Gibson ES-335TD, Sunburst (USED, 1979)
Vintage
Goodness gracious! Have you seen a cleaner 40+ year old Gibson ES-335 in recent memory?!
This came to us from a local customer who purchased this beauty back in 1989 from EU Wurlitzer, the long-time (and unfortunately long gone) Boston music retailer who was the premier Gibson and Fender dealer in MA for decades. The guitar has remained in exceptional condition since the prior owner purchased it. Replaced tuners an a locking tun-o-matic bridge are the only thing keeping this guitar from being 100% original.
In typical late 70s Gibson fashion, this ES-335 features a 'teardrop' sunburst finish on the top and back with dark-stained sides. It's got a 3-piece Maple neck with a bound Rosewood fingerboard and small block inlays that had populated ES-335 fretboards since 1962. Other period features include a set of original "Dirty Fingers" humbuckers, a Nashville tun-o-matic bridge, and trapeze tailpiece, all chrome plated. The Gibson witchhat knobs and plastics are also original to the guitar.
What's equally as impressive is that the original Gibson hardshell case is one of the cleanest we've ever seen, with a fully intact silkscreen logo, clean functioning latches, and a healthy red shag interior.
Moving beyond the condition for a bit, let's talk about the tone! The original humbuckers do have some healthy output, but that doesn't keep them from being able to provide some nice top end response and deliver great semi-hollow tone with nice dynamics. They sound absolutely wonderful in a clean amp, and handle overdrive with authority. The factory coil split switch is also quite effective, yielding some really great lean and chirpy single coil tones. Sneaky versatile tonal variety in this guitar!
This is simply a superb example of a late 70s ES-335, plain and simple.
- Laminated Maple body w/ Sunburst finish
- 3-piece Maple neck w/ Rosewood fingerboard and small block inlays
- Slim C/D neck carve
- Neck profile measurements: .80" @ 1st fret / .96" @ 12th fret
- Original Gibson 'Dirty Fingers' humbuckers
- Original wiring harness w/ original Gibson knobs
- Replaced bridge with a locking Nashville tun-o-matic
- Original Gibson trapeze tailpiece
- Replaced tuners with Kluson vintage style tuners with oval metal buttons
- Weight: 8lb 10oz
- OHSC
Every instrument is thoroughly checked and set up before shipping fully insured via UPS with tracking to your door. We reuse boxes and materials to cut waste when they meet our protection standard.
Inspect it, play it, and if it isn't right, contact us within 48 hours of delivery to arrange a return or one-time exchange. Returns are subject to a 5% restocking fee, and the buyer covers shipping both ways.
Pricing
We price vintage instruments using current market trends and our extensive in-house sales history, ensuring each piece is accurately valued and fairly positioned.
Tasteful Restoration
When restoration is needed, we approach it with respect and restraint - always in service of preserving the instrument’s integrity and extending its musical life for decades to come.
Accurate Listings
Every vintage guitar we list is authenticated by our seasoned team and photographed in high detail, with clear, honest descriptions that show exactly what you’re buying - no surprises.
Shipping
With decades of experience shipping high-value guitars, we know how to pack and protect vintage instruments so they arrive exactly as they should: safe, sound, and ready to play.