Up for sale, a 1969 Gibson ES-335 TDC in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. This 335 is a transitional example with a three-piece mahogany neck, medium-sized volute, Kalamazoo orange label, and no “Made in USA” stamp on the peghead. This particular ES-335 has been converted with a stopbar tailpiece, loaded with the original pair of Pat. No. T Top humbuckers.
The semi-hollow maple construction (maple centerblock) results in a bold, sweet natural acoustic character, providing an ideal platform for the pair of T Top humbuckers. The bridge pickup has a sparkling cut and growl, immediate and potent with a full midrange presence. The neck position is inherently fatter, with a bold, woody cut suited to both lead work and complex chording. This ES-335 weighs 7lbs 14oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany (three-piece)
-Shape: Slender C, measuring .795” 1st fret, .955” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, small block inlay
-Frets: Medium jumbo, leveled/crowned, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 9/16”
-Tuners: Kluson Deluxe double-line (modern, vintage-spec)
-Serialization: Six-digit, stamped
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple (maple centerblock)
-Pickups: T Top humbucker x2, Pat. # stickers on baseplates, neck meters 7.55k, bridge 7.65k
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles (Pat # w/ foundry stamp), stopbar tailpiece (added)
-Plastics: Four-ply pickguard, witch hat knobs, pickup surrounds
-Label: Kalamazoo orange oval, serial matches peghead
The gloss Cherry Red nitro lacquer finish is dark and saturated, exhibiting a bit of vertical checking across the body. The small mounting holes for the trapeze tailpiece have been cleanly doweled, and with minor buckle wear and cable worming on the back central to the lower bout, some strap-related finish wear around the lower strap button, and a few small dings along the lower bout perimeter. The gloss on the neck profile is clean and smooth, free of palm wear, and there is a small spot of lightly worn finish on the back of the peghead between the G and D tuners from a removed sticker.
The original black tolex hardshell case is included. The name of a previous owner (Ron “Sugarbear” Harper) is prominently stenciled on the lid.