A Tribute to the Guitar Used by the King of the Blues to Rumble in the Jungle
There isn’t a guitar hero alive today who hasn’t been influenced and impacted by the powerful performances of B.B. King, and arguably, none was more legendary than his appearance at a music festival promoting the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight boxing match in Zaire in 1974, where B.B. played the 1974 ES-355 that he favored up until developing the Gibson Lucille model in 1980. This model is a limited edition of only 100 guitars and is a loving tribute to B.B.’s Walnut 1974 ES-355 that he used for that concert. It features Murphy Lab Light Aging, mother-of-pearl inlays, T-Type Custombucker pickups, a mono Varitone switch, and a Maestro™ Vibrola™ tailpiece. It also comes bundled with a host of case candy that ties back to that historic festival performance, as well as the legendary Rumble in the Jungle fight itself. A B.B. King “Zaire” hardshell case is also included.
Key Features:
Murphy Lab Light Aging
T-Type Custombucker Humbucker Pickups
Varitone Switch
Maestro Vibrola Tailpiece
Limited Edition of 100 Guitars
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Plain Laminated Maple
Binding Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard and F-Holes
Body Finish Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Plain Laminated Maple
Body Shape ES-335
Body Styles ES
Bracing Red Spruce
Centerblock Lightweight Solid Maple
Side Plain Laminated Maple
Top Plain Laminated Maple
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
End Of Board Width 52.37mm / 2.06in
Fingerboard Material Ebony
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Custom Block
Joint Glued In, Set Neck, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material 3-piece Mahogany
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile Artist Profile
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
Controls 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 6-Position Mono Varitone; Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Capacitors
Neck Pickup T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4"
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way Toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Witch Hat with Gold Insert
finish Aged Gold
Mounting Rings Black
Pickguard 5-ply Tortoise
Pickup Covers True Historic Gold
Strap Buttons 2
Switch Tip Cream
Switchwasher Gold Varitone Plate & Black Chicken Head Knob (Varitone Switch)
Tailpiece Maestro Vibrola
Truss Rod Reissue
Truss Rod Cover Black; Engraved Stereo
Tuner Plating Aged Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Waffleback with Metal Button
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case B.B. King Zaire Hardshell
Model: BBES355ZWGH1
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Custom Spilt Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Gibson Custom B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
Gibson Custom B.B. King “Rumble in the Jungle” 1974 ES-355, Walnut
Also available for store pickup at the Gibson Garage Nashville
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
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Three Free Months of the Gibson App
For a limited time only, receive a three-month subscription to the Gibson App for free with the purchase of this product. Click here to learn more about the Gibson App.
A Tribute to the Guitar Used by the King of the Blues to Rumble in the Jungle
There isn’t a guitar hero alive today who hasn’t been influenced and impacted by the powerful performances of B.B. King, and arguably, none was more legendary than his appearance at a music festival promoting the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” heavyweight boxing match in Zaire in 1974, where B.B. played the 1974 ES-355 that he favored up until developing the Gibson Lucille model in 1980. This model is a limited edition of only 100 guitars and is a loving tribute to B.B.’s Walnut 1974 ES-355 that he used for that concert. It features Murphy Lab Light Aging, mother-of-pearl inlays, T-Type Custombucker pickups, a mono Varitone switch, and a Maestro™ Vibrola™ tailpiece. It also comes bundled with a host of case candy that ties back to that historic festival performance, as well as the legendary Rumble in the Jungle fight itself. A B.B. King “Zaire” hardshell case is also included.
Key Features:
Murphy Lab Light Aging
T-Type Custombucker Humbucker Pickups
Varitone Switch
Maestro Vibrola Tailpiece
Limited Edition of 100 Guitars
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Back Plain Laminated Maple
Binding Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock; Single-ply Fretboard and F-Holes
Body Finish Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Material Plain Laminated Maple
Body Shape ES-335
Body Styles ES
Bracing Red Spruce
Centerblock Lightweight Solid Maple
Side Plain Laminated Maple
Top Plain Laminated Maple
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
End Of Board Width 52.37mm / 2.06in
Fingerboard Material Ebony
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Custom Block
Joint Glued In, Set Neck, Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material 3-piece Mahogany
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile Artist Profile
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
Controls 2 Volume, 2 Tone, 6-Position Mono Varitone; Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Capacitors
Neck Pickup T-Type Custombucker Alnico 5
Output Jack Switchcraft 1/4"
Pickup Selector Switchcraft 3-way Toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Witch Hat with Gold Insert
finish Aged Gold
Mounting Rings Black
Pickguard 5-ply Tortoise
Pickup Covers True Historic Gold
Strap Buttons 2
Switch Tip Cream
Switchwasher Gold Varitone Plate & Black Chicken Head Knob (Varitone Switch)
Tailpiece Maestro Vibrola
Truss Rod Reissue
Truss Rod Cover Black; Engraved Stereo
Tuner Plating Aged Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Waffleback with Metal Button
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case B.B. King Zaire Hardshell
Model: BBES355ZWGH1
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo and Custom Spilt Diamond in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046







