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Gibson ES-335 TDC 1965 Factory Bigsby With Original Case - $13,995 (Chico)
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With its vibrant Cherry finish, 1 11/16" nut, and nickel hardware, this guitar is a prime example of a pre-transition 1965 335. In 1965 Gibson changed the nut widths from 1 11/16" to 1 5/8", and ultimately to 1 9/16". Nickel hardware changed to chrome, with some guitars getting mixed finish parts. The neck is straight and the truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments. The guitar set up perfectly with killer action. The frets are original and have been milled, but have plenty of life left.
The electronics are completely original with untouched solders. All the hardware and parts are original. Grover tuning machines were once installed, and better work could have been done. Two spots on the holly headstock veneer show chip out from the drilling of the tuner post holes. Original Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are now installed.
There are no crack repairs, but the back of the headstock does appear to be oversprayed. It is barely noticeable but shows up lightly under a blacklight. Someone also applied faux binding to the edges of the front of the headstock, two small adornments around the crown inlay, and one on the truss rod cover, which I carefully removed. Faint evidence remains of the sticker-like material that was likely on the guitar for decades. You have to look very closely to see this.
Overall, the guitar has THE tone, loads of cool vibe, and it sounds amazing. The original case is included as well. It shows wear and one hinge is broken.
Players and collectors consistently praise mid-’60s ES-335s: “’65 cherry 335s are sleeper favorites” (The Gear Page), “Patent numbers have gorgeous clarity” (Reddit r/Guitar), “Bigsbys feel perfect on a 335” (Harmony Central), “Mid-’60s necks are incredibly comfortable” (Vintage Guitar Forum), and “Nothing records like a real ’60s semi-hollow” (MyLesPaul Forum).
Used by legends like Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton, and Alvin Lee, ES-335s from this era helped shape classic blues-rock and jazz tones. The factory Bigsby makes this one even more collectible.
Color: Red
Weight: 8lbs 8oz
Top: Maple
Body: Maple
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Medium C
Fretboard: Bound Rosewood
Inlays: Mother of Pearl Small Block
Frets: Original
Fret Count: 22
Nut: Original
Nut width: 1-11/16"
Radius: 12"
Scale: 24.75"
Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .81"
Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 1.01"
Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
Total length: 41 3/8"
Lower bout: 16"
Waist: 9 1/4"
Upper bout: 11 1/4"
Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1 3/4"
String gauge: .010-.046"
Hardware Color: Nickel
Bridge Pickup/Brand: Patent Number Gibson Humbucker
Pickup Reading: 7.60k
Original?: Yes
Neck Pickup/Brand: Patent Number Gibson Humbucker
Pickup Reading: 7.48k
Original?: Yes
Bridge: Original ABR-1
Tuners: Original
Knobs: Original
Switch: 3 Way
Pots/Codes: Original
Case: OHSC
G-2000