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1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

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  • #16
    Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

    Originally posted by NegativeEase View Post
    Pics plz... I need new erotica for my solo sesh later.

    Haha I posted two above.

    And thanks for the advice. I will bring it to a shop soon. Sounds like maybe I need a new nut and new saddles.

    I think I can get used to it. The only thing that stinks is I cant get to the 20th fret with how the neck is.

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

      Originally posted by chillytouch View Post
      Haha I posted two above.

      And thanks for the advice. I will bring it to a shop soon. Sounds like maybe I need a new nut and new saddles.

      I think I can get used to it. The only thing that stinks is I cant get to the 20th fret with how the neck is.
      Oh dayuuuum -thats a real winner..

      Post those pics into he original post so you don't get people constantly asking for erotica.

      That thing could be considered a historical liability (Steve Albini's words) meaning, if you care about it's value it may need to stay in the house -but me, I'd play the F**k out of my dad's guitar and play it everywhere and celebrate my dad's incredible tastes in guitar
      “For me, when everything goes wrong – that’s when adventure starts.” Yvonne Chouinard

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      • #18
        Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

        Originally posted by chillytouch View Post
        I dont think the guitar is for me.
        Oh it is, you just don't know it yet.
        -Chris

        Originally posted by John Suhr
        “Practice cures most tone issues”

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

          Chilly touch, I think that's a 330 not a 335. Can you double check?

          If the serial numbers and condition confirmed in detail with you -I'll send you nice cash for that sucker.
          “For me, when everything goes wrong – that’s when adventure starts.” Yvonne Chouinard

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

            ES-330. I had a later long-neck version. Great guitar.

            Bill
            When you've had budget guitars for a number of years, you may find that your old instrument is holding you back. A quality guitar can inspire you to write great songs, improve your understanding of the Gdim chord while in the Lydian Mode, cure the heartbreak of cystic acne--and help you find true love in the process.

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            • #21
              Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

              Originally posted by NegativeEase View Post
              Chilly touch, I think that's a 330 not a 335. Can you double check?

              If the serial numbers and condition confirmed in detail with you -I'll send you nice cash for that sucker.
              I will double check the serial number. You may be right, i just guessed 335 because it looked like the pictures I saw. The shop checked the number and told me it was a 1966 but they didn't say 335. And as much as I want an evh usa really badly, I don't think i can sell my dad's guitar. I'm sorry man . I will confirm the serial though for you just for giggles.

              I actually got it tuned tonight and tried playing it. Wow, the low end on this thing is amazing. I was having WAY too much fun with it!!! I just cranked everything haha, and yes i know im new and stink. I was having so much fun practicing back in black. Video below if you're interested lol



              @ICTGoober. oh ok, sorry man. didn't know.
              Last edited by chillytouch; 11-13-2019, 07:58 AM.

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              • #22
                Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                First of all - it's a 330. It has P-90 pickups, single coils - not humbuckers. A 330 is fully hollow - not a solid center section like a 335.

                And yes - play the damn thing. That's what they are for. It's actually better for the guitar to be in playing condition.

                Should be a great axe for jazz, rock, blues, country, pop - almost anything but metal.

                Have that bridge looked at a competent and experienced luthier. It's quite savable.
                Last edited by ICTGoober; 11-12-2019, 07:26 PM.
                aka Chris Pile, formerly of Six String Fever

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                • #23
                  Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                  I have a student with a 60's ES-330. It is a remarkable sounding guitar. If it were mine, I would hope to make my playing worthy of such a great sounding instrument. Get it in playable condition, and play the thing at home. It is also worth insuring at some point.
                  Administrator of the SDUGF

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                  • #24
                    Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                    Play it. Keep it. If it is never what you love it can be your "other" guitar.
                    It is lovely and it is valuable but not "sell it and buy a house with the proceeds" valuable, so enjoy it and keep it as an heirloom. If you replace any parts keep the originals. Try not to beat it up. But normal use in your home won't hurt it and regular use will keep the parts (tuners, controls, frets) clean and in working condition.

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                    • #25
                      Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                      I'm a little late to the party...been on vacation so I haven't kept up. And Goober beat me to the punch...

                      Yes that's a ES-330TD model, full hollow body (like the current Casino) not semi. pre-68/69 so neck joint at the 16th fret.

                      That's a very valuable instrument in addition to the sentiment (which is huge). Don't ever get rid of it, even if you decide never to play it.
                      I would personally replace the nut with bone and do a good file job on it so it will stay in tune. And I would replace all of the saddles. Keep the old parts in the case. I wouldn't do any other work on it (like a fret level, etc) unless there was just a spot or two where you are getting excess fret buzz.

                      Either keep it untouched (no nut or saddle work) as a collectible, or play it (with the nut and saddle work) as it was intended and enjoy playing a very great guitar. In any case, I would definitely never take it out to a gig or even a rehearsal. If that's all that you want a guitar for, then sell it ($4000-6000) and buy the playing guitar of your dreams, (even another 330 reissue, 335, Casino, Sheraton, or DOT), and pocket the change.

                      I've never seen one in that color on a 330. The 1960 model I had was in the traditional sunburst finish and I've seen them in natural and cherry and I believe it also came in walnut.

                      Does anyone know what that color is?
                      Last edited by GuitarDoc; 11-15-2019, 09:21 AM.
                      Originally Posted by IanBallard
                      Rule of thumb... the more pot you have, the better your tone.

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                        I'd never seen that color, either. I think my student's is in walnut.
                        Administrator of the SDUGF

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                          Originally posted by GuitarDoc View Post
                          I'm a little late to the party...been on vacation so I haven't kept up. And Goober beat me to the punch...

                          Yes that's a ES-330TD model, full hollow body (like the current Casino) not semi. pre-68/69 so neck joint at the 16th fret.

                          That's a very valuable instrument in addition to the sentiment (which is huge). Don't ever get rid of it, even if you decide never to play it.
                          I would personally replace the nut with bone and do a good file job on it so it will stay in tune. And I would replace all of the saddles. Keep the old parts in the case. I wouldn't do any other work on it (like a fret level, etc) unless there was just a spot or two where you are getting excess fret buzz.

                          Either keep it untouched (no nut or saddle work) as a collectible, or play it (with the nut and saddle work) as it was intended and enjoy playing a very great guitar. In any case, I would definitely never take it out to a gig or even a rehearsal. If that's all that you want a guitar for, then sell it ($4000-6000) and buy the playing guitar of your dreams, (even another 330 reissue, 335, Casino, Sheraton, or DOT), and pocket the change.

                          I've never seen one in that color on a 330. The 1960 model I had was in the traditional sunburst finish and I've seen them in natural and cherry and I believe it also came in walnut.

                          Does anyone know what that color is?
                          I'm not sure what the official color is. Would the serial number somehow tell me if it looked it up? I have the original manual it came with but no receipt i don't think. It looks sunburst to me too. I let my guitar teacher try it when I took it to the shop to get it looked at and he was blown away by the condition.

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                            That's just too cool. Definitely one of those guitars that, if you ever DID sell it, you would come to regret for the rest of your life. That said, it deserves to be played as much as respected.

                            Thank you for sharing it!

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                              330 = the best guitar model Gibson ever made, IMO.

                              I spent over a year shopping, playing literally scores of them, before picking a 1968, faded Sparkling Burgundy, 100 percent original except the case (which is '70s). I've never seen a better looking, or heard a better sounding, guitar. If you have a '66, you'd be a fool not to play the hell out of it (assuming it's in a good state of repair). I prefer the later models, myself, with small inlays, chrome covers, witch hat knobs, and the higher neck joint. I also prefer my Sparkling Burgundy faded completely out, while most people do not, so I was able to get the thing for a song.
                              Originally posted by LesStrat
                              Yogi Berra was correct.
                              Originally posted by JOLLY
                              I do a few chord things, some crappy lead stuff, and then some rhythm stuff.

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                              • #30
                                Re: 1966 Gibson ES-335, too old to play?

                                I'm wondering if that's just the original sunburst finish and that the black burst around the edges has extremely faded. I mean, it's nitro and it has been over 50 years!
                                I have to admit that I've never seen one fade that much, but I suppose it's possible because afaik the ONLY colors it came in were sunburst, cherry, natural, walnut, and sparkling burgundy.

                                What do you guys think...have you ever seen a sunburst (on any Gibson) fade that much?
                                Originally Posted by IanBallard
                                Rule of thumb... the more pot you have, the better your tone.

                                Comment

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