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Gibson Murphy Lab B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 #36
Limited edition no. 36 of 100 · Murphy Lab light aged · Varitone · T-Type Custombucker
| Model | Gibson Custom Shop B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355 |
|---|---|
| Serial number | BB ES-355 36 · Limited Edition (100 Stück) |
| Finish | Walnut · Murphy Lab Light Aged |
| Body | Plain Laminated Maple (Decke, Boden, Zargen) · Multi-Ply Binding |
| Neck | Mahagoni, dreiteilig · Artist Neck Profile |
| Fretboard | Ebenholz · 22 Bünde · Mother of Pearl Custom Block Inlays · Corian-Sattel 42.85 mm |
| Headstock | Split Diamond Inlay |
| Pickups | 2× T-Type Custombucker (Alnico 5) |
| Electronics | 2 Volume · 2 Tone · 6-fach Mono Varitone · Vintage Taper Potis |
| Hardware | Tune-O-Matic · Maestro Vibrola · Kluson Waffleback · Black Witch Hat Knobs mit Gold-Insert · Aged Gold |
| Weight | 4.16 kg |
| History | Erstbesitz (Dirk Witte Music Store, NL · 03/2024) · komplett original |
| Included | B.B. King “Zaire” Hardshell Case · Certificate of Authenticity · Case Candy · wie abgebildet |
Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab B.B. King 1974 ES-355 "Rumble in the Jungle" Murphy Lab Light Aged – limited edition no. 36 of 100, T-Type Custombucker pickups and plenty more.
"The Thrill Is NOT Gone": B.B. King's stage ES-355 from 1974
In autumn 1974, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman met in Kinshasa for the legendary "Rumble in the Jungle". The fight came with a big music festival, and B.B. King was up on that stage with his walnut ES-355. The Gibson Custom Shop has faithfully recreated exactly that guitar for this strictly limited run of just 100 worldwide. Ours is number 36 and comes with the Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity "BB ES-355 36".
B.B. King relied on the ES-355 for years, until his own Lucille model arrived in 1980. The details are spot on: walnut finish, mother-of-pearl block inlays on the ebony fretboard, split diamond headstock inlay, Kluson Waffleback tuners, ABR-1 bridge and that distinctive Maestro Vibrola – with all the hardware in aged gold.
The ageing comes from the specialists at Gibson's Murphy Lab in Nashville, and it's simply superb: fine checking in the lacquer, matte playing wear and aged gold hardware that together nail the look of a stage guitar played for decades. Unfortunately our photos can only hint at it, because the lacquer reflects a lot when photographed. Our tip: just google similar examples and take a good look at the ageing – in person it's even more impressive!
Sound-wise, the ES-355 delivers exactly what B.B. King loved it for. The T-Type Custombuckers with Alnico 5 magnets sound warm, open and singing, and the 6-way Varitone switch gives you six different voices – from full and round to that nasal, unmistakable B.B. King tone. On top of that there are 2 volume and 2 tone controls with vintage-taper pots. The three-piece mahogany neck with its slim Artist neck profile, 12" radius and 22 frets plays beautifully easily.
The guitar is in as-new condition. The ES-355 comes with an extensive case candy package, as pictured.
For blues fans and collectors, one of the most exciting limited editions of recent years – with just 100 made worldwide, you won't find another one in a hurry! And here with us, as always, at a tempting price. It comes from its first owner, bought in 03/2024, and is of course completely original.
Price€9,190 VAT not outlined (§ 25a UStG)