❌SOLD❌ Gibson ES330TD Thinline Cherry, 1966

Built from 1959 to 1972, the Gibson ES330TD is essentially the same as the 1961 ES-230 Epiphone Casino, a double cutaway, fully hollow model with a pair of P-90 pickups. From time to time, Gibson re-issues this guitar.

The design for the Gibson ES330TD – the TD stands for Two Pickup, Double Cutaway – was an outgrowth of Gibson president Ted McCarty’s desire to offer a new, modern guitar to jazz players. The first item on the list was double cutaways, which at the time were not available on really any archtop guitars. The first model to use this format, and with a solid center block to reduce feedback, was the 1958 ES-335. The ES-355 and ES-345 soon followed, and to round out the line, the fully hollow Gibson ES300TD was added.

From a short distance, the Gibson ES330TD looks very much like the ES-335 models, but there is a key construction difference in the lack of the center block. The body is otherwise similar, with Laminate Maple for the top, back and sides, with Mahogany for the neck and a bound Rosewood fingerboard. At this point Gibson was ceasing use of Brazilian Rosewood, which was embargoed and in short supply.   The label is yellow, specifying that it was Union Made in Kalamazoo, Michigan. 

Here we’re looking at a Gibson ES330TD in Cherry Red finish, and with a single-roller Bigsby B6 added many years ago. This guitar is in overall good condition, with original frets showing moderate to heavy wear. Despite the fret wear, it plays pretty well and cleanly.  The original Kluson Deluxe tuners were long ago swapped to Schaller M6 models. 

The neck joins the body at the 16th fret on this guitar, the original configuration. By 1968 the 19th fret joint was offered, providing better access to higher frets, which was becoming more and more important to guitarists. Originally, the pickup covers were black plastic ‘dog ear’ models, but to reduce hum, metal covers were added in 1965.

A Gibson hard shell case is included.