Kerouac
weird musical dildo
1959 Gibson ES-330
Up for sale, a 1959 Gibson ES-330 in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. This first year 330 is one of the earliest ones we've ever come across, and a stunning example that is 100% stock, save for a set of contemporary Grover tuning machines and bridge! The guitar has a rich acoustic voice and the P-90s have all the growl and bark you could want from a guitar produced in Gibson's golden era. The pickups really sing with clear, bell-like top end, tight bass response and midrange punch, all accentuated by the fully hollow body that adds an airy quality to the tone. Here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, we've pored over every detail of this guitar and had it set up to perfection with low action and a fresh set of DR 11-50 strings.
The neck has a medium C profile, bordering on the chunky side that stays very consistent, yet grows slightly deeper as you move up the fretboard. Not your 1950s Gibson "baseball bat" neck to be sure, but also not the slim profile their 60s instruments are known for! The original frets are in incredible shape, showing only light wear and having lots of life left for decades of future use. The Brazilian rosewood fretboard shows no signs of wear and the back of the neck still has a glossy sheen to it.
On the body, the unfaded sunburst finish shows light, tasteful checking and is very clean. There is only one tiny spot that has been touched up where presumably an additional strap button was added to the heel of the neck and later removed. This can best be seen in photo #11. There is almost no wear on the back of the instrument and only a few stray nicks and dings around the edges. This ES-330 is as clean as the photos show it to be and a collector grade example!
All of the electronics are original and three of the pots date to 1959, with the fourth pot of indeterminate date. The original Bumblebee tone caps are also intact and sound incredible, with sweet top end and lots of clarity as you roll them towards 0. As the headstock has never had a serial number stamp and the interior Gibson paper badge is missing, the pots are the most conclusive way to date the instrument, save for the black pickup covers and "Mickey Mouse Ear" horns that are indicative of 1959 Gibsons. The stock tailpiece, reflector cap knobs and amber switch tip are all intact and the chrome bridge is a 1960s Gibson Tune-o-Matic, likely only from a few years later than the guitar.
The original hardshell case is included. The case is a bit rough around the edges, but the tolex is mostly intact, as is the original handle and three of the four latches.
$3,499.99
