Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355 Ebony 2019
Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355, gloss black, made in China 2019. This model was a limited release for the Japan market only, made for a year or so only. Shinichi Ubukata is the guitar player for iconic pop punk band Ellegarden, as well as his subsequent project Nothing's Carved In Stone. It's a bold aesthetic: it's based off the classic ES-355, which takes the 335 and adds some Lp Custom style 7-ply binding, block inlays and a split diamond headstock. Trini Lopez style diamond holes and a BB King Lucille style Varitone switch complete the unusual touches, and oh boy... it's supremely gorgeous. It boasts some high end appointments too: Grover kidney bean tuners, a lux ebony board, a proper USA B7 Bigsby and a set of Gibson Classic 57 humbuckers. The 57s are my favourite of the standard Gibson offerings; they're clear, open, warm, rich and sparkly with a pleasant creamy growl when paired with some drive. The Varitone switch is bypassed on position one, so that position offers the usual thick, howling hifi ES tone, but the next five position run through different capacitors for different preset EQ tones, so there's all sorts of palettes there to paint with. The neck is a moderately chunky '59 style profile, which seems to make a lot of sense with the larger body and sits comfortably in the hands. This one is sure to turn a lot of heads both in the shop and on stage, so do yourself a favour claim it for yourself.
Model: Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355
Made: 2019, China (serial 19121523533)
Finish: ebony (gloss black, poly)
Body: semi-hollow w/ centre block, laminate maple
Neck: mahogany, ebony board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 1959 profile
Weight: 4.390kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson Classic 57 humbucker x2
Case: original matching deluxe hard case including docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock and neck are pretty clean, no major marks. The back has some light dimples in the middle of the body, no major marks. The sides have some light scuffs in the elbow area, nothing nasty. The front has some light dimples around the knobs and in the elbow area as well as some very light play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets look almost brand new, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Description
Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355, gloss black, made in China 2019. This model was a limited release for the Japan market only, made for a year or so only. Shinichi Ubukata is the guitar player for iconic pop punk band Ellegarden, as well as his subsequent project Nothing's Carved In Stone. It's a bold aesthetic: it's based off the classic ES-355, which takes the 335 and adds some Lp Custom style 7-ply binding, block inlays and a split diamond headstock. Trini Lopez style diamond holes and a BB King Lucille style Varitone switch complete the unusual touches, and oh boy... it's supremely gorgeous. It boasts some high end appointments too: Grover kidney bean tuners, a lux ebony board, a proper USA B7 Bigsby and a set of Gibson Classic 57 humbuckers. The 57s are my favourite of the standard Gibson offerings; they're clear, open, warm, rich and sparkly with a pleasant creamy growl when paired with some drive. The Varitone switch is bypassed on position one, so that position offers the usual thick, howling hifi ES tone, but the next five position run through different capacitors for different preset EQ tones, so there's all sorts of palettes there to paint with. The neck is a moderately chunky '59 style profile, which seems to make a lot of sense with the larger body and sits comfortably in the hands. This one is sure to turn a lot of heads both in the shop and on stage, so do yourself a favour claim it for yourself.
Model: Epiphone Shinichi Ubukata ES-355
Made: 2019, China (serial 19121523533)
Finish: ebony (gloss black, poly)
Body: semi-hollow w/ centre block, laminate maple
Neck: mahogany, ebony board, 24.75" scale, 12" radius, 1959 profile
Weight: 4.390kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson Classic 57 humbucker x2
Case: original matching deluxe hard case including docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock and neck are pretty clean, no major marks. The back has some light dimples in the middle of the body, no major marks. The sides have some light scuffs in the elbow area, nothing nasty. The front has some light dimples around the knobs and in the elbow area as well as some very light play wear on the guard and horns. Overall: excellent condition (9/10).
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets look almost brand new, 9/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
