Vintage Gibson ES-330TD - USA 1964

This ES-330 is a fine example of the classic double cutaway models that Gibson introduced in the late 1950s to great acclaim worldwide. The ES-330 model delivers a very wide tonal range for a vintage sound that can cover everything from jazz and R&B to country, rock and blues.  

While visually near identical to the Gibson ES 335, the 330 differs in that it has a fully hollow body and P90 pickups. The fully hollow body produces a fat, warm and acoustically rich tone that can really foster a connection with the instrument when playing live. At a touch over 6lb, the lightness of the guitar only adds to its expressiveness. Its classic sunburst finish over maple looks the part in all scenarios.  

Vintage Gibson ES-330's are excellent guitars, and very hard to find in Australia, especially in this condition. The hollowbody in this form gives you a manageable platform for exploring feedback, harmonics and overtones on stage, making the guitar feel truly alive.   

This original 1964 ES-330 is in excellent condition. A number of parts of this guitar have been replaced. The pickups are from Jason Lollar, a jumbo refret has been done, with fret dress by Frank Grubisa, which results in amazing, buzz free action at 1.5mm at the 12th fret. Tuners appear too good to be original, but are the correct Kluson white button design with the original footprint and perfect functionality on all strings. A push-pull pot is in the neck volume position, which flips the phase of one pickup, giving a “T-Bone Walker” style honk on the middle setting.  

This 330 shows no cracks or repairs, and the original finish is largely free of wear, buckle rash, or fingerboard pitting. The guitar has a light patina all over, giving it a great, authentic vintage vibe.  

Where this guitar really shines is the neck profile. 1964 is well known to be a great year for Gibson. From 1959 Gibson progressively slimmed down their neck profiles, however the year 1964 sticks out as an anomaly. For reasons unknown, the neck profile jumped up to a thickness to near late 1950s specs, only to be knocked back down to a substantially slimmer profile in 1965. This makes 1964 a ‘holy grail’ year for many players and collectors.  

Comes in non-original Gibson hardshell case in good condition.  

Features:  

Body Type ES-330   

Body Type Single Chamber Fully Hollow    

Top 3ply - Maple/Poplar/Maple, Hot Pressed   

Back 3ply - Maple/Poplar/Maple, Hot Pressed    

Cream Binding   

Mahogany Neck   

Scale Length 24.75"     

Dark Rosewood Fingerboard with 12” radius  

Cream Neck Binding    

Black Side Dots   

Fingerboard Inlay Mother-of-Pearl Blocks    

22 standard frets – medium jumbo (Refret 2005)  

Nut Material is Vintage Nylon   

Action @ 1st fret: 0.25mm  

Action @ 12th fret: 1.5mm   

Neck depth at 1st fret: 20.72mm  

Neck depth at 12th fret: 26.23mm  

Nut Width: 42.06mm  

12th fret width: 52mm  

Headstock Logo 'Gibson' Pearl Inlay    

Original Vintage Truss Rod Cover   

Replacement Kluson Deluxe Tuners with Silver Buttons 

Tuning Ratio 18:01    

Bridge Type Tune-o-matic (ABR-1) Die Cast Alloy - Nickel Plating 

Trapeze Nickel Plated Aluminum Tailpiece  

Top Hat Knobs    

Original Pickguard with 5-ply Binding    

Pickups -  

Neck Position Lollar Underwound P-90 Dog Ear   

Bridge Position Lollar Underwound P-90 Dog Ear   

2 Volume and 2 Tone Controls - 500k Audio Taper    

Coil Wiring Parallel-Machine Wound   

Switchcraft Toggle with Original Vintage Cap    

Output Jack - 1/4" Switchcraft   

Finish is Sunburst - Nitrocellulose Lacquer    

Weight: 2.91kg / 6.42lb  

Case: Non-original Gibson HSC