| Comments | Here’s something rare and special – a 1960 Gibson ES-330 TC Thinline Archtop Electric.
The ES-330 was introduced in 1959 and discontinued in 1972. Along the way, in 1968,an optional ‘longer’ neck – one that joins the body at the 19th fret but has the same scale length – became available and many of the later versions have this option. Oddly, the 330’s biggest claim to fame isn’t as itself. Gibson sent a version to Epiphone to take advantage of that dealer base, where it became the Casino. It turned out to be a favourite guitar with one of those British bands that sold a few records in the mid 1960’s. This example is in good working order (and is fun to play). Being fully hollow, it’s very light and the neck placement makes the first position an easy reach. It has definitely been played, with noticeable wear on the back of the neck. |
| Serial Number | N/A, built in 1960 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. |
| Pricing | $1,999.99 CAD with non-original hardshell case. SOLD |
| Neck | Mahogany neck with bound rosewood fingerboard; mother of pearl dot position markers. There was a professionally done headstock repair long ago, and the repair is solid. Mother of pear Gibson logo on front of headstock.
On this guitar, the neck joins the body at the 16th fret, moving the bridge closer to the tailblock of the guitar and making the first position a much shorter reach. This geometry adds a lot to the sound of these vintage models – 1968 and later models and reissues have the neck joining around the 19th fret. |
| Frets | Some time ago this instrument was professionally refretted, and there’s minor wear on the frets. |
| Body | Fully hollow double-cutaway 330 style body with tone bars running the length of the body, plus a reinforcing strip along the center of the top. |
| Finish | Original cherry nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Finger-wear mark on the top just past the pickguard, some small dings and scratches on the top and back; many old finish dings on the back of the neck. |
| Hardware/electronics | Kluson Deluxe tuners with creme plastic buttons, nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece, newer tune-o-matic bridge. Single P-90 pickup with black cover in the middle position, original bevelled black pickguard. Delrin nut. |
| Playability/Action | Plays well and these guitars are very light and comfortable. |
| Case | Newer hardshell case included. |
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