Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1964)
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Item # 11237
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Gibson ES-335TD Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a really superb original example of one of Gibson's classic electric guitars, an ES-335TD from 1964. It is one of only 349 sunburst finish ES-335s shipped in that year, by which time this more traditional finish was being heavily outsold by the new-for-the-'60s bright cherry. As the '60s progressed, that flashier finish became the popular look most associated with the model and in 1964 over 800 cherry examples were shipped.
This ES-335TD shows features typical for later 1964, or the very beginning of 1965. The fingerboard inlaid with small pearloid blocks, introduced in 1962 replacing the dots used since 1958. The neck profile is slightly thinner than earlier '60s examples. still fairly chunky feeling compared to later '60s models but with the slimmer 1 5/8" nut width Gibson was transitioning to in 1965. This guitar was still built for a stop tailpiece, but in this case received the custom-ordered option of a Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, a "Custom Made" etched plate covering the stud holes
All hardware is original and complete including the nickel-plated pickups, ABR-1 bridge, b/w/b pickguard and Kluson Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons. These pickups are early "Patent number" humbuckers which except for the sticker on the bottom are technically identical to the final PAF's. These are original and undisturbed, have never had the covers removed and sound spectacular.
This tailpiece is an original Maestro Vibrola, a standard fitting on some Gibsons but a custom ordered addition to this model, which added $55 to the $340 list price. In the mid '60's most players wanted a vibrato; you could not properly play many hits of the day without it! ("Hanky Panky", anyone?) Covering the stud holes for the stop tailpiece must have become such an annoyance for Gibson that by early 1965 they switched to fitting a trapeze tailpiece on non-vibrato 335 models.
This guitar is one of the cleanest mid-60's examples we have had; it has been played but VERY well cared for and never altered at all. It plays great and sounds amazing for everything from straight jazz to funky blues to flat-out screaming rock. Even not plugged in it has a real ring. It is housed in the original classic 1960s gold-lined black Gibson hard shell case.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
Overall this is a played but very clean guitar, 100% original and unaltered. There is some clouding and light corrosion to the nickel plating especially the pickup covers. The all-original finish shows just light scuffing and wear marks overall with tiny dinks on the headstock and upper body horn, but overall the patina looks like LBJ is still in office! There is what looks like some pick wear on the treble side of the neck pickup ring.
The guitar was played; there are some divots in the fingerboard in the lower positions and the frets have been crowned down a bit with little subsequent wear. This is an excellent playing and truly fine sounding 335, with a great vintage vibe. The original case is included, showing some very minor external wear but still quite attractive, solid and fully functional. Overall Excellent + Condition.
This is a really superb original example of one of Gibson's classic electric guitars, an ES-335TD from 1964. It is one of only 349 sunburst finish ES-335s shipped in that year, by which time this more traditional finish was being heavily outsold by the new-for-the-'60s bright cherry. As the '60s progressed, that flashier finish became the popular look most associated with the model and in 1964 over 800 cherry examples were shipped.
This ES-335TD shows features typical for later 1964, or the very beginning of 1965. The fingerboard inlaid with small pearloid blocks, introduced in 1962 replacing the dots used since 1958. The neck profile is slightly thinner than earlier '60s examples. still fairly chunky feeling compared to later '60s models but with the slimmer 1 5/8" nut width Gibson was transitioning to in 1965. This guitar was still built for a stop tailpiece, but in this case received the custom-ordered option of a Maestro Vibrola tailpiece, a "Custom Made" etched plate covering the stud holes
All hardware is original and complete including the nickel-plated pickups, ABR-1 bridge, b/w/b pickguard and Kluson Deluxe tuners with keystone buttons. These pickups are early "Patent number" humbuckers which except for the sticker on the bottom are technically identical to the final PAF's. These are original and undisturbed, have never had the covers removed and sound spectacular.
This tailpiece is an original Maestro Vibrola, a standard fitting on some Gibsons but a custom ordered addition to this model, which added $55 to the $340 list price. In the mid '60's most players wanted a vibrato; you could not properly play many hits of the day without it! ("Hanky Panky", anyone?) Covering the stud holes for the stop tailpiece must have become such an annoyance for Gibson that by early 1965 they switched to fitting a trapeze tailpiece on non-vibrato 335 models.
This guitar is one of the cleanest mid-60's examples we have had; it has been played but VERY well cared for and never altered at all. It plays great and sounds amazing for everything from straight jazz to funky blues to flat-out screaming rock. Even not plugged in it has a real ring. It is housed in the original classic 1960s gold-lined black Gibson hard shell case.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
Overall this is a played but very clean guitar, 100% original and unaltered. There is some clouding and light corrosion to the nickel plating especially the pickup covers. The all-original finish shows just light scuffing and wear marks overall with tiny dinks on the headstock and upper body horn, but overall the patina looks like LBJ is still in office! There is what looks like some pick wear on the treble side of the neck pickup ring.
The guitar was played; there are some divots in the fingerboard in the lower positions and the frets have been crowned down a bit with little subsequent wear. This is an excellent playing and truly fine sounding 335, with a great vintage vibe. The original case is included, showing some very minor external wear but still quite attractive, solid and fully functional. Overall Excellent + Condition.