For Sale: Left Handed 1963 Gibson ES-335TD, Cherry, OHSC, EXC!
These don't come up for sale very often, because there weren't many made! I would estimate less than a dozen factory left handed 1958-64 ES-335s were made by Gibson. Of this group, my favorite would be the Cherry block necks from mid-1962 to 1964. It's also my favorite overall category of vintage guitars from over 45 years of collecting. I have owned three 64s, currently own 2, and this is my 2nd 63. They have the Cream appeal, as Clapton used his 64 Cherry ES-335 for live performances during Cream's final year in 1968.
This ES-335 is in EXC overall condition. It has a really beautiful Cherry finish, and looks much better in person vs. the pics. The body is in great sharp with only mild checking. There is a ding on the front and several on the back with some mild cord rash. The neck has moderate wear on the back. It's true - the good ones get played! Frets have moderate wear as well, and would benefit from a fret dressing.
The tone is really strong on this one - would make a great Blues or Rock guitar.
This guitar has been personally inspected and black-lighted by Charlie Gelber of OK Guitars, who has seen more Golden Era (1958-64) ES-3xx guitars than anyone on the planet. The orange label is intact, with matching serial number on the back of the headstock. This 335 has the Mickey Mouse ears typical of 1960-63.
The pickups are sealed with untouched solder joints. Both pat # stickers are present. Tuners are the Kluson single line/double ring used through 1964. The nickel Bigbsy unit is similar to the one on my 58. The bridge is a nickel ABR-1 tune-0-matic, and the reflector cap knobs have the correct smokey appearance in the clear plastic area.
It also has the CUSTOM MADE plaque over the factory drilled stud holes, so the flexibility is there for a stop tail conversion. This was not the case for all the Bigsby ES-3xx guitars during this period. I've had several which were one-way Bigsby guitars with no pre-drilled stud holes.
Specs:
Serial # : 119781 (early 1963)
Neck Depth: .80/1st, .98/12th, with deep shoulders
Pickup Resistance: 7.58K/Neck, 8.04/Bridge
Weight: 8.75 lbs
The case is the original black Lifton with marigold interior. It is kind of beat with tape around the edges, but all hardware is present and working, along with the original handle. I do have a Mint early 60s case from my personal inventory which is available at additional cost.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most desirable left handed vintage electric guitars.
Payment: I accept bank certified check, wire transfer, and Paypal(please add 3%). Layaway: A 30-day layaway option is available, with a 20% non-refundable deposit due to hold the guitar. A guitar purchased under the layaway plan would be sold "AS IS" without an approval period.
Shipping: LVG ships everywhere, and I will use the most cost-efficient carrier available.
Return Policy: When you receive your shipment, you have 48 hours to approve it, or you may return it for a full refund, less shipping cost. Buyer is responsible for shipping & insurance BOTH ways. You must contact me for return authorization. Refunds will be issued when the guitar is returned to LVG in the same condition as when shipped, and please repack it in the same way you received it. Customers are responsible for return shipping, insurance for the full value of the guitar, and any associated bank charges.