Gibson ES-330TD Sunburst (1965)

This 1965 Gibson ES-330TD in Cherry Sunburst recently came into the shop with one of the cooler vintage mods you can find on an old Gibson.

No P90s here folks. The original pickups were pulled out in favor of some Patent # T-Top humbuckers long ago, complete with some aftermarket humbucker mounting rings. We'd normally be saddened by such a change on an inherently great hollowbody thinline, but we'd be lying if this mod didn't make for an even more impressive sounding guitar.

The humbuckers bring forth a bigger, tighter bass response with smoother and thicker top end. Still, it has this beautiful clarity that pairs with such an airy voice that makes it hard to put down. With both pickups on, this guitar is a total funk and R&B machine, and in the respective neck and bridge positions, it's nearly everything you'd want to hear. The bridge pickup tone is bright and punchy, while the neck is super smooth and clear (we hear almost a supercharged Strat tone here).