Gear Hunter

Epiphone - EI345VVSNB

Description

The ES-335's better looking sibling joins the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson lineup
The Gibson ES-345 was first introduced in 1959, a year after the introduction of the ES-335, the world's first semi-hollowbody electric guitar. It bears many similarities to its predecessor but is an upgraded model with some notable differences. This Epiphone ES-345 is an Inspired by Gibson version of the legendary ES-345. It has a 5-ply layered maple body with a solid maple center block that gives the semi-hollowbody ES-345 sustain and feedback resistance that's more similar to a solidbody guitar while retaining some of the resonance of a hollowbody, making it the best of both worlds. The body features multi-ply top and single-ply back binding. The mahogany neck has a comfortable Rounded C profile and is topped with a bound laurel fretboard. The fretboard has 22 medium jumbo frets and a 12" radius that is equally well-suited to playing first-position chords and lead lines with lots of string bends.

The pearloid split parallelogram inlays are one of the defining features of an ES-345 that separate it from the ES-335, as is the gold hardware. Speaking of hardware, the Epiphone ES-345 is equipped with an Epiphone LockTone™ Tune-O-Matic™ bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece. Both are anchored through the top and directly into the maple center block, contributing to the model's accurate intonation and outstanding sustain. At the other end, the strings cross over a Graph Tech® nut that reduces string friction and helps ensure tuning stability along with the smooth-turning, gold Epiphone Deluxe tuners. The Keystone buttons of the tuners give them a more vintage-correct appearance.

This ES-345 has a 60s Kalamazoo-style headstock that is adorned with a mother-of-pearl Epiphone logo and Gibson Crown inlay. For the electronics, it is equipped with a pair of Epiphone's acclaimed Alnico Classic PRO™ pickups that are wired to individual volume and tone controls. along with a three-way pickup selector switch that lets you use either pickup by itself or combine them in any ratio that you prefer. A 6-position mono Varitone switch provides even more tonal flexibility. A premium gig bag is also included to keep this beauty safe when it's not in use.

Specifications

Body
Body Style: ES
Body Shape: ES-345
Body Material: 5-ply Layered Maple
Top: 5-ply Layered Maple
Back: 5-ply Layered Maple
Side: 5-ply Layered Maple
Bracing: Spruce
Centerblock: Maple
Binding: 3-ply Top, Single Ply Back and Fretboard
Body Finish: Gloss

Neck
Profile: Rounded "C"
Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Fingerboard Material: Laurel
Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
Neck Material: Mahogany
Fret Count: 22
Frets: Medium Jumbo
Nut Material: Graph Tech
Nut Width: 43.0 mm / 1.692 in
Inlays: Pearloid Split Parallelogram
Joint: Glued In, Set Neck

Hardware
Finish: Gold
Bridge: Bigsby
Tailpiece: LockTone Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Epiphone Deluxe
Pickguard: 5-ply Black ES-345
Truss Rod: Dual Action
Truss Rod Cover: 2-ply Black Bell
Control Knobs: Black Top Hat with Gold Insert
Switch Tip: Ivory
Switch washer: Gold (Varitone Washer)
Strap Buttons: 2 - Bottom and Back of Heel
Mounting Rings: Black
Pickup Covers: Gold

Electronics
Neck Pickup: Alnico Classic PRO
Bridge Pickup: Alnico Classic PRO
Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone, Mono Varitone
Pickup Selector: 3-way Toggle
Output Jack: Epiphone 1/4"

Misc.
Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case: Premium Gig Bag