SOLD - Vintage Gibson ES-335 - USA 1963

SOLD

Now in its eighty-fourth year of continuous production, the Gibson ES (or Electric Spanish series) carries a staying power rarely seen in the guitar market. Its wide array of classic models deliver a coveted warm, full-bodied tone that's become the signature sound of countless jazz, blues and rock musicians. The ES series has continued to evolve over the decades with new models entering the lineup and older ones reaching the end of their run.  

Though radical in its design compared to its fully-hollow ES series cousins, the thin, double-cutaway ES-335 and its upscale counterparts, the ES-345 and ES-355, have enjoyed the longest continuous production run of any ES model. With two humbucker pickups and a solid maple centre block, the semi-hollow ES-335 and its siblings have delivered some of the most famous blues and rock riffs in guitar history, from "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry to "The Thrill is Gone" by B.B. King and “Room 335” by Larry Carlton.  

The ES-335’s design and construction, revolutionary for its day, gave it a “best of both worlds” appeal that suited it to any imaginable genre of music, from jazz to rock, blues to country. This 1963 ES-335 accurately retains the original construction methods with the solid maple centre block, humbucking pickups and a fast-playing slimline neck. 

This particular 1963 Gibson ES-335 is completely original and in immaculate condition, in fact we had to pick our jaws back up off the ground when the owner opened the case!

It has many features common to the model that year, including block inlay markers on a Brazilian rosewood fretboard (these replaced dot markers in 1962), a short 3-ply black pickguard (which replaced the original long pickguard in 1960). A stop tailpiece was standard for an ES-335 at the time, but this was a custom order with a Bigsby vibrato, so the stop tailpiece holes were covered by a “Custom Made” plaque. This guitar has factory installed Kluson Deluxe tuners.

It has its original Patent Number Gibson humbucking pickups (the original patent-applied-for pickups were still used arbitrarily until the supply was exhausted in 1964), which sound simply fantastic. Down low they are clear and harmonically complex. Turn them up a little and you get that sweet crunch and articulate edge. And hit 10 to deliver that woody, sustaining, singing tone which is unique to the 335. 

The neck profile on this one is a slim D shape, somewhat common to the ES neck profiles of the early 60s. 

Weight is 8.95 lbs 

As evidenced by the photos, this guitar is in wonderful condition for its age. There is some pickwear on the pickguard, some light scratches and a very small dent on the back of the guitar, and the paint has come away at the top right side of the headstock ever so slightly. Other than these small blemishes, the guitar is in incredible shape.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a guitar lover, player and collector looking for an immaculate instrument to add to their ranks, an incredible playing and looking guitar!

Comes with its original Gibson hardshell case in good condition.