combustables Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Hi All, New member and sorry if this is the wrong place to post. I've had this Gibson electric guitar for many years and am finally interested in knowing what it is (or was). It looks like an ES-33X but I could be completely wrong. I know the previous owner modified it heavily so it's probably not worth much in terms of value but I'm very curious to know what it used to be. The serial number on the back of the headstock is 954767 and it says Made in USA on there. I looked up the serial number definitions from Gibson but the answer didn't make sense Thanks in advance. -Lee Guitar pics at: http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4465.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4466.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4467.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4468.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4469.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4470.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4472.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4473.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4474.JPG http://www.labib.com/Gibson/DSCN4475.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 Early 70's ES model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It certainly looks like it's something from the early-to-mid 1970's Norlin years. I've certainly never seen much of that hardware on any production Gibson but, strange as it seems to me, I believe it to be 100% correct (the Schallers have been swapped-in but the original 'Kluson'-style impression is there etc...etc..). It's like a low-end model ES335, with 'Gibson' logo'd Melody-Maker p'ups. Weird - but also very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenced Fred Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It looks like the Les Paul recording model, or whatever its called, and a 335 had a baby. and it looked like this. Cool though, very unique Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrosurfer1959 Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 I'd agree early 70's ES interesting mods and actually looks well done - How's it sound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted April 25, 2010 Share Posted April 25, 2010 It is an ES-320 from the 70-72 era. The guitar is actually not all that modified. The front pickup is original, and of course the rear one would have matched. These were the same pickups that were in the original Melody Makers and should be easy to find, except for maybe the embossed logo, which was only used for a couple of years. The two toggle switches were originally slide switches, and the Schaller tuners were originally Klusons, and the bridge once had a cover. I had two of these roll through my hands (a blonde and a sunburst) during the late 70's. They were great guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
combustables Posted April 26, 2010 Author Share Posted April 26, 2010 Hi Guys. Wow! Thanks very much for the quick answers. I'm glad to know what my guitar is. I've had it for over 10 years and just didn't know what it was exactly. It actually sounds great except for a clicking or popping sound I get whenever my hand touches the pick guard. I can't imagine what causes that. I've learned to get used to it anyway. Just can't record with it. Any suggestions towards fixing that would be very welcomed and appreciated. This is a great forum and I'm very impressed with collective knowledge on here. Thanks again guys -Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 It actually sounds great except for a clicking or popping sound I get whenever my hand touches the pick guard. I can't imagine what causes that. I've learned to get used to it anyway. Just can't record with it. Any suggestions towards fixing that would be very welcomed and appreciated. All I can think of is some sort of static discharge being picked up through the p'ups. It may sound silly but you might try temporarily connecting a grounding wire from the pick guard to the instrument's earth circuit. It wouldn't have to be fancy - just tape it firmly in place and see if it makes any difference. Does it do it with all amps (and mains sockets!) or just one? Have you checked all the relative earth circuits? Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksdaddy Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Try rubbing a dryer sheet on the pickguard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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