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1960 Gibson ES-335TDN
Gibson introduced the ES-335T in 1958, and with it the pioneering of the semi-hollow electric guitar. The first variant of the 335, which featured Gibson’s new PAF Humbucking pickups, a dot-inlaid fretboard, and a long pickguard that extended below the bridge, was offered with Sunburst as its standard finish, and with a natural finish as an optional upgrade. Original sunburst-finished, PAF-equipped, long-guard/dot neck ES-335s are rare – shipping records show a total of under 1200 were produced in 1958, ’59, and ’60. However, natural-finished versions are exponentially rarer, with only about 200 instruments shipped during the same period. And because Gibson replaced the natural finish option with cherry at the tail end of 1960, there aren’t natural examples from the mid/late 1960s around to color our perception of this model’s rarity.
The instrument pictured here is one of those 200 or so natural-finished ES-335TDNs, one of 88 built in 1960, and features 1959 build specs throughout. It’s in astounding condition and among the finest of its kind. Enjoy the photos provided here for reference.
Details:
Almost completely original, including finish, frets, and electronics. Zebra PAFs with DC values of 8.0 and 7.7 kOhm. The tuner buttons are replacements, there is one changed saddle on the bridge, and there was at one time a Bigsby tailpiece installed (but no holes were drilled in the top). The neck has ’59 carve, with a depth of .860” at the 1st fret and a nut width of 1-11/16”. The guitar weighs 8.0 lbs and is housed in its original Lifton hardshell case.
