thedukeofnada Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 Hi all, I have owned several Gibson's over the years but I just play for myself so I usually buy only acoustic. A few weeks ago while garage sale-ing with my daughter I picked up this guitar for $40. Just thought it was a cool looking Gibson with some wear and tear but I decided to do some research over this last weekend. To my surprise, according to the serial number and research pics, it turned out to be a 1962 ES-330. Everything looks to be original except the tuner pegs/posts (that is where most of the "damage" is as well as you'll see in the pics). Some scratches and dings but overall in good condition and playable. Not sure I want to get rid of it and may just have it restored but wondering how the headstock damage affects the value. Any ideas what it might cost to restore? http://www.guitardaterproject.org/gibson.aspx This result is a match only if the serial number is impressed on headstock Your guitar was made at the Kalamazoo Plant, MI, USA in 1962 Production Number: 55025 ES-330 Vintage Cherry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deeman Posted September 6, 2016 Share Posted September 6, 2016 I go to garage sales with my wife hoping one day i'll find an old Gibson or 'insert nice guitar here' for ridiculously cheap. I'm glad you found one...I'm still waiting! As far as damage, it just looks like they added tuners of a different size than the originals. I'm not sure how much they hacked up the headstock but it will effect value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedukeofnada Posted September 6, 2016 Author Share Posted September 6, 2016 Deeman, I hear you on that one. I'm pretty sure the only reason I found it was because I wasn't looking for it. Exactly, looks like the new tuners are of a different size so they may have drilled a few extra holes that shouldn't be there. Thanks for the info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Mac Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Howdy, Duke! I also would LOVE to find an ES-330 under the same circumstance as you found this one! I have one from '66 and I think it's wonderful! I got it when I was a teen. Tell ya what; I'll give you $200 for it right now... I hope yours speaks to you and brings you as much joy as mine has to me! Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedukeofnada Posted September 9, 2016 Author Share Posted September 9, 2016 Howdy, Duke! I also would LOVE to find an ES-330 under the same circumstance as you found this one! I have one from '66 and I think it's wonderful! I got it when I was a teen. Tell ya what; I'll give you $200 for it right now... I hope yours speaks to you and brings you as much joy as mine has to me! Congratulations! Howdy back, G MAC! As much as I appreciate the generous offer I guess I'll have to decline. :) It definitely needs some love but I'll hold onto it for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted September 9, 2016 Share Posted September 9, 2016 OMG! You have in your hot little hands what I consider to be one of finest electric guitars ever made. You hopefully do realize that the Epiphone Casinos played by the Beatles were Gibson's Epi-clone of the ES-330. There's a reason they were drawn to this model - it just happens to produce a uniquely wonderful tone & has excellent playability. McCartney still owns his, and it remains his favorite electric guitar after all these years. What's more, a pre-'65 ES-330 is typically more desirable due to it's larger neck profile. It took me many years to discover that the ES-330 was the ideal guitar for my playing style. I satisfied the need to own one a few years ago, and it's an instrument I'll never part with. Do yourself a favor. If you have any interest at all in playing an electric guitar, keep this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedukeofnada Posted September 10, 2016 Author Share Posted September 10, 2016 OMG! You have in your hot little hands what I consider to be one of finest electric guitars ever made. You hopefully do realize that the Epiphone Casinos played by the Beatles were Gibson's Epi-clone of the ES-330. There's a reason they were drawn to this model - it just happens to produce a uniquely wonderful tone & has excellent playability. McCartney still owns his, and it remains his favorite electric guitar after all these years. What's more, a pre-'65 ES-330 is typically more desirable due to it's larger neck profile. It took me many years to discover that the ES-330 was the ideal guitar for my playing style. I satisfied the need to own one a few years ago, and it's an instrument I'll never part with. Do yourself a favor. If you have any interest at all in playing an electric guitar, keep this one! Thanks for the info bobouz! I'm not sure I can do it justice with my playing but it definitely re-energizes me to play more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejay Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Wow! That is the only word that comes to mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougg330 Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thanks for the info bobouz! I'm not sure I can do it justice with my playing but it definitely re-energizes me to play more. Congrats on your find, man. I have two 330's - to me, the most versatile and comfortable guitars ever. Recently bought a vintage 335 but traded it off because I kept choosing the 330s over the 335. Once you get the P-90 sound in your head, humbuckers often just don't measure up. Happy for your find. Yes, I go to flea markets constantly with my wife - and the only 'find' I've made is a Jay Turser copy of a Strat for $20. A little cleanup and a bridge repair, and it plays and sounds great - but it's a Strat, not a 330. Your luck gives me hope that a find like that might be out there yet for me. Enjoy!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted September 20, 2016 Share Posted September 20, 2016 Keep it, and don't touch it, except (maybe?) putting original type Kluson tuners back on. BUT, a LOT of people, back in the '60's put Grover's or Schaller type tuning keys on their Gibson's. So, that's not that unusual. By the photos (even though they're small, and it's hard to actually see the true condition it's in), it looks to be reasonably "clean" for a guitar that old! So, unless it's in need of some repair, that's not immediately apparent in the photos, I'd leave it alone. Maybe, clean it up, good. I lite polish as/if needed, and restring (if you haven't, already), and Play the heck out of it! They are awesome sounding guitars! Being true "hollow" bodies, they can "feed back" at higher volumes, but some dampers are available, and/or stuff the inside with foam or rolled up socks, for those situations, and you're good to go! I'd advise taking it to a good Luthier, for a "set up"/evaluation, and possibly a fret dressing, as/if needed. Congratulations, that "deal" was unbelievable! [thumbup] CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedukeofnada Posted September 21, 2016 Author Share Posted September 21, 2016 Keep it, and don't touch it, except (maybe?) putting original type Kluson tuners back on. BUT, a LOT of people, back in the '60's put Grover's or Schaller type tuning keys on their Gibson's. So, that's not that unusual. By the photos (even though they're small, and it's hard to actually see the true condition it's in), it looks to be reasonably "clean" for a guitar that old! So, unless it's in need of some repair, that's not immediately apparent in the photos, I'd leave it alone. Maybe, clean it up, good. I lite polish as/if needed, and restring (if you haven't, already), and Play the heck out of it! They are awesome sounding guitars! Being true "hollow" bodies, they can "feed back" at higher volumes, but some dampers are available, and/or stuff the inside with foam or rolled up socks, for those situations, and you're good to go! I'd advise taking it to a good Luthier, for a "set up"/evaluation, and possibly a fret dressing, as/if needed. Congratulations, that "deal" was unbelievable! [thumbup] CB Thanks for the info CB. I believe the current tuners are Schaller (made in Germany, S insignia) so I think you're right on the money. I've priced some 1960~ Kluson's for around $225.00. I'm taking it in this weekend for an eval as you suggested. Appreciate the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted September 22, 2016 Share Posted September 22, 2016 Thanks for the info CB. I believe the current tuners are Schaller (made in Germany, S insignia) so I think you're right on the money. I've priced some 1960~ Kluson's for around $225.00. I'm taking it in this weekend for an eval as you suggested. Appreciate the advice. Sure thing! Good luck, and have a great time, with that Great old Gibby! CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badbluesplayer Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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