Sold/Archives
This isn’t all of them but it’s a reasonable sample of the guitars have have come and gone through OK Guitars recently. Close to 100 went out the door last year and this year looks even better. Want one? I got it. Want to sell one? I got that too.
Another 59 stop tail 355-this one a mono. I don’t use the term “holy grail” often but these are close. There are perhaps 12 known 355 stops. This is the 6th or 7th one I’ve owned.
There are 5 known 59 black ES-345’s. I’ve owned 4 of them. This is the latest and second stop tail. It is a “first rack”.
Gorgeous 59 ES-335TDN. Rare and one of the holy grails of collectors. I wish I had 10 of them.
This EDS1275 came from Steve Howe of Yes. First one I’ve ever owed. Both necks played well but the tone of the 6 string was awesome. Four, count ’em four PAFs.
Here’s a pair of gorgeous near mint 62’s. The red they used in 62 isn’t the one that fades to watermelon. Between it’s been kept out of the sun, the red is stunning. Leave it in the sun and it will go brown. PAFs all around.
First black 345 made. Also, one of three black “first rack” 345’s. Monster guitar and super rare. If you have a black 335/345/355, I’ll buy it from you.
Killer 59 mono 355. If you have one, I want it. Especially an early 59 or a 58. Or a stop tail. Or one that isn’t red.
Not too many of these around since they made less than 175 of them. How many are still in one piece given how fragile these are. This is a 64 Firebird VII with its original “fretless wonder” frets.
This was my favorite find this year-a mono 355 in factory blonde built in 59, shipped in 60. Impossibly rare.
Red dot necks are one of my favorites. Rare but not impossibly so unless you want a 59. This mid 60 went to a well known rock star.
Ya like flames on your 335? And you want a killer player? Then you want this guitar. It’s been played for sure and it has some wear in a lot of places but, oh baby, what a guitar. Stunning to look at and spectacular to play. Big fat neck and great PAFs. I’ve got repro tuners and bridge on it for playability (since I’m playing this one non stop) but the originals are in the case.
This the venerable “Mexican” It’s come back to me after five years and two owners in different corners of the world. I always loved this very early ’65. It has all 64 features including factory stop tail, nickel hardware, Brazilian board and all the other good stuff you associate with a 64. It is one of only two cherry burst stop tail 335’s known (they didn’t make this color until 65). It didn’t last a week this time around.
1959 Epi Broadway in stunning natural finish. NY pickups but a Gibson build. These are a deal if you can find them.
Epiphone Casino-first year 1961 in ultra rare Royal Olive. Only seen one other and it was a one pickup. This ones a bit faded. It’s even uglier when it isn’t.
As Bullwinkle used to say “three at once!” Yep, I’ve got three 59 ES-345’s in the shop now and each is just a little different. This is the earliest with a chunky neck and the black VT ring.
Big neck 59 with untouched double white PAFs. This is about as good as it gets. SOLD
**SOLD**They made 50 blondes in 58. Rarest of the production TDN’s. Not sure how many were bound neck and how many were unbound. This one lasted about an hour before it was gone.
**SOLD**You won’t see another one of these anytime soon. I know of just two early block necks in factory blonde. The other is a lefty 64 that lives about 35 miles away from me. This is a 63.
**SOLD**Real early (pre Mickey Mouse ear) unbound 58. This one still had its original uncollapsed thin ABR-1. Most of them collapsed within a year.
**SOLD**I could mostly care less if a guitar was owned by a celebrity but you might. This 59 ES-345 with a big fat neck was owned by Joe Bonamassa (along with about a zillion other guitars) but you get the magazine article from 2007 that proves he played this one. It’s also on his web page. No extra charge for the provenance or the American flag decal. Had a Bigsby but now has a vintage correct stop tail. Varitone circuit is functioning and converted to mono. Original PAFs.
**SOLD**Everybody wants a 59 ES-345 while the nearly identical 60 tends to get overlooked. The only difference between a 59 and a 60 is the neck profile. Still wide at the nut (sometimes even wider than a 59) but not so deep front to back. Not ultra thin like a 61 and this one has the shallow neck angle that so many covet. Save yourself thousands over a 59. This is a stunning guitar and is still bone stock.
Yet another “first rack” ES-345 from 1959. Huge neck, zebra PAF in the neck DB in the bridge. Original frets. All original except for some work on the harness and the guard. SOLD
It must be blonde appreciation month because they keep showing up at my doorstep. Beautiful late 59 blondie 345 with a transitional neck and double white, never opened PAFs. Woohoo, these babies are rare.
Mortgage the house. SOLD
Goodbye old girl. I miss you already. It’s not like I’m going to find another blonde 59 Sheraton. They only made three of them.
Stunningly beautiful and different from the rest of the 59s in the crowd. This is a factory second due to a finish issue (duh) but you’re either gonna love it or hate it (the finish that is). I love it. Huge neck-biggest I’ve ever seen on a 335. Sealed PAFs.
Well, this is nice. Everything says 59 except the numbers. Big neck, all 59 features and a nicely flamed top. All original and untouched except for the frets. This guitar has been played-it shows moderate player wear on the board and the back of the neck. Still plays great. SOLD
Pretty nice 61 dot neck, right? Busted headstock made it into a $6500 61 dot neck.
Big fat neck on this one. This is a no issue 64. Sealed patent number pickups, all original parts, never any mods at all. OK, there’s a SS# written inside the body-that’s it. One of the best 64’s I’ve had. Off to the UK on the Isle of Jersey (or Joisey as we say here)
Factory Custom ’66 ES-330 in black with ES-355 bindings and gold hardware. Has a headstock repair but is solid and stable. Probably one of a kind.
Looks like a 62 but there is hidden weirdness going on. It has a 1960 Factory Order Number and has the thinner body of a dot neck. This one went to Brazil.
So, I don’t see a black Trini for 20 years and then I get two of them within 6 months. This 66 walked into a guitar show in CT and I made the gentleman a fair offer and now you can buy it from me. Missing the plaque but otherwise all original and complete.
Near mint early to mid 65 with a big honkin’ neck. It’s almost as big as a 58. Nickel parts except for the pickup covers and a 17 degree peg head angle which is unusual on a 65.
A very rare “watermelon” ES-330. This is the only one I’ve ever seen. They started making red 330’s in 1960 at about the same time they changed the red dye so there can’t be very many out there.
One of the very first ES-335s from the Spring of 1958. Pre Mickey Mouse ears, thin top, no binding and lots of hand craftsmanship. Earliest I’ve ever had and one of the top three 335’s ever for tone. Really.
Another early unbound fingerboard 58 with a very round neck that starts big and stays that way. This is a one owner guitar bought from the family of the original owner who bought it new in 58. All original except the bridge (original is broken and in the case pocket)
**SOLD**This is actually a watermelon as well. It’s a 60 ES-345 that’s been rewired as a 335. Yep, that’s a zebra PAF in the bridge position. Cover is back on now. Varitone is gone. This guitar is a rock and roll monster. Huge tone from both PAFs. A previous owner stamped 6969 into the fingerboard past the last fret.
Cool unbound 58 with a great finish and killer tine. This one had a ticket to Ryde.
1963 stoptail ES-335. Once had a Bigsby so there are two holes in the top and four by the end pin. Never had a “Custom Made” plaque-that’s how I know it left the factory as a stop. Early patent numbers and all original/correct. **SOLD**
**SOLD** Ooh baby, big fat neck 59 mono ES-355. One of my all time favorites. I need to find another one.
Bone stock 63 ES-345. Added Bigsby but all there. Original patent number pickups and a nice medium chunky neck. $7800. Cheap.
“First rack” 59 ES-345-earliest I’ve had. Lasted about an hour and went to Paris. Wish I’d gone with it.
**SOLD**This stoptail early 60 had all the 59 features. It lasted about 30 seconds and was gone. Must have underpriced it.
**SOLD**Whyizzit that a stoptail 59 ES-335 is $30000 or more but a 59 ES-345 is less than half that? I don’t know either but that’s the reality and that’s the great bargain in ES-land. Email me for the price. Clue: it’s less than half of a 59 ES-335.
**SOLD**I’ve been getting some stellar SGs lately. This is a “Harrison” spec ’65 with a big fat neck and the widest nut I’ve ever seen on a Gibson electric. Two perfect patent number pickups. Only issue is Grovers (George had them too). Call or email
This 59 ES-335 lasted about a half hour. I barely got a chance to play it. A very cool late 59 with a transitional neck and metal inserts in the stoptail stud holes.
**SOLD**Here’s 64 that is 100% original except for the case. No mods, no changes, no nothin’. It’s been played hard and has some player wear especially the back of the neck, the frets and the fingerboard. Still plays great and sounds great. Never had a Bigsby or other tuners. Like I said 100% original. I even threw in a vintage correct case. $14000
**SOLD**Somebody say mint? This 63 was darn close. Interestingly, it had factory sealed pickups that were out of phase. Unusual but not unheard of.
**SOLD**This one just killed. A Mickey Mouse ear 62 with PAFs and close to mint. Lucky guy in the Pacific Northwest snared this beauty.
**SOLD**What makes this PAF equipped 64 a player at half the price of a collector grade? Gibson replaced the neck with a fat 59 neck in 2004. Certainly not an investment piece but you can play the crap out of it.
**SOLD**”Harrison Spec” SG. It’s a 65 with all the 64 features. I bought this unbroken 9.5 beauty from the nephew of the original owner. He included a copy of the sales receipt form 1965. The name on the receipt? Harrison. Turns out his first name was George but it isn’t on the receipt. I could’ve charged an extra $800,000 or so.
**SOLD**Doesn’t get much cooler than this. Factory ’67 black Trini Lopez.
This 63 came from Georgia and had everything-big neck, Mickey Mouse Ears and one PAF one Pat#. Oh and near mint. Went to Oz.
Another red 64 gone. I’ve never had a bad one.
**SOLD** A very nice 61 ES-355 Mono with a 60 factory order number. It wasn’t unusual with low volume models like the 355 mono to have a FON from the previous year.
**SOLD** This 58 FON mono 355 with a 59 serial number had a thin 58 top and a humongous neck profile. And that “watermelon” fade.
**SOLD** Who doesn’t love a 58? Lots of little issues and played long and hard. That’s how you know its a great one.
The only thing that said 65 on this one was the serial number. This had all the 64 features.
Totally stunning 64 that didn’t last a day. Close to the Clapton serial # and all original.
**SOLD**2007 Nashville Historic 59 reissue. Not vintage but a real nice guitar.
65 ES-335 with a big 64 size neck and a 17 degree peghead angle. Pretty unusual and pretty gone.
Mint and I mean mint 60 ES-345. Cleanest I’ve ever seen. Even the ribbon on the case pocket was perfect. Sounds great too. SOLD
This 60 dot neck ES-335 had a lot of 59 features (knobs, tuners) and played like a dream.
I wuz gonna keep it but someone made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. The elusive and über rare red 59 dot neck. Gone but not forgotten.
**SOLD**Here’s a great old 61 dot neck. It’s been refretted but has no mods or changes. Nice top too and all original electronics and solder. Never opened PAFs although one is missing its sticker. $13,000
RECENT SALES:
Watch the Byrdie. Gone and gone fast. These are really rare and beautiful. This is a very late 60.
This one’s a beauty. It’s a 1962 MONO 355 that’s a solid 9.5. One chip on the back and a filled extra strap button hole by the butt end and the rest is stunning. PAFs, a Sideways that works and even holds tune (I’m flabbergasted). Gone to the great state of Texas
I never even got to do my own photos. This one lasted 16 hours in my hands and with good reason. What a player.
This one will live in my heart forever. Prettiest guitar I ever saw. Early 60 with all the 59 features and 59 FON. Gone to live on an island in the English Channel. Lucky bastard.
This 64 Mono 355 is a pretty rare bird.. Off to the far West of British Columbia which is, oddly, where I found it. A 64 with a sideways. Odd.
Rarest Gibson color there is. Argentine Grey. Neither Argentine, nor grey, it’ still pretty cool and it’s pretty sold too.
We had a flurry of early SGs here for a while. This is a 62 that I should have kept. Sometimes I let stuff go too cheap. Who gets a 62 SG for $5500???? OK, the PAFs were gone but it had a great pair of Sheptones.
Here’s another opportunity-in case you missed that 64-to get an early 60’s block neck without taking out a second mortgage. It’s an original stoptail and it’s a 1962. OK, it’s been pro refinished but I won’t tell anyone.
Au Revoir. mon ami. Off to somewhere in France I can’t even pronounce. 64 SG that was a sweetheart. Too bad the gorillas at Fedex busted it. But the great Dan Erlewine (and his faithful sidekick Elliot) put it right.
**SOLD**How cool is this? An original blonde ES 330 probably a 69. It’s got to be a custom-it has a 5 piece maple neck, no volute or made in USA and, get this, fretless wonder frets.
**SOLD** This 63 Les Paul/SG was close to mint and had an unbelievable neck. Very wide, not too flat and with some big shoulders. This is the one that got me buying up 61-65 SGs.
**SOLD** Didja know that 63 sunburst ES-345’s are really rare? There are only 117 of them. I don’t see many 63’s come to think of it.
*SOLD* Dead mint. I don’t think this guitar was ever played. The Bigsby (on the floor in the foreground) looked like it had barely been touched. A stunning ’61 ES-345
**SOLD** Pssst…want to know a secret? The early 65’s are every bit as nice as the 64 as long as you get the big neck. The difference in tone between a trapeze and a stop? Not much. Really.
**SOLD** The guy who bought this ’59 ES-330 also bought a 64 345. My first ES was a 63 and was a favorite when I was 14 or so.
*SOLD* Who doesn’t like a 59 with a stoptail? This is an early one with the black VT ring and a greta sounding guitar. It ended up in Nashville where it belongs, I think.
**SOLD**This wonderful ’64 came from the wilds of Quebec from a gentleman who owned it since he was 14 (since 1966) It was one of the best playing 335s I’ve had.
*SOLD* I barely even got to play this ’59 ES-355. It went off to Japan within a couple of days of when I got it. I don’t get a lot of 355s but when I do I’m always impressed. very classy guitars
**SOLD**Refins can be a great deal. While candy apple red is not my first color choice, it looked pretty cool on this one. I think this early 62 dot neck is actually Gibsons “Sparkling Burgundy” and it looked like a factory job.
**SOLD**This is the One Owner 1959 ES-175 I Wrote About $8500-All original except the case. Factory Bigsby. Tuners were changed but the originals are in the Case. No Extra Holes Drilled. Email okguitars@gmail.com
**SOLD** This 64 ES-345 was mint. You’d think it was never played.
**SOLD**Where else you gonna get a guitar with a pair of unopened PAFs? From me, that’s where. This is a 62 Les Paul/SG. Solid neck with no breaks or repairs. Little fix by the output jack and some player wear but whaddya want for under $9000. It’s $8800 and has iys original case.
**SOLD**62 ES-335
**SOLD**I got this at an auction. I’m not much of an archtop guy but this one really screamed “BUY ME”. It’s a 1958 ES-350T. It has a repair on the side of the bass bout but what a beauty. PAFs, too.
**SOLD** You should have jumped on this one for $10,500 because you won’t easily find another at this price that isn’t full of holes. Snooze you lose. Here’s an original stop tail-no extra holes anywhere. It’s been “Claptonized” with a set of faded gold patent pending Grovers and a “custom” TRC. If I can find some all black knobs and a hare krishna sticker, I’ll be done. $12,000.
**SOLD**’Another great “Custom Made” 64. These are always a great deal
Unless you’re Keith Richards, pretty much the only way to get a black one is to refinish it. This one went to very cool guy (who just won a Grammy)
Eighties 335s can be really nice guitars. I liked this one a lot.
This one didn’t last 24 hours. These 64 “Custom Made” 335’s are really popular and well priced. Best neck ever, too.
SOLD**”The Hoosier” The finest 1961 ES-335 in all of Indiana (so named because, uh, Indians once lived there).
**SOLD**Here’s a really nice player grade ’61 dot neck ES-335. Great pair of PAFs and 100% original. It’s got gorgeous figuring on the back. I don’t know why the front isn’t as nice as the back. The only thing that makes this a player grade is three tiny holes by the end pin from a trapeze. No holes on top. $17,500**SOLD**
**SOLD**Everybody here loves a 59 and why not. Big fat neck and Mickey Mouse ears and long magnet PAFs. This one’s got a zebra PAF-I just can’t remember where it is. I’m guessing neck. Rewired as a 335 just like you were going to do yourself. **SOLD**
**SOLD**’61 dot neck 335. So, it’s got a headstock repair. It happens. get over it. Still a very cool fiddle and a great, great player. This one came from Phoenix. Sold to one of my guitar buds in Canada.**SOLD**
**SOLD**64 ES 345. This didn’t last a week. **SOLD**
**SOLD**How cool is this? A 59 ES-345 in RED. According to “The Gibson ES-335” by Adrian Ingram, this guitar doesn’t exist. I think it does.**SOLD**
**SOLD**Early 65 Fender Jazzmaster in Lake Placid Blue. This guitar is a one owner guitar (besides me) and is 100% with no issues at all. okguitars@gmail.com**SOLD**
**SOLD A great playing, great sounding 66 with a slightly wider nut than you would expect. All original except added stop tail and repro Klusons. SOLD**
**SOLDThe always popular “Custom Made” ES-335 from 1964. Call it a “convertible” since it has studs, a stop and a Bigsby. All original. okguitars@gmail.com SOLD**
**SOLD and it wasn’t even for sale. I was going to play this one. This is the 63 I mentioned that was originally a Bigsby model but someone who was apparently visually handicapped decided to put the stop tail about an inch too low. If you put it where it belongs, you get 2 huge holes that would need to be filled. If you leave it where it is, it will always look glaringly wrong, even if it functions perfectly. **SOLD**
**SOLD**I swore I would keep this one but it has generated so much interest that I’m putting it out there. It is ‘The Mexican”-a very early 1965 original stop tail cherryburst ES-335. There are very, very few 65 stop tails (they switched to trapeze in 65). It is a NO ISSUE guitar except for one bent tuner which works fine. The guitar has all the 64 features including nickel hardware, single line Klusons and big 64 neck profile. Off to AUSTRIA** SOLD**
ES-335 Serial is 23 From Clapton’s “Crossroads” 335. SOLD
**SOLD**1965 SG Standard-All 64 Features-All Original**SOLD**
The rare, rare, rare Pelham Blue Trini SOLD
2006 ES-335 Nashville Historic SOLD
**SOLD**This 1966 ES 345 is the shiniest, cleanest I’ve ever seen. An easy 9.5+. The only issue is the case isn’t original. **SOLD**
**1964 Jazzmaster in Olympic White. All original except for the bridge cover. Has the rare “A” neck and, for some strange reason, no side dot markers until the 15th fret. How weird is that? SOLD**
Charlie,
The ’06 ’59 Hisotirc is all I hoped it would be and taken it’s place beside my ’03.
Felt like an old friend right off the bat.
Thanks!,
Larry
I hand pick every guitar I acquire. Because I don’t overpay, I don’t overcharge. If I acquire a guitar that I don’t love, I don’t list it on my site. When I buy a guitar, I generally insist on an approval period so I can return a guitar that doesn’t play the way it should. If it’s fixable by doing a proper setup, then that’s what I do. If it’s not all original or correct, I have a big parts bin that I can go to to make it right. I always disclose when parts aren’t original even if they are correct and you’d never know. I buy guitars from sellers who get in touch with me and I buy some from Ebay or Craigslist. I rarely buy from big dealers because they are almost always overpriced for the current market. If that changes, I’ll start looking at their inventory again. I do buy from small dealers like me who aren’t looking for a huge payday, just a reasonable price for the guitar they have in hand. I’m glad the 2006 worked for you. I had bought that one for myself to play but I found the neck a little too large for my hands. Interestingly, I found the 63 Historic too small. I think Gibson needs to do a 64 reissue Historic. Actually, they already did it but they sold them out at $12,000 each. That was the Clapton Crossroads which is, in my opinion, the best guitar Gibson has produced in the past 45 years. It rivals the real 64.
How do you feel about reproduction guitars, not fakes, but bench copies. I am trying to get as close to the original dot neck 59 blond as possible?
I am doing it. Are you interested in my project?
Sure. Send me some photos. I’ll tell you if it will fool anyone. I can’t tell you if it will be a good guitar but your ears and your fingers will tell you that. How do you form the plywood into its shape without a giant machine?
I value your opinion….I’m considering the following:
2004 Gibson ES-335 Mephis (blue)
1996 Orville ES-335
2005 Gibson ES-335 (red, no flame)
I’m having a hard time deciding. Any advice re good/bad/better, etc.?
I;d appreciate your expertise
mike
Get the one that you like to play. I really like Orvilles but later Memphis 335’s have gotten pretty good too. The 2005 Memphis model can be kind of crappy due to poor craftsmanship but look at 2009 and later. The Orville is very well built but doesn’t say Gibson on it. Still a good inexpensive alternative. Skip the blue one. You’ll never resell it.
I have a 1963 Gibson ES 355 that I bought new in 63. I am looking for someone to appraise the guitar and case. I would never sell it for any amount of money, but would like to know the value for my own personal information.
The guitar is mint! Now when I say mint, I actually mean a 10 out of a 10.
The body looks like new, and the gold on the pickups, Bigsby, tuners, has not faded in the least. The bindings have very slightly aged in color, but that is the extent of any signs of age on the guitar. The case is probably a 8 1/2 or a 9 on the scale. I have been offered tremendous amounts of money over the years, but there is just not enough money anywhere that could buy the guitar. Dont want to sound arrogant, but this is one guitar I will never sell.
thank you
I understand not ever wanting to sell your guitar but it might be wise to make sure it goes to someone who will appreciate it once you’re gone. I can’t tell you how many guitars I see that have been inherited that people just want to get rid of. You realize, of course, that you can’t take it with you. Send me some photos and I’ll be happy to appraise it at no charge. Send photos to me at okguitars@gmail.com.
I will be happy to send you some good quality pics for you to see the condition of the guitar and case. I have approx. 33 or 34 different guitars and have them already in my will on which ones go to which family member. The ones I value so much have already been discussed with at length with these members of my family, and they realize what they mean to me. I will get the photos in to you asap.
thank you for your reply
Good idea. Keeps the family from fighting over the 59 Les Paul. I’ll be happy to post the photos.
Hello. I respect your knowledge and experience, and I have a question. I received a new ES-335 Satin finish as a gift a few months ago. It’s a great guitar, but the pickups are so hot it’s barely playable (at least for me). It really surprised me just how hot these pickups are. The guitar is all original. I’m thinking of trading it in on something that isn’t so overpowering. Did I simply get a bad one? What is your thought?
I also meant to ask your opinion on the value of these satin finish 335s. Would I regret it from a value perspective (thinking several years down the road) if I get rid of it?
I’m not a big fan of the lower level 335s made today. The satin finish isn’t terribly attractive to me (nor is the VOS). I like the Historics but they are expensive. If you don’t like the way the guitar sounds, then trade it or sell it. Life’s too short to play a guitar you don’t love.
I would sell it and find a 335 from 81-85. You can find a red one or a sunburst for around $1800 if you look hard enough. The pickups on these tend to be a little dark and they are not overly hot-ever. They are great guitars and fairly consistent in quality.
i have a 335, checks out to be a ’67. what’s unusuai is that it has 345 neck inlay. mono, no varitone, pretty much standard issue 335 apart from the paralell– inlay. sure it must have beec a cutom order, or re-neck
? finish looks cherry to me, possibly burgundy mist? not faded out to greenish. any ideas ’bout it? thanks, walter warner
Send me a photo. I love one-offs. It is probably what Gibson called Sparkling Burgundy which was very close to Candy Apple Red. It tends to be darker than Fender CAR but it isn’t exactly burgundy either. Renecks are easy to spot-the serial number is usually larger than normal. Someone may also have just changed the fingerboard-I’ve seen that too.
Hey-I have a question. I recently played a 1968 ES 335. I liked it, sounds amazing, but the neck seemed a little small. I want to invest in a vintage ES 335 but don’t have the cash for an early 60s one. Is it easy to get used to these smaller necks? Do a lot of people have a lot of problems with them?
Thanks!
Hi,
This aussie scmuck just bought a lovely (new) black BBK “Lucille” 355 on ebay.
There is a serial number but otherwise nothing to suggest it’s a Gibson.
It just came in an otherwise empty Gibson ‘BB King Custom’ case, no names no pack drill. It has Grover pickups, all the scmicko hardware and furniture, -just no Gibson anywhere to speak of. It has BB King inlaid in real black MOP on the headstock and the mop in the rosewood neck is very snug. It’s the most awesome guitar I’ve ever played, and guitarist friends agree it’s a tyrannosaurus. The polish isn’t quite perfect (nearly), the finish is a little slack around obscure areas of the binding but otherwise it’s all F’ing sensational.
Is this a friday Gibson or some strange martian copy?
love your site,
your sudden 335 addict
john
Buying a 68 if you can’t afford an earlier wide neck 335 is not a bad idea but play it (or one like it first). Most folks can get used to the narrow neck in a few hours to maybe a few days. It isn’t that different from a lot of Fender necks and people don’t spend nearly as much time moaning about them. There is a general feeling in the Forums that skinny necks are bad and fat necks are great (sounds like some have made a leap to certain body part comparisons). that’s mostly BS like high DC resistance PAFs being “hotter” than lower ones. There is nothing wrong with a 68 neck. I prefer the wider one just to get a little more space for the cowboy chords but I’ve played the skinny ones and have no problem after an hour or two.
I need a photo to comment.
I have a ’60s 335 that I not playing much and I would like to sell but it has a past. I picked up a poor neck-less ES-335 in the early ’80s with mickey mouse ears and a union made label and a serial number that was un-readable. It sat for a while and on a trip that I made to Heritage in Kalamazoo Michigan to get a Sweet 16, they convinced me to give it to them to re-neck. The neck is wonderful and the guitar plays really well with the bridge pretty much right on the pavement. I was fortunate to have Larry Carlton play it once and he deemed it wonderful.
To net it out I have a 335 that is a wonderful player (better that what you find at guitar center) but definitely not original and I have no idea what is a fair price for it. Any help would be appreciated and I will be happy to supply pictures. I wouldn’t mind keeping it but I am done playing out and play mainly 7 string at home now. My closet is also full. I would love to see a kid get it that will really appreciates it.
Arnie
Hi Arnie. Glad to take a gander at it. Send photos to okguitars@gmail.com.
I have ’62 cherry red ES 335!..SN 76695!Just saw it’s sister 76694 on another site!….Too cool!…You have beautiful site here!…Thank You and God Bless!
found it’s other sister today!…..76696 !!
Hello, just have a question and hopefully you or someone might have an answer. I own a 1966 Gibson es345(serial # puts it here) and it has an unusual inlay on the first fret. I have never seen this on any 345 from any year. I can’t describe it(like 2 smaller crowns back to back, but solid). If anyone knows anything please let me know, thanks.
Send me a photo at okguitars@gmail.com and I’ll have a look. It most likely isn’t factory. Custom inlays were the most common aftermarket mod back then (I was there). Gibson did use first fret inlays on some guitars and used them fairly routinely in 1961 on 345s. Not in ’66 and not inlays that were different from the others in shape.
hi – just saw the mexican 1965 es335 in cherry burst.
is that axe still available?
brgds gerry
Rare guitar and long gone. Wish I could find another.
Any thoughts about Gibson ES 225’s?
Thanks,
Bill
Yes. I think they are incredibly underrated.
Hello. I had my entire musical collection stolen recently.
This includes my Gibson 335 and 355.
Here is a link to the guitar descriptions.
If anyone sees these guitars around please contact me and the police.
My insurance did not cover the theft and so I was left with absolutely nothing.
Our Uhual truck was stolen in Vernon BC during our move from Vancouver to Calgary, and so we lost everything, baby crib, clothing, guitars, etc.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?requestSource=b&adId=1202761031
Thank you for your help.
RYAN
As long as everyone and their dog wants a ’58 or ’59, that’ll keep the 70s 355s reasonably priced. Personally, I think the 70s 355s are every bit as magical. Then again, perhaps the late 50s and early 60s ones are a tad overrated.
There are some good 335s from the 70’s but in my experience, more than half of them are really heavy or poorly constructed (especially later 70’s).
There’s a good reason that 70’s Gibsons cost less than 60’s or 50’s Gibsons. They simply aren’t as good. I’ll put ANY 58-64 335 against the best 70’s 335 you can find. The consistency of the early 335’s is extraordinary. I’ve owned 600 and of that 600, only one was an irredeemable dog and maybe 3 or 4 have been marginal at best.