Gibson ES-330TD Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Gibson ES-330TD Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 307359, sunburst top, dark back and sides finish, laminated maple body, mahogant neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
This is a nice original example of a sunburst ES-330 from the beginning of 1965, still carrying mostly 1964-style features. This year was pivotal at Gibson as it marked the beginning of many detail changes to the instruments. This 330 has "holdover" appointments from '64 including all nickel-plated hardware including the pickup covers and a tune-o-matic bridge with nylon saddles. The nut is the slightly narrower 1 5/8" width introduced this year, but the neck still has a chunkier feel than many from later in the decade. 1318 sunburst ES-330 TD's shipped from Kalamazoo in 1965, so while not particularly rare these were still not built in enormous quantities even at the height of the guitar boom.
The single bound body has a sunburst finish on the top only and is fully hollow, unlike the semi-hollow 335-355 series. The neck joins the body at the 16th fret and has a bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlay. The tuners are single enclosed Kluson Deluxe with plastic buttons. The two P-90 pickups are mated to the standard Gibson wiring rig, with the typical 60's style "capped" gold plastic tone and volume knobs and white switch tip.
The ES-330 is a great sounding and very versatile guitar at home in many musical situations. Despite being intended by Gibson as an "amateur" instrument (the least expensive of the double-cutaway thinlines) the 330 has been used by legions of professional players and heard on countless classic records in many styles since its introduction in 1959. Jazz great Grant Green used this model extensively on his most well-regarded early-1960's recordings. A number of period bluesmen have been spotted with it as well, including B.B. King, Chuck Berry and most notably Slim Harpo, who is nearly always pictured with one.
The 330 and its nearly identical sister guitar the Epiphone Casino were featured in countless '60's British invasion groups, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Manfred Mann, the Merseybeats and many more. The American garage band era players who took inspiration from these bands made extensive use of the model as well. This early 1965 guitar is a very nice example, with the expected "Fab" sound and playability in spades!
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 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.).
This guitar is generally nicely preserved overall, looking played but pretty well cared for over the past 60 years. The all-original finish is relatively clean with some typical checking and fade, giving the sunburst top a pleasant "iced tea" look. There are scuffs, scratches, dings and chips overall but no heavy wear. The back has some broader scratching but the headstock edges are the most noticeably worn spot.
The original hardware remains intact except the Tune-O-Matic bridge is a later correct style repro. The nickel plating shows minor wear and corrosion but is still largely intact. A strap button was added to the back below the heel as is common. The guitar has been neatly refretted with period correct wire, these show some very light subsequent wear; the nut was replaced as well. Overall this is a great sounding example and a super player, still in its well preserved original black/gold lined HSC Overall Excellent - Condition.
This is a nice original example of a sunburst ES-330 from the beginning of 1965, still carrying mostly 1964-style features. This year was pivotal at Gibson as it marked the beginning of many detail changes to the instruments. This 330 has "holdover" appointments from '64 including all nickel-plated hardware including the pickup covers and a tune-o-matic bridge with nylon saddles. The nut is the slightly narrower 1 5/8" width introduced this year, but the neck still has a chunkier feel than many from later in the decade. 1318 sunburst ES-330 TD's shipped from Kalamazoo in 1965, so while not particularly rare these were still not built in enormous quantities even at the height of the guitar boom.
The single bound body has a sunburst finish on the top only and is fully hollow, unlike the semi-hollow 335-355 series. The neck joins the body at the 16th fret and has a bound rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlay. The tuners are single enclosed Kluson Deluxe with plastic buttons. The two P-90 pickups are mated to the standard Gibson wiring rig, with the typical 60's style "capped" gold plastic tone and volume knobs and white switch tip.
The ES-330 is a great sounding and very versatile guitar at home in many musical situations. Despite being intended by Gibson as an "amateur" instrument (the least expensive of the double-cutaway thinlines) the 330 has been used by legions of professional players and heard on countless classic records in many styles since its introduction in 1959. Jazz great Grant Green used this model extensively on his most well-regarded early-1960's recordings. A number of period bluesmen have been spotted with it as well, including B.B. King, Chuck Berry and most notably Slim Harpo, who is nearly always pictured with one.
The 330 and its nearly identical sister guitar the Epiphone Casino were featured in countless '60's British invasion groups, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Manfred Mann, the Merseybeats and many more. The American garage band era players who took inspiration from these bands made extensive use of the model as well. This early 1965 guitar is a very nice example, with the expected "Fab" sound and playability in spades!
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 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.).
This guitar is generally nicely preserved overall, looking played but pretty well cared for over the past 60 years. The all-original finish is relatively clean with some typical checking and fade, giving the sunburst top a pleasant "iced tea" look. There are scuffs, scratches, dings and chips overall but no heavy wear. The back has some broader scratching but the headstock edges are the most noticeably worn spot.
The original hardware remains intact except the Tune-O-Matic bridge is a later correct style repro. The nickel plating shows minor wear and corrosion but is still largely intact. A strap button was added to the back below the heel as is common. The guitar has been neatly refretted with period correct wire, these show some very light subsequent wear; the nut was replaced as well. Overall this is a great sounding example and a super player, still in its well preserved original black/gold lined HSC Overall Excellent - Condition.