This is the best Gibson ES-335 out there for sale right now.

Why...? it's not mint, it's not even 100% original. No, the real reason this is the best ES-335 out there is firstly it's a classic 1959 model with 'S' FON number, mid 59 serial number - THE ultimate ES-335 and secondly, this particular one has been cherry picked by no less than rock royalty....

I bought this amazing guitar a few weeks ago from Joe Satriani and it has been his personal ES-335 for some time. You can see this very same guitar down the page in this Vintage Guitar article where he talks about it a bit - http://www.vintageguitar.com/12756/joe-satriani-3/

I spoke with Joe at length about his guitar and he claimed that he bought this with the help of Pierre De Beauport, who is the Rolling Stones head guitar tech, and chose this very one from 6 (yes six) 1959 ES-335's he was sent.

Joe went on to tell me how it was used a fair bit on his Chickenfoot albums and on sessions he played on for other people. He changed the tuners because the ones on it were not holding tune but luckily, he did not go down the Grover route, it was like for like, Kluson - Kluson so anyone wanting to restore it with original 1959 single line Kluson's will have an easy job with no extra holes visible.

It has also had a recent re-fret which as you can imagine for a player with Joe's pedigree, is perfect and it plays like a demon... yes, this one really does!

Both original PAF's are totally unmolested and have high output DC resistances of 8.4k and 8.31k. They are also two of the best sounding PAF's I have ever come across and yes, the early ones do sound different and I speak from having experience of 100's go through my hands over the years.

The only other thing I should mention is the black surround on the bridge pickup has been replaced, more than likely because it split. So both non original parts (tuners and pickup surround) are easy finds and replacement is simple if you choose to go down that route.

It has been a working guitar so it is not mint. There is some wear on the back of the neck which is well pictured, there is some checking on the top and a few small dings here and there. Do not expect a mint or even near mint piece!

Included is the original Lifton brown/pink hardshell case which is in very nice condition. Guitar was probably transported in a flight case most of the time and the original case was kept in storage. Also included is a signed certificate from Joe Satriani saying this was his personal 1959 Gibson ES-335 and stating the date he sold it to me.

Expensive...? Well it's obviously not going to be cheap but these have seen strong growth in recent times and if you are looking for one for your collection which is also the best out there to play, believe me, you will NOT find better.