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1960 Gibson ES-345TDC

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Serial #: A-35220, orange label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24.9" Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Finish: Original cherry finish, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Solid Honduras mahogany neck; maple top, back, and sides; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin Patent Applied For pickups, original stop tailpiece and studs; original black bonnet volume and tone knobs; original beveled b/w/b/w/b pickguard with gold support bracket; original; original Varitone selector knob; original Gibson Stereo truss rod cover. Vintage correct antiqued gold Kluson Deluxe tuners with single ring tulip pegs, vintage correct gold ABR-1 Tuneamatic bridge installed (original gold ABR-1 in case, with original Varitone wiring harness.)

Notes: Introduced in the Spring of 1959, the ES-345 was an upmarket upgrade to the popular ES-335, combining Gibson's reputation for cutting-edge innovation with classic traditional design. The thin body was easier for players to hold than conventional archtops, the inner block enhanced sustain and reduced feedback, and the revolutionary Patent Applied For humbucking pickups set a standard of performance unmatched to this day. With its elegant gold hardware throughout, the 345 became an instant classic, and remained one of the worlds' most innovative electric guitars until regular production ceased over 20 years ago.

This fine example is from the first year for the cherry finish model (TDC), and is one of just 252 produced in its model year. A lovingly maintained instrument, its original nitrocellulose finish is free of pick, thumb or fingerboard wear, and shows some attractive flame figure in the back, with only very light normal checking and just a few scattered lacquer dings. The neck has the full 1 11/16" nut width and the gentle D profile. Just slightly slimmer front to back than the bigger 50's necks, the profile of this model year is effortlessly playable, and one of the most desirable of all Gibson necks. The frets are original and in excellent shape: the classic mid-60's medium-jumbos, famously easy on the fingers.

The body and neck are well balanced, and at just 7lb. 14oz., the instrument sits comfortably on the lap or the shoulder. The original gold PAF pickups produce a smooth, high output signal with all the snap, crunch and sustain you'd expect from the world's most sought after electronics. The wiring has been converted to a traditional ES-335 configuration, and the original black alligator case contains the complete original Varitone electronics, along with the original gold ABR-1 Tuneamatic bridge. An old peghead repair has been seamlessly executed and immaculately touched in with original style nitrocellulose lacquer, and a vintage correct hand antiqued set of genuine gold Kluson Deluxe single ring, single line tuners has been installed.

With the price of original PAF 335's reaching stratospheric heights, this rare and handsome alternative delivers all the performance, and true vintage quality, at the price of some high-end reissues. Call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation set; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; body and neck cleaned and hand polished.

Case: Original Gibson black alligator hardshell case.

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