Gibson Memphis, who produces the B.B. King "Lucille," the Herb Ellis ES-165 and other ES-series archtop electric guitars now has the ES-333. The ES-333 is a more affordable version of Gibson's classic semi-hollow body ES-335 with the same double-cutaway body style and laminated top, back and sides construction.

The solid maple center block is part of the secret of the great sound this guitar has by combining solid body guitar "meat" with a more traditional hollow body and archtop tone. There is a mahogany neck with a 1960 slim taper, 24 3/4-inch scale and rosewood fingerboard. The bridge is ABR with a stop bar tailpiece and all hardware is nickel.

The 490R and 498R Alnico-magnet humbucking pickups are open-coil (coverless) and just like the 335, connected to two volume and tone knobs and a three-way pickup switch. In choices of finishes of Faded Cherry (shown) and Translucent Brown or Natural, the ESS-333 sells for $1,599 MSRP and it comes with a TKL nylon gig bag.

For more information, contact Gibson at 800-4GIBSON or Web to: www.gibson.com