Gibson es 330 history book

The es335 has been in continuous production ever since, and gibson now offers many different variations on the guitar, from noteperfect reissues to one thats equipped with a handheld fourtrack recorder. This ingenious redesign follows the form of the seminal es330, a fully hollow archtop electric with a thinline body depth like that of the semiacoustic es335. Gibson introduced the allnew es335 in 1958, soon to be partnered by its more deluxe stablemate, the es355. In 1959 the stereoequipped es 345 came along, as did the less costly es 330 which came in dual es 330td and singlepickup es 330t model with the same twincutaway outline and slim depth body as the other gibson semis hollow bodies. May 10, 2016 gibsons es330 stands apart from the rest of the es series like the 335, 345 or 355. It doesnt take a guitar historian or even a musician to recognize the gibson name. When it was first introduced, the es 330 stood apart from it gibson brethren because of its fullyhollow construction and singlecoil p90 pickups. The slim depth body is a delight for the player to hold. According to jim matherley, who came into contact with duane in florida in the early 60s, around 196364 duane owned a gibson es 330 with a dot neck. In 20, gibson introduced the government series of les paul, sg, flying v, explorer and es 335 guitars which were constructed solely of tonewood the us government seized but later returned to gibson after the resolution of the companys lacey act violation in 2011. In this era, gibson also launched the es330 which had a similar body shape as the 335, but. In 1959 the stereoequipped es 345 came along, as did the less costly es 330. Many of the original numbers referred to the price, in dollars, of the model.

Gibson president ted mccarty combined the look of an. The gibson 335 guitar book tells the story of gibsons es335 and related models, as played by b. The neck on the gibson es330 1959 reissue joins the body at the 16th fret. Much of the hummingbirds appeal lies in its versatility. Td stands for thinline, double pickups, but this part of the name was usually left out because all es. The es 330 is a thinbody, double cutaway, fully hollow body guitar produced by gibson from about 1952 to the early 1970s. Its full of great guitars, cool players, and fascinating historical detail. Gibson introduced the allnew es 335 in 1958, soon to be partnered by its more deluxe stablemate, the es 355. The guitars were finished in government grey and also featured decorations. This makes the es330 feels shorter and the balance feels strange. I think it has something to do with two famous red guitars. How to date gibson guitars using serial numbers our pastimes.

The gibson es series of semiacoustic guitar hollow body electric guitar are manufactured by the gibson guitar corporation. Es330 guitars at wildwood guitars, authorized gibson. Though similar in appearance to the popular gibson es 335 guitar, the es 330 is quite different. The only 335 book on the shelves today is adrian ingrams the gibson es 335.

They have never been more popular than they are today. They obtained an original 59 and painstakingly measured, played, and listened to it in order to capture every possible detail for the reissue guitars. The gibson es 330 is a thinline hollowbody electric guitar model produced by the gibson guitar corporation. Tony bacon, the british author ofthe gibson 335 guitar book, is not a gibson employee but he is highly respected and also the author of the gibson sg book and the gibson les paul book. Its spacious mahogany body and sweet, select sitka spruce top are more than. Gibson es330 discussion in guitars in general started by hyakushiki, nov 9, 2010. The es330 is a thinbody, double cutaway, fully hollow body guitar produced by gibson from about 1952 to the early 1970s. When it was first introduced, the es330 stood apart from it gibson brethren because of its fullyhollow construction and singlecoil p90 pickups.

But its different from either, the es390 takes the cleverly compacted dimensions of the popular es339, making it a more comfortable playing proposition for those used to having smallerproportioned solidbodies in their hands. Similar to other new models of the 1970s like the les paul recording, it was created as a streamlined update of one of gibson s classic designs to appeal to a new generation of guitarists. A or bmyrrr m is the model year being reissued y is the production year rrr indicates the guitars place in the sequence of historic es production for that year. Sep 12, 2016 this book is a great source of information about the history of the es335 and its numerous variants 330, 339, 345, 355. With two humbucker pickups and a solid maple center block, the semihollow es335 and its siblings have delivered some of the most famous blues and rock riffs in guitar history, from johnny b. I do notice the long pickguard on the book cover, and it was actually a bigsby equipped es345 that marty played. If youre still having trouble accurately dating your gibson, take pictures of the guitar, including the serial number, and upload them to the customer service section on the companys website.

The first is eric clapton s red 64 es335, and the second being the red hollowbody marty mcfly played at the enchantment under the sea dance. Gibsons es330 stands apart from the rest of the es series like the 335, 345 or 355. Even a semihollow 335 can rival a solid les paul for weight due to its bigger size, but the es330 is noticeably easier on the shoulder. Feb 29, 2016 1967 gibson es 330 featuring luke cawthra available at vintage n rare guitars, bath, uk tel. These factors gave it a woodier, more midrangeforward voice that inspired jazz greats like grant green to adopt it as their instrument of choice. So gibson clearly doesnt recreate the 330 at any sort of affordable price, but epiphone does in the casino. Also, the 330 has two singlecoil p90 pickups, in contrast with the. Rather than having a semisolidbody, the es 330 was fully hollow, similar to the original 1955 thinlines like the es 350t and es 225.

In 1959 the stereoequipped es345 came along, as did the less costly es330. The gibson es330 is a thinline hollowbody electric guitar model produced by the gibson guitar corporation. Discussion in guitars in general started by hyakushiki, nov 9, 2010. No matter how you attack this flattop, it pumps out rich, deep tones, and is equally at home strumming firstposition chords as it is taking the spotlight for picking lead lines. King in 1980 with the lucille model and chet atkins in 1982 with his new concept of a solid.

Best of all, the 330 has a fully hollow body, like the byrdland, es 350t, and the famous george gobel l5. Greatly reducing feedback, the trim profile still retains the graceful lines of the classic gibson archtops. Up for sale is an exceptionally cool and excellent playing 1961 gibson es330 td in its original sunburst finish. Rather than having a semisolidbody, the es330 was fully hollow, similar to the original 1955 thinlines like the es350t and es225. I know i prefer a slimtaper style neck to the 50s type, but on the other hand, i can live with the 50s type and i hear a lot of places that the magic of this model just isnt present in the long neck version. I wish they made the luther 335 without the bigsby whats the neck profile like in comparison to the 330 vos. Gibson es 330 discussion in guitars in general started by hyakushiki, nov 9, 2010. New listing gibson usa les paul studio padded brown gig bag, premium lightweight case.

It came in dual es330td and singlepickup es330t form with the same twincutaway outline and slim depth body as the other gibson semis. The gibson es330 is a fully hollow double cutaway, meaning it lacks the center wood block found on its semihollowbody counterpart, the es335. Introduced in 1959, the 330 is a full hollowbody guitar, as opposed to its companion models that feature a solid centre block. In response to a growing demand for vintage stylings, gibson tapped its rich history and reissued the dotneck version of the es335 in 1981 and the flame top sunburst les paul in 1982. Another great product of the ted mccarty era at gibson, the casino shares many common features with gibsons es330, including its dual dogear p90 pickups epiphone also offered a lessdesirable singlepickup casino and doublecutaway, fully hollow thinline body design. The following are a summary of fons as documented by joe spann in his great book of gibson fon numbers. Gibson es330 td long neck 1969 sunburst price guide reverb. I think it looks misshapen and out of proportion next to a mickey mouse ear 5863. Jan 26, 2011 according to adrian ingran in his great book the gibson 335, its history and its playersthe shipping total were. Originally the es 335 didnt have any fingerboard binding, but by 1959 all es 335s included this feature. Gibson les paul traditional pro v flame top electric guitar. If youve never played a 330 or a similar casino, you may be expecting no discernible difference to a 335. The beginning of the book is a history lessonstuff that, if not for tonys vast knowledge of the development of the electric guitar, would likely be lost forever.

For fans of gibson guitars, specifically es335s and its family, theres a new book out right now. Unfortunately the rest of the specs are unknown, so consider the side image only a placeholder. In 1958, gibson introduced more important design innovations than in any other year in the companys history. Gibson started producing the es335 in 1958 and is still in production today. If this instrument does not appear on the instruments page it has been sold. From 19751977 the number is typically found on a decal on the back of the headstock. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson guitars. Hi all, im really trying to make up my mind between the new 59 es 330 reissues or the earlier custom shop es 330l. A casino is a 5 ply laminated top, where the es330 is 3 ply laminated. At the same time, two legendary guitarists joined gibson b.

Its an es 330 made by gibson between 1959 and 1972. This should be an 8 digit number that can be dated by the 1st and 2nd digits as follows. The es 335 has been in continuous production ever since, and gibson now offers many different variations on the guitar, from noteperfect reissues to one thats equipped with a handheld fourtrack recorder. Dating a gibson by factory order number fon gibson has historically used two different alphanumerical formats to catalog its instruments. He doesnt dwell on the minutia that i lean towards but takes a more macro view of the 335 and its ancestry. Gibson introduced the allnew es335 in 1958, soon the more deluxe es355 arrived. Vintage guitars info gibson collecting vintage gibson.

With some of history s most recognized guitars under its belt, including the les paul, es335 and sg, this nashvillebased luthier is a titan of the music scene. The book traces the story from gibsons first thinline models to the companys signature instruments and modern recreations of today. When gibson memphis created the 1959 es330 historic, they set out to make an instrument that not only harkened back to the golden era of hollowbody guitars, but resurrected it by putting together a guitar thats as close to owning a vintage es330 as possible. Suffixes in the names indicate additional appointments, for example. Sep 23, 2016 before mid1950, most gibson headstocks were thinner at the top when looked at from a side profile. The es 330 shared the same body dimensions as the es 335, es 345, and es 355, but had a very different interior construction. For 2018, gibson brings the es330 satin to you with all the same exquisite craftsmanship and detailed appointments that made the original a smash hit in 1964 when it debuted. Unfollow gibson es 330 to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. If you have short arms, you might like it cause everything is closer together.

Though similar in appearance to the popular gibson es335 guitar, the es330 is quite different. I know a big part of the 330 was the fullhollow construction and the p90s. Id like to take a little credit for being the head cheerleader for the model over the past decade or so. The number in the middle is from 1964 on an es335, and the number in the right is from 1961 on an les paul tv special. With some of historys most recognized guitars under its belt, including the les paul, es335 and sg, this nashvillebased luthier is a titan of the music scene.

In 1959 the stereoequipped es345 came along, as did the less costly es330 which came in dual es330td and singlepickup es330t model with the same twincutaway outline and slim depth body as the other gibson semis hollow bodies. The late 70s es 335s had an extra switch coiltap, a narrower waist, giant fholes, nashville bridge or harmonica bridge in the mid 70s and pointy horns. This book is a great source of information about the history of the es335 and its numerous variants 330, 339, 345, 355. The book, which lists all the companys historical serial number schemes, is an invaluable resource when dating vintage gibson guitars. The letters es stand for electric spanish, to distinguish them from hawaiianstyle guitars which were played flat on the lap. The original es330 attached the neck at the 15th fret, but starting in. Its a great time to upgrade your home music studio gear with the largest selection at. The new, unofficial gibson 335 book charts the development and ongoing history of the guitar worlds mostloved semisolid. The original es 330 attached the neck at the 15th fret, but starting in. For pricing and hold status of this instrument, please check here. The only 335 book on the shelves today is adrian ingrams the gibson es335.

When gibson memphis set out to reissue the 1959 es330 td, they went all in. Gibson introduced the allnew es 335 in 1958, soon the more deluxe es 355 arrived. A 3ply figured maple and poplar top and back with a centerblock of maple and quartersawn mahogany neck make up the quality tonewoods of the es330 satin. The es330 shared the same body dimensions as the es335, es345, and es355, but had a very different interior construction. It came in dual es 330td and singlepickup es 330t form with the same twincutaway outline and slim depth body as the other gibson semis. How to date a gibson using serial numbers, fons and reverb news. The book is loaded with information and stories that will be fascinating to any es335 fan.

Es330 guitars at wildwood guitars, authorized gibson dealer. Gibson left handed, lefty 2015 gibson es 330 1959 reissue, vos sunburst 2015 vintage sunburst. The actual model number of this guitar is the es330td. Ingram and i dont know the circumstances behind the writing and publishing of the book. Td stands for thinline, double pickups, but this part of the name was usually left out because all es335 models came as a thinline with double pickups. Author tony bacon offers his own thoughts on an enduring gibson classic, while the book will help you now the difference between dots and blocks, the 335, 345, 355, 336, 339, the trini lopez and more. The factory order number fon consists of a 3, 4 or 5 digit batch number followed by a 1 or 2 digit sequence number usually from 1 to 40, but there were some double or triple batches where the numbers were higher. In 1977, gibson introduced the serialization method that we primarily use to this day at gibson usa, gibson acoustic, and the gibson custom facility in memphis, tn. Unfollow gibson es 330 guitar to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The gibson 335 guitar book tells the story of gibson s es 335 and related models, as played by b. King, alvin lee, and eric clapton, among other virtuosos. The 1964 number on the left is still a pressed in number, though gibson has inked the impression to make it more readable they started doing this about 1963 or 1964, when serial numbers went to six digits. Its fullyhollow doublecutaway body, similar to that of the es330, housed two minihumbucker pickups with covered pole pieces and pickguardmounted electronics. A normal 335 joins the body at the 18th fret, just like an epiphone casino or sorrento.

This 330 has the coveted black pickup covers and 1 1116th nut width with slim 1961 neck profile. As such, he has his own independent thoughts and theories on why the gibson es335 is so special. The number in the middle is from 1964 on an es 335, and the number in the right is from 1961 on an les paul tv special. According to adrian ingran in his great book the gibson 335, its history and its playersthe shipping total were. The great thing about this guitar is, its first year of production. Gibson es330 with humbuckers and centerblock but hollowbody.