What is it?
Every guitarist dreams of having an instrument that bears their name, and with not one but two models under his belt, Marcus King is living that dream before hitting 30! Flashback to 2021, and the South Carolina virtuoso was honored with a Custom Shop recreation of a treasured family heirloom: a rare Sideways Vibrola-equipped 1962 ES-345 named "Big Red," passed down from his father, who got it from his father. Fast-forward to 2025, and this quirky model takes center stage again, now as a Nashville-made variation.
The stereo wiring is gone, the Varitone axed, and while it looks like it sports the classic Sideways Vibrola, it’s actually a fixed tailpiece in disguise
Unlike the Custom Shop’s detailed reproduction, this new version skips the features King finds unnecessary. The result? A streamlined ES-345 that keeps the spirit of the original, but without the fluff.
As you'd expect, this new model features a 3-ply maple and poplar body, solid maple center block, quarter-sawn Adirondack spruce bracing, and a mahogany neck. The fingerboard is adorned with split parallelogram inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets.
Now, here’s where it diverges from a traditional ES-345: the stereo wiring is gone, the Varitone axed, and while it looks like it sports the classic Sideways Vibrola, it’s actually a fixed tailpiece in disguise. Also on board is an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, Grover Rotomatic tuners, and a Graph Tech nut.
Specifications
- Launch price: $3,999/£3,499/€3,999
- Made: USA
- Type: Six-string semi-hollow electric guitar
- Body: 3-ply maple/poplar/Mmaple
- Neck: Mahogany
- Fingerboard: Indian rosewood
- Scale length: 24.75 in (628.65 mm)
- Nut/width: Graph Tech, 43.053 mm / 1.695 in
- Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Hardware: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge, Fixed (Non-Functional) Vibrola, Grover Rotomatic with Kidney Button tuners, Black Top Hat with Gold Reflector knobs,
- Electrics: 2 X Custombucker, 2 X Volume, 2 X Tone, hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors
- Weight: 8 lbs 1.8 oz
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Sixties Cherry
- Cases: Gibson hardshell case
- Contact: Gibson
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★½
With so many features stripped away, when does an ES-345 lose its identity and become an ES-335?
Opening the case reveals a breathtaking sight. The deep crimson finish perfectly showcases this model’s curvaceous features, while the gilded hardware glistens enticingly. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was a Custom Shop creation.
The nitrocellulose lacquer is flawlessly applied, with not a single detail out of place. The fretwork is impeccable – no sharp ends, no high frets, no dead spots here.
Now, let’s address the semi-hollow elephant in the room. With so many features stripped away, when does an ES-345 lose its identity and become an ES-335? The gleaming gold hardware and classic split parallelogram inlays may keep it in 345 territory, but ditching the Varitone and stereo wiring nudges it closer to a 335 – maybe too close for purists. If you were hoping for a historically accurate 345 to grace the Nashville lineup, you’ll have to keep waiting.
A standout feature of King’s model is the fixed Vibrola. It retains the look of the vintage vibrato system but removes its innards and arm. This eliminates the tuning issues infamous with the original design. And let’s be real, the Sideways Vibrola was never designed for an archtop. If the arm were present, it would almost certainly scratch up your stunning cherry finish. Here’s hoping Gibson makes this tailpiece a common option going forward.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Moving on to playability, it’s a fairly standard affair for those familiar with Gibson’s current Nashville output. The neck is billed as a “rounded” profile, and it suits this guitar perfectly. Not too big, not too small, it’s sure to fit the vast majority of players like a glove.
This is the kind of guitar that encourages you to play your best
In fact, I had a hard time putting this guitar down. It’s just so inviting to play – and it helps that the action was incredibly low straight out of the box. This is the kind of guitar that encourages you to play your best, allowing you to perform faster, smoother, and more expressively than you thought possible.
Sound
Sound rating: ★★★★★
Turning my attention to the bridge pickup, and it's sharp, characterful, and plenty expressive – everything a good ES should be
When plugging in an ES guitar, you expect that classic bell-like tone, and thankfully, this model delivers it in spades. Starting on the neck pickup, paired with a Vox AC30, the sound is silky smooth with a rounded top end and a slightly vacant midrange.
Switching to the middle position, a noticeable brightness is introduced. I found this setting ideal for finger-picked passages or clear, crisp rhythm playing. Turning my attention to the bridge pickup, it's sharp, characterful, and plenty expressive – everything a good ES should be.
I’ve sung the praises of the Custombucker pickups before, and this guitar reaffirms it. These might just be the best pickups Gibson makes right now.
Verdict
Marcus is two for two on signature models, and I, for one, am excited to see what fruits this partnership bears next
Okay, so we can debate until the cows come home whether this really is an ES-345 or just a fancier ES-335. But what’s not up for discussion is how good this guitar is. King and Gibson have knocked it out of the park with a stunning instrument that walks the fine line between a tasteful homage and a streamlined player’s dream.
Marcus is two for two on signature guitars, and I, for one, am excited to see what fruits this partnership bears next. Move over Freddie, Albert, and B.B. – there’s a new King looking to take the throne.
Guitar World verdict: While traditionalists might lament the absence of certain classic ES-345 features, for anyone seeking a breathtaking instrument that effortlessly captures those iconic ES tones without the usual fuss, look no further.
Test |
Results |
|
|---|---|---|
Build quality |
Very well put together and expertly finished, but some may prefer full ES-345 features |
★★★★ ½ |
Playability |
It’s hard to find fault with this guitar’s playability. The neck is extremely comfortable, and the action was superbly low out of the box. |
★★★★★ |
Sounds |
With the Custombucker set installed, this guitar more than delivers the ES tones you know and love. |
★★★★★ |
Overall |
I don’t really have a bad word to say about this model. Okay, sure, personally, I would love to see the Varitone be carried over from the Custom Shop model, but it’s not my guitar; this is Marcus King’s vision, and if he doesn’t deem it necessary, then who am I to argue? |
★★★★★ |
