One of the earliest of the ES-335DOT reissues in a very unusual factory Cherry Sunburst finish. This 16-inch-wide guitar weighs 8.70 lbs. and has a nut width of just over 1 11/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Single-bound laminated maple body with maple central block, three-piece mahogany neck with a nice medium to thick neck profile (rather like a '64), and bound ebony fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and inlaid pearl dot position markers. Headstock with inlaid pearl "Gibson" logo and pearl crown inlay. Serial number ("80843542") impressed on the back of the headstock. The serial number ("80843542") and model name ("ES-335-DOT") are also written in blue ink on a white oval label inside the bass f-hole. Individual Grover Roto-Matic tuners with half-moon metal buttons. Two perfectly balanced humbucker pickups with black plastic surrounds, each with an output of 7.23k. The pickups are each stamped underneath in blind: "PAT. NO. 2,737,842," and also stamped in black "329. 283" (neck pickup) and "330. 283" (bridge pickup). Three-layer (black/white/black) plastic pickguard. Four controls (two volume, two tone) plus three-way selector switch, all on lower treble bout. Black plastic bell-shaped knobs. With the original "New Tune-O-Matic" bridge and separate stud tailpiece. All nickel parts. This guitar is in exceptionally fine (9.00) condition, with only a few minuscule surface marks and a little bit of tarnishing to the nickel hardware. There is virtually no fretwear at all. Housed in the original Gibson brown hardshell case with purple plush lining (9.25).

"Introduced in 1958, the ES-335T (originally no final D) truly ranks among the all-time Gibson classics, not only because of its enduring popularity but also because of its semi-solid construction which pioneered a new style of electrics" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 231).

The ES-335 was discontinued in late 1981 and replaced by the ES-335 DOT (reissue).