robtar Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 I recently purchased a 2002 Gibson ES-345 from Guitar Center and actully feel like I got a good deal from them for once. I saw it behind the glass and at that price, I asked what was wrong with it. They said nothing at all, took it out of the display case, there's not a scratch on it anywhere. Anyway, I bought it and it plays and sounds great. My question is, is there any difference between the new 2011 ones and the 2002 model? They didn't have a year listed on it, but I loaded the serial number into an online database and that's what it came up with. It doesn't have the wreath on the back of the headstock with the custom shop logo like the pics of the new ones I've seen, but other than that are there differences? Was this one made in the custom shop in 2002? It came with a BB King marked black case, no veil on the inside, or whatever you call it. They had a tag on it that said walnut but it looks just like the new translucent brown models. Love the guitar, just curious. Thanks.
L5Larry Posted February 11, 2011 Posted February 11, 2011 Around the turn of the century there was a "Historic Series" 345 being made in the Nashville Custom Shop, which is a very different guitar than the "production models" made in Memphis. It is very easy to tell them apart from the location of the output jack. The Nashville Historic has the jack on the face of the guitar, and the Memphis has two jacks on the rim. The serial number systems were also different. If you'd like to post some photos and the serial number I can probably be of more help.
robtar Posted February 11, 2011 Author Posted February 11, 2011 I'll try to post some pics later on tonight when I get off work. Mine has the 2 output jacks on the rim.
L5Larry Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 From what you describe you seem to have a Memphis built "production model" ES-345. TECHNICALLY speaking it is a "Custom Shop" model. The Memphis plant is operated under the Custom Shop Division of Gibson. So on paper, EVERY guitar that comes out of the Memphis factory is a Custom Shop model.
robtar Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 Do you know if walnut was a color offered in 2002, or is mine the translucent brown?
L5Larry Posted February 12, 2011 Posted February 12, 2011 Sunburst, cherry and walnut have been the standard colors offered on these guitars since day one. I don't think I've ever seen a 345 that wasn't one of those colors, but I have no idea what they're doing, or have done, in Memphis. Pics, pics!
robtar Posted February 12, 2011 Author Posted February 12, 2011 Can't figure out how to load pics. The serial number is 01612720.
jazzminor Posted February 16, 2011 Posted February 16, 2011 Hi Guys and hello from the UK, this is my first posting here. I just bought myself this beautiful Nashville 345. Has Custom written on the truss rod cover so I guess it's the mono version. This guitar is a real beauty, a definite keeper. An ebony fretboard would have been nice but I'm not complaining.
robtar Posted February 16, 2011 Author Posted February 16, 2011 That's a beautiful 345 you have there jazzminor, I've never seen a modern one in that color, maybe that's part of the "custom" on the truss rod. Very nice.
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