Last updated at 07/06/2026 07:40:15
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1959 ES-355 in Cherry Red
Delivery $58.70
Epiphone 1959 ES355 Cherry Red with Hardcase
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Epiphone 1959 ES-355 - Cherry Red
Delivery $55
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 w/Case - Cherry Red
Free delivery between 9–15 June
Inspired by Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355, Cherry Red with Hard Case
Delivery between 13–16 June $29
Epiphone 1959 Es-355 Electric Guitar Cherry Red W/ Hardcase -
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Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson Custom' 1959 ES-355 (Cherry Red) inc Hard Case Electric Guitar
Delivery $36
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Electric Guitar Cherry Red w/ Hardcase - EC35559CHVGH1
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Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Electric Guitar w/Case - Cherry Red
Delivery $10
Epiphone 1959 ES355 with Hardcase - Cherry Red
Delivery between 12–18 June $36.74
originally posted on guitarcenter.com
Admittedly it's been several years since I've played an actual Gibson ES-335, but there's nothing left to be desired after playing this Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' model. Beautifully crafted instrument- not a fret to file, neck straight. I had to drop the bridge down to adjust the action (when I bought it, it was all the way up for some reason)- but an easy 30sec fix.The pickups- just... wow. Complete range of sounds without the use of a single pedal. Don't get me wrong- I love pedals- but going straight into my Vox AC-15, I got bell-like highs, growling (or purring) mids, and well-defined lows. Beautiful balance in tone, and so versatile.My ONLY complaint- I bought the guitar for in-store pickup on Guitar Center's website. The color pictured online is NOT the ... MoreAdmittedly it's been several years since I've played an actual Gibson ES-335, but there's nothing left to be desired after playing this Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' model. Beautifully crafted instrument- not a fret to file, neck straight. I had to drop the bridge down to adjust the action (when I bought it, it was all the way up for some reason)- but an easy 30sec fix.The pickups- just... wow. Complete range of sounds without the use of a single pedal. Don't get me wrong- I love pedals- but going straight into my Vox AC-15, I got bell-like highs, growling (or purring) mids, and well-defined lows. Beautiful balance in tone, and so versatile.My ONLY complaint- I bought the guitar for in-store pickup on Guitar Center's website. The color pictured online is NOT the color of the guitar- not even close. That purple hue pictured was what I was expecting, and the guitar is MUCH lighter- it looks more... well... raspberry, like the name implies. Purple's my favorite color and that was a factor in buying it, so I was a little disappointed at first sight- but then I plugged it in and fell in love.It appears much lighter under the unflattering fluorescent lights of the store- here's is a pic of it in my studio. My lights are a little dim, but this is what it looks like at home.I can't begin to imagine what justifies the several thousand more you'd pay for a Gibson 335. Guitar Center has this specific finish on sale (it's exclusively for them). It's the same 'Inspired By Gibson' model that comes in Blueberry Burst and Raspberry Tea Burst, just $150 cheaper- and it's beautiful.Not a single regret in buying this guitar- I plan on playing and loving it for a long time.
originally posted on zzounds.com
Overall:This is by far the most exceptional guitar that I have played in this price range, including any PRS and Fender doesn’t even come close. I’ve been a Strat man all my life but I can’t put this guitar down. The value here is well over $2400 and then some, this is unbelievable at $1299 not understanding how they can sell at only $1299 even my friends Gibson es 335 is no comparison to this guitar he’s shocked
originally posted on guitarcenter.com
I've had my raspberry burst ES-335 for almost 4 months now, and while I'm overall satisfied with my purchase, it wasn't all perfect off the shelf. First the positives: the guitar's body panels have very generous flame patterns for a mass-produced import model. Perhaps they were more selective for these LE runs. The online pictures are pretty true to the actual color of the guitar, and there aren't any paint issues on mine. The stock pickups are fantastic and if it weren't for the fact that a friend has offered to give me a set of Gibson pickups, I wouldn't even bother changing them out. They will offer plenty of chime, warmth, cream, or grit for you to dial into, so unless you want a little more dirt, you might be able to save yourself the hassle of swapping ... MoreI've had my raspberry burst ES-335 for almost 4 months now, and while I'm overall satisfied with my purchase, it wasn't all perfect off the shelf. First the positives: the guitar's body panels have very generous flame patterns for a mass-produced import model. Perhaps they were more selective for these LE runs. The online pictures are pretty true to the actual color of the guitar, and there aren't any paint issues on mine. The stock pickups are fantastic and if it weren't for the fact that a friend has offered to give me a set of Gibson pickups, I wouldn't even bother changing them out. They will offer plenty of chime, warmth, cream, or grit for you to dial into, so unless you want a little more dirt, you might be able to save yourself the hassle of swapping pickups. Volume & tone knobs are responsive, the guitar holds tune after a few songs, and for a 6', average-build guy like me, this guitar feels extremely natural in my lap or hanging from a strap. The neck feels very similar to Epiphone's 58 Les Paul Standard or the IBG acoustic line, so it's slightly large, but by no means a baseball bat. I prefer my necks this way, though, so that's a positive in my book.Now for the not-so-great things. One cosmetic issue I noticed was that the binding is kind of splotchy near the neck heel. You'd have to be holding the guitar to notice it, but it's not too big to be an eyesore for me. Another issue is that one of the volume pot labels fell off suddenly. Not sure what caused it to fall off, but I've considered replacing all the knobs because I'm not exactly in love with their look, anyway. More egregiously, the fret work was somewhat lacking on this model within the upper register. The frets feel noticeably taller, and the edges don't appear to have been filed all the way. It doesn't render the guitar unplayable, but it's definitely something I plan to have corrected by a tech or luthier.Overall, this can be a wonderful guitar. Despite the flaws I pointed out, I'm happy with my purchase and don't mind taking the guitar to a highly skilled person to get it in perfect working order. The guitar sounds amazing, feels well-balanced and comfortable in playing position, and just looks so dang good! It's a well-designed package, just make sure to give yours a combover before you decide to settle.
| Orientation | Right Handed |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Body Shape | ES-355 |
| Body Finish | VOS - Vintage Original Sheen |
| Neck Material | 1-Piece Mahogany |
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1959 ES-355 in Cherry Red
Delivery $58.70
Epiphone 1959 ES355 Cherry Red with Hardcase
Free delivery
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 - Cherry Red
Delivery $55
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 w/Case - Cherry Red
Free delivery between 9–15 June
Inspired by Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355, Cherry Red with Hard Case
Delivery between 13–16 June $29
Admittedly it's been several years since I've played an actual Gibson ES-335, but there's nothing left to be desired after playing this Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' model. Beautifully crafted instrument- not a fret to file, neck straight. I had to drop the bridge down to adjust the action (when I bought it, it was all the way up for some reason)- but an easy 30sec fix.The pickups- just... wow. Complete range of sounds without the use of a single pedal. Don't get me wrong- I love pedals- but going straight into my Vox AC-15, I got bell-like highs, growling (or purring) mids, and well-defined lows. Beautiful balance in tone, and so versatile.My ONLY complaint- I bought the guitar for in-store pickup on Guitar Center's website. The color pictured online is NOT the ... MoreAdmittedly it's been several years since I've played an actual Gibson ES-335, but there's nothing left to be desired after playing this Epiphone 'Inspired By Gibson' model. Beautifully crafted instrument- not a fret to file, neck straight. I had to drop the bridge down to adjust the action (when I bought it, it was all the way up for some reason)- but an easy 30sec fix.The pickups- just... wow. Complete range of sounds without the use of a single pedal. Don't get me wrong- I love pedals- but going straight into my Vox AC-15, I got bell-like highs, growling (or purring) mids, and well-defined lows. Beautiful balance in tone, and so versatile.My ONLY complaint- I bought the guitar for in-store pickup on Guitar Center's website. The color pictured online is NOT the color of the guitar- not even close. That purple hue pictured was what I was expecting, and the guitar is MUCH lighter- it looks more... well... raspberry, like the name implies. Purple's my favorite color and that was a factor in buying it, so I was a little disappointed at first sight- but then I plugged it in and fell in love.It appears much lighter under the unflattering fluorescent lights of the store- here's is a pic of it in my studio. My lights are a little dim, but this is what it looks like at home.I can't begin to imagine what justifies the several thousand more you'd pay for a Gibson 335. Guitar Center has this specific finish on sale (it's exclusively for them). It's the same 'Inspired By Gibson' model that comes in Blueberry Burst and Raspberry Tea Burst, just $150 cheaper- and it's beautiful.Not a single regret in buying this guitar- I plan on playing and loving it for a long time.
Overall:This is by far the most exceptional guitar that I have played in this price range, including any PRS and Fender doesn’t even come close. I’ve been a Strat man all my life but I can’t put this guitar down. The value here is well over $2400 and then some, this is unbelievable at $1299 not understanding how they can sell at only $1299 even my friends Gibson es 335 is no comparison to this guitar he’s shocked
I've had my raspberry burst ES-335 for almost 4 months now, and while I'm overall satisfied with my purchase, it wasn't all perfect off the shelf. First the positives: the guitar's body panels have very generous flame patterns for a mass-produced import model. Perhaps they were more selective for these LE runs. The online pictures are pretty true to the actual color of the guitar, and there aren't any paint issues on mine. The stock pickups are fantastic and if it weren't for the fact that a friend has offered to give me a set of Gibson pickups, I wouldn't even bother changing them out. They will offer plenty of chime, warmth, cream, or grit for you to dial into, so unless you want a little more dirt, you might be able to save yourself the hassle of swapping ... MoreI've had my raspberry burst ES-335 for almost 4 months now, and while I'm overall satisfied with my purchase, it wasn't all perfect off the shelf. First the positives: the guitar's body panels have very generous flame patterns for a mass-produced import model. Perhaps they were more selective for these LE runs. The online pictures are pretty true to the actual color of the guitar, and there aren't any paint issues on mine. The stock pickups are fantastic and if it weren't for the fact that a friend has offered to give me a set of Gibson pickups, I wouldn't even bother changing them out. They will offer plenty of chime, warmth, cream, or grit for you to dial into, so unless you want a little more dirt, you might be able to save yourself the hassle of swapping pickups. Volume & tone knobs are responsive, the guitar holds tune after a few songs, and for a 6', average-build guy like me, this guitar feels extremely natural in my lap or hanging from a strap. The neck feels very similar to Epiphone's 58 Les Paul Standard or the IBG acoustic line, so it's slightly large, but by no means a baseball bat. I prefer my necks this way, though, so that's a positive in my book.Now for the not-so-great things. One cosmetic issue I noticed was that the binding is kind of splotchy near the neck heel. You'd have to be holding the guitar to notice it, but it's not too big to be an eyesore for me. Another issue is that one of the volume pot labels fell off suddenly. Not sure what caused it to fall off, but I've considered replacing all the knobs because I'm not exactly in love with their look, anyway. More egregiously, the fret work was somewhat lacking on this model within the upper register. The frets feel noticeably taller, and the edges don't appear to have been filed all the way. It doesn't render the guitar unplayable, but it's definitely something I plan to have corrected by a tech or luthier.Overall, this can be a wonderful guitar. Despite the flaws I pointed out, I'm happy with my purchase and don't mind taking the guitar to a highly skilled person to get it in perfect working order. The guitar sounds amazing, feels well-balanced and comfortable in playing position, and just looks so dang good! It's a well-designed package, just make sure to give yours a combover before you decide to settle.
Color shown on the website is very wrong. see the pic I added. The guitar definitely needs setup. I adjusted relief, action, nut was cut beautifully but I made them even better as I have a proper tool. Pickup sounds great and as good as my SD Pearly Gate and Gibson LP I own. (Pole piece was adjusted to 12" radius and height was set to 3/64(bridge) and 4/64(neck) as Gibson spec). String came with is a garbage and please do yourself a favor of swapping out before thinking the guitar sounds bad as the best improvement in sound came from a new string.Comparing to Epi 1959 LP I purchased earlier, This is a much better, higher quality guitar other than the Gibson burstbucker pickup came with for the bragging right. I really don't' like Epi's satin finish.. looks bad IMHO.
Overall:I have to say that this guitar is absolutely flawless! Epiphone knocked out of the park with this one! Just to think that a set of custom bickers are around $500, this is a great deal! And Finally an actual Gibson shaped headstock!!! I couldn’t be happier, and I’m afraid if you don’t get one now, you probably won’t!!!
The guitar is almost perfect. There is a noticeable finishing blemish where the nut meets the neck on the bass side and another blem in the finish on the back of the neck. Other than that the guitar is great. Plays well, fretwork is good, and the pickups sound great. I bought this one over the other 335 models because of the flamed Raspberry burst and block inlays. It is easily the best looking one in person IMO.This is my 7th newer Epiphone (2020+) and they ALL have come with dirty fretboards, scratchy frets, and cheap factory strings. After 5 minutes of playing your fingers will be black like you handled coal. Just expect this. Change the strings, clean/oil the fretboard, and give the frets a quick polish. That done they're all 8/10 or better guitars and are ... MoreThe guitar is almost perfect. There is a noticeable finishing blemish where the nut meets the neck on the bass side and another blem in the finish on the back of the neck. Other than that the guitar is great. Plays well, fretwork is good, and the pickups sound great. I bought this one over the other 335 models because of the flamed Raspberry burst and block inlays. It is easily the best looking one in person IMO.This is my 7th newer Epiphone (2020+) and they ALL have come with dirty fretboards, scratchy frets, and cheap factory strings. After 5 minutes of playing your fingers will be black like you handled coal. Just expect this. Change the strings, clean/oil the fretboard, and give the frets a quick polish. That done they're all 8/10 or better guitars and are fantastic values. Can't say enough about how much I love these new Epiphones!
I'd been looking at the "Inspired By Gibson" Epiphones online for some time, particularly the ES-335. I've read and heard some great things about them and I ended up buying a limited edition Raspberry Burst Figured Top model right off the Guitar Center wall. As others have said, while these Epi 335s are not Gibsons they are as close as you can get at this or even a higher price point. To my hands and ears there's just not anywhere near an additional $3k+ in playability and performance to be had by buying the Gibson headstock over the Epiphone. The build and finish quality on this guitar is as good as it gets, the pickups are surprisingly good, I have no plans to switch anything out on this guitar. The neck is a gloss finish but not in the least bit sticky or tacky, ... MoreI'd been looking at the "Inspired By Gibson" Epiphones online for some time, particularly the ES-335. I've read and heard some great things about them and I ended up buying a limited edition Raspberry Burst Figured Top model right off the Guitar Center wall. As others have said, while these Epi 335s are not Gibsons they are as close as you can get at this or even a higher price point. To my hands and ears there's just not anywhere near an additional $3k+ in playability and performance to be had by buying the Gibson headstock over the Epiphone. The build and finish quality on this guitar is as good as it gets, the pickups are surprisingly good, I have no plans to switch anything out on this guitar. The neck is a gloss finish but not in the least bit sticky or tacky, the C-shape is very comfortable for my hands - not slim but not too chunky either. Off the GC wall all it needed was a slight truss rod tweak and adjustment to the action. Frets were ok but they but could use a polish. It's one of the best playing guitars I have and it's hard to put down. If you're considering a semi-hollow 335-style you'll definitely want to check out the Epiphones - amazing value for a well-built guitar, I love this one and it's never made me feel that I've "settled for a lesser instrument". My thanks to Anthony at the Portsmouth NH store for all your help!
The 355 is even better than I expected. It plays beautifully and sounds incredible. Great value for money in terms of quality. I’ve owned a Gibson before and feel this is a better guitar. It’s made me fall in love with playing all over again.
While the guitar looks stunning, there are some points I want to share.The guitar arrived with a good setup (10s) and action.However being an Epiphone guitar, frets polishing was needed and there was a fret higher than the others (3rd fret in my case).The finish is good overall but there are some bidding colour variation on various parts of the guitar.Also, there is an edge on the neck where the finish reach the neck bidding, it probably could be sanded but be aware of that.Sound wise, I am not the greatest fan of the custombuckers, I was curious to try them and thought I would love them but out of 3 humbuckers guitars I regularly use, this is the one I like the least; they sound ok but not as good AP2 or 59 SD (I play with little gain, not clean but not super ... MoreWhile the guitar looks stunning, there are some points I want to share.The guitar arrived with a good setup (10s) and action.However being an Epiphone guitar, frets polishing was needed and there was a fret higher than the others (3rd fret in my case).The finish is good overall but there are some bidding colour variation on various parts of the guitar.Also, there is an edge on the neck where the finish reach the neck bidding, it probably could be sanded but be aware of that.Sound wise, I am not the greatest fan of the custombuckers, I was curious to try them and thought I would love them but out of 3 humbuckers guitars I regularly use, this is the one I like the least; they sound ok but not as good AP2 or 59 SD (I play with little gain, not clean but not super overdriven).About the VOS finish, after playing the guitar almost daily for the past 2 months, the neck finish is now more like gloss than satin.Talking about neck, the bigger neck profile is why I got the guitar in the first place and I love how it feels.I do think the guitar is on the expensive side when taking in consideration the frets state and finish irregularities. Some cheaper guitars from competitors may offer better value at the moment but not the exact same style.You will have to make that decision for yourself.
I played the store demo and was deeply disappointed. I had already ordered the guitar online and was waiting for delivery when I saw the guitar at my local GC. I asked to look at it and to use it to find a suitable case (the Epiphone case is excellent). The input jack was falling off, there was dust all over the guitar, the frets were rough, and guitar was just not easy to play.When mine arrived, I opened it to find an immaculate ES-335. It was comfortable to play and in almost every way excellent. The figured maple on the left side comes out in the light at certain angles, but the color and figuring is beautiful. I was extremely impressed. Glad I purchased this on sale. What a great deal from GC on a superbly made guitar. Even the sales associate at GC was duly ... MoreI played the store demo and was deeply disappointed. I had already ordered the guitar online and was waiting for delivery when I saw the guitar at my local GC. I asked to look at it and to use it to find a suitable case (the Epiphone case is excellent). The input jack was falling off, there was dust all over the guitar, the frets were rough, and guitar was just not easy to play.When mine arrived, I opened it to find an immaculate ES-335. It was comfortable to play and in almost every way excellent. The figured maple on the left side comes out in the light at certain angles, but the color and figuring is beautiful. I was extremely impressed. Glad I purchased this on sale. What a great deal from GC on a superbly made guitar. Even the sales associate at GC was duly impressed.The tones are just what I wanted from a semi-hollow, but the humbuckers, while very good, were not as hot and full as the humbuckers on my Gibson Les Paul Standard 60s. Still, the pick-ups are very, very good.The build quality is solid, which was very surprising as a Chinese-made guitar. The quality control at the factory must be pretty reliable. This guitar is worth way more than what I paid for it. If you get one, I hope yours is just as amazing.
| Orientation | Right Handed |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Body Shape | ES-355 |
| Body Finish | VOS - Vintage Original Sheen |
| Neck Material | 1-Piece Mahogany |
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 - Cherry Red
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Inspired by Gibson Custom; Cherry Red Created in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone 1959 ES-355 is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic semi-hollowbody guitars ever made. Revered as the top-of-the-line ES model from the legendary class of 1959, this instrument captures the look, feel, and tone of the original in every detail—from its elegant contours to its unmistakable sound. The body features 5-ply layered maple/poplar with a solid maple centre block for enhanced sustain and reduced feedback. Its one-piece mahogany neck sports a comfortable ’50s Rounded Medium C profile, paired with an ebony fretboard inlaid with mother-of-pearl block markers. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock showcases the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays, complemented by gold Grover Rotomatic tuners and the Inspired by Gibson Custom double diamond logo on the back. For authentic tone, the 1959 ES-355 comes loaded with a pair of Gibson Custombucker pickups, hand-wired with CTS potentiometers, Mallory capacitors, and a Switchcraft selector switch and output jack. Each guitar also includes a brown-and-pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo.
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Inspired by Gibson Custom; Cherry Red Created in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone 1959 ES-355 is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic semi-hollowbody guitars ever made. Revered as the top-of-the-line ES model from the legendary class of 1959, this instrument captures the look, feel, and tone of the original in every detail—from its elegant contours to its unmistakable sound. The body features 5-ply layered maple/poplar with a solid maple centre block for enhanced sustain and reduced feedback. Its one-piece mahogany neck sports a comfortable ’50s Rounded Medium C profile, paired with an ebony fretboard inlaid with mother-of-pearl block markers. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock showcases the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays, complemented by gold Grover Rotomatic tuners and the Inspired by Gibson Custom double diamond logo on the back. For authentic tone, the 1959 ES-355 comes loaded with a pair of Gibson Custombucker pickups, hand-wired with CTS potentiometers, Mallory capacitors, and a Switchcraft selector switch and output jack. Each guitar also includes a brown-and-pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo.
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Inspired by Gibson Custom; Cherry Red Created in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone 1959 ES-355 is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic semi-hollowbody guitars ever made. Revered as the top-of-the-line ES model from the legendary class of 1959, this instrument captures the look, feel, and tone of the original in every detail—from its elegant contours to its unmistakable sound. The body features 5-ply layered maple/poplar with a solid maple centre block for enhanced sustain and reduced feedback. Its one-piece mahogany neck sports a comfortable ’50s Rounded Medium C profile, paired with an ebony fretboard inlaid with mother-of-pearl block markers. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock showcases the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays, complemented by gold Grover Rotomatic tuners and the Inspired by Gibson Custom double diamond logo on the back. For authentic tone, the 1959 ES-355 comes loaded with a pair of Gibson Custombucker pickups, hand-wired with CTS potentiometers, Mallory capacitors, and a Switchcraft selector switch and output jack. Each guitar also includes a brown-and-pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo.
Epiphone 1959 ES-355 Inspired by Gibson Custom; Cherry Red Created in partnership with Gibson Custom, the Epiphone 1959 ES-355 is a faithful recreation of one of the most iconic semi-hollowbody guitars ever made. Revered as the top-of-the-line ES model from the legendary class of 1959, this instrument captures the look, feel, and tone of the original in every detail—from its elegant contours to its unmistakable sound. The body features 5-ply layered maple/poplar with a solid maple centre block for enhanced sustain and reduced feedback. Its one-piece mahogany neck sports a comfortable ’50s Rounded Medium C profile, paired with an ebony fretboard inlaid with mother-of-pearl block markers. The Gibson-style “open book” headstock showcases the Split Diamond and Epiphone logo inlays, complemented by gold Grover Rotomatic tuners and the Inspired by Gibson Custom double diamond logo on the back. For authentic tone, the 1959 ES-355 comes loaded with a pair of Gibson Custombucker pickups, hand-wired with CTS potentiometers, Mallory capacitors, and a Switchcraft selector switch and output jack. Each guitar also includes a brown-and-pink hardshell case with the Inspired by Gibson Custom logo.
in 14 offers
The lowest price for Epiphone 1959 ES-355 - Cherry Red right now is $2,605.00 at Mega Music, compared across 14 retailers.
The all-time low was $1,421.09 on 21 Dec 2025 — today's price is 83% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 7 June 2026.
