[Bob Isaac]

Some months ago I got a 2007 Roy Orbison Signature ES-335 number 87 out of 200 made. It had some marks on it and I kept looking for a mint one. I recently found one in a shop in New York that was advertised as mint, so I bought it. It arrived whilst I was at work today and so was keen to open the box when I got home to see it. My intention was to then sell the other and reinvest that money in something else.

Well that is not going to happen. The one that has just arrived appears to be one of the original 70 made in 2006 and this is number 16. All 70 sold out in 2 hours of being made available. There are a few differences such as the volume and tone control knobs being different; and the interior of the case is different. The main difference that identified this as a 2006 is the Roy Orbison postage stamp on the back of the headstock, as this was not on the 2007 issues.

The shop owner told me the original owner was a collector and never played it, in fact the protective film is still on the pickguard; it is 100% mint.

This makes up for just missing a 1994 all-black Everly J-180 #2 that was issued as part of Gibson's 100th anniversary.

Pictures to follow.

Bob

[Bob Isaac]

Pictures

[BigKahune]

.
Very cool Bob. You're keeping both?

Beautiful guitar.

The TP6 came as orginal equipment? . . Nice.

Congrats. .


.

[Sunburst PB]

Those are both beautiful guitars. I too love the TP-6 tail piece and have one on my guitar as well.

Happy playing!

[Bob Isaac]

Yes keeping both as they are slightly different. The TP-6 was not standard issue on the 335 but Orbison and a few others had them fitted. I need a better camera and photographing black is not easy. Too much reflection.

Bob

[vincentw]

I can't get to Photobucket here...

[Dave F]

Bob Isaac, on 07 August 2012 - 05:21 PM, said:

Yes keeping both as they are slightly different. The TP-6 was not standard issue on the 335 but Orbison and a few others had them fitted. I need a better camera and photographing black is not easy. Too much reflection.

Bob

The best trick is to never stand in front of the guitar. Always stand off a little to the side so the reflection does not bounce back plus we won't have to see an image of the photographer on the top of the guitar. Here's a couple I took last night with the flash on.

[Versatile]

I also am unable to view said guitars...but I can imagine...

The 335 has become iconic to many famous players...black ones (ie BB King) having a particular mystique

Like many others, I have mixed feelings about 'investor/collectors'

Hearing tales of Jimmy Page distressed Les Pauls bought for $20000 and immediately put into storage

Roy Orbison had that special moody image which endeared him to zillions of fans...and the best voice to go with it...*

So it is very tempting to go with the visuals and wish to preserve them intact...

V



* And the shades to boot

[Bob Isaac]

Picures

Don't know why the link was wrong but I have just corrected it in my original post. Here it is again.

Bob

[Bob Isaac]

Versatile, on 10 August 2012 - 12:51 AM, said:

I also am unable to view said guitars...but I can imagine...

The 335 has become iconic to many famous players...black ones (ie BB King) having a particular mystique

Like many others, I have mixed feelings about 'investor/collectors'

Hearing tales of Jimmy Page distressed Les Pauls bought for $20000 and immediately put into storage

Roy Orbison had that special moody image which endeared him to zillions of fans...and the best voice to go with it...*

So it is very tempting to go with the visuals and wish to preserve them intact...

V



* And the shades to boot

I am sure most if not all of us at some stage have collected something along a theme, such as records, books, comics, or bubble gum cards. It is this trait in us that many companies thrive on, along with our attachment to some aspects of our lives. The 2006 model I bought proves this as it was bought by a guitar collector who just kept it in its case, probably along with lots of other goodies.

I am a huge Everly and Orbison fan, and love collecting, and this is just something these companies can target. Marketing without too much effort.

You can get a brand new ES-335 in the UK for as little as £1800 GBP and put a TP-6 on for about £80 GBP. Job done. Same as Roy's. But the siggy guitar when it came out was over £4000 GBP, and that was in 2006. But the difference is the special 'connection' with Orbison that this created.

Gibson has used the same technique with the Billie Joe Armstrong J-180. It is an Everly J-180, and BJA used one cos he liked it. Marketing without any effort.

There is a great interest in the guitars of the '50's and '60's as used by the icons of popular music and the originals, what few remain, are often hugely expensive. Reissue was the logical step. Gretsch do the same with Chet Atkins and Duane Eddy guitars.

They know our weaknesses. GAS GAS GAS.

Bob

[Dave F]

Bob Isaac, on 10 August 2012 - 02:37 AM, said:

Picures

Don't know why the link was wrong but I have just corrected it in my original post. Here it is again.

Bob

They are nice. Looks just like the one he played in the Black and White DVD.

[j45nick]

Bob Isaac, on 10 August 2012 - 02:37 AM, said:

Picures

Don't know why the link was wrong but I have just corrected it in my original post. Here it is again.

Bob

Interesting. That appears to be a '63 or '64 ES 335 he's playing, almost exactly like Clapton's red ES 335. I always associate Orbison with a black guitar.

I've always been a sucker for a red ES 335. Here's mine: Nashville '59 Historic.

[Bob Isaac]

Roy Orbison had two ES-335's, one was black, as seen in the Black & White Night DVD and then there was this that I never saw him play live with. One of them is an '82 and I think it was the black one as that was the one he put the TP-6 on.

My link



Bob

[Versatile]

Great posts

There is scientific proof that all ES 335's are wonderful

Personally I'm a traditionalist...tending towards vintage sunburst for archtops, semis etc

I remember seeing the first red and white quality guitars in the 60's and from the 50's

Different to the garish coloured toy guitars etc

They look great on stage...belieing their role in the production of virtuoso music...

V

[Murph]

Versatile, on 20 August 2012 - 09:48 AM, said:

There is scientific proof that all ES 335's are wonderful

He's right, you know......

[brundaddy]

THIS is the Orbison guitar I want:

https://www.youtube....h?v=ls2lC7DQFMI

[Bob Isaac]

I think I am right saying that it started life in the late '50's as his Gretsch White Falcon. Then around '60/61 the neck broke and he took it to Gibson. Hey presto, one black geet with extra switches (with different washers to the other two), different neck and pups. The story goes that it was sent to Japan to be copied but 'got lost'. It was a stunning piece, and the custom strap the UK fan club had made for him were part of his image. AFAIK there is no record of any interview with Roy about that guitar.

Bob

[brundaddy]

A Black Falcon with a Gibson Super 400 neck ... that's pretty much my wet dream guitar right there.

[jbkolb]

I have an artist proof number 5 with the stamp on the back I won from rock and roll hall of fame. was supposed to have one of the first 200 but they messed up so i got one of the ten for the Orbison estate

[Dave F]

jbkolb, on 12 November 2012 - 03:48 PM, said:

I have an artist proof number 5 with the stamp on the back I won from rock and roll hall of fame. was supposed to have one of the first 200 but they messed up so i got one of the ten for the Orbison estate

pictures?