1961 Gibson ES-345TD

For your consideration, Garret Park Guitars presents this 1961 Gibson ES-345TD.

This lovely 1961 ES-345TD is in extra fine condition. It is mostly all original with the exception of the bridge pickup which had the cover removed so the magnet could be reversed for a more usable tone. (We are happy to restore the original phasing at the buyer's discretion. Wired in stereo, this too could be wired to mono at the buyer's discretion to come closer to the wiring of an ES-335). Comes with its original brown Lifton case.

This extra fine example has the full 1 11/16" nut width and the gentle D profile. Just slightly slimmer front to back than the bigger 50's necks, the profile of this model year is effortlessly playable, and one of the most desirable of all Gibson's necks. The frets are original and in excellent shape: the classic mid-60s medium-jumbos, famously easy on the fingers.

The body and neck are well balanced as the instrument sits comfortably on the lap or the shoulder. The original gold PAF pickups produce a smooth, high-output signal with all the snap, crunch, and sustain you'd expect from the world's most sought-after guitar electronics. 

Body size at lower bout: 16". Scale length: 24.9"

Nut Width: 1 11/16"

Finish: Original nitrocellulose Sunburst finish

Materials: Solid Honduras mahogany neck; maple top, back, and sides; solid Brazilian rosewood fingerboard

Hardware: Original gold hardware includes twin Patent Applied For pickups, original stop tailpiece, and studs; original black bonnet volume and tone knobs; original beveled b/w/b/w/b pickguard with gold support bracket; original; original gold Varitone selector knob; original Gibson Stereo truss rod cover, gold Kluson Deluxe tuners with single ring tulip pegs, original gold ABR-1 with the original Varitone wiring harness.)

The Gibson ES-345TD differed from the 335 in its inclusion of a Vari-tone tone selector circuit, split-parallelogram inlays, stereo output, and gold hardware. Introduced in the Spring of 1959, the ES-345 was an upmarket upgrade to the popular ES-335, combining Gibson's reputation for cutting-edge innovation with classic traditional design. The thin body was easier for players to hold than conventional archtops, the inner block enhanced sustain and reduced feedback, and the revolutionary Patent Applied For humbucking pickups set a standard of performance unmatched to this day. With its elegant gold hardware throughout, the 345 became an instant classic and remained one of the world's most innovative electric guitars until regular production ceased over 20 years ago.

With the price of the original PAF 335's reaching stratospheric heights, this rare and handsome alternative delivers all the performance, and true vintage quality, at a lower price point.

Condition: Excellent plus

Serial: A 35999

Case: Original Brown Lifton Hardshell case