GIBSON ES-355 TD-SV, 1966

Cherry Red, a very special guitar that I know quite well: "Cindy Lou" has been my main guitar for many years, I even dedicated a song to her. It's the classic Stereo-Varitone version of the top-of-the-line among Gibson thinlines, which differs from the 335 for the multi-ply binding, the ebony fretboard with large mother-of-pearl inlays, the gold-plated hardware and the vibrato tailpiece. The cherry red finish was standard for the model since its introduction in 1958.

Cindy has all the typical features of mid-60s 355s: laminated maple body, one-piece mahogany neck, lyre-engraved Vibrola Deluxe tailpiece, tune-o-matic bridge with nylon saddles and Grover Roto-matic tuners. The guitar is ALL original. Both pickups are "patent-number" humbuckers, with covers never dissoldered. The only modifications were required by myself and made by luthier Salvatore Mancuso (www.mancusoguitars.com) in 1995: a complete refret job, masterfully executed without cutting the binding edges, and a small rod which anchors the tortoise pickguard to the pickup ring to keep it from warping.... a solution that has stood the test of time... after 17 years, the guard is back to its "flat" condition.

The guitar is in excellent shape, with a beautifully unfaded cherry color. The original hardware has lost some of its gold-plating, which is gone from the pickup covers and heavily worn on the vibrato plate and the tuners. The original stereo-varitone circuitry is untouched, with the "choke" typical of the 355 and 345 wiring. This instrument has exceptional sound and playability. What a thrill to hold her again in my arms... she's looking for a new home and I hope she'll find a new loving owner, because that's what Cindy Lou deserves. Original black/yellow hardshell case, quite worn but in good conditions.

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