Gibson Introduces CS-356 Semi-Hollow Guitar

September 6, 2002 
When Orville Gibson stated his desire to create an instrument with integrated back and sides construction over 100 years ago, he couldn't have imagined how long it would take to actually happen. After over a century of work, Orville's dream finally became a reality in 2001 in the shape of the Gibson Custom, Art & Historic Division's CS-336. Now, with the introduction of the elegant CS-356, Gibson Custom continues to build upon the achievements embodied in the CS-336. 
Like the CS-336, the CS-356 is a tonally carved guitar, meaning that the back, center block, and sides are carved from a single piece of mahogany into the classic, double cutaway body outline of a Gibson ES-335. The two-piece maple top is also carved, and has a corresponding solid center area that matches up with that of the back. The result is a guitar with woody tone and the resonance of a chambered semi-hollow guitar. The CS-356 also boasts the same slightly scaled down body size and slim taper neck found on the CS-336, which facilitate comfortable playing.