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Rare (???) ES-330


senojnad

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DSC_0400E_zpsblnwmyrr.jpg... As seen at the Philly Guitar Show yesterday (6/27/15).

 

I've never seen a Gibson ES-33_ with a single pickup. I actually don't recall seeing any single pickup guitar with the PU in the center (although it seems like a good idea....)

 

Close inspection showed no signs of any removal/relocation/etc. of any components. (I am a cabinet maker so I know how to spot that stuff.

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The single pickup 330s are I think '58-'62, and come up fairly regularly. Most seem to be sunburst but there are a fair few cherry and asurprisingly large number of natural around as well. The single pickup variant was discontinued around the tone the model moved to block markers although there are a few out there with blocks. There was also a single pickup Epiphone Casino that lasted to the end of the 60s.

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The single pickup model comes up rather frequently, as they are not nearly as desirable as the two pickup versions.

 

Of course the placement of the pickup impacts the tone, and some people like the center setup tonally - but unfortunately most do not. A local dealer had an ES-225 with the center pickup that I played & liked from a playability standpoint. Price was very reasonable. In the end, he sold it & took it back because the buyer couldn't come to terms with the pickup location.

 

As a 1960 model, the pictured guitar is from a highly regarded year, but that's still a lot to pay for the single pickup version.

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Yup - it's the ES-330T. The 2 pickup models are ES-330TD (plus a C for Cherry or N for Natural when it's not a sunburst).

Looks to be in good shape - but that price looks crazy for a 330T. I had one for a while, but found the pickup placement was right where I pick.

Still, the 330TD is my all time favorite guitar. I've had a few, but the '66 I have now is my all time fave.

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I've noticed a few dealers recently speculating on this model with some high asking prices. I don't know if it's on the back of renewed interest in the 330 following the very successful reissue, but there are certainly some ambitious prices being asked for the single pickup model.

 

A cursory look at completed listings on Ebay suggests the actual selling prices for a Cherry or Sunburst 330T are more in the $2000-$2500 region.

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