steadyflowfunk Posted January 10, 2021 Share Posted January 10, 2021 Hey all, I recently came across a pretty vintage looking Gibson ES-335 that I’m going to get fixed up. I’m interested in knowing what year it was made and where. The serial number is 6 digits - 955153. The “I” is dotted in the Gibson logo. Haven’t had much luck trying to pinpoint any info by looking at Gibson’s Serial # Verify page. Any help would be much appreciated. Pics below! Best, Tanner front: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17OGCjfEWKPtDowAEwEQ9Mrj1V5_1e_Ob/view?usp=drivesdk back: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18B8SoxLECXfRwtwHWXHrdB684OOmmB50/view?usp=drivesdk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 That's a 1968 serial number. Should have an orange oval label inside the f-hole. Label should say made in Kalamazoo, and "Union Made". Photos are consistent with that. I think the tuners have been replaced. I had a '68 ES 335-12 with the same sunburst, and a fairly close serial number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JO'C Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 My go to source Gibson Electric Serialization from the 11th Edition Blue Bool of Electric Guitars also puts it as a '68. I have a '69 that could be its twin; exact same finish and headstock. My serial# could have been '66 or '69 so I removed a pot to verify and that dated to late '68, ruling out '66. Tuners have been replaced. Originals would have been tulip style Klusons. The pickups, if original should have Patent# stickers on the back. The original bridge would have had nylon saddles. Looks like a nice project as long as the neck is straight or can be straightened. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j45nick Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 3 hours ago, JO'C said: The original bridge would have had nylon saddles. Mine actually had metal saddles. That may have been because it was a 12-string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 I still have my ‘68 12 string. I’m not much of a 12 string guy, but it was too good to pass up at the time. It has nylon saddles......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JO'C Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) Yeah, I had a '66 ES-335 12 string and it also had nylon saddles. Edited January 13, 2021 by JO'C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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