thornev

A dealer who specializes in early Gibson ES335/345/355 is OK Guitars in Connecticut USA. (Oh I see he's already been mentioned) http://www.es-335.org/ I've bought from him. Very knowledgeable.

Funny. The Sweetwater ad makes it sound like it's a recreation of a vintage 345. It is nothing like it. 2 different pickups? No varitone? Light-weight tailpiece? No wonder the guitar is no longer available. False advertising if you ask me. I have a 1962 ES345 and I absolutely love it. It plays itself. Thorne

I like the Gibson 60's slim necks. It feels easier to get around on such a neck. I don't understand why some people love the Gibson fat necks. To me it means wrist strain after playing for 4 hours. But it comes down to whatever a person likes and whatever feels good to play. That's the bottom line. Play it. If you love it, buy it... if you can afford it. I wouldn't hold out for the perfect guitar (then again if your funds are limited, I understand waiting). You may be playing the perfect guitar right now ! Thorne

I've been dealing with a 335 expert who primarily sells Gibson 3x5 guitars. He knows people at Gibson. He told me that Epiphone and Gibson are made by the same people at the same factory. If that is true, I doubt there is that much of a difference between Gibsons and Epiphones. Maybe some of the parts in Epiphones are less expensive and hence the cheaper price tag. But I've played many many guitars and basses and this I know - there are great Gibsons and crap Gibsons and there are great unknowns and crap unknowns. It comes down to how you feel about the instrument. In good hands any instrument can sound great. If it feels good and sounds good, then it's for you, regardless of the name on it. I would and have paid premiums for guitars just because I loved playing them. And it doesn't take long to know. I know after 5 minutes and if I'm still rockin' out on the instrument after 30 minutes. Thorne

The problem with those guitars that hang around on eBay and Reverb is that the seller is asking too much. Yes, vintage instruments in exceptional condition deserve a premium, but some sellers are just dreaming when their guitars have issues. Vintage guitars are like any - some are a joy to play and some are not. You won't know until it's in your hands for 30m. For me, if I enjoy playing it, it's worth paying a premium. But that's not an investment decision. That's a guitar player decision. If investment is your top priority, you have to invest in those guitars that have always been and will continue to be popular. And because they are popular, you will pay a premium. But then you get back that premium when you sell... assuming the market doesn't go south. That can happen and does happen periodically. Just wait it out if you can. Thorne

Can you buy conditionally? That is get a full refund if the bridge is not setup correctly and cannot be unglued? I agree that is a concern, but there's no way to know unless you can conditionally return it or if you can bring an expert with you to examine it. Thorne

For me, the feel and tone are most important. If you've played it and you like playing it and like the tone, go for it. Not all guitars will have those characteristics. From a collector's point of view, the damages bring the value down so it might not be a good investment. But I don't know what clean ones go for. So you'll have to do some research and decide if it's worth the cost to you. Thorne

If it's truly your dream guitar, why wouldn't you go for it? That means there's no better guitar out there for you. Who cares if it's genuine Gibson or not? I know what you fear. I can't judge based on a few pictures, but it looks genuine to me, for what little I know about new Gibson guitars. I know more about vintage. Thorne

Not worth it. There's nothing special about that guitar except maybe the maple top. Everything else, as far as I know, and I'm guessing, is electronics you can get in any other Gibson guitar. They're praying on people who don't know any better is my guess. For that money you can buy an original ES350T with PAFs that smokes. I know - I've got a 1957 ES350T. Shame on Gibson. Thorne

A black 335 ?!?! That's a keeper ! My 1960 ES335 natural has a neck repair, but, one, the repair is so well done, you can't see it unless someone tells you, and two, it's been that way for decades with no stability issues. Although it's def an investment guitar (because how many of the eighty-eight 1960 naturals are still out there?) and it was quite expensive, like you I don't care. Why? It plays great ! The PAFs really kick and although it also has a lot of finish cracks (it's been on the road a LOT so a lot of hot/cold changes - the guitar is weather-worn), I still don't care because it's a beautiful piece of wood and IT PLAYS GREAT ! Oh, and did I mention it plays great? =:-) Enjoy your guitars. They are the tools with which we create and talk using the language of The Universe. Thorne

That truss looks authentic to me. I know the issue is paying for a brand name when maybe it's not and hence overpaying, but the real question, or at least the 2nd one of importance, should be this... do you like playing the guitar? If you do, then ask if you like it enough to pay the price. See, what's most important in my mind, unless you're buying for an investment, is if you will be happy playing it. Happiness will outlast any amount of money if you know what I mean. Thorne

Yeah, the label is missing the color, hardware type (e.g. nickel) and 335 type (e.g. NH1 for Reissue) info. ES is obvious, DT means Dot Neck. Quite a coincidence that it's a 335 and the day of the year in the serial number is 335. 317 would be correct for an electric. I went looking for that label but couldn't find it. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Ever since Gibson sold out to Norlin, I find the quality has decreased despite the fact that the prices have increased. This selling of pre-distressed finishes is such BS. Is that what the public wants, guitars that are fake vintage? I have a 1957 ES, a 1960 ES, a 1962 ES and a 1969 LPC, all Gibsons, and I cherish those guitars as they are built well, play fantastically and sound great. And it's not just Gibson whose guitars lack quality. All name brand guitar manufacturers seem to want to maximize profit at the cost of quality instruments. Quality instruments are available, but now we have to pay a premium for them. They're no longer the norm. Sad. Maybe there are exceptions. I hope so. Thorne

I emailed Gibson customer service and they said it left the Kalamazoo factory on March 10, 1960 according to their ledgers. I agree the market will treat it as a 1960. I can always say it has 1959 characteristics...for what it's worth. Thanks for all the replies.

ES339 e.g. https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/MEM7X3642/es-339-figured