eBay

1960 Gibson ES-355 TD Cherry Mono w/ Factory Bigsby, Period-Correct HSC

Vintage Gibson Collectors! We have a truly rare and unique guitar to share with you today! For sale is this 1960 Gibson ES-355 TD model. The 355 is right up there with the Les Paul and Stratocaster, in terms of its impact on modern music. Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Keith Richards…The names go on and on. Nearly every popular rock musician, can trace some influence to a player that used a 355, in some form.

Featuring a double bound body, split diamond headstock inlay, pearl block fretboard inlays, gold hardware, among other features, this was one of the most premium ES guitars that money could buy during it’s production in 1960! The ebony fretboard allows your fingers to smoothly glide along the neck, forming whatever chords and runs your musical mind can conjure. The patina on the gold hardware, and the rich cherry finish together provide a feeling of warm familiarity that has to be experienced in-person to be truly appreciated. Words alone cannot describe the way this guitar feels to play.

Like all of these guitars, it has had a unique journey with a history that could tell many great stories. Early, in it’s life, it had it’s factory pickups replaced with desirable T-Tops! They appear to be from the late 60’s, and sound every bit as amazing as their reputation precedes. One could imagine that a player who wanted the hotter, fuller T-top sound had them replaced to keep up with the increasing demands of music of the time. This particular 355 is a hot-rodded masterpiece of a guitar!

Additionally, this guitar has been refretted at some point. The work is highly professional and the new frets have plenty of life. The binding nibs have been removed in the process, and the edges of the fretboard have been pleasantly rolled. There is no chip-out visible anywhere on the fretboard. The knobs and upper strap pin have been changed, and the bigsby is missing one string pin. None of those changes negatively impact the playability, tone, or feel of the guitar. You can tell from the amount of work that went into it, this guitar was truly loved and used a lot by it’s owner. The maintenance has been kept-up well. The electronics are clean and noise free. The finish is exceptionally clean and free from major wear. It has a handful of dings on the back of the body, on the side near the output jack, and few very light ones on the side of the neck. The neck is very straight, and the guitar plays amazingly well. Every note rings out clearly and it plays very clean at low action. The bigsby returns to pitch well and the pickups really scream. They’re full bodied, and everything you would want to hear. The classic tone you would expect is embodied in this instrument.

Inexplicably, part of the serial number had been scratched off inside the F-hole. The previous owner (who owned it for over 25 years) said he received it this way. Who knows if it was perhaps a gift to an artist who then sold it and did not want it to be known. We can only guess. Either way, it does not detract from the experience of owning and playing an iconic instrument with its rich history in rock and roll. Playing this guitar feels like stepping into a time machine to the beginning of contemporary music. The Factory Order Number or FON of this instrument is R8714 30, which as many collectors know, identifies it as a 1960 instrument due to the R prefix.

We at Tone House stand behind all of our instruments, and the authenticity as described. We welcome any questions to help in your decision making process. Please look at our feedback on all sites to feel comfortable when purchasing an instrument of this magnitude. We also welcome appointments to see this instrument in-person. We have 100% positive feedback on over 25,000 transactions and 15+ years in business. Any true Gibson collector can tell that this instrument is the real deal.

This instrument has been professionally setup, with the strings set to play low and easy. The frets have been polished, and any significant fretwear has been addressed. The intonation is spot-on, and the electronics are clean and crackle-free. The board is well-conditioned, and the guitar will arrive ready-to-enjoy. A period-correct hardshell case with a replaced handle is included for safe transportation and storage

When you purchase from Tone House Studios, your order will be thoroughly inspected and carefully packaged to ensure that your gear arrives in a timely and safely fashion. You will automatically receive tracking information as soon as we print the shipping label. Items typically ship out within 1-2 business days. Any accessories included will be stated in the listing. All merchandise has been tested before listing. Any issues found are noted clearly in the description above.

Item will be professionally packed, shipped and insured to guarantee safe arrival

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