SOLD - Gibson ES-335 TDC 1965 Factory Bigsby With Original Case

SOLD!

Who buys guitars?  We do!

Call 530-570-1525 or email sales@maharsvintageguitars.com to sell your vintage guitar bass, amplifier, etc - one piece or a collection!  We are always ready to buy instruments, amps and effects from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Marshall, Vox and just about anything else related to musical instruments.   You can also click here for more info on selling us vintage instruments, amps, parts, etc.  

This 1965 Gibson ES-335 TDC with its factory-installed Bigsby is a remarkable example of a mid-’60s red thinline semi-hollow—one of the most desirable eras for the ES-335.

With its vibrant Cherry finish, 1 11/16" nut, and nickel hardware, this guitar is a prime example of a pre-transition 1965 335.  In 1965 Gibson changed the nut widths from 1 11/16" to 1 5/8", and ultimately to 1 9/16".  Nickel hardware changed to chrome, with some guitars getting mixed finish parts.  

The neck is straight and the truss rod has room for future neck relief adjustments.  The guitar set up perfectly with killer action.  The frets are original and have been milled, but have plenty of life left.

The electronics are completely original with untouched solders.  All the hardware and parts are original.  Grover tuning machines were once installed, and better work could have been done.  Two spots on the holly headstock veneer show chip out from the drilling of the tuner post holes.  Original Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are now installed.  

There are no crack repairs, but the back of the headstock does appear to be oversprayed.  It is barely noticeable but shows up lightly under a blacklight.  Someone also applied faux binding to the edges of the front of the headstock, two small adornments around the crown inlay, and one on the truss rod cover, which I carefully removed.  Faint evidence remains of the sticker-like material that was likely on the guitar for decades.  You have to look very closely to see this.

Overall, the guitar has THE tone, loads of cool vibe, and it sounds amazing.  The original case is included as well.  It shows wear and one hinge is broken.

Players and collectors consistently praise mid-’60s ES-335s: “’65 cherry 335s are sleeper favorites” (The Gear Page), “Patent numbers have gorgeous clarity” (Reddit r/Guitar), “Bigsbys feel perfect on a 335” (Harmony Central), “Mid-’60s necks are incredibly comfortable” (Vintage Guitar Forum), and “Nothing records like a real ’60s semi-hollow” (MyLesPaul Forum).

Used by legends like Eric Clapton, Larry Carlton, and Alvin Lee, ES-335s from this era helped shape classic blues-rock and jazz tones. The factory Bigsby makes this one even more collectible.

For more high-end vintage instruments, visit our Vintage & Used Gibson Guitars, Fender Amplifier offering, or our Vintage & Used Effects Pedals page.

Every guitar at Mahar’s Vintage Guitars is inspected carefully, photographed accurately, and professionally set up.

• Color: Red
• Weight: 8lbs 8oz
  
• Top: Maple
• Body: Maple
  
• Neck: Mahogany
  
• Neck Profile: Medium C
  
• Fretboard: Bound Rosewood
  
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Small Block
  
• Frets: Original
  
• Fret Count: 22
  
• Nut: Original
  
• Nut width: 1-11/16"
  
• Radius: 12"
  
• Scale: 24.75"
  
• Neck thickness at 1st Fret: .81"
• Neck thickness at 12th Fret: 1.01"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 2/32"
  
• Total length: 41 3/8"
  
• Lower bout: 16"
  
• Waist: 9 1/4"
  
• Upper bout: 11 1/4"
  
• Body depth/thickness outside edge: 1 3/4"
  
• String gauge: .010-.046"
  
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Bridge Pickup/Brand: Patent Number Gibson Humbucker
• Pickup Reading: 7.60k
• Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup/Brand: Patent Number Gibson Humbucker
• Pickup Reading: 7.48k
• Original?: Yes
  
• Bridge: Original ABR-1
• Tuners: Original
• Knobs: Original
  
• Switch: 3 Way
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC
• 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 these Eastern states and shipment will be made by UPS three-day-air.  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.