Blazorge

Heck, I didn't realize that the original post was from 2011. Sorry.

To my knowledge Gibson Custom Shop serial numbers are CS Y(year) X(1=Memphis or 2=Nashville) NNNN (order it was produced). My guess then is your 330 CS052851 is from 2020, made in Memphis and is the 2851st guitar produced that year.

Not a dumb question. So you're changing strings. How to keep the ball end of a new string from falling out of a trapeze tailpiece while you're trying to put the other end of the string in the tuner at the headstock. My solution is to change strings with the guitar laying on a table. I get the string seated in the tailpiece and then use a capo around the 6th fret or so to hold the string in place (with enough tension on it to keep from falling out) while I deal with the tuning machine at the headstock. Might not be the most elegant or best way but it works well for me. I'd be curious to hear how others do differently.