Gibson ES-335TD Cherry (1965)

Built right around the time of Gibson's "transitional" Era of the mid 60s, this 1965 Gibson ES-335TD combines elements of the early 60s semi-hollow design with what would become the next generation of 335s to close out the model's historic run.

By all accounts, this guitar was completed sometime in early 1965 as noted by some key features, the most critical being the nut width. Measuring at 1.66" wide - just a hair under the highly desirable 1 11/16" nut width - we'd still classify this one as a true "wide nut" Gibson. It's got a mix of both nickel and chrome plated hardware along with the newly adapted trapeze tailpiece that replaced the stopbar tailpiece the year prior.

The pickups are also the Patent # variety that followed the legendary PAF, maintaining a lot of the magic that has made those humbuckers so desirable. They sound fabulous in this guitar - a clear, open sounding neck pickup that has body and fullness without feeling muddy or too midrange-forward, and a rather authoritative bridge pickup that has excellent bite and fundamental power. They complement each other so well, and it's especially evident in the middle position.

This is another one of those great 60s Gibsons ES-335s that prove these models can do almost anything.