1968 Gibson ES-335 Semihollow Electric Guitar

It's been a good few years for old 335s and 345s in the shop. This guy's serial dates to '70 but the majority of the features date it to '68 (thanks for your eagle eyes, Mr. Steve) -- though the nut width felt a hair wider than I'm used to from that year, though wound-up measuring the 1 9/16" that's typical for the era. Oh, brains!

It's completely original except for the repro strap buttons I put on and the nicely-made brass nut someone else put on. The headstock had been drilled for Schallers but the owner kept (thank you!) the original tuners so they went right back on after a little tweaking (by way of aluminum tape wraps) of their ferrules.

Boring stuff aside -- yes, this is a great guitar. It's cherry red! The binding has yellowed! Its neck feels like home and it plays fast as all heck. It has the cool, retro look (and relaxed tension/feel) of the trapeze-style tailpiece. Are you liking it, yet? I'm in!

Sound-wise the pickups are clean, full, and bright-ish. It's a good sound for pretty much everything shy of hard rock and (modern) metal.

The Gibson logo on the pickguard has worn-off just-so, leaving only traces it was ever there. Apparently this is the "boob" logo from just '68. The frets are as normal for the era -- sort-of wide but low. A light fret level/dress got them all in order, too, and after that and a good setup this fella was ready to go. It plays spot-on, fast and easy.

Repairs included: fret level dress, setup, etc.

Body wood: ply maple body w/centerblock

Bridge: original ABR adjustable

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Pickups: 2x original Gibson humbuckers

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 46w-10

Neck shape: slim C

Board radius: ~10"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: wide/low

Scale length: 24 5/8"

Nut width: 1 9/16"

Body width: 16"

Body depth: 1 3/4" + arching

Weight: 8 lbs 0 oz

Condition notes: while it shows mild usewear and light scratching throughout, it's quite clean and it's completely original except for the brass nut  and strap buttons. The tuner shaft holes were overdrilled for Schallers and there are plugged screwholes on the back of the headstock. I've wrapped the original ferrules with aluminum tape, though, to get them to fit nicely in the oversized holes.

It comes with: its original hard case that's fairly beaten-up but still working just fine. Bonus points have been awarded for the Air Force insignia and duct tape.