For 2006, the Memphis plant introduced the Gibson Satin 335, a somewhat stripped down version of the classic design. Most noticeably, the fingerboard was unbound and the finish is satin – sunburst, cherry or translucent black as seen here. Later versions seem to have restored the fingerboard binding. These models were discontinued with the Memphis plant itself in 2019.
Mahogany
Here is an excellent Epiphone Elitist ES-335 /NA in Natural finish, built during 2006 at the Terada plant in Nagoya, Japan. This is the same plant that builds many pro-line guitars, including Gretsch models, and this guitar illustrates the quality of their work. The Epiphone Elitist ES-335 is based on an early 1960’s Gibson ES-335 with dot position markers, but it is not an exact copy.
Conceived as ‘The Ultimate Signature Guitar,’ this autographed Gibson ES-335 Dot, conceived in 1991, boasts a striking Alpine White finish adorned with signatures from renowned guitarists. Originally donated by Gibson, this guitar became a centerpiece for a signature collection themed around the ‘Most Important Guitarists of the Last 10 Years,’ as chosen by readers of GUITAR Magazine in 1993.
Here we’re looking at a Gibson L-4CES (CES for Cutaway Electric Spanish) in Natural lacquer finish, dating to January 11 1989 and built at Nashville. This example is in overall very good, clean and original condition with light wear to the back finish and very light fret wear. The gold plating on the pickups shows typical wear to the bass edge, but the bridge, tailpiece and tuner plating has very little wear.
This is special – a 2012 Gibson Custom L-5 Signature Archtop Electric in Crimson finish, from the Nashville Custom Shop Crimson team. Aside from the truss rod cover reading CUSTOM L-5 in place of an engraved signature, this appears to be or is identical to the Lee Ritenour L-5 model. This guitar, like the Lee Ritenour version, has a feature that’s barely noticeable unless you are playing it. In a break from Gibson traditional production, the fairly large frets extend all the way to the edge of the binding
Here is a fantastic Martin 00-18 steel string guitar built during 1947, well worn and has recently received all the major work. It plays well and has a wonderful sound. The work done at The Twelfth Fret Repair Shop includes a new bridge, sub plate and saddle, neck reset and re-fret. This Martin 00-18 apparently was first sold at retail by Bergstrom Kellerman Music in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the time one of the largest Martin dealers in the USA.