The Gibson Guitar Corporation debuted the Gibson ES-335, a semi-hollow body semi-acoustic guitar, in 1958 as a member of its ES (Electric Spanish) series. Two violin-style f-holes are cut into the top over the hollow chambers, and a solid block of maple wood runs through the middle of the body. Based on the ES-335, Gibson has produced a large number of variants and variations. As of 2024, the Gibson Nashville plant produces the ES-335. Additionally, Gibson Memphis produced it from 2000 till its closure in 2019.

Gibson began producing some solid-body models by 1958, which lacked the warmer, deeper tone and unamplified volume of hollow bodies but had significantly less feedback and better sustain. Finding a compromise was the goal of the ES-335, which provided a warmer tone with nearly as little feedback as a solid body. The popularity of semi-hollow-bodies like the ES-335 in a variety of musical genres, such as rock, jazz, and blues, demonstrates how versatile they are despite being essentially a compromise of previous designs. It was first sold for $267.50, but it soon became a best-seller and has been manufactured continuously since 1958.

The Gibson ES-335 is an electric guitar with a semi-hollow body that is constructed differently. Its top and back are made of three layers of maple, poplar, and maple, and its central block is made of solid maple. This design balances feedback resistance and acoustic resonance, which gives the ES-335 its unique tone. The ES-335's neck is usually built of mahogany and features a 22-freight rosewood fretboard. There are two humbucking pickups on the guitar, usually the T-Type or 57 Classic types made by Gibson. From bright and rock-oriented to soft and jazzy, these pickups offer a variety of tones. Country, rock, jazz, and blues are just a few of the musical genres that the ES-335 may be used for.