1962 Gibson ES-335TDC Cherry

Cherry, with hang tags. Factory Cherry respray. Big neck era.

We knew Ronny the owner who told us the story when brought in the guitar for servicing. He bought the guitar new in Iowa on May 7th 1962. The included sales invoice says it was $365. We did not begin seeing it until the early 2000’s. The story is that he sent it back to the factory, an eight hour drive from Iowa to have it refinished in 1966-67. We see the finish is darker at the headstock. One would assume it was a factory headstock repair but we see no repair in sunlight or under a black light. You won’t see it either, but the factory shaded it. Ron told us that the factory also added a Bigsby with the original light nickel tailpiece with adjustment screws kinda common on ’62 335’s.

The finish is beautiful, stunning really, note the flame. The factory finished over Ron’s Iowa license number on the back of the headstock. But the original 1962 serial number remains.

The PAF’s now have chrome covers but the original nickel non-wire ABR-1 bridge and wide border truss rod cover, pickguard, knobs and stop studs are original. The original tuners are in the case. Repro Klusons are keeping it in tune now. We can install tulip buttons on the originals.

This is important. The original paperwork is in the case. This helps tell the one owner story. The bill of sale, orange “Sonomatic strings” tag, instructions for the tuneamatic bridge, key for the case and manilla envelope for these. Got it?

The neck is not the blade neck of late 1960-61 but instead more like the ’63 era neck. Deep. The tone acoustically is lively with excellent resonance. Through an amp the PAFs are crisp and articulate with a warm bass that is well defined and not mushy.

Last we will say it again, the factory refin is beautiful. Just look at the wood above and between the pickups. Note the yellowed lacquer and the lack of wear on the frets, the Mickey Mouse ears, lack of wear on the neck and the sheer glow of it all. Comes with a nice original hard case. $27,500