Robert37 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hello, When I was 7 (1977) my grandfather passed away and left me his guitar. I have been trying to find out the value and year of the guitar for years and have had many numerous responses regarding the age and value. Can someone please help me? It has the serial number of 97075 on the back of the neck. Those are the only numbers on it. I'm unsure on how to insert images so if someone can help me that would be great. (I've uploaded the photo to my Avatar) Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Try this. http://forums.gibson.com/default.aspx?g=posts&t=11276 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert37 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thanks Axe Lets try this This last picture is where the serial number is. Unfortunately the flash drowned it out. Someone told me it was a 1946 ELS hallowbody Anyone have an idea? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I think it's an ES-330 but I may be wrong. The black pickup covers are interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 What rocketman said - looks like an ES-330. I don't know what year it is but it looks pretty old and the format of the serial number reflects that. Gibson serial number info: http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/ It's probably worth a good chunk of money so you might consider taking it to someone who can give it a proper appraisal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Here is some more info: http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson4.html#es330 According to that web site, it might date around the early 60's since it has a cherry finish and block inlays. 1959 Gibson ES-330 introduction specs: Thinbody, double cutaway, fully hollow body, 1 or 2 P-90 pickups with black covers, tune-o-matic bridge, trapeze tailpiece (Bigsby vibrato optional), laminated beveled-edge pickguard, single bound top, back and rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot fingerboard inlays, neck joins body at 15th fret, crown peghead inlay, sunburst or natural finish. 1962 Gibson ES-330 specs: By mid 1962 the small block fingerboard inlays replace dots, nickel pickup covers replace black plastic pickup covers, cherry finish available. At first the pickup covers were nickel plated plastics (rare), but then quickly changed to nickle plated metal covers. Also the "ears" of the body became more pointy and less "Mickey Mouse" style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 COOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert37 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 The 1959 Gibson ES 330 is exactly what it has. How do I find the value of such a guitar? My problem is I still play it as it has the most amazing sound. Not like my Fender but if I want a Blues sound then it's brilliant. However if its worth something then I want to preserve it for my son by placing it in a case or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 It is a keeper! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 It is a keeper! Listen to the Axe. Man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 You can still play it and hand it down to your son.........just take care of it and also if it needs any maintenance do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert37 Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Does anyone from Gibson ever drop in here to clarify as I received an email saying it's a 335 instead of a 330. I have no clue what the difference is. Also the serial numbers don't add up for the 59 Gibson according to Gibsons Blue Book. The Serial number is ink stamped on the back of the headstock and its 97075. As more information is thrown at me the more it confuses me. It could be a 51, a 47, a 59.......none of it makes sense. I appreciate all your help guys and don't worry this beauty isn't going anywhere....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The 1959 Gibson ES 330 is exactly what it has. How do I find the value of such a guitar? That's a really cool guitar. Gruhn Guitars here is Nashville do appraisals, whether is in person or through pictures. They charge a fee but their name is recognized. Here is the link, click on appraisals. http://www.gruhn.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 That would sure make one hell of a family heirloom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Looks cool. Do you have the arm for the Bigsby? By the way that looks like a 330 and not a 335. Serial numbers from that time are kindof sketchy. Someone can tell you exactly what it is. '59 looks right to me though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Here is one from my area. http://wilmington.craigslist.org/msg/1578496579.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Does anyone from Gibson ever drop in here to clarify as I received an email saying it's a 335 instead of a 330. I have no clue what the difference is. Also the serial numbers don't add up for the 59 Gibson according to Gibsons Blue Book. The Serial number is ink stamped on the back of the headstock and its 97075. As more information is thrown at me the more it confuses me. It could be a 51' date=' a 47, a 59.......none of it makes sense.[/quote'] IT IS NOT A 335....... it is an ES-330. IT IS NOT A '51, 47, OR '59....... it is from 1963 The serial numbers from this era are very well documented, it wasn't until they got to 100,000 that things got screwy. This guitar has block inlays, which also is a key identifier of the early-mid 60's model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 You're the man Larry. How could I miss the bock inlays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverbursted Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 That is a very cool guitar. Do you have the case too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert37 Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Yea I have the original case as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 It's a beauty. Never sell it unless you are really strapped. If you live in my part of the world and it needs any work, let me know. I have a great mate who is a great luthier/repairer/teacher etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Does anyone from Gibson ever drop in here to clarify as I received an email saying it's a 335 instead of a 330. I have no clue what the difference is. No' date=' no one who will evaluate your guitar. But it's definitely a 330, not a 335. Whoever sent you that email is either blind, can't read or stupid. Also the serial numbers don't add up for the 59 Gibson according to Gibsons Blue Book. The Serial number is ink stamped on the back of the headstock and its 97075. As more information is thrown at me the more it confuses me. It could be a 51, a 47, a 59.......none of it makes sense. I appreciate all your help guys and don't worry this beauty isn't going anywhere....... Here is some more info:http://home.provide.net/~cfh/gibson4.html#es330 1959 Gibson ES-330 introduction specs:Thinbody' date=' double cutaway, fully hollow body, 1 or 2 P-90 pickups with black covers, tune-o-matic bridge, trapeze tailpiece (Bigsby vibrato optional), laminated beveled-edge pickguard, single bound top, back and rosewood fingerboard, pearl dot fingerboard inlays, neck joins body at 15th fret, crown peghead inlay, sunburst or natural finish. 1962 Gibson ES-330 specs: By mid 1962 the small block fingerboard inlays replace dots, nickel pickup covers replace black plastic pickup covers, cherry finish available. At first the pickup covers were nickel plated plastics (rare), but then quickly changed to nickle plated metal covers. Also the "ears" of the body became more pointy and less "Mickey Mouse" style. According to that web site, it might date around the early 60's since it has a cherry finish and block inlays. Most likely, a '62. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowdown Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Whoah! Every now & then you come across a post that just makes you shiver. Lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertjohn Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I swung by Denmark St today and into Vintage and Rare. They had one which looked indentical to yours in a glass display case. Marked as 1960/61 ES330. Oh the price?.......... £7,500!! They may be overpriced but £7,500? Happy days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Beach Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 We had a guitar road show come to our town and me and another guy did guitar appraisals. I'm not familiar with all the Gibsons pre 77 thats where the other guy came in, but he ended up giving someone 14 grand for a 63 335 in mint condition, so I'm assuming your guitar is worth somewhere between 5 and 10 grand. (10 in a better economy 5 now) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.