1969 Gibson ES 350(?) value?

[Don Giller]

Hello -- new poster here. I've owned this guitar since 1972. The serial number has it manufactured in 1969. Based on the attached photo, any clue as to what precisely this is and its estimated value? I always thought it was an ES-350, but the front seems to match the ES-355, though mine is far thicker, matching the ES-350.

 

Information and advice welcome. Many thanks!

 

Don Giller

 

(I'm not the guy in the photo; that's an old friend, Tad.)

 

Front view:

 

Side view:

[L5Larry]

It's an ES-150DC. I've got a '75ish Gibson "custom order & electric acoustic series" catolog that shows that model. I'll have my wife take the catolog to work and scan the page so I can post it for you. I've been playing ES guitars for almost thirty years and I've always been curious about that model. I've never actually seen one, and yours is the first one I've ever heard anybody even talk about. I'd love to get my greasy little paws on that one.

 

The ES-350 was a single venetian cutaway model, more L-5ish looking.

[Don Giller]

It's an ES-150DC. I've got a '75ish Gibson "custom order & electric acoustic series" catolog that shows that model. I'll have my wife take the catolog to work and scan the page so I can post it for you. I've been playing ES guitars for almost thirty years and I've always been curious about that model. I've never actually seen one' date=' and yours is the first one I've ever heard anybody even talk about. I'd love to get my greasy little paws on that one.

 

The ES-350 was a single venetian cutaway model, more L-5ish looking.[/quote']

 

Larry,

 

You're a prince for both identifying it and offering to post a scan. Deeply appreciated.

[ksdaddy]

I had a '69 ES-150DC a few years back. It had the typical skinny late 60s neck that some love, some hate. Workmanship was spot-on, not a flaw to be found. The one thing I didn't like was a design flaw, in that it had very little neck angle so the bridge saddles needed quite deep slots and there was little break angle between the bridge and tailpiece.... it almost needed a hold-down bar behind the bridge. Other than that it was all kinds of Gibson-Sexy.

[L5Larry]

As promised, here's some scans of an early 70's brochure showing this model. The brochure probably dates somwhere between 73-75.

 

Here's the front and back covers:

 

Here's the back only which shows the ES-150DC:

 

Here's a blow up of the ES-150 blurb:

[Don Giller]

As promised' date=' here's some scans of an early 70's brochure showing this model. The brochure probably dates somwhere between 73-75.[/quote']

 

Many, many thanks for taking the effort to post these scans. And thanks to KSDaddy for his expert view as well.

 

Yep -- it sure looks like what I have is precisely what you've determined. I've since learned that the Cherry finish was manufactured during the model's first year only (1969).

 

http://www.gruhn.com/articles/Fulldepth335.html

 

Now -- who wants to make me an offer? :D

[Robin Nahum]

The two ES150s I have seen at vintage stores in Sydney seemed to take a while to find a new home.

 

Assuming that a jazzer is most likely to buy a laminate 3" archtop, I think your challenge will be to persuade a prospective buyer that your ES150 is preferable to an ES175.

 

I suppose you could point out that Pat Metheny plays an ES150 (as well as a 175) in the Joni Mitchell "Shadows and Light" DVD - and sounds soooo much better on the 150. ;-)

 

But then again none of this may be necessary as you may come across a wealthy up-and-coming indy performer who must have an ES150 (just like the one Pat Metheny plays in "Shadows and Light").

 

RN

[Don Giller]

The two ES150s I have seen at vintage stores in Sydney seem to take a while to find a new home.

 

Assuming that a jazzer is most likely to buy a laminate 3" archtop' date=' I think your challenge will be to persuade a prospective buyer that your ES150 is preferable to an ES175.

 

I suppose you could point out that Pat Metheny plays an ES150 (as well as a 175) in the Joni Mitchell "Shadows and Light" DVD - and sounds soooo much better on the 150. ;-)

 

But then again none of this may be necessary as you may come across a wealthy up-and-coming indy performer who [i']must [/i]have an ES150 (just like the one Pat Metheny plays in "Shadows and Light").

 

RN

 

Thanks, Robin -- I haven't yet had it appraised; mabbe I'll just hang on to it.

[TheUnionBlood]

 

Thanks' date=' Robin -- I haven't yet had it appraised; mabbe I'll just hang on to it.[/quote']

 

That sounds like the best idea. I can only imagine that the value of vintage of ES's will continue to increase. Right now most of the ES-1xx models are some of the best deal vintage Gibsons in my opinion. I bought a 1966 ES-125t all original in great condition for $900, which is a great deal for a vintage Gibson and plus it sounds amazing! Once more people start to catch on to how good a deal these kind of guitars are, the price will surely increase.

[Chuck b]

Mr.Miller

 

If your 335 is all orginal,including the original pick-ups(PAF,Which they appear to be) and original tuners, it could be worth up to $6000.00 to $7000.00.A friend of mine recently bought one( in a garage sale no less) for 250.00.Somebody didn't know what they had.

 

Other things ,such as finish(Candy apple Red,Blonde or Sunburst),Position markers(thumbnail,along the top side of the fret board)yours appears to be a standard dot on the fret board and an original Bigsby tremelo would increase the value.Being from N.Y.C., there are many stores in your area that could give you a more accurate idea of worth.Don't be fooled and for the love of god hang on to it.All the Best....Chuck.

[Don Giller]

Mr.Miller

 

If your 335 is all orginal' date='including the original pick-ups(PAF,Which they appear to be) and original tuners, it could be worth up to $6000.00 to $7000.00.A friend of mine recently bought one( in a garage sale no less) for 250.00.Somebody didn't know what they had.

 

Other things ,such as finish(Candy apple Red,Blonde or Sunburst),Position markers(thumbnail,along the top side of the fret board)yours appears to be a standard dot on the fret board and an original Bigsby tremelo would increase the value.Being from N.Y.C., there are many stores in your area that could give you a more accurate idea of worth.Don't be fooled and for the love of god hang on to it.All the Best....Chuck.[/quote']

 

Chuck,

 

Sound advice (and to TheUnionBlood for his as well), thanks; I have to assume that everything is as it was when first manufactured in 1969; I still know the original owner who sold it to me in 1972 and so could check with him.

 

Just a couple tiny nits ..

 

1) What I have is an ES-150DC, as L5Larry expertly determined, not a 335.

 

2) My last name is Giller, not Miller.

 

(Little plug here -- http://cdbaby.com/cd/lathropgiller)

 

Don

[Chuck b]

Don

What does the "pot" do on the lower treble bout of your E- 350?

[Don Giller]

Don

What does the "pot" do on the lower treble bout of your E- 350?

 

Chuck,

 

The upper pair (treble, bass) are volume controls; the lower pair determine the degree of treble and bass, respectively -- a very crude equalizer.

[ksdaddy]

I think Chuck may be asking about the master volume control.

[Chuck b]

Don

Recently had a chance to check out "Red Horizons".Great job on "Little Sister".Hats off to you and Tad.I see that you went to school for TV/Radio Broadcasting,This is what I'm doing now(1 more semester to go).I'll be sending you some of my work soon.Let me know what you think. Chuck B

[Don Giller]

I think Chuck may be asking about the master volume control.

 

 

Hmm-- that's up on top.

 

Don

[Don Giller]

Don

Recently had a chance to check out "Red Horizons".Great job on "Little Sister".Hats off to you and Tad.I see that you went to school for TV/Radio Broadcasting' date='This is what I'm doing now(1 more semester to go).I'll be sending you some of my work soon.Let me know what you think. Chuck B[/quote']

 

Thanks, Chuck! I never went to that school; just worked (more like played) at my college radio station 1969-71. You'll have gained around 4,000 times the amount of experience as I did.

 

And yes -- I'd love to hear what you're doing.

 

Tad's the talent in the outfit. His songs, his lead vocals; what I did was try to clean up his cassette demos.

 

[sorry for the off-topic, gang.]