Factory stop tail ES-345 from 1964, music to our ears.....
Real nice, original stop tail ES-345 with two popular players mods that help keep the price down a bit…
A well played factory stop tail example, this guitar bears it fair share of scars. The front and back have some knocks and dinks though elsewhere the finish is in good condition. The neck is well worn too, feeling very comfortable in the hand. There are no signs of breaks or any other repair work.
The fretboard has survived well with no signs of wear. This goes for the frets that have plenty of life left in them. The tuners have been changed in favour of Grovers, in this case very old PAT PEND examples, a popular choice amongst Gibson players.
At some stage, it has been converted to mono using a newer harness. Should you wish to re-install it, the original harness and pots etc are included in a bag and the varitone circuitry is still present under the bridge pickup though is not connected to the current loom. The pickup covers have been off as you can see in the pictures and one of the pickups has been rewound.
The remaining hardware looks to be correct and in good condition.
The guitar comes with a hardshell case.
All the touchstone tones are present here, the Patent Number pickups delivering as you’d expect. The neck has that unmistakable 1964 feel, possibly the ‘Goldilocks’ of Gibson guitar necks (not to fat but not too thin either, just right). The varitone does add extra weight which when sat down tends to make the guitar want to slip back but the sound and feel of this guitar quickly pushes that worry to the back of the mind. The sound is authoritative without being too heavy in the lower midrange. The bridge pickup barks when encouraged whilst the neck pickup is all kinds of smooth without loosing definition.
Like some well worn shoes, this guitar may be a little scuffed up and there might have been some alterations along the way but it will keep you coming back for more. Looking for a semi-hollow Gibson at reasonable price? Look no further.
We are located in Cheltenham, the capital of the Cotswolds, UK. All items are in stock and can be viewed, tried out through a variety of vintage amplifiers and purchased, by appointment at our brand new lounge/showroom. We despatch virtually anywhere in the world and we have enormous experience in hassle-free, safe shipping.
ATB Guitars (By appointment please) 15 Regent St, Cheltenham, GL50 1HE United Kingdom
Landline: 01242 697607
Mobile (please try landline first): 07842 001007
Overseas: +44 (0)1242 697607