Description
Description & Specifications
1963 Gibson ES-335 TDC – Cherry
We present an all original and early 1963 Gibson ES-335 TDC in its original Cherry finish. Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
This historical piece is in super clean condition with only a few nicks, dings, fading spots, and other minor cosmetic wear. Beautiful figured laminated double-cutaway maple body. No breaks or repairs on this guitar — just a perfect ES-335 TDC that everybody wants.
It even comes complete with a rare pair of P.A.F. “Patent Applied For” humbucking pickups. Extremely rare to find from that period. The pickups sound amazing and are well-balanced; they are also untouched and completely factory stock.
The oval orange label is clean and intact, with handwritten serial number and ES-335TD designation. 1-piece mahogany neck with bound rosewood fretboard and block inlays. The original frets have been dressed on the top and sides at some point, so the playability is smooth and perfect. Still plenty of life left in the frets. The original Kluson single-line/double-ring tuners work perfectly and turn smoothly.
This ES-335 Gibson semi-hollow guitar is rich in harmonic overtones, incredibly expressive, and an outstanding example of why vintage Gibsons are so highly sought after. In particular, the high end is extremely articulate without ever sounding abrasive or harsh, allowing single-note runs to sing out with beautiful, cascading harmonic content. Notes attack with exceptional bloom and compression, giving this 335 a balanced, robust voice.
It’s 100% original throughout – Just like it left the Kalamazoo factory back in 1963.
Pickups and the electronics/wiring remain untouched and intact, with no broken solder joints and no re-wound pickups. All original and correct.
Even comes complete with its original Gibson hardshell case with yellowing lining and the original Gibson manual.
The History of a 1963 Gibson Es-335 TD.
The original “dot neck” ES-335 had already set the guitar world alight for half a decade with its powerful blend of archtop finesse and solidbody power by the time the “block neck” came along in 1963. Two new refinements, represented here in the Gibson 1963 ES-335 Block took the seminal semi-hollow guitar to new heights of popularity, and sales spiked as a result. The first alteration was cosmetic: Gibson replaced the ES-335 fingerboard’s dot inlays with blocks, which both eased visibility and added an extra touch of class. The second was a change in playing feel: the guitar’s neck was given the fast, slim profile that was standard for Gibson in the ’60s, and popular with players of all genres. The result was the guitar that Eric Clapton, for one, used to power up blues-rock with the supergroup Cream, and which took the ES-335 in general to new heights of popularity.
