electricfactory Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Hey Guys, I could use some expert help. I was considering listing this ES-335 '63 Block Inlay Reissue for sale elsewhere, in doing some research I discovered I couldn't definitievly date the instrument based on its serial# 37162. This serial number also appears on the back of the headstock in ink, under the finish. I have seen other ES 335 '63 RI's marked thusly, but the Gibson serai number ID site was not helpful in dating this guitar. Can any of you knowledgeable guys shed any light on this guitars birthdate ? I tried calling Gibson all of yesterday, an excercise in futility and I never could get a live human being on the line. Thanks Guys, Mods please move if this isn't the appropriate forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjsinla Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 My VOS 1960 LP Special has a similar number: 0 1453 The first number is the model 0=1960 The second number is the year it was made 1=2011 My guess based on your serial # is that you have a 1963 model made in 2007, is that possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 15, 2015 Share Posted August 15, 2015 . Gibson started using that serial formula in 1995 - is it possible it might be a '97? Email gibson@service.com with the serial and description and ask for the year of manufacture. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr335 Posted August 25, 2015 Share Posted August 25, 2015 Hi electricfactory, The earliest year that your 335 could be is 2013, in fact it looks like a 50th anniversary 1963 reissue 335. For the 50th anniversary model Gibson finally addressed a lot of historically incorrect features that had been present on previous 335 reissues. For example, the only reissue 335 to have nylon saddles on the bridge prior to 2013 was the Eric Clapton limited run. Similarly, 2013 was the first year that Gibson slimmed down the horns on the 63 reissue, your guitar has this feature. Also, the black case with gold lining was only ever offered with the Clapton model until 2013. The reason I suggest it is a 50th anniversary and not a 2014 or 15 model is the colour of the tuner buttons. They look butterscotch like the tone pros klusons that were used on the 50th anniversary, for the 2014 63 reissue Gibson started using more transparent perloid klusons as the tonepros klusons went out of production. Also, you could pull the pickups to be certain. The 50th anniversary has burstbuckers 1&2, whilst the 2014 and onwards have 'Memphis historic spec' (MHS) pickups. Hope this helps, Dr335 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StijnV Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 The serial number refers in our database to a 1963 ES-335 block reissue, 50th anniversary, VOS, in historic burst, with nickel hardware, from 2013, made by the Memphis division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingpickup Posted April 24, 2017 Share Posted April 24, 2017 1441362788[/url]' post='1690945']The serial number refers in our database to a 1963 ES-335 block reissue, 50th anniversary, VOS, in historic burst, with nickel hardware, from 2013, made by the Memphis division. I am also unable to figure out when my ES-335TDC ( '63 VOS) was made. It was made Memphis and the s/n is 28062. Can anyone help me?Thanks,Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floatingpickup Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 1493037741[/url]' post='1851216']I am also unable to figure out when my ES-335TDC ( '63 VOS) was made. It was made Memphis and the s/n is 28062. Can anyone help me?Thanks,Keith Customer Service told me it is a 2013 50th Anniversary Model. It's a terrific guitar, looks, feels and sounds like a an old one. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Bauer Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Similarly, I have a 1963 ES 335 reissue TDC with #31016. I hope it is indeed a true Gibson.... How do I interpret the serial number? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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