Gibson ES 355 Pickups (What Years Embossed with Logo?)

[thepocna]

Hey:

 

Does anyone know the dates during which the ES 355 TDSV (Walnut) had pickup covers with the Gibson logo on them and which years had plain gold with no logo? Thanks!!!

[Californiaman]

I remember seeing this post recently.

Do a search and see what you come up with.

It might have been a discussion in the lounge if that helps.

[lpdeluxe]

The logos were used for a very short period of time from 1970-72 on metal and plastic covers (P90s and humbuckers). It was a supposedly clever idea that had the practical effect of doubling inventory requirements overnight -- a separate cover had to be stocked for the bridge and the neck humbucker, since the orientation of the adjustable pole pieces was reversed.

[sok66]

Generally found on all of the guitars by '72, another brilliant Norlin move that made them sales-proof.

[guitartec]

I read that the heavy complaining by Gibson dealers about the embossed pickup covers not being interchangeable made Gibson phase them out in 1972. The nickle covers ran out pretty quickly in 72, but the gold ones didn't run out until 73. Since gold covers were only used on the less produced top-of-the-line instruments, the gold embossed covers lasted in their inventory longer. This falls in line with how Gibson is run... they never just start or stop anything. They typically phase in and out of manufacturing and design changes, whether it be finishes, model names, specific features, etc.

 

Oh, and my 73 LP Custom Black Beauty has embossed gold covers, so....

 

Hope this was helpful to somebody