What is the difference between a high-end production guitar and a Custom Shop model?

High-end production guitars (such as PRS Core Custom 24 or Gibson USA Standard) utilize advanced CNC precision combined with hand-finishing in standard production runs. Custom Shop models feature lower batch volumes, hand-selected tonewoods, custom hand-wound pickups, period-accurate construction, and master luthier voicing.

Why should I avoid drop-shipped high-end electric guitars?

Drop-shipped guitars are dispatched directly from logistics warehouses without unboxing or inspection. Without a bench inspection and 5-point setup by an in-house guitar technician, you risk receiving an unplayable instrument affected by climate shifts during storage and transit.

What does MusicStreet's 5-point setup include?

Every instrument sold through MusicStreet undergoes a comprehensive 5-point bench inspection: truss rod and neck relief calibration, nut slot depth check, bridge radius and intonation alignment, pickup height and electronic circuit testing, and fretboard conditioning.

Can I try boutique and custom shop guitars in person at MusicStreet?

Yes. MusicStreet operates a showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, where players can test premium PRS, Fender, and Gibson models through high-end amplifiers in a dedicated testing environment.

Gibson Semi-Hollow Guitars

Welcome to Music Street, your premier authorized dealer for Gibson semi-acoustic and ES guitars in the UK. From the legendary ES-335 and ES-339 to elegant fully hollow archtops, we stock an exceptional range of these resonant, versatile instruments. Every Gibson semi-hollow guitar we sell undergoes a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a custom, professional setup by our in-house luthiers in our Huntingdon workshop before shipping. Browse our curated selection below, or scroll down to read our expert Gibson ES Spotlight.

Explore Gibson Semi-Hollow Guitars at MusicStreet

USED - Es339 Custom Shop. Super Dave Special....

£1,458.00

USED - Gibson Custom Shop Es355 Cherry 2001

£2,799.00

USED - Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Florentine Sunburst 1997

£2,800.00

USED - Gibson Memphis ES335 2017

£2,199.00

USED - 1979 Gibson ES-335 Pro - Cherry

£1,899.00

Authorised UK Gibson Dealer • Handcrafted in Nashville, USA • Setup Included

Gibson Semi-Hollow & Archtop Guitars UK: Acoustic Bloom, Centre-Block Sustain & Stage Royalty

Pioneered by Gibson in 1958 with the introduction of the historic ES-335 "Electric Spanish," the Gibson Semi-Hollowbody format solved the age-old challenge of amplifying an archtop guitar at arena volumes. By bonding acoustic hollow wings to a solid maple centre block, Gibson created an instrument offering lush, woody resonance, airy harmonic bloom, and singing solid-body sustain with complete feedback resistance. As an authorised UK main dealer, MusicStreet showcases the full spectrum of Nashville-crafted semi-hollow instruments, including the legendary Gibson ES-335 Figured & Dot, the compact and ergonomic Gibson ES-339, the upscale Gibson ES-345, the flagship ES-355, and historic Custom Shop 1959 / 1964 Reissues.

100% In-Stock • Zero Drop-Shipping. Every Gibson semi-hollow guitar in our showroom is physically held on-site in Huntingdon. Before courier dispatch across mainland UK or in-person handover, each guitar receives our complimentary £75 multi-point in-house workshop bench inspection and setup by experienced working musicians—checking neck relief, setting low and buzz-free string action, balancing Calibrated T-Type or Custombucker pickups, and precision-tuning intonation so your ES arrives ready to perform straight out of its Gibson hardshell case.

Explore the Gibson ES Semi-Hollow Lineup

Gibson ES-335 (Dot & Figured)

The undisputed king of semi-hollow guitars. 3-ply maple/poplar/maple body, solid maple centre block, spruce bracing, rounded C mahogany neck, Calibrated T-Type humbuckers, and hand-wired Orange Drop capacitors for timeless blues, rock, and jazz versatility.

Gibson ES-339 (Compact Body)

All the tone, resonance, and sustain of the 335 in a more compact, Les Paul-proportioned silhouette. Features a lighter body footprint, fast SlimTaper neck, and focused midrange punch designed for modern stage ergonomics.

Gibson ES-345 & ES-355

Pinnacle appointments and luxury styling. Split parallelogram or block inlays, multi-ply binding, gold hardware, ebony fretboards (ES-355), and available Bigsby vibrato tailpieces for supreme elegance and rich harmonic shimmer.

Custom Shop Murphy Lab Reissues

Exact vintage reproductions of 1959 and 1964 golden-era ES models. Built with hide-glue construction, historic Mickey Mouse ear cutaways, unpotted Custombucker pickups, and authentic Murphy Lab aged nitrocellulose lacquer.

The Anatomy of Gibson Semi-Hollow Engineering

Gibson semi-hollow instruments combine acoustic and solid-body dynamics through precise lutherie:

Solid Maple Centre Block Anchors the Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, eliminating uncontrolled howling feedback while providing solid-body sustain.

Calibrated T-Type & PAF Pickups Voiced to highlight the acoustic air and string separation of semi-hollow chambers without muddying low-mid frequencies.

Amplifier Synergy An ES-335 pairs organically with Fender Deluxe Reverbs for bell-like jazz cleans, or Marshall valve stacks for singing blues-rock sustain.

Explore All Gibson Guitars Compare Gibson semi-hollows with solid-body Les Pauls, SGs, and handcrafted Bozeman acoustic guitars.

Audition Gibson ES in Huntingdon

Experience ES-335 and ES-339 bodies firsthand at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire, PE29 3LJ). Plug in and test through our selection of boutique valve and modeling amplifiers in a dedicated testing lounge.

Free UK Courier Shipping & Warranty

Enjoy Free UK mainland delivery over £99, tracked express shipping, official Gibson hardshell case, a full 1-year MusicStreet warranty on new and used guitars, and flexible financing with Klarna and PayPal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gibson Semi-Hollow Guitars

Are all Gibson semi-hollow guitars inspected and set up before UK delivery?

Yes. Every Gibson semi-hollow guitar purchased from MusicStreet receives our complimentary £75 workshop setup in our Huntingdon workshop prior to dispatch. We check string action, neck relief, nut slot heights, pickup heights, and intonation so your instrument arrives ready to perform straight out of its Gibson hardshell case.

What is the difference between a Gibson ES-335 and an ES-339?

The ES-335 features the classic full-sized 16-inch lower bout archtop body, providing maximum acoustic resonance, deep low-end bloom, and open string separation. The ES-339 uses the exact same semi-hollow construction with a solid maple centre block, but features a scaled-down 14-inch body (similar to a Les Paul size), delivering a tighter, more focused midrange attack and lighter stage ergonomics.

Why does the Gibson ES-335 have a solid maple centre block?

Fully hollow archtop guitars naturally resonate and feed back uncontrollably when played through loud amplifiers with overdrive. Gibson solved this by installing a solid block of milled maple running down the centre of the body. The pickups and bridge mount directly to the solid block for sustain and feedback resistance, while the hollow side wings provide organic acoustic warmth and harmonic bloom.

Can I test Gibson ES-335 and ES-339 guitars in your Huntingdon showroom?

Yes! We warmly invite players to our showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon (PE29 3LJ). You can compare ES-335 Dot, Figured, and ES-339 models side-by-side through our selection of valve and digital amplifiers in a quiet, dedicated demo lounge.

Do you accept part-exchange or trade-ins on Gibson semi-hollow guitars?

Yes. We offer fair, competitive part-exchange valuations against new and pre-owned Gibson semi-hollow and Custom Shop guitars. Bring your gear to our Huntingdon store or contact our sales team online with photographs and specifications for a prompt quote.