1988 Gibson ES-335 in Cherry, Owned and Played by SF Radio Icon Steve Masters (LIVE105, SF)

This 1988 Gibson ES-335 in Cherry comes from a pivotal era when Gibson was reestablishing the feel, tone, and craftsmanship of its earlier instruments. It features an ebony fingerboard with dot inlays and a set of Tim Shaw humbucker pickups, celebrated for their clarity, warmth, and expressive dynamic range.

The guitar comes directly from the collection of Steve Masters, one of the key voices behind San Francisco’s alternative radio movement on Live 105 (105.3 FM) during the eighties and nineties. Steve used this ES-335, often alongside his Telecaster, for live performances throughout the Bay Area, giving it a real working history rooted in the local music scene.

Key Features

• Year: 1988
• Serial Number: 83388555
• Model: ES-335
• Finish: Cherry
• Fingerboard: Ebony with dot inlays
• Pickups: Verified Tim Shaw humbuckers
• Body: Semi-hollow maple
• Neck: Mahogany
• Hardware: Nickel
• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic with stop tailpiece
• Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way selector

Condition
Excellent vintage condition. Light, honest playwear consistent with age and use. No structural issues, straight neck, healthy frets, and clean electronics. The Tim Shaw pickups sound articulate, open, and balanced. View images for more...

Provenance
Steve Masters shaped the voice of alternative radio in San Francisco, and this ES-335 was part of his musical life for years. The original hard shell case is covered in authentic backstage passes from landmark concerts and tours, creating a visual map of the era in which this guitar lived and worked.

Backstage Passes on the Case
Deee-Lite — The Warfield, 1991
Depeche Mode — World Violation Tour, 2007
Eurythmics — World Revival Tour, 1989
Front 242 — Tyranny Tour, 1991
Jesus Jones — The Warfield Aftershow, 1991
Peter Murphy — Deep Tour, 1990
The Ramones — Mondo Bizarro, The Greek Theatre, 1992
The Charlatans (UK) — The Warfield Aftershow, 1991
The Church — Gold Afternoon Fix Tour, 1990
The Fixx — Calm Animals, The Warfield, 1991
The Ramones — The Fillmore Aftershow, 1989
The Replacements — All Shook Down Tour, 1991
The Sisters of Mercy — Merciful Release, 1991

These passes transform the case into a curated archive of late eighties and early nineties alternative culture, offering a rare glimpse into the era’s touring landscape and music history.

Tone and Feel
The ebony fingerboard adds clarity, speed, and articulation, while the semi-hollow maple body brings warmth and resonance. Combined with the Tim Shaw pickups, the guitar delivers a balanced and expressive tone, rich in harmonics and responsive to dynamic playing. It excels across clean, edge-of-breakup, and driven settings.

Included
Original hard shell case with historic backstage passes.

           👉🏼 Functionality = 10/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
           👉🏼 Cosmetic = 8/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
           📦 Los Gatos Music Exchange prefers to ship within the continental US (and possibly Hawaii)
           🌎 Message us directly for international shipping
           🏘 Local pickup is also welcome 
** As this item is considered VINTAGE/USED, it is in the condition described and sold 'As-Described' with no returns. Images are of the actual item(s) and may contain AI generated backgrounds and are for illustrative purposes only **