Have just been given (temporary) custody of my dad’s 335. We seem to remember the chap he bought it from said it was either a ‘70 or ‘71. That was 25 years ago though! The salient points are the purple ‘Union Made’ sticker, the ‘Made in USA’ stamp on the back of the headstock, and the volute.
Key points:
- Cherry red (very faded now)
- Small block inlays on rosewood board
- Tune-o-matic and trapeze tailpiece
- Nickel-cover humbuckers, embossed Gibson logo on each
- Headstock logo has dot over the ‘i’
- Kluson tuners, plastic green ‘tulip’ buttons
- Six-digit serial number, begins ‘60’
It’s a great guitar. Could probably do with a new nut which I’m simply not going to have done on someone else’s guitar. It’s lovely and resonant, the pickups sound great. The neck takes 10 minutes’ getting used to - it’s a real baseball bat, very narrow.
Dead chuffed to have it for a while, I’ve missed playing it.
Comments
Pics would help.
In all honesty if it is a 1971/72 or 73 it will make little/no difference to its value or desirability - so enjoy it for what it is
If there's a 71 or 72 in the pot code then at least that's the age of those. As the advice above has indicated already the embossed covers were predominantly '72 only barring a few exceptions (late '71/ early 73 etc).
I have had a couple of these guitars from 71 and 72 and they were great. Enjoy.
Cheers
Hugh
www.proudhoney.com
Just curiosity really, I know a lot about Strats but next to nothing about Gibbos and particularly nothing about the 335
I need to sort the bridge, the retaining wire rattles like hell.
What I can see of the wiring looks factory original, to me at least.
Ta!
The rattly wire is common on the bridge. I tended to remove it or try and pinch it in a bit and some candle wax or not too aggressive adhesive (Not superglue style, more plumber thread glue style) was enough. Failing that just buy a newer ABR and there's loads decent to choose from.
Cheers
Hugh
www.proudhoney.com
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