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1969 Gibson ES-335TDW

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Serial #: 849801, orange oval label, and stamped in headstock

Body size at lower bout: 16" Scale length: 24 1/2" Nut Width: 1 19/32" Neck depth, 1st/12th frets: .82/1.01

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

Hardware: Original hardware includes twin Patent sticker pickups with aged nickel covers and ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge with nylon saddles. Vintage aluminum stop tailpiece. Vintage style aged hardware includes black bell volume and tone knobs, wide beveled 5 ply pickguard with aged nickel support bracket, and Kluson Deluxe tuners. (Original chrome tailpiece and pickup covers included.)

Notes: 'Don't Mess With Texas'. It says so right on the case.

Introduced in 1958, the ES-335TD ("Thin Double-pickup") 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.

This rare transitional example is one of the last built in the classic pre-Norlin era, and one of the very first produced with the lustrous deep walnut finish. The guitar is fitted with the traditional Gibson orange oval label, the 60's style no-volute neck, and is absent the 'Made in USA' stamp on the headstock. Accoringly, we believe this guitar left the factory sometime in late 1969, and must be one of the very few examples with this unique configuration.

A fine professional stop tail conversion, the guitar retains its original Pat. Sticker 'T-Top' humbuckers and electronics, as well as its ABR-1 Tuneomatic bridge. The pickups provide a smooth, highly saturated signal with lots of depth, and the stop tail gives the guitar the increased sustain and bluesy eloquence of the most treasured late 50's examples. The gleaming walnut finish shows the slab-cut figured maple body to great advantage, and contrasts elegantly with the jet-black wide-bevel pickguard and control knobs.

The instrument shows no cracks or repairs, and is remarkably free of pick or fingerboard wear, with a bit of older thumbwear on the neck, some scattered lacquer dings and wear on the back and headstock, and light normal age checking in the all-original finish. The neck has a fast, easy "C" profile, with smooth low action over a fresh high-precision setup on fine pro fretwork.

Direct from the Lone Star State, one of the very last old school Gibson 335s, complete with its original arched black Gibson plush lined hardshell case (bumperstickers included.) A true rarity, and an outstanding player for the working player or weekend warrior alike. One only: 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.

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