2000s Carlo Robelli ES-335-Style Electric Guitar

Ever since its introduction, Gibson's ES-335 has been copied over and over and over. This one is a lot like a 335, but is a little smaller in the body width and definitely doesn't have the same sort of "horns." With its Chicago-style segmented F-holes, it looks a bit like a mix between a '60s Kay Speed Demon and a '70s import 335 clone.

There's not a lot of information on the web about this model, but considering the price on these when new, I'd imagine it was made in China or Indonesia. Quality-wise, it reminds me of early-2000s Korean instruments -- by which I mean pretty dang good, in this case. While the finish is typical import-style "dip," the materials are nice and the build is good -- it has a fast maple neck with maple-veneer body, tons of fancy inlay in the fretboard, and multi-ply binding all over the place.

I've never been a fan of "zebra" pickups looks-wise, but they give a good modern, dark, almost jazzy tone (don't let the video clip shake you -- that Gibson amp is super bright). They're hot and will drive an amp quite well, though if you're looking for a cleaner/more open vintage-style humbucker voice, a pickup swap would be in order.

Work was light: all I did to this one was give it a light cleaning and set it up. The frets have very, very mild wear to them and it wasn't enough to warrant a level/dress job. It plays with 1/16" overall action at the 12th fret and appears to be wearing a set of 10s. The neck is straight and the truss rod works as it should.

Scale length: 24 3/4"

Nut width: 1 11/16"

String spacing at nut: 1 3/8"

String spacing at bridge: 2"

Body length: 19"

Lower bout width: 15 1/4"

Upper bout width: 10 3/4"

Side depth at endpin: 1 11/16"

Top wood: ply maple

Back/sides wood: ply maple

Bracing type: big centerblock (semihollow)

Fretboard: rosewood

Bridge: rTOM-style

Neck feel: slim C, 14-16" radius fretboard

Condition notes: it's quite clean overall save only minor wear. It looks more "shopworn" than actually played. I'm assuming it's all original. The placement of the output jack (on the top) is slightly awkward, but a non-issue if you're the type who pulls your cord over your strap to "tuck it in" when standing.

The "keystone" tuners work just fine.

The tuners even still have their protective covering-film on their rears.