Gibson ES-335-12 TDC 12 String Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966)
LOADING IMAGES
Gibson ES-335-12 TDC Model 12 String Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 420994, cherry lacquer finish, laminatad maple body; mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
Gibson's first single-neck electric 12-string, the ES-335-12 was introduced in mid-1965 in response to the 12-string craze which followed George Harrison's featuring of a Rickenbacker 360/12 in the prior year's "A Hard Day's Night". The model was a straight adaptation of the standard 335 design, with only an extended headstock and 12-string tailpiece as alterations. The 12-string ES-335 was fairly successful over the next couple of years but was phased out of production in 1970, so is now not nearly as plentiful as its 6-string sibling.
This beautiful cherry-finished example was built during 1966, the first full production year and is one of only 152 shipped that year. 1967 would see the model's production peak, as after that 12-string electrics quickly became rather unfashionable in the oncoming "Heavy Music" era. This guitar sports a lovely deep cherry finish with minimal fade and lots of grain showing through, chrome-plated hardware and the earlier '60s-style metal capped knobs still in use in 1966. The neck is quite slim by older Gibson standards but comparable to the Rickenbackers that were its primary competition.
This model was never hugely popular but did see some high-profile use; one was famously used by Robbie Krieger on the Doors' "Love Her Madly"; we sold that guitar some years back. The most prominent regular user was Richie Furay of the Buffalo Springfield, but the model can also be seen in the hands of the Beau Brummels and a number of other period folk-rock acts. The ES-335-12 remains one of the 1960s' better-sounding and playing electric 12s; a very fine instrument, even if not generally considered an all-time Gibson classic.
Overall length is 43 3/4 in. (111.1 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 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 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a very clean and 100% original guitar, with just some VERY minor wear overall. The cherry finish shows hardly any fade with light checking mostly to the face and small dings and chips but no heavy wear. The largest chip is off the bass side adjustment wheel for the bridge; someone did sone clumsy adjustment long ago. There is another smaller dink on the headstock face between the low E string tuners.
All hardware is complete and original with some light scuffing here and there. The original frets have very light wear in the lower positions, the neck is very nice and playability is excellent. This ES is housed in the original yellow-lined Gibson hardshell case also very well preserved with the original key still in the envelope. This is easily the nicest of these 12-strings we have had, a lovely package of Kalamazoo goodness overall. Overall Excellent + Condition.
Gibson's first single-neck electric 12-string, the ES-335-12 was introduced in mid-1965 in response to the 12-string craze which followed George Harrison's featuring of a Rickenbacker 360/12 in the prior year's "A Hard Day's Night". The model was a straight adaptation of the standard 335 design, with only an extended headstock and 12-string tailpiece as alterations. The 12-string ES-335 was fairly successful over the next couple of years but was phased out of production in 1970, so is now not nearly as plentiful as its 6-string sibling.
This beautiful cherry-finished example was built during 1966, the first full production year and is one of only 152 shipped that year. 1967 would see the model's production peak, as after that 12-string electrics quickly became rather unfashionable in the oncoming "Heavy Music" era. This guitar sports a lovely deep cherry finish with minimal fade and lots of grain showing through, chrome-plated hardware and the earlier '60s-style metal capped knobs still in use in 1966. The neck is quite slim by older Gibson standards but comparable to the Rickenbackers that were its primary competition.
This model was never hugely popular but did see some high-profile use; one was famously used by Robbie Krieger on the Doors' "Love Her Madly"; we sold that guitar some years back. The most prominent regular user was Richie Furay of the Buffalo Springfield, but the model can also be seen in the hands of the Beau Brummels and a number of other period folk-rock acts. The ES-335-12 remains one of the 1960s' better-sounding and playing electric 12s; a very fine instrument, even if not generally considered an all-time Gibson classic.
Overall length is 43 3/4 in. (111.1 cm.), 15 3/4 in. (40 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 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a very clean and 100% original guitar, with just some VERY minor wear overall. The cherry finish shows hardly any fade with light checking mostly to the face and small dings and chips but no heavy wear. The largest chip is off the bass side adjustment wheel for the bridge; someone did sone clumsy adjustment long ago. There is another smaller dink on the headstock face between the low E string tuners.
All hardware is complete and original with some light scuffing here and there. The original frets have very light wear in the lower positions, the neck is very nice and playability is excellent. This ES is housed in the original yellow-lined Gibson hardshell case also very well preserved with the original key still in the envelope. This is easily the nicest of these 12-strings we have had, a lovely package of Kalamazoo goodness overall. Overall Excellent + Condition.