Gibson ES335TDC 1963 Cherry

Now available, an original 1963 Gibson ES335TDC in its well worn cherry finish!

This very well played and travelled example of an early Gibson ES335 is one I have personally owned since 2018, from the early days of my vintage guitar buying addiction. If you're looking for a collector's piece, this is not your guitar... however, as a players piece this guitar has been a benchmark for years here.

The previous owner made many modifications over the years, including some mini switches (professionally repaired long ago), and an added rout in the back of the body to access the controls (much like a solid body).

Other work to the guitar includes:

• The pickups have been replaced with a period correct early 60s PAF spec patent # pickup in the bridge position, and a later 60s patent # decal/t-top pickup in the neck position.

• At one point a wide-range humbucking pickup was in the neck position, there is some widening because of this (see pictures).

• The pots were replaced when I got the guitar, I sourced era correct '62 centralab 500k pots which are currently installed, the rest of the wiring harness is original to the guitar.

• At one point Grover tuners were installed, the post holes have since been plugged and redrilled to accommodate replica single line/double ring kluson tuners. The treble side headstock wing has been repaired.

• The guitar has been refretted long ago with a new nut, there is plenty of life in these frets. A piece of neck binding on the treble side was replaced from frets 1-15.

• The abr1 bridge and tailpiece are from the late 60s/early 70s, there is another set of bridge stud holes, and the tailpiece studs are original to the guitar.

• The bottom strap pin was pushed in at one point, the hole has since been professionally plugged. Both strap buttons remain original.

Otherwise the guitar still retains its original cherry finish which shows decades of use and extensive play wear. The original plastics remain including the 3ply pickguard, reflector knobs, truss rod cover, switch tip, and a set of early 60s M69 Gibson pickup rings I sourced to restore it.

It features a pretty typical '63 neck profile thats just slightly larger than the slimmer necks from earlier '60-62 models. This one feels worn in from years of play, fitting perfectly in your hand.

A fantastic playing and sounding example of an early 60s Gibson ES335, includes a period mid 60s Lifton case.