Gibson ES-355 Factory Mono 1959, Cherry

1959 Gibson ES-355 in factory mono... no Varitone.  This guitar has a "T" factory order number (1958) along with an early 1959 serial number.  So, it's a Winter of '58/'59 guitar.  The neck on this guitar is what you would imagine a late '58, early '59 neck to feel like:  it's on the larger side but it doesn't have big shoulders.  The neck measures large (see specs) but it feels so good to play because they shaped the shoulders down; it doesn't feel big when you're playing.  Long story short about the neck, it's just about perfect.  Here's another interesting fact about ES-355 necks.  The 355 was the first Gibson electric to get the skinny neck treatment.  By mid '59 the necks on the ES-355 were noticeably smaller (think... thinner) than any other Gibson electric.  The color of the guitar is the classic early cherry color that's faded to, "Watermelon."  The guitar came with it's original Bigsby, which is in the case.  At some point the pearl covers that were over the bushings for the tailpiece studs were removed and a lightweight (reissue) stoptail is now employed.  The PAFs are all original and have that classic clarity that killer PAFs have.  This guitar sounds insane, tone for days.  The original pickguard is also in the case.  It's warped, like most of the early ones are.  Maybe it can be straightend?  We'll leave that up to it's new owner.  This beauty comes in it's original brown Gibson case with pink lining.