Stunning Gibson ES-330TDC from 1961 in fantastic condition. The ES-330 has always been one of our favourite golden era Gibson guitars here at V’n’R and this guitar is no exception. Dot Neck, Bigsby, black plastics and still very Cherry.
Released in 1959 as the successor to the ES-225, the ES-330 was an instantly popular model sharing styling cues from the recently released Thinline ES Range. Unlike the ES-335, ES-345 and ES-355 the ES-330 was a fully hollow instrument with a body/neck joint at the 16th fret. This gave the ES-330 a different feel and sound to the rest of the Thinline range. Like the ES-225 it was available in single (330T) and double (330TD) pickup options The model was popular throughout the sixties, selling well for Gibson with the model regularly out performing the rest of the thinline range.
The guitar is in excellent condition throughout and largely original with a refret, switch tip and the addition of a Bigsby and like for like repro tuners (originals retained) the only changes to its original state. The cherry red finish shows minimal fading and retains a vibrant deep colour with next to no lacquer checking. Similarly the neck is in fine condition, minimal fading to the Cherry, smooth and free of bruises or dents. The headstock front is crisp and the serial number reads easily. The Nickel hardware is all in equally good condition with no corrosion or tarnishing to the Nickel plating. The fitted tuners are modern reproductions, changed for convenience as the originals had become a little stiff over the years. A simple like for like swap with the original parts retained with no modifications or additional holes needed. Original tuners are individual Pat No. Single-line Kluson. The guitar benefits from a recent refret with vintage appropriate wire. The original wide bevel pickguard is in good condition with minimal curl or lift, the No-Wire ABR-1 has Nylon saddles and the original ‘Diamond’ trapeze tailpiece although not currently fitted, comes with the guitar,
Electronically this guitar has two excellent sounding P-90s. The bridge pickup measures 7.81K and the neck pickup 8.62K. Internally the loom is tidy with two Sprague Black Beauty capacitors present.
In use the guitar is a resonant and lightweight example, hitting the scales at a scant 6.3bs it feels extremely lively both acoustically and plugged in, the neck profile is the standard early 60’s C shape, on the larger side in depth compared to many of the '60-'61 Gibson guitars especially when compared to the earlier ‘blade’ neck examples. The nut measures 43.4mm wide with a depth at the 1st fret of 20.44mm.
The two P-90s are strong and balance output wise better than most ES-330’s. The bridge pickup sounds snappy with bite and twang with the neck pickup giving big, warm and rounded tones The bridge pickup has a pleasant cut to the amplified tone with the neck pickup having a wonderful warmth and compression.
The guitar comes with a correct early 60’s black Tolex yellow lined case and would be the perfect instrument for the player or collector alike.
Released in 1959 as the successor to the ES-225, the ES-330 was an instantly popular model sharing styling cues from the recently released Thinline ES Range. Unlike the ES-335, ES-345 and ES-355 the ES-330 was a fully hollow instrument with a body/neck joint at the 16th fret. This gave the ES-330 a different feel and sound to the rest of the Thinline range. Like the ES-225 it was available in single (330T) and double (330TD) pickup options The model was popular throughout the sixties, selling well for Gibson with the model regularly out performing the rest of the thinline range.
The guitar is in excellent condition throughout and largely original with a refret, switch tip and the addition of a Bigsby and like for like repro tuners (originals retained) the only changes to its original state. The cherry red finish shows minimal fading and retains a vibrant deep colour with next to no lacquer checking. Similarly the neck is in fine condition, minimal fading to the Cherry, smooth and free of bruises or dents. The headstock front is crisp and the serial number reads easily. The Nickel hardware is all in equally good condition with no corrosion or tarnishing to the Nickel plating. The fitted tuners are modern reproductions, changed for convenience as the originals had become a little stiff over the years. A simple like for like swap with the original parts retained with no modifications or additional holes needed. Original tuners are individual Pat No. Single-line Kluson. The guitar benefits from a recent refret with vintage appropriate wire. The original wide bevel pickguard is in good condition with minimal curl or lift, the No-Wire ABR-1 has Nylon saddles and the original ‘Diamond’ trapeze tailpiece although not currently fitted, comes with the guitar,
Electronically this guitar has two excellent sounding P-90s. The bridge pickup measures 7.81K and the neck pickup 8.62K. Internally the loom is tidy with two Sprague Black Beauty capacitors present.
In use the guitar is a resonant and lightweight example, hitting the scales at a scant 6.3bs it feels extremely lively both acoustically and plugged in, the neck profile is the standard early 60’s C shape, on the larger side in depth compared to many of the '60-'61 Gibson guitars especially when compared to the earlier ‘blade’ neck examples. The nut measures 43.4mm wide with a depth at the 1st fret of 20.44mm.
The two P-90s are strong and balance output wise better than most ES-330’s. The bridge pickup sounds snappy with bite and twang with the neck pickup giving big, warm and rounded tones The bridge pickup has a pleasant cut to the amplified tone with the neck pickup having a wonderful warmth and compression.
The guitar comes with a correct early 60’s black Tolex yellow lined case and would be the perfect instrument for the player or collector alike.