Epiphone Elitist ES-335 Natural, 2006

Brand: Epiphone

Instrument Categories: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, Thinline

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. The headstock is a tapered version, an advantage for tuning in terms of reduced friction on the string path, and the binding doesn’t cover the fret ends. That’s also an advantage in terms of providing more playable fret surface.

As with Gibson models, the Epiphone Elitist ES-335 uses Maple Laminate for the top, back and sides for feedback rejection, and there is a Maple center block. The neck is Mahogany, with a bound Indian Rosewood fingerboard.

The hardware includes Grover Roto-Matic tuners and a US made ABR-1 style bridge and stop tailpiece set. The electronics start with a 50SR / 50ST set made in the USA by Gibson for Epiphone, and then standard wiring with a pickup selector and individual volume and tone controls.

This is an extremely well built guitar and is in excellent condition. The fit and finish are great, and there is no damage or appreciable wear. Aside from the tactile difference between nitro lacquer and poly, it feels like a US-made ES-335.

The original hard shell case is included, and it’s also in excellent condition.

Price: $3,250.00 CAD