❌SOLD❌ Gibson ES-335 TD Cherry Sunburst, 1966

This Gibson ES-335 TD dates to 1966, and was originally purchased at Manny’s Music in New York City, and the Bigsby B7 added in 1969. From 1974 it was used by the Canadian Creative Music Collective and is a part of Canadian music history.

When introduced in the spring of 1958, the Gibson ES-335 TD was revolutionary. It neatly solved hollowbody guitar feedback problems caused by ever-increasing stage volumes, while retaining the tonal ‘shape’ of the archtop guitar, and delivering most of the sustain of a solidbody. And, it came stock with the newly introduced Humbucking pickups. The TD in the model name stands for ‘Thinline Double Pickup’. While the TD appears on the label, all production 335 models were Thinline and Double Pickup so it’s often dropped.

Built in Kalamazoo, Michigan during 1966, this lovely Gibson ES-335 TD has been around, and used on many tours, stages and recordings by members of the Canadian Creative Music Collective (CCMC). Its Bigsby B7 was installed in 1969, and at the same time a headstock crack was repaired. The original Kluson Deluxe keystone tuners were replaced long ago with Grover Roto-Matics. The bridge, with its nylon saddles, is original; when built, this guitar would have had a trapeze tailpiece. The construction of the ES-335 uses a central Maple block with Maple laminate for the top, back and sides, all chosen to reduce feedback. The neck is Mahogany, with a bound Rosewood fingerboard and block position markers. At this time Gibson was sourcing Rosewood from Central American sources. For electronics, the standard Gibson wiring scheme is used. The bridge pickup has a Patent No. sticker, while the neck has the patent number stamped on the base. The covers have been removed, and the pickguard is long gone. A strap pin has been moved from the back of the heel to the treble side.

Characteristic of the era, the fingerboard is rather narrow at 1.568 inches (39.83mm) at the nut. The frets may be original as there are traces of the binding ‘nubs’ at the fret ends; they are relatively low but the guitar plays well and cleanly. There is room to move the bridge up or down, and the Bigsby is far enough back that the forward tension roller provides a good break angle.

The finish is original with moderate wear for a now 57-year-old working guitar. It has faded nicely.

A black hard shell case, likely original, is included.

The Canadian Creative Music Collective (CCMC) was founded in Toronto during 1974 by Peter Anson, Graham Coughtry, Larry Dubin, Greg Gallagher, Nobuo Kubota, Allan Mattes, Casey Sokol, Bill Smith and Michael Snow. Two years later, they founded The Music Gallery operating out of a variety of locations, and it is still in operation.