An Original 1962 ES-335 Custom 'Stereo Varitone' with Two PAFs.

1962 Gibson ES-335TDC Custom 'Stereo Varitone'.

This special "custom order" weighs just 8.60 lbs. and has a nice, fat nut width of just under 1 11/16 inches and a standard Gibson scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Laminated maple body with single binding on the top and back and semi-solid construction with maple central block, one-piece mahogany neck with a medium-to-thin profile. Single-bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard with 22 original medium jumbo frets and inlaid pearl block position markers. Headstock with inlaid pearl "Gibson" logo and pearl crown inlay. Two-layer black over white plastic bell-shaped truss-rod cover engraved "Stereo" and secured by two screws. Serial number "81238" impressed into the back of the headstock. Individual single-line Kluson Deluxe tuners with double-ring Keystone plastic buttons (each stamped on the underside "D-169400 / Patent No.". Two original 'double-black' PAF humbucker pickups with rectangular black "Patent Applied For" labels, black plastic surrounds, and outputs of 7.99k and 7.53k. The two black plastic pickup rings are stamped on the underside "MR491 / M-69 7" and "MR490 / M-69 8" respectively. Five-layer black over white plastic pickguard with bevelled edge. Four controls (two volume, two tone) plus three-way selector switch for pickup selection, and six -way rotary 'varitone' switch, all on lower treble bout. Black plastic bell-shaped "Bell" knobs with metal tops. ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic retainer bridge with metal saddles and separate 'stud' tailpiece. The original Gibson orange oval label inside the bass f-hole has the style "ES-335TD" written in black ink and the serial number "81238" stamped in black. Also stamped in black on the inside of the body, to the right of the label is "Stereo Varitone". All hardware nickel plated. This guitar is in exceptionally fine (9.00) condition, with just a few small marks on the back of the body and on the back of the neck. The deep Cherry color is is rich and unfaded. This guitar looks, plays and sounds quite amazingly -- and it has that great '62 neck profile that so many players prefer. Complete with an additional special factory ordered pickguard with an extended center section so that the owner could avoid pick marks between the two pickups. Housed in the original Gibson black hardshell case with orange plush lining (8.50). A super rare factory special order.

"Introduced in 1958, the ES-335T (originally no final D) truly ranks among the all-time Gibson classics, not only because of its enduring popularity but also because of its semi-solid construction which pioneered a new style of electrics" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 231).

"There were indeed a number of firsts in the early days of the electric guitar, but in retrospect only few of them can be considered as true milestones. The double cutaway thinline pioneered by Gibson in 1958 genuinely rank amongst the great original designs. Their graceful shape was truly innovative at the time and spawned several imitations such as Gretsch's revamped Chet Atkins series or the Guild Starfire. But perhaps the most important hallmark of the new thinline was their semi-solid construction. Indeed Gibson's prime objective was to design an instrument that would combine the advantages of both solid and hollow body electrics and therefore appeal to a variety of players, regardless of their musical style" (A.R. Duchossoir, Gibson Electrics -- The Classic Years, p. 77).