Gibson

Gibson ES-335TD Sunburst (1960)

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Product information

"Dot Neck". It only takes two words to describe the historic Gibson semi-hollow electric that - 65 years later - remains one of the most cherished electric guitar designs in history.


This 1960 Gibson ES-335TD has just arrived at our shop, and it's the first time the guitar has been on the market in the 21st century. Well maintained with just the right amount of both collector preservation and light play wear, it is a textbook example of the beloved semi-hollow from this period.

Likely completed towards the end of 1960, it represents the second iteration of the 'Dot Neck' ES. The fast-playing slim taper neck profile had been introduced earlier in the year, along with small but meaningful design changes to the plastics - the new "reflector" knobs and double-ring Kluson tuner buttons replaced the bonnet style knobs and single-ring tuner buttons, respectively. Still, the guitar is outfitted with the first-generation "long" pickguard that extends to the edge of the no-wire ABR-1 bridge - the pickguard would be shortened in 1961, effectively shedding the entirety of the '58-'60 aesthetic.

While the thin-top 335s from early 1959 have their own unique acoustic sound and energy (see the very early '59 ES-355 in our inventory), it's the ES guitars from later in '59 and onward that establish the final top thickness resulting in not only a sturdier structural design, but yielding a punchier, more focused and immediate sounding guitar. When paired up with some original PAF humbuckers, it's easy to understand why so many of the 335s from this period get nicknamed "Burst Killers".

This '60 has its original PAFs of course, but in checking under the hood we discovered Zebra-bobbins in both pickups - a rare and distinct spec in the vintage PAF world, no doubt! And when it comes to tone...watch out.

The bridge pickup measures a touch over 7.7k and has some amazing clarity and top end power that steps into an almost Telecaster bridge pickup tonality, but fatter sounding. With volume and tone wide open, there's plenty of sizzle and snap, but with a certain authority and power that a single coil pickup can't often match. Manipulating the original Centralab pots provides some highly effective EQing, allowing for a warmer and richer tone that emphasized more of the midrange without the honk. You could conceivably park the tone around 3-5 for your bridge rhythm tone, and crack it wide open for leads, all without touching the volume. Incredibly effective!

The neck pickup...THE NECK PICKUP.

If you've ever heard an original PAF in the neck position, think about that sound, and then multiply it 2...5...10 times. It is absolutely glorious sounding in every way - that fat, hollow tone with amazing note definition, fundamental attack, and that harmonic "bloom" when you dig in. Clean? Amazing. Little bit of dirt? Amazing. Fully gained up? You get the picture. It's a tonal experience so good that it plants itself deep in that guitar sound library in your head and never comes out.

While it's no question that most folks consider the '59 neck profile the Almighty, we'd be remiss if we didn't give credit to this Slim Tapered beauty. Single note lead runs feel effortless on this guitar, for one. We've experienced slimmer necks than this one from this period as well - at around .81" at the first fret, it exhibits some of the C/D shape that provides more comfort for chord work than some of the true D profiles from this period.

The classic Sunburst finish is further highlighted by some really beautiful figuring and ribboning in the Maple. Plain tops tend to be the norm on vintage 335s, so it's always exciting when one comes through with some natural character. The guitar has aged quite gracefully, with lacquer checking throughout along with various small nicks, dings, and scuffs. The original medium jumbo frets retain most of their original height with no need of a refret for the foreseeable future. All hardware is clean and fully functional, and the guitar still has its original white plastic Kluson strap buttons! The original Lifton hardshell is in great shape, too.

We'll let the next owner decide if this 335 qualifies as a "Burst Killer", but we're confident that the moniker suits this '60.

Body

Style
Semi-Hollowbody
Body
Laminated Maple with centerblock
Finish
Nitrocellulose
Color
Sunburst

Hardware

Pickups
Original PAF w/ M69 rings (8.13k Neck w/ Zebra bobbins / 7.73k Bridge w/ Zebra bobbins)
Electronics
Original Centralab 500k harness | 134934 visible code
Controls
Volume (x2) / Tone (x2) / 3-Way Toggle
Bridge
Original ABR-1 & Stop Tailpiece
Tuners
Original Kluson
Pickguard
Original

Neck

Neck
Mahogany
Binding
White
Carve
Slim Taper '60 C | .81" @ 1st fret / .87" @ 12th fret
Fingerboard
Brazilian Rosewood
Inlays
Dots
Frets
Original
Nut
Original nylon
Scale Length
24 3/4"

Other

Serial #
A 34512
Weight
8lbs 2oz
Case
Original Lifton