Gibson Custom Shop 2007 CS-356B, Cherry Red, Bigsby, Hardshell Case - Used
The CS-356 is one of the most sophisticated instruments Gibson Custom has ever produced, and it is genuinely underappreciated outside of the circles that know it well. The concept is elegant and precise: take the ES-355 format — bound ebony fingerboard, block inlays, Super 400-style headstock with split diamond pearl inlay, gold hardware, bound tortoise pickguard — and rebuild it with chambered solid mahogany back and sides rather than the traditional laminate construction of the 335 family. Gibson called this "Tonally Carved" construction, and the result is something that sits between a Les Paul and a fully hollow archtop in the best possible way. The carved solid maple top over chambered solid mahogany gives it acoustic resonance and bloom that a solid body cannot produce, combined with the sustain and feedback resistance that laminate construction trades away. The body runs slightly smaller than a traditional ES-335, and at 7 lbs 7 oz it is extraordinarily light for what it is — a detail that contributes directly to how alive this guitar feels under the hands.
The pair of Gibson '57 Classic humbuckers are the correct voice for this instrument — vintage PAF character, Alnico 2 magnets, that sweet open quality at the top end that modern high-output pickups cannot approximate. Hand-wired harness with 500K CTS pots and Switchcraft toggle. The Bigsby B7 adds a smooth, subtle vibrato that suits the instrument's character perfectly — enough movement for expressiveness without the dive-bomb excess that a locking system brings. This is a guitar for a player who wants to play, not a guitar for a player who wants to show off equipment.
This one has been genuinely played and genuinely loved, and it shows in exactly the right ways. The gold hardware has worn through to the chrome underneath from years of real use — a detail that on a guitar like this reads as honest character rather than neglect, and one that happens to give it the look of an instrument that has actually done something. There are light pick scrapes consistent with real playing. Set up by our shop with nice low action, and it plays incredibly. True vintage Gibson feel and sound. One of the best Gibsons we have had through the shop in a while — and we have seen a lot of them. Comes with the original hardshell case and certificate of authenticity.
- Make: Gibson Custom Shop
- Model: CS-356B
- Year: 2007
- Country of origin: USA (Nashville, Tennessee)
- Body: Chambered solid mahogany back and sides, carved solid maple top, ES-style, single cutaway
- Body size: Slightly smaller than ES-335
- Top binding: Multi-ply cream
- Back binding: Multi-ply cream
- Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer, Cherry Red
- Neck: Single-piece mahogany, long tenon, medium C-shape, set neck
- Fingerboard: Ebony, single-ply binding, block inlays
- Headstock: Super 400-style, multi-ply binding, split diamond pearl inlay
- Scale length: 24.75"
- Nut width: 1.687"
- Frets: 22, medium jumbo
- Neck pickup: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker (Alnico 2)
- Bridge pickup: Gibson '57 Classic humbucker (Alnico 2)
- Controls: Volume 1, volume 2, tone 1, tone 2, 3-way Switchcraft toggle — hand-wired, 500K CTS pots
- Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
- Tailpiece: Bigsby B7 vibrato
- Tuners: Kluson Deluxe Green Key
- Hardware: Gold (worn through to chrome from use — see description and photos)
- Pickguard: Bound tortoise
- Weight: 7 lbs 7 oz
- Modifications: None
- Includes: Original hardshell case, certificate of authenticity
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
