Gibson ES-335TD Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1961)
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Item # 8862
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Gibson ES-335TD Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1961), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # A-36132, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a lovely example of one of Gibson's absolute classic electric guitars -- an ES-335 from 1961. It is one of 466 sunburst finish ES-335s shipped in that year, which was the first full year of the model being offered in both this traditional sunburst finish and the new-for-the-'60s bright cherry livery. About equal numbers of each version were sold in 1961, but after that the cherry finish became the popular look most associated with the model.
Besides its dark rich sunburst finish, this ES-335TD shows features typical for 1961, most notably a dot-inlaid fingerboard which would be changed to pearloid blocks in the next year. The neck profile is wide and relatively flat, a version of the famous "1960 neck" which replaced the much deeper, chunkier 1959 style at the dawn of the new decade. By the end of 1962 this would evolve to a rounder profile again. All the hardware including pickup covers, tailpiece, ABR-1 bridge, and pickguard bracket are nickel-plated. The pickups are PAFs which have never had the covers removed, and sound spectacular. This is an original stop tailpiece guitar which has never had a vibrato.
This guitar has one interesting anomaly; it actually carries two different serial numbers. A very early four-digit number is stamped on the back of the headstock, while the orange label under the f-hole has one of the last 15 A-serial numbers ever issued. This is unusual but not unknown in this transition between the two systems.
At just over 7 lbs. this is one of the lightest ES-335s we have ever had, and handles like a dream. Overall just a fantastic guitar, played but not abused, and sounds amazing in everything from straight jazz to funky blues to flat-out scream. Even not plugged in it has a real ring. It is housed in an early example of the gold-lined black Gibson case that was just being phased in at the time.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely original guitar with some typical wear; it appears to have been played quite a bit but well-cared for. The finish shows light wear overall, with some typical checking, small dings and dents, and some scratching thru on the back. The back of the neck is more worn in, and the finish is down to the wood over a decent amount of the surface. The neck feels great, with that perfect "worn in" vibe.
The guitar has been refretted, with appropriate wire that is just a bit taller than the original. The tuners are the exact correct original double ring Klusons, but close examination of the headstock face reveals some other tuners -- almost certainly later '70s Kluson style with a hex nut pressure collar -- were installed at some point. There are no extra holes or marks on the back of the headstock, and the shaft holes were just very slightly enlarged. There is a very small lamination check at the jack, as is commonly found on these.
The PAF pickups are original and undisturbed and sound fabulous. This is simply a wonderful-feeling and sounding guitar, with a selection of splendid PAF tones from sweet to snarly to monster overdriven and very touch sensitive at all levels. Includes the original early-style yellow-lined black HSC with some wear but still very solid. Excellent - Condition.
This is a lovely example of one of Gibson's absolute classic electric guitars -- an ES-335 from 1961. It is one of 466 sunburst finish ES-335s shipped in that year, which was the first full year of the model being offered in both this traditional sunburst finish and the new-for-the-'60s bright cherry livery. About equal numbers of each version were sold in 1961, but after that the cherry finish became the popular look most associated with the model.
Besides its dark rich sunburst finish, this ES-335TD shows features typical for 1961, most notably a dot-inlaid fingerboard which would be changed to pearloid blocks in the next year. The neck profile is wide and relatively flat, a version of the famous "1960 neck" which replaced the much deeper, chunkier 1959 style at the dawn of the new decade. By the end of 1962 this would evolve to a rounder profile again. All the hardware including pickup covers, tailpiece, ABR-1 bridge, and pickguard bracket are nickel-plated. The pickups are PAFs which have never had the covers removed, and sound spectacular. This is an original stop tailpiece guitar which has never had a vibrato.
This guitar has one interesting anomaly; it actually carries two different serial numbers. A very early four-digit number is stamped on the back of the headstock, while the orange label under the f-hole has one of the last 15 A-serial numbers ever issued. This is unusual but not unknown in this transition between the two systems.
At just over 7 lbs. this is one of the lightest ES-335s we have ever had, and handles like a dream. Overall just a fantastic guitar, played but not abused, and sounds amazing in everything from straight jazz to funky blues to flat-out scream. Even not plugged in it has a real ring. It is housed in an early example of the gold-lined black Gibson case that was just being phased in at the time.
Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Overall this is a nicely original guitar with some typical wear; it appears to have been played quite a bit but well-cared for. The finish shows light wear overall, with some typical checking, small dings and dents, and some scratching thru on the back. The back of the neck is more worn in, and the finish is down to the wood over a decent amount of the surface. The neck feels great, with that perfect "worn in" vibe.
The guitar has been refretted, with appropriate wire that is just a bit taller than the original. The tuners are the exact correct original double ring Klusons, but close examination of the headstock face reveals some other tuners -- almost certainly later '70s Kluson style with a hex nut pressure collar -- were installed at some point. There are no extra holes or marks on the back of the headstock, and the shaft holes were just very slightly enlarged. There is a very small lamination check at the jack, as is commonly found on these.
The PAF pickups are original and undisturbed and sound fabulous. This is simply a wonderful-feeling and sounding guitar, with a selection of splendid PAF tones from sweet to snarly to monster overdriven and very touch sensitive at all levels. Includes the original early-style yellow-lined black HSC with some wear but still very solid. Excellent - Condition.