1960 Gibson ES-335 Sunburst
Description
Most of you know that an early 1960 ES-335 is identical to a late 1959 in every way except the price. A '59 will cost you about $20,000 more simply because it's a '59. Same pickups, same construction, same electronics (including bumblebee caps), same plastic, same everything. The neck on an early '60 is the same '59 transitional profile. Why is it less expensive? Because it's not a 59. This early (Feb.) 1960 is in 9/10 condition and shows no significant wear. It has faded a bit in the red but is quite an attractive example. It's a really excellent player and will hold it's own against any 59. Sure, there are bragging rights that go along with a 59 ES-335 but unless you are rich, $20,000 is worth a lot more than impressing your friends who will be jealous in any case. Speaking of cases, it has a brown with pink Gibson badged original case.
Fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood. Frets appear to have been professionally replaced. All hardware is original or correct except for the tuner tips which have been replaced with reproductions. This is typical. Nearly all 59’s and early 60 335’s have replaced (or badly deteriorated) tuner tips. Bridge is original no wire ABR-1 with original saddles. Tailpiece is original “short seam” stop tail. Tuners are single line single ring Kluson with replaced tips.
Pickups are PAFs with double black bobbins. DCR readings are 7.89K for the neck pickup and 8.11K at the bridge. PAF stickers are complete and intact. One of the pickup covers may have been off at some point but it is inconclusive. Pickups are original. Harness is original with bumblebee caps-this is typical for early 60. Pots are Centralab. Date codes were not readable without removing the entire harness.
Plastic parts are all original or correct. Long pickguard is in excellent condition and doesn’t show the upward warp that occurs in many long guards. Knobs are original bonnet type (same as 59). Truss rod cover is correct wide bevel. Switch tip is correct no seam amber catalin. Strap buttons are the correct plastic type found only in 1958-1960 335 models.
Playability of this example is excellent. No buzzing anywhere on the fingerboard and no fretting out when bending notes. Pickups are articulate and moderately bright and well balanced
Fingerboard is Brazilian rosewood. Frets appear to have been professionally replaced. All hardware is original or correct except for the tuner tips which have been replaced with reproductions. This is typical. Nearly all 59’s and early 60 335’s have replaced (or badly deteriorated) tuner tips. Bridge is original no wire ABR-1 with original saddles. Tailpiece is original “short seam” stop tail. Tuners are single line single ring Kluson with replaced tips.
Pickups are PAFs with double black bobbins. DCR readings are 7.89K for the neck pickup and 8.11K at the bridge. PAF stickers are complete and intact. One of the pickup covers may have been off at some point but it is inconclusive. Pickups are original. Harness is original with bumblebee caps-this is typical for early 60. Pots are Centralab. Date codes were not readable without removing the entire harness.
Plastic parts are all original or correct. Long pickguard is in excellent condition and doesn’t show the upward warp that occurs in many long guards. Knobs are original bonnet type (same as 59). Truss rod cover is correct wide bevel. Switch tip is correct no seam amber catalin. Strap buttons are the correct plastic type found only in 1958-1960 335 models.
Playability of this example is excellent. No buzzing anywhere on the fingerboard and no fretting out when bending notes. Pickups are articulate and moderately bright and well balanced