Gibson Custom has collaborated with four-time GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. to create a signature ES-355 that draws on blues heritage, Custom Shop craftsmanship, and Clark's own personal history with the model.
There’s a reason Gary Clark Jr. calls the ES-355 his number-one guitar – the first time he saw B.B. King command a stage with one, something clicked, and this in turn informed this collaboration with Gibson Custom ever since.
Built in Nashville by the Gibson Custom Shop, the Gary Clark Jr. ES-355 is a limited run of just 100 guitars. Construction centres on a three-ply maple/poplar/maple body with a figured maple outer layer, paired with a mahogany neck carved to a 50s Rounded Medium C profile. The bound ebony fretboard carries 22 Historic medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl block inlays, with multi-ply binding across the body and headstock reinforcing the guitar’s vintage-inspired character. The headstock features the Custom split diamond inlay, while Grover Rotomatic tuners with kidney buttons round out the premium details.
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Under the hood, a pair of unpotted Custombuckers with Alnico 3 magnets handle pickup duties, chosen for their warm, articulate response and dynamic range. The electronics are wired with CTS audio taper pots, paper-in-oil capacitors, a Switchcraft three-way toggle, and a mono Varitone circuit with a black chicken-head knob, offering a broad tonal palette in a classic package. True Historic gold Top Hat knobs with dial pointers complete the control layout.
Hardware comes finished in VOS nickel, including an ABR-1 Historic no-wire bridge and a Bigsby B7 vibrato for expressive pitch control. The whole thing is finished in a striking VOS Cobra Burst, adding a dramatic flair that complements the guitar’s versatility. Each guitar ships in a Custom hardshell case with Gary Clark Jr. graphics, brown exterior and black plush interior.
Clark’s previous Gibson signatures, the SG and Casino, each captured a different side of his musical identity, and the ES355 is no different. His latest album JPEG RAW marks a leap in his artistry, melding blues, rock, hip-hop, jazz and global influences into a unified sound. The Gary Clark Jr. ES‑355 stands as a rare chance to own the artist’s new go‑to instrument. With only 100 available worldwide, this one won’t hang around long.
The Gary Clark Jr. ES-355 is available now. Visit gibson.com for more information, and head here for local enquiries.
