The ES-335 was the world's first commercial semi-hollow-body electric, originally released by Gibson in 1958. It's voluptuous frame was grounded by a solid block in the centre and hollowed sides sporting delicious violin-style f-holes. Â
The original idea was to find a guitar that could match the lower feedback levels and improved sustain of a solid-body mixed with the warmer tone of hollow-bodies which could still be played without being amplified. The ES-335 was the perfect middle ground.
In doing so it could tackle jazz, blues and rock almost effortlessly. It was quickly adopted by blues legend BB King, as his main guitar, who named it (and every subsequent model) Lucille. King's models fill in the f-holes to further reduce feedback, resulting in his stirringly resonant fiery solos.Â