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1962 Gibson ES-335 TDC

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Serial #: 73858, stamped in headstock, orange oval label

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24 1/2" Nut Width: 1 11/16" Neck depth, 1st/10th frets: .80/.88 Weight: 7lb. 6oz.

Materials: Solid Honduras mahogany neck; arched maple laminate body; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard.

Hardware: All nickel hardware includes twin Patent Applied For pickups with original covers and electronics; no-wire ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge with original saddles; aluminum stop tailpiece; black reflector cap volume and tone knobs; beveled b/w/b/w/b pickguard with support bracket; Kluson Deluxe tuners with double ring tulip pegs; 3 way pickup selector switch.

Notes: Introduced in 1958, the ES-335 cemented Gibson's reputation for cutting-edge innovation combined with classic traditional design. The thin body was easier for players to hold, the inner block enhanced sustain and reduced feedback, and the new PAF humbucking pickups set a new standard for quiet operation, high output, and sweet, fat tone. Small wonder that the 335 became an instant classic, and has remained one of the world's most popular electric guitars to this day.

1962 was a great year for the 335: the last for the coveted Patent Applied For humbucking pickups, and the very first for the block inlay fingerboard. The arched maple body still retained the original stop tailpiece design, for superior sustain and feedback resistance. And finally, the neck is regarded by many as among Gibson's most playable, combining the full width 1 11/16" nut with the elegant, medium D profile contour. The classic cherry finish option, designated TDC ("Thin Double-pickup Cherry finish"), was introduced in 1960, and has remained in production until this day.

This handsome example has it all: the original PAF pickups, no-wire ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge, aluminum stop tailpiece, single-line Kluson Deluxe tuners with double-ring tulip pegs, right down to the original wide bevel 5-ply pickguard and black reflector cap knobs. The body and neck show no cracks, and the original cherry finish is remarkably free of pick marks, with some light scattered checking. Playwear is mostly confined to some buckle rash on the back, a few lacquer chips at the neck joint, and a small fingernail divot by the bridge. The handsome Honduras mahogany neck has been reset and refretted to original specs, with a fresh coat of true nitro finish applied, complete with vintage appropriate age checking.

At just 7lb 6oz, the guitar is pounds lighter than later models, and balances deftly on the lap or the strap. The binding is all original and tight to the body, and the action is smooth and low over a fresh high precision setup. Pots and wiring harness are all original as well, including the iconic Sprague .022 'Bumble Bee' caps. The PAF pickups measure 7.25K at the neck and 7.50K at the bridge, with the matchless tone that launched countless hit records from the late 50's to the early 60's. And all tucked neatly into the Ess and Ess 'pebble cover' arched lid hardshell case, with gold plush lining and Gibson logo badge.

A rare find, from an era when Gibson design and craftsmanship were both at their pinnacle, and an outstanding example of one of the most desirable electric guitars of all time. One only: call now.

Setup: Trussrod tension and neck relief adjusted; bridge height adjusted; bridge compensation strobe tuned; bridge wheels and tuners lubricated; fingerboard and bridge oiled; pickup height, polepieces and balance adjusted; body and neck cleaned and hand polished. String action set to 4/64" to 5/64" at the 12th fret, with light gauge nickel roundwound strings.

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