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1960 Gibson ES-355TD/SV

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Serial #: A-34358, orange label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 3/4" Nut Width: 1 9/16"

Finish: Cherry finish, nitrocellulose type

Materials: Solid Honduras mahogany neck; arched maple top and back; maple sides; solid ebony fingerboard.

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin PAF humbucking pickups with original covers; black reflector cap volume and tone knobs; 5 ply long contour bound tortoise pickguard with gold support bracket; gold Grover Pat Pending Rotomatic tuners; stereo Varitone tone selector; factory original gold Bigsby vibriola; Gibson Stereo truss rod cover; original medium jumbo frets. Gold ABR-1 Tuneamatic bridge with metal saddles and wire retainer.

Notes: Introduced in 1958, the ES-355 TD/SV was the pinnacle of Gibson's new Thinline series, combining 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 Varitone electronics added unprecedented technology: stereo sound. Small wonder that the 355 became an instant classic, and has remained one of the worlds' most innovative electric guitars to this day. (BB King's 355 is named Lucille, of course, and other notable players include Eric Clapton, Chuck Berry, and Keith Richards.)

Gibson went top-drawer with the appointments on the 355, including the Super 400 style peghead inlay, solid ebony fingerboard, multi-bound tortoise pickguard, and all gold hardware throughout. The earliest ES-355s were supplied with gold Bigsby vibrolas as standard equipment, and equipped with the long pickguard and Pat Pending gold Grover Rotomatic tuners, all of which remain fitted to this outstanding example, in addition to its twin original gold PAF sticker pickups.

This stunning guitar is one of just 189 of the stereo versions made in its model year. Supplied by its owner of many years, she's been kept in superb condition, with all original cherry finish, and no cracks, pick, buckle, thumb or fingerboard wear. The twin PAF pickups produce a smooth, high output signal with lots of snap and sustain, and the range of tonal colors is unmatched in any Gibson electric. This example has a particularly fast, comfy neck, as the instrument was refitted by Gibson in the late '60s with a factory neck in the classic sleek profile of the era, with smooth low action over fine Gibson medium jumbo frets. An ideal choice for the player looking for true late 50's tone, with smooth late '60s neck feel, this remarkable instrument offers the best of both worlds. An outstanding value in a true PAF equipped classic Gibson from the dawn of the Golden Age.

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 arched plushlined hardshell case.

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