2002 Epiphone Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot Natural w/ Open Book Headstock, Case & Tag, Japan Terada
$2,699.99
$2,699.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 2002 Epiphone Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot in showroom-clean, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and owner’s manual. Produced at the Terada factory in Japan and designed as a premium spin on the ES-335 platform, this finely crafted Elite is an early example, dating to the brief window before the series was renamed to “Elitist.” Faithful to vintage spec, tonewoods include a semi-hollow maple body (maple centerblock) and a slender mahogany neck capped with bound 22 fret rosewood fingerboard, while features include Grover Deluxe (Kluson-style) tuning machines and Gibson USA-made humbuckers.
But the feature that makes this Elite Epiphone exceedingly rare is the Gibson-style open book headstock carve. While virtually all of the Elite instruments had a different Epi headstock with the distinctive central “bump” at the top of the carve, a tiny percentage made only for the Japanese domestic market were manufactured with a Gibson-style open book shape as seen here.
The semi-hollow construction ensures a resonant, open acoustic response, providing an ideal platform for the Gibson USA-made 50S humbuckers. Wound in the PAF vein, these pickups are vital and distinct at each position on the switch, with a midrange-focused growl at the bridge and sweet, bell-like textures with plenty of meat at the neck. This Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot weighs 8lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Slender ‘60s-style C, measuring .795” 1st fret, .905” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Headstock: Open book shape
-Tuners: Grover Deluxe double-line (Kluson-style), greened keystone buttons
-Serialization: T2-prefix (Terada, 2002)
-Factory Markings: Epiphone Elite decal
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple (maple centerblock)
-Pickups: 50S humbucker x2 (Gibson USA-made)
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, stopbar (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Four-ply pickguard, gold reflector cap knobs, cream, switch tip
-Label: “Epiphone Elite,” serialized
Exceptionally well-kept since new, there are just a couple tiny marks on the gloss Natural finish. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original hardshell case is included, along with the owner’s manual.
But the feature that makes this Elite Epiphone exceedingly rare is the Gibson-style open book headstock carve. While virtually all of the Elite instruments had a different Epi headstock with the distinctive central “bump” at the top of the carve, a tiny percentage made only for the Japanese domestic market were manufactured with a Gibson-style open book shape as seen here.
The semi-hollow construction ensures a resonant, open acoustic response, providing an ideal platform for the Gibson USA-made 50S humbuckers. Wound in the PAF vein, these pickups are vital and distinct at each position on the switch, with a midrange-focused growl at the bridge and sweet, bell-like textures with plenty of meat at the neck. This Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot weighs 8lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Shape: Slender ‘60s-style C, measuring .795” 1st fret, .905” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
-Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
-Headstock: Open book shape
-Tuners: Grover Deluxe double-line (Kluson-style), greened keystone buttons
-Serialization: T2-prefix (Terada, 2002)
-Factory Markings: Epiphone Elite decal
Body Specs:
-Wood: Maple (maple centerblock)
-Pickups: 50S humbucker x2 (Gibson USA-made)
-Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, stopbar (nickel-plated)
-Plastics: Four-ply pickguard, gold reflector cap knobs, cream, switch tip
-Label: “Epiphone Elite,” serialized
Exceptionally well-kept since new, there are just a couple tiny marks on the gloss Natural finish. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original hardshell case is included, along with the owner’s manual.
