What is the best Amp for a Gibson ES-355? (our top pick)
The Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb
To compliment the smooth and strong clean tone of the Gibson ES-335 hollowbody, we recommend one of the Fender tube combo amps, particularly the '65 Deluxe Reverb. These amps are some of the best when it comes to clean tones and make for a good pairing with the ES-335.
For the Gibson ES-335 we're looking for an amp that is strong on clean tones, runs tube circuits, has onboard reverb, and won't cover over the natural tone of the ES-335. The ES-335 is a beautiful instrument, so we want its natural profile to be undigitized and easy to spot through the mix.
Your amp should also be nice enough (decently high price point) to match the quality of the Gibson ES-335.
In other words: Don't cheap out (more on this below).
One of the amps that checks all these boxes is the Fender' 65 Deluxe Reverb, or just Fender combo amps in general.
Another honorable mention, and perhaps a more conventional choice, would be the Marshall SV20H Studio Vintage amp head. If you've got some money to work with, the Marshall JCM800 amp head is a pro-level option that would fit nicely with the Gibson style.
Read more: Best Fender amps
Fender combo amps have all the goods when it comes to clean tones.
Top Amps for a Gibson ES-335 (comparison table)
AMP | Name | Shop |
|---|---|---|
| Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb | |
 | Marshall SV20H Studio | |
 | Marshall JCM800 | |
 | Mesa/Boogie Mark V:25 (or 35) |
A full look at the silver style of the Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb combo amp.
Honorable Mentions and Amp Feature Recommendations for an ES-335
Let's quickly review the criteria we'd like to see for the ES-335's ideal amplifier:
- Good with clean tone
- Tube circuits (at the preamp and power amp)
- Onboard reverb
We're flexible with the onboard reverb, though if you miss out on an amp-based reverb we'd recommend a reverb pedal of sorts. There are plenty of great reverb pedals out there to choose from.
Other considerations would be the dual humbucker setup on the ES-335 which will give you a thicker and heavier sound. We'd obviously recommend considering price, which is related to your budget but also related to the high quality of the Gibson ES-335.
In other words, don't combine a really nice guitar with a budget amplifier. Make sure your budget makes room for a decent amplifier that can properly express the tone of the ES-335.
- Price range corresponding to Gibson ES-335
- Friendly to the dual humbucker pickup configuration (not too bright or high)
The Gibson ES-335 with a natural finish.
Are Marshall amps good for a Gibson ES-335?
Marshall amps and Gibson guitars are a common matchup, but for the hollowbody Gibsons we'd prefer something a little less bright and smoother. That said, the Marshall tube amps are still a fantastic choice (we've clearly recommended two of them), just not my personal favorite option.
What about Mesa/Boogie amps?
This is probably my favorite amp brand despite their expense. They're one of the best when it comes to modern tone and distortion, though also able to handle the vintage side of the spectrum.
If you want to spend a little more, the Mark V series is one of our favorites. Look at the Rectoverb combo amps as well (that's what I have).
Conclusion
As I said in our disclaimer, you're the only one that can make this call. I personally like the Fender combo amps best for the Gibson ES-335.
I also like the Marshall and Mesa options.
So sure - I would advise staying away from solid state amps or the digital modeling variety, but that's just my two cents. Your situation might be different, so leave thoughts and disagreements in the comments section below on what amp you would pair with an ES-335.
We'll see you there.
Related Gibson Guitar Content
Written by Guitar Chalk on Pickups and Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps and Roundups
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