How’s about this keenly Gibson ES-330 TC from 1962?

Introduced in 1959 as the successor to the ES-225 and new thinline cousin of the ES-335, the ES-330 bridged the gap to Gibson’s classic arch tops of the previous decade. Seen in the hands of players such as BB King and Grant Green, not to mention the rhythm guitar of choice for many, the 330 is still hugely popular.

This guitar has certainly seen some life. The finish has faded and worn in places and the pickup cavity has been widened slightly to accommodate a humbucker. There is also a repair on the upper horn where a strap button was once situated.  

The neck is worn. There are patches of wear on the back of the neck. The fretboard is in good condition, the frets have plenty of life left in them. There is a headstock repair and some binding missing up the neck on the bass side. The tuners are reproductions and there is evidence of other tuners having been fitted. The nut has some drill holes for which we have no answer.

The plastics are in good condition with only very slight warping of the pickguard. The knobs are correct.

The tailpiece is correct with the bridge being a reproduction.

Electronically the pickup is a modern replacement. The pots are modern.

The guitar comes with a hardshell case

Acoustically this guitar has a pleasantly warm tone that certainly tips the hat to Gibson’s archtop heritage. Plugged in positioning of the single pickup seems to give you the best of both worlds, not too trebly and not too dark. The neck is the slimmer profile of the early 60s and is very comfortable, a complete delight to play.

Though there are changes this is a lot of guitar for the price. Grab a bargain…