1965 Gibson ES-335 Red

1965 was a big year for changes in the ES-335 and most of those changes weren't so good. The nut went from 1 11/16" to 1 9/16". The pickups went from early patent (same as PAF) to late patent (poly coat windings), the stoptail changed to trapeze, nickel parts to chrome and a few others. But, the earliest 65's kept most of the 64 features. This is an early 65. It was a factory Bigsby with a "Custom Made" plate over the stop tail stud bushings (just like a 64). It is currently set up as a stop tail. Wide nut (a few hundredths under 1 11/16" same as a 64). The hardware appears to be all nickel (like a 64). The bridge looks like it might be chrome but most of the plating is worn off so its tough to tell. Pickups are purple (enamel) winding patents with nickel covers (like a 64). The only things that will distinguish the guitar as a 65 are the serial number (303xxx) and the tuners (double line). Condition is 8+. I no longer have the original Bigsby but I will include a later one if you want it. Case is kind of beat up but is the original Gibson badged black with yellow interior. Neck is medium chunky. Issues: Guitar had Grovers at some point but correct Klusons are back on. Guitar has been re-fretted and the nut replaced. Pickup covers appear to have been off at some point. Tailpiece looks to me like a high end repro-hard to tell these days. With 64's pushing above $30,000, finding an early 65 with 64 features will save you some very serious money and get you virtually the same guitar.