Gibson ES-335TDC Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1963), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 103798, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a truly beautiful original example of one of Gibson's absolute classic electric guitars -- an ES-335TDC from 1963. It is one of 807 cherry finish ES-335s shipped out that year, by which time the more traditional sunburst finish was being heavily outsold by this new-for-the-'60s bright cherry livery. As the '60s progressed, this flashier finish became the look most associated with the model and an iconic look of the decade. Eric Clapton's famous "Cream" ES-335 was a cherry stoptail from 1964, which has given this exact '63-4 version of the model an extra cachet.
Along its vibrant red finish, this ES-335TD shows other typical 1963 features. The most notable is what is NOT there; there is no vibrato, the configuration many players since the 1970s and beyond have strongly preferred. 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?). This makes an original "stoptail" 335 from this period comparatively harder to find.
The bound rosewood fingerboard is inlaid with the small pearloid blocks introduced in 1962 as a style upgrade, replacing the dots used since 1958. The neck profile is fairly slim but deeper than the flat and shallow "1960 neck" used into 1962. By 1963 the necks had evolved to a somewhat rounder profile again, which many players preferred than and now. Some '64s get even chunkier again before the slim-nut 1965 necks take over.
All hardware is nickel-plated including is original including the Patent # pickups, ABR-1 bridge with retaining wire and Kluson Deluxe tuners with double-ring keystone buttons. The early "Patent number" humbuckers are technically identical to the final PAF's. This pair has their Patent stickers intact and undisturbed covers; these pickups are the heart of the guitar and sound spectacular. The beveled-edge pickguard is the shorter version introduced in 1961, the knobs the metal-capped versions that appeared around the same time.
This cherry gem shows some light play wear but remains a fantastic guitar, used but not but not altered or abused. 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 pebble-grained 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 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Overall this is a lightly played-in but original guitar, a real sweetie with a "Lot 'O'Soul". The finish shows only minimal checking or fading, retaining a strong cherry color over the entire instrument. There is some very light general wear to the finish with scuffing and a few scattered chips and dings, but really no serious marks. The back of the neck is very clean, with one small scratch behind the 7th fret and some light checking. The headstock edges have a few minor dings and chips but less than most.
The hardware is all original and complete showing typical wear to the nickel plating, mostly visible on the pickup covers and especially the top surface of the tailpiece. The pickups and all wiring remain original. The guitar has been very neatly refretted with appropriate wire showing no subsequent wear; the bone nut is also newer. This is an excellent playing and truly fine sounding 335, with a great vintage vibe and the killer sound these are renowned for. The original yellow-lined hard shell case is included, showing a decent amount of external wear but still quite solid and fully functional. Clean but just worn enough to play without worry, this is a fabulous find for the 335 fan. Overall Excellent Condition.
