Player grade, vintage Gibson ES 335. This is not a collector piece by any stretch of the imagination. It's great for someone who wants to play it regularly without worry. It is in excellent playing condition, and is ready to rock. I have gigged it regularly for a couple years and it has been reliable and a pleasure to play. I am selling it to simply fund other purchases. Please understand, I do not know the complete history of this nearly 60 year old guitar. I have listed below everything I know either from my own experience or what the previous owner told me.
It's had some mods and repairs, but it plays awesome and sounds killer. Very vibey with lots of checking and yellowing. It is a pleasure to play, truly. It plays fast and smooth. I really do love it, but I am chasing something else.
- Repaired headstock break. Don't know the history here but it's well done and been rock solid. It has given me no issues at all.
- Neck was apparently reset at some point in the past, but not sure why or when. Again, it was done well, and has given me no issues at all.
- Refretted and plays great.
- Bigsby was added and subsequently removed. Bigsby screw holes remain.
- Converted to stop tail piece (aluminum).
- Bridge pickup was replaced with a later patent sticker pickup. Original patent sticker pickup is in the neck.
- Some of the inlays were replaced, but I couldn't tell you which ones.
- A few drop fills on neck finish to smooth out where original finish flaked off.
- 1 9/16 nut width
- Neck is .81" thick at 1st fret, .98" thick at 12th fret.
- 7.8 pounds
- A few drop fills on neck finish to smooth out where original finish flaked off.
- Original bridge (replaced saddles), tuners, electronics, plastics, and factory heel stinger. The tuners work but some of them are pretty stiff. They hold tune without issue, but I'd probably put some repro Klusons on it and put the originals in the case.
- Newer TKL hardshell case. Handle is a little messed up, but not in a way that makes it unstable or in jeopardy of coming apart from case. It's like someone squeezed it too hard and deformed the part that you grasp.