What Gibson Guitar Did Justin Timberlake Use: Lovestoned

Justin Timberlake used a Gibson ES-335-style semi-hollow electric guitar in “Lovestoned.”

The guitar seen with Justin Timberlake in “Lovestoned” is widely identified as a Gibson ES-335, or an ES-335-style semi-hollow model. The video does not clearly show a model label or serial number, so the safest answer is based on the guitar’s visible shape, hardware, and classic Gibson design. This guide explains what viewers can identify, why the guitar fits the song, and how to find a similar instrument today.

The Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned”

The Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” appears to be a Gibson ES-335-style semi-hollow electric guitar. Its wide body, curved top, center block design, and two humbucker pickups match the look of the ES-335 family.

The exact year and finish are harder to confirm. Music videos often use styled instruments for visual effect, and camera shots may not show enough detail to identify the guitar with total certainty. For that reason, it is more accurate to call it an ES-335 or ES-335-style Gibson rather than claim a precise production model.

The Gibson ES-335 is one of the most well-known semi-hollow guitars ever made. It blends the warm air of a hollow guitar with the sustain and feedback control of a solid-body electric guitar. That mix made it a natural choice for a polished pop performance like “Lovestoned.”

How viewers can identify the guitar

Several visual details help explain why the guitar is commonly linked to the Gibson ES-335. These details are more useful than relying on online captions or fan guesses.

Look for these features:

• A large double-cutaway body with rounded edges
• Two visible humbucking pickups
• A three-way pickup selector
• A Tune-o-matic-style bridge and stop tailpiece
• A wide, arched top
• The classic semi-hollow body profile
• A Gibson-style headstock shape

The most important clue is the body outline. A Gibson Les Paul has a solid, single-cutaway shape. An ES-335 has a broader double-cutaway design with a more open, rounded look. In the “Lovestoned” footage, the guitar appears closer to the ES-335 family than to a Les Paul.

Still, video lighting can hide important details. Some Gibson models, Epiphone versions, and custom instruments share a similar shape. That is why claims about an exact finish, year, or pickup set should be treated with care.

Why the ES-335 suited “Lovestoned”

The Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” also made musical sense. The song has a sleek, romantic, and highly produced sound. A semi-hollow guitar can add color without taking over the entire mix.

An ES-335 usually produces a full midrange tone. Its humbuckers offer a smooth sound with less noise than many single-coil guitars. That sound can sit well under vocals, keyboards, drums, and electronic production.

The guitar also fit Timberlake’s stage image. The ES-335 is stylish without looking overly aggressive. It can suggest soul, pop, rhythm and blues, and classic rock at the same time. In other words, it works like a well-cut jacket: polished, flexible, and easy to recognize.

The guitar may have been used for performance appearance rather than as the main recorded instrument. Pop videos often show artists holding instruments that support the story or visual theme. That does not always mean the same guitar was used during the studio recording.

Was it definitely a Gibson ES-335?

The short answer is no, not with absolute proof. The available video views do not provide a clear close-up of the headstock, model badge, or serial number. Without those details, no responsible identification can guarantee the exact Gibson model.

The strongest identification is “Gibson ES-335-style guitar.” It may have been a genuine Gibson ES-335, a related Gibson semi-hollow model, or a similar instrument made by another brand.

This distinction matters because many guitars share the ES-335 shape. Common alternatives include:

• Gibson ES-335
• Gibson ES-345
• Gibson ES-355
• Epiphone Sheraton
• Epiphone Dot
• Other ES-style semi-hollow guitars

The ES-345 and ES-355 often include extra appointments, such as a larger pickguard, stereo controls, decorative inlays, or a Varitone circuit. Those details are not easy to confirm in the video. The simplest and most reliable description remains a Gibson ES-335-style semi-hollow guitar.

The difference between an ES-335 and a Les Paul

Many viewers searching for what Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” may confuse the instrument with a Gibson Les Paul. Both guitars commonly use two humbuckers, but their construction and appearance differ.

A Les Paul is a solid-body guitar. It usually has a single cutaway, a carved maple top, and a heavier feel. Its tone is often thick, focused, and powerful.

An ES-335 is a semi-hollow guitar with a solid center block inside the body. The hollow sections add resonance, while the center block helps reduce feedback. It normally feels larger against the player’s body and has a more open acoustic response.

Here is a simple comparison:

Feature	Gibson ES-335	Gibson Les Paul
Body type	Semi-hollow	Solid body
Cutaway	Double cutaway	Single cutaway
Typical tone	Warm, open, clear	Thick, strong, focused
Weight	Often moderate to heavy	Often heavy
Feedback risk	Higher at loud volume	Lower
Common styles	Blues, soul, jazz, pop, rock	Rock, blues, metal, pop

The guitar in “Lovestoned” has the double-cutaway, rounded body shape associated with the ES-335 family. That is the key visual difference.

What an ES-335 sounds like

An ES-335 can produce clean tones with a soft edge and overdriven sounds with rich sustain. The neck pickup often sounds warm and smooth. The bridge pickup can provide more bite and clarity.

For a song with pop, soul, and dance elements, a guitarist might use settings such as:

1. Select the neck pickup for a round, mellow tone.
2. Lower the guitar’s tone control slightly.
3. Use a clean amplifier with mild compression.
4. Add a small amount of reverb.
5. Apply light overdrive for added texture.

These settings are only a starting point. The final sound depends on the amplifier, pickups, strings, pedals, recording process, and playing style. The Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” may have been processed heavily in the production mix, so copying the guitar alone will not recreate the full sound.

A common mistake is to buy the same model and expect the song’s tone immediately. Guitar tone is a chain, not a single object. The instrument is one link among many.

How to buy a guitar like the one in “Lovestoned”

If you want the look of the Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned,” begin with the body style rather than the artist connection. An ES-335-style guitar will usually get you closer than a random Gibson model.

Consider these options:

• Gibson ES-335: The direct high-end choice with traditional construction and Gibson branding
• Epiphone ES-335: A more affordable version with a similar body design
• Epiphone Sheraton: A semi-hollow model with a related shape and more decoration
• Used Gibson ES models: A practical route for finding older finishes and specifications
• Other ES-style guitars: Useful for beginners or players on a strict budget

Before buying, check the neck condition, fret wear, bridge alignment, electronics, and body cracks. Semi-hollow guitars can be more difficult to repair than basic solid-body guitars because access to the electronics is limited.

Play the instrument while seated and standing. The body is larger than a Stratocaster or Telecaster, and the weight balance may feel different. A guitar that looks perfect in a video still needs to feel comfortable in your hands.

Common mistakes when copying the guitar setup

One mistake is assuming that the exact model guarantees the exact tone. Two ES-335 guitars can sound different because of pickup output, wood, strings, amplifier settings, and the player’s touch.

Another mistake is overlooking the guitar’s setup. Action height, pickup distance, intonation, and string gauge affect playability more than many new buyers expect. A well-set-up Epiphone can feel better than a poorly adjusted Gibson.

Avoid these errors:

• Buying only because the guitar appeared in a music video
• Assuming the video guitar was used on the studio recording
• Ignoring neck comfort and body weight
• Choosing a finish without checking the instrument’s condition
• Spending the entire budget on the guitar and nothing on an amplifier
• Expecting clean pop tones from high-gain settings

A balanced setup often works best. Put money toward the guitar, a reliable amplifier, fresh strings, and a professional setup. That combination will help more than an expensive instrument with poor adjustment.

What the guitar says about Justin Timberlake’s style

The Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” reflects the artist’s connection to more than dance-pop. Timberlake’s work often draws from soul, funk, rhythm and blues, and classic pop performance.

The ES-335 carries a long musical history. Players have used versions of this design in jazz, blues, rock, country, and soul. Its broad tonal range makes it useful when a performer needs one guitar to cover several moods.

That versatility also explains why the instrument remains popular today. It can sound gentle during a clean chord passage, bright during rhythmic playing, or thick when pushed through an overdriven amplifier. Like a good camera lens, it can handle many scenes without losing its character.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Gibson guitar did Justin Timberlake use in “Lovestoned”?

Justin Timberlake appears to have used a Gibson ES-335 or a closely related ES-335-style semi-hollow guitar. The video does not show enough detail to confirm the exact year, finish, or model number.

Did Justin Timberlake use a Gibson Les Paul in “Lovestoned”?

The guitar is generally identified as an ES-335-style model, not a Gibson Les Paul. Its rounded double-cutaway body is the main feature that separates it from the single-cutaway Les Paul design.

Was the guitar heard on the “Lovestoned” studio recording?

There is no clear public evidence proving that the guitar shown in the video was the instrument used on the studio track. Music videos often use instruments for visual storytelling, so the on-screen guitar and recorded guitar may be different.

Is the Gibson ES-335 good for pop music?

Yes. The ES-335 works well for pop because it offers warm clean tones, clear chords, and smooth overdrive. It also covers soul, blues, rock, jazz, and rhythm guitar parts with ease.

What is the cheaper alternative to this Gibson guitar?

The Epiphone ES-335 is the most direct lower-cost alternative. It has a similar semi-hollow shape and can deliver a related sound when paired with good strings and a properly set-up amplifier.

How can I get a “Lovestoned”-style guitar tone?

Start with the neck or middle pickup setting, a clean amplifier, light compression, mild reverb, and a small amount of overdrive. Your playing technique and the full recording mix will affect the final sound as much as the guitar model.

Conclusion

The most accurate answer to what Gibson guitar Justin Timberlake used in “Lovestoned” is a Gibson ES-335 or a closely related ES-335-style semi-hollow guitar. The video supports that identification through the instrument’s double-cutaway body, humbucker layout, and classic semi-hollow design, but it does not prove the exact model or year.

If you want a similar instrument, compare the Gibson ES-335 with the Epiphone ES-335 and Sheraton. Focus on comfort, condition, setup, and amplifier choice rather than the name alone. Explore more guitar identification guides, test a semi-hollow model in person, and share your own identification in the comments.