Gibson ES-330 TDC 645 Made in 1961

No sales tax for US customers outside California.

This 1961 Gibson ES-330 TDC is an early example of Gibson’s fully hollow, P-90–equipped thinline electric, built during the model’s most desirable period - one of only 645 made in 1961.

Light, resonant, and incredibly responsive, the early-’60s ES-330 delivers a tone that feels alive in your hands—open, woody, and dynamically expressive in a way only a true hollowbody can be.

This example leans toward the "player's guitar" side, with original pickups and most of the original hardware in place, but a couple changes that make it more affordable than an all-original example.

The pickups and pots are original.  A nice refret was performed.  The neck is straight and plays perfectly.  The truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments.

The ABR-1 bridge is a nickle part, but it has the saddle screw retaining wire, so it is not original to this guitar - it is a part that you'd see on 1962 through 1965 Gibson guitars.  The part was modified on the underside to sit on the thumbwheels.  The Bigsby tailpiece is is original to the guitar.  The tuners are original, but the guitar was once fitted with Grovers.  Whomever originally did the work to add the Grovers probably did it with a hand drill and they cracked one wing off the headstock.  The repairs is plain to see.  The original pickguard is cracked and sturdily reglued.  

The fully hollow construction gives this guitar a rich acoustic foundation, while the P-90 pickups translate that resonance into amplified tones with exceptional clarity and harmonic detail. Clean sounds are warm and three-dimensional, while driven tones develop a raw, vocal edge that excels for blues, early rock, jazz, and roots music. Early ES-330s like this are prized for their light weight, lively response, and unmistakable old-wood character.

The original hard case is included.  The latches appear to be changed.

As with all instruments at Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, it has been fully inspected, photographed accurately, and professionally set up to play its absolute best.

We buy, sell, and take trades.

Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
“Early ’60s ES-330s are magic—light, loud, and alive.” – The Gear Page
“P-90s and hollowbody is the perfect combo.” – MyLesPaul Forum
“Feels like an acoustic guitar with an electric voice.” – Harmony Central
“One of Gibson’s most musical designs ever.” – Reddit r/Guitar
“Dynamic, expressive, and inspiring.” – Ultimate Guitar

Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site

• Fender Electric Guitars
• Gibson Electric Guitars
• Martin Acoustic Guitars
• Mesa Boogie Guitar Amplifiers

SPECS:

• Color: Cherry
• Weight: 6lbs 5oz
  
• Top: Maple
• Body: Maple
  
• Neck: Mahogany, headstock repair see pics
  
• Neck Profile: Medium C
  
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Pearl Dot
  
• Frets: Refret
  
• Fret Count: 22
  
• Nut: Original, maybe shimmed at some point or removed during refret
  
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
  
• Radius: 12"
  
• Scale: 24.75"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .82"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 1.0"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Overall length: 39-11/16"
  
• Lower bout: 16-1/16"
  
• Waist: 9-3/16"
  
• Upper bout: 11-7/16"
  
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1-3/4"
  
• String gauge: .010-.046"
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Pickguard: Original, cracked
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: P-90 Dog Ear Black
• Pickup Reading: 5.23k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: P-90 Dog Ear Black
• Pickup Reading: 5.06k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original w/ Bigsby
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC, well loved w/ no handle
• Notes: 

Shipping policy:

There are multiple shipping cost options for purchases made on our site.  Select Ground, 3 Day, 2 Day, or Next Day Air Saver.  For Reverb purchases, there is one cost option for Eastern states - customers from any state that is more than a 3 day UPS ground shipment from our shop will get their shipment via UPS 3 day air.  Otherwise, ground shipping will be used.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.