The Gibson ES-335 is a renowned semi-hollow electric guitar, first introduced in 1958. It blends the tonal warmth and resonance of a hollow-body guitar with the sustain and clarity of a solid-body, thanks to its innovative design featuring a solid maple centre block within its laminated maple body. This construction reduces feedback, making it versatile for a wide range of music genres, from blues and jazz to rock.

In the Gibson ES-335, the "ES" stands for Electric Spanish. This designation was used by Gibson to differentiate its electric guitar models intended for standard playing (as opposed to Hawaiian-style lap steel guitars). The term "Spanish" refers to the traditional playing style of holding the guitar, distinguishing it from other forms like "Hawaiian" or lap steel guitars that are played flat.