GIBSON ES 335 TDC, 1970

This very nice and clean guitar, 100% original, was built between the end of 1969 and the beginning of 1970 and has all the transitional features of the period. A very small and 'flat' volute appears on the back of the headstock, but no Made In USA stamp shows yet under the serial number. Through the f-hole you can still see the '60s-style orange oval label.
Semi-solid maple thinline body with maple block insied running lengthwise, three-piece mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard with pearl blocks. The headstock features the classic crown inlay and the pearl pantographed Gibson logo, Gibson Deluxe tuners, still Kluson-made with the old patent number inside. Original hardware includes the  tune-o-matic bridge with metal saddles and the Bigsby B-7 vibrato, which enhances the great classic look of this thinline. Original pickguard and "sombrero knobs". Original and killer-sounding Patent Number pickups.
The guitar is in excellent plus condition. The see-through cherry red finish is unfaded and in great overall shape. Of course all the signs of time and use are there: binding has yellowed, finish has a some checking, there is a belt-buckle worn area in the back and chrome parts have signs of wear. Both pickup have a crack and their screws are very rusty. Said that, the conditions of this guitar are far better than the average for instruments of such age: It is a solid and great-looking ES-335. I'd only suggest to replace the frets with new ones, because the original ones are still playable but quite worn.
The beautiful neck is rounded and not thin, unlike many late '60s Gibsons, and is a joy to play. Both pickups deliver a warm, powerful and aggressive voice, are very well balanced and place this guitar among the best-sounding 335s we have had.
A gorgeous and very solid original hardshell Lifton case, black with yellow lining, completes this great package. Handle, latches and hinges are intact and properly working.

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in case - incase2 - body1 - body2 - body3 - back - body back - headstock - logo - knobs - bridge - pickup1 - pickup2 - bigsby - hardware - label -  neck - tuners - tuners2 - scratch - volute - checking - case