Have a Gibson to Sell?
If you have an old guitar that you’d like to sell, I might be interested in buying from you. For me to be interested, it should say “Gibson” on the headstock (where the tuners are) and it should look something like the guitars below. I buy every guitar of this type that comes to me provided it was built between 1958 and 1965 and we can come to an agreement on the price. I will help you date it if you are unsure. Usually, I will make you an offer based on the book value minus my usual markup and overhead. If you have a price in mind, it should not be based on a bunch of prices of unsold guitars you found on Ebay or Gbase. If I’m paying cash for your guitar today, please understand that you might be able to sell it for more than I offer you but it will likely take you a long time to do so. These guitars rarely sell overnight. You are, essentially, making a choice. You can sell it today for a fair wholesale price or you can try to sell it yourself at a retail price. I pay you immediately. If you sell it on Ebay and you don’t know what you have, you could be selling it for thousands less than it is worth. There are also a lot of scammers out there who will take your guitar and not pay you. On the other hand, you could get more than I offer and it could happen very quickly. I urge you to try if you’re willing to do the homework and brave the open market because you will get more for it at retail. I am, however, the sure thing. If you can see a model name, I buy ES-335, ES-345, ES-355 guitars from 1958-1965. I may buy later guitars. It doesn’t hurt (or cost anything) to ask. I don’t buy any guitars made after 1985. I also may buy Gibson Les Paul models, SG models, Firebirds and archtops from before 1965. I occasionally buy Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters and Jazzmasters. I buy Fender tweed covered amps built between 1955 and 1961. Finally, I can help you sell it for yourself. I will sell your guitar for you on this site and my Gbase site and possibly on Ebay and take a percentage of the final price. Just email me a description and a couple of photos if you can to okguitars@gmail.com
If your guitar looks sort of like this and says Gibson, I want it. This is an ES-335.
This is an ES-345 with a Bigsby tremolo tailpiece. It is typically worth a bit less than a 335 unless it is finished in natural like this one. The Bigsby tailpiece takes 25% off the value as well. I want these, too.
If you have an old one that looks like this or like this with a gold finish, I’m interested in that as well. This is a Les Paul model.
If you have one that looks like this and is old, I might be interested as well. This was also called a Les Paul model between 1961 and 1963 but was later called an SG. If you have one made between 1961 and 1965, I’ll be buying that too.
This is a “reverse” Firebird. If you have one that looks kind of like this (it can be one two or three pickups), I’ll be interested in buying it. These were only made from 1963-1964 with a few shipped in 1965. It has been reissued. I am not interested in the reissues.
I have a Gibson 345 but not sure of the year. The serial # is 052229 Its hard to determine for sure what year that is from the gibson website. It has a headstock repair and in very good condition. Trying to find out what it might be worth.
There are a lot of changes made to that guitar. A headstock repair cuts the value by 40-50%. The changed bridge, the added ( and incorrrectly positioned) stop tail, changed pickups all affect the value. It appears to be a 67. I would value it at perhaps $2000. Maybe less. Depends on how bad the break is and how well repaired it is.
Email me at okguitars@gmail.com. Include a photo.
Hello,
I’ve a question about a Gibson ES 345 TD serial number 06104338. What do you think about the year?
All the best, Jack.
I have a friend’s ’63 es335. The headstock was cracked off and reattached and a couple of the tuners have been replaced, with one a bit bent. The trapeze tailpiece was swapped out for a stop tailpiece (original screw holes sill visible). The guitar plays and sounds like a million bucks. Do these type of inperfections greatly reduce the value?
Thanks. I thought as much. The key for me, as a player, is that this guiter really delilvers. I run that through a “57 Fender Pro and it’s gold. This probably isn’t appropriate for this thread, but I respect your opinion. If I wanted to create a legacy for my son, would I be crazy to by a custom shop 335 new? Thanks for the feedback.
Perfectly fine but if you buy, say, a 65, you get a 50 year head start and a guarantee that it will always be more valuable than that custom shop 335. An average 65 (big neck) is a few thousand more than a top of the line new custom shop 335.
A 63 wouldn’t ever have had a trapeze, so it probably isn’t a 63. Trapeze started in 65. Broken headstock if well repaired takes about a 40% bite out of the value. The tuners make very little difference since you can always find vintage correct tuners. You cannot, however, unbreak a headstock.
How are you, I’m in a situation where i must sell my fathers 1967 Gibson es335. Its in great shape give it a 7 out of ten. It was a 12 string converter to 6, but still have original hardware for the 12. Ie tuners…please let me know if you are interested.
It wouldn’t be a guitar I would buy. I generally buy 335’s from 65 or earlier. I might have been interested if it was still a 12 string. You’ll do better selling it on the open market. A well done conversion shouldn’t be too hard to sell.
That would be a 2004 using Gibsons current system of numbering. They did some weird stuff with serials in the 70’s so if it looks much older then I would need to see a photo.
I have a Gibson 1968– 355 for sale…2 owners……mint condition…..Has original case also………Please contact me ASAP…Thanks
I have a 1965 cherry 335 that I have owned since new. It’s in good condition for the year, although it seldom comes out of it’s case these days.
I may be interested in selling if the price is right. Contact me if you are making a serious offer.
Bill D
Hi, Am looking at buying a ’63 335. It’s being discussed on TGP and someone recommended I contact you as a good indicator of what it’s worth?
I can supply pics…
Main issues. It’s in player condition, bridge pick up is non original, has two toggle holes that were filled, and has an access hole put into the back (done professionally) I believe all mods were done in the early 70’s
Obviously the mods decrease the value… Interested in what you think it would be worth
Thanks
I have a near mint 1967 ES 335 for sale. Thin neck. All original with no mods but one. The first owner sent it back to Gibson to have them apply a stinger to the back of the headstock. No repairs made just the stinger painted and I have the original paperwork for the work. The finish shows checking as to be expected but there are no cracks, scratches, etc. Sunburst finish and non gibson but period correct case included. Photos upon request.
Send me an email at okguitars@gmail.com. Include a photo of the front, back, headstock (front and back). Thank you.
I don’t buy many post 64 335’s but sometimes I do.
Is this a Genuine 89 335,plays great sound lovely but people keep saying its not real as it doesnt have made in USA stamped in back of Headstock just the serial number and a corresponding label inside the body
I’m good but not that good. The phrase “people keep saying” has come to mean “nobody is saying this but I am” You can thank our president for that. Send me some photos. I can tell you only that the label looks right. I would guess that nobody would bother counterfeiting/faking an 89.