Gibson Custom Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector's Edition Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar - Ebony

Wild horses couldn’t drag us away from this stunning recreation of Keith Richards’ 1960 ES-355—the iconic semi-hollow heard on landmark recordings like Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St. and every globe-spanning Rolling Stones tour since 1997. Extremely limited in quantity worldwide and featuring an f-hole label hand-signed by the Stones guitarist himself, the Gibson Custom Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector’s Edition is meticulously crafted in the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville leveraging advanced 3D scanning, period-correct materials and Murphy Lab aging to faithfully mirror the original guitar in feel, tone and appearance. A three-ply maple/poplar/maple body with red spruce bracing and a weight-relieved maple centerblock delivers the focused resonance and sustain that define Richards’ sound, while a custom-profile mahogany neck and bound ebony fingerboard recreate the unmistakable playing feel of the original. Unpotted Custombucker pickups with aged Alnico V magnets, vintage-correct wiring and artfully aged hardware complete a museum-level recreation designed not just to honor history—but to put it directly into the player’s hands.

Historic ES-355 Construction, Recreated in Exacting Detail

The Keith Richards 1960 ES-355's body faithfully follows vintage specifications, built from three-ply maple/poplar/maple with red spruce bracing and a weight-relieved maple centerblock. This period-correct construction balances the open resonance of a semi-hollow with the sustain, focus and feedback control required for high-volume stages. The maple centerblock enhances note definition and low-end authority, while the laminated body contributes warmth and air. Seven-ply binding on the top, three-ply binding on the back and five-ply binding on the headstock deliver the refined visual elegance that defined Gibson’s top-tier semi-hollows in 1960. Finished in ebony nitrocellulose lacquer, the guitar captures the bold, understated presence of Richards’ original instrument.

Unpotted Custombuckers and Vintage Wiring for Expressive, Era-Correct Tone

Electronics are anchored by a pair of unpotted Custombucker pickups fitted with aged Alnico V magnets, meticulously voiced to reproduce the raw immediacy and harmonic complexity of Richards’ original ES-355. Leaving the pickups unpotted preserves air, touch sensitivity and natural microphonics, allowing the guitar to respond dynamically to pick attack and volume changes. CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors complete the vintage-correct wiring harness, delivering a wide tonal sweep that moves from woody cleans to biting, authoritative crunch with unmistakable Stones character.

Custom Keith Richards Neck Profile and Smooth Ebony Fingerboard

The mahogany neck features a custom Keith Richards profile derived directly from detailed 3D scans of the original guitar, ensuring exceptional authenticity in both shape and feel. Measuring approximately .801" at the first fret and .905" at the 12th, with a 1.625" nut width, the profile offers a confident, substantial grip that supports aggressive rhythm playing while remaining comfortable for extended sessions. A bound ebony fingerboard adds snap and clarity to each note, while mother-of-pearl block inlays and medium-wide frets provide smooth playability, precise intonation and a distinctly upscale visual presence.

Murphy Lab Aging and Period-Correct Hardware for Museum-Level Authenticity

Every visual and tactile detail is refined through Gibson’s Murphy Lab aging process to authentically recreate decades of real-world wear. The ebony nitrocellulose finish displays subtle checking and softened edges, while metal hardware shows convincing patina and natural fade. Appointments include a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece, ABR-1 wire bridge and Grover Rotomatic tuners with milk bottle buttons, all finished in Murphy Lab aged gold. Rather than appearing artificial, the aging feels organic and cohesive, giving the instrument the confidence, familiarity and visual authority of a well-traveled original.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Collector’s Edition Honoring a Rock ’n’ Roll Icon

Limited to just 100 instruments worldwide, each Gibson Custom Keith Richards 1960 ES-355 Collector’s Edition bears the guitar legend’s personal signature on the f-hole label, elevating it from replica to true historical artifact. It ships in a Gibson Protector Series hardshell case and includes a certificate of authenticity and strap. For collectors, lifelong Stones fans and players who understand the cultural weight of this instrument, this is an instrument that represents a rare convergence of artistry, history and craftsmanship—don't miss your opportunity to own a guitar that pays homage to Keith Richards’ enduring legacy.