulose lacquer finish have been expertly aged by Murphy Lab.

This guitar features an authentic ’59 Medium C-shape mahogany neck with a 12″ radius, 22-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard that’s joined to the body by a solid maple center block for reduced feedback.

At the bridge and neck positions, two unpotted Custombucker pickups are mounted; a three-way selector is situated on a black pickguard just southeast of the bridge. The guitar’s top features three plies of maple/poplar/maple wood which have been given Gibson’s cutting-edge Murphy Lab aging treatment to replicate King’s original ES-335 aesthetic.

The Gibson Custom Shop has long been known for recreating guitars used by famous musicians, and this latest release from its Murphy Lab should please those seeking a high-end blues guitar that looks like it has seen better days. Available only in 100 pieces, each guitar will come to complete with a Custom Shop Lifton hardshell guitar case as well as a certificate of authenticity.

Hardware

Gibson Custom Shop has a long tradition of recreating iconic guitars used during momentous performances, and this latest model pays homage to King’s legendary 1964 live album of the same name. This Argentine Grey sunburst-finished model accurately recreates King’s legendary instrument.

The ES-335’s classic medium-C shape profile neck is made from Indian rosewood, while its 12″-radius fingerboard features Nitrocellulose dot inlay. An authentic 1950s No-Tube truss rod and True Historic Gold Top Hat control knobs with Dial Pointers complete this set. Furthermore, two unpotted Custombuckers and a 1950s reissue Bigsby B7 tailpiece complete the package.

The ES-335 features an ABR-1 bridge and black pickguard made up of multi-ply maple/poplar/maple veneer. Aged by Gibson’s Murphy Lab, this instrument boasts a vintage aesthetic reminiscent of King’s original ’59 six-string.

This limited edition ES-335 was created to honor the iconic bluesman who recorded “Live at the Regal”. Gibson created an era-specific ticket stub and customized deck of playing cards that pay homage to all musicians, concert staff, and managers responsible for making this recording a landmark in blues music history.

Additionally, each guitar comes with a Custom Shop Lifton hardshell guitar case and certificate of authenticity. A limited run of only 100 guitars will be produced.

With its pricey tag, the “Live At The Regal” ES-335 guitar is one that you won’t want to pass up. This instrument will make a wonderful addition to your collection of classic instruments.

A host of premium appointments and Gibson’s cutting-edge aging add to the guitar’s allure. The ES-335 also has an Argentine Grey sunburst finish, Bigsby vibrato/Varitone switch, Grover “Milk Bottle” Rotomatic tuners, pearl dots for stop bar holds, and nitrocellulose dot inlay on the rosewood fretboard.

At this price point, the “Live At The Regal” Argentine Grey ES-335 is an unbeatable bargain. If you’re partial to blues music, this guitar will certainly capture your imagination and motivate you to reach for greatness onstage.

Electronics

One of the iconic live blues albums ever recorded, B.B. King’s “Live at the Regal” captures all the energy and exhilaration of a live concert experience. Gibson Custom Shop pays homage to BB King with this limited edition tribute which includes an authentic signature guitar along with custom curated items like an era-specific ticket stub, deck of playing cards, and Custom Shop Lifton hardshell guitar case – all perfectly presented in its iconic case!

This ’59 ES-335 is no ordinary copy; it’s been meticulously recreated using Gibson’s cutting-edge Murphy Lab aging process to recreate an authentic ’59 Medium C-shape profile with 22 frets of Nitrocellulose dot inlaid Indian rosewood fingerboard featuring the B.B. King logo, pearl dots to cover stop bar holes and Grover “Milk Bottle” Rotomatic tuners.

The guitar features two unpotted Custombuckers and an ABR-1 bridge, as well as a 1950s reissue Bigsby vibrato. Furthermore, there’s the most impressive control set found on a ’59 ES-335: the No-Tube truss rod with True Historic Gold Top Hat knobs with Dial Pointer; plus, the multi-ply black pickguard decorated with a mono Varitone switch.

This model is a premium option with an impressive price tag of $9,999. However, this limited edition recreation is well worth every penny as it’s crafted with excellent craftsmanship and features that will surely please even the most discriminating blues connoisseur. If you’re serious about blues music, then this instrument is an absolute must-have!

Sound

BB King was widely acclaimed as the ‘King of Blues’ and an influential force in rock & roll’s development. His legacy spans generations and genres, earning him multiple GRAMMY awards for his accomplishments. Furthermore, he founded the Memphis Blues Society and helped kick-start a revivalist movement within blues music that continues today.

Legendary guitarist B.B King had an extensive collection of guitars that he used throughout his career, but one, in particular, stood out: a black Gibson ES-355 which he affectionately nicknamed ‘Lucille’ after saving it from a fire at a club where King saved it during a rescue mission.

Lucille was equipped with two vintage humbucking pickups: a 490R Alnico in the neck and a 490T in the bridge.

The ES-335 is a semi-hollow body electric guitar, meaning its body is smaller than solid-body guitars, giving it a distinct sound. This Gibson Custom Shop reissue is faithfully replicating the exact 1959 ES-335 King used when recording his classic album Live at the Regal.

This guitar features an Argentine Grey sunburst finish, aged nickel hardware including a Bigsby tailpiece and Grover Milk Bottle Rotomatic tuners, as well as a mono Varitone switch that provides access to pre-set frequency “maps” you can use to shape the tone.

No matter if you’re playing blues, rock, or country music, this guitar will provide a sound sure to please your audience. Plus it comes with a hardshell case, certificate of authenticity, and the Gibson Custom Shop Lifton logo for added authenticity.

Gibson Custom Shop guitars provide a sound that’s close to King’s tone, so with some high-quality pedals, you should be able to recreate his signature sound.

If you’re searching for something more budget-friendly, a secondhand ES-355 could be an attractive option. However, these tend to be in higher price brackets than Gibson Custom Shop reissues.

The Best Gibson ES 335 For Every Budget

“The Gibson ES-335: A Classic Semi-Hollow Guitar with Versatile Tone and Unique Options”

The Gibson ES-335 style guitar has long been revered as one of the best semi-hollow guitars ever made. With its laminated maple body and maple neck, this guitar offers a warm and resonant tone that is perfect for blues, jazz, and rock music. One of the standout features of this guitar is its neck pickup, which produces a rich and creamy tone that is perfect for lead playing and soloing.

The ES-335 P90 model is particularly noteworthy, as it offers a unique twist on the classic ES-335 sound. The P90 pickups deliver a more aggressive and dynamic sound that is perfect for players who want to push the limits of their tone. Whether you’re playing clean or with overdrive, the ES-335 P90 offers a ton of versatility and tonal options.

If you’re looking to buy a Gibson ES-335, the brand’s reputation for quality and craftsmanship makes it a top choice for many players. And for those who want a unique and limited-edition model, the Gibson DG-335 is a great option to consider. This guitar is a tribute to the legendary bluesman BB King and features a stunning ebony finish and gold hardware.

All in all, the Gibson ES-335 style guitar is a classic instrument that has stood the test of time. With its semi-hollow construction, warm and resonant tone, and versatile pickups, it is no wonder that it is considered one of the best semi-hollow guitars available. Whether you’re a blues, jazz, or rock player, the ES-335 has something to offer. And with models like the ES-335 P90 and Gibson DG-335 for sale, there are plenty of options to choose from.