Ibanez Unbranded ES-335 Lawsuit Era Copy 1970s Sunburst

Up for grabs we have here a real treat and a total rarity to see available. There was a time long long ago when the japanese guitar manufacturers were producing for fractions of the cost basically exact replicas of American made instruments. These golden age guitars were so revered that it caught the eye of the larger American guitar manufactures and they began to sue anyone trying to copy their designs. Most notably the lawsuit between ibanez and Gibson, starting the lawsuit era of guitars

Here’s the story with this guy, I was scrolling through the used inventory of a music store when I stumbled up on this. Thinking to myself well that’s a cute little 335 copy but little did I know at first glance that I was holding a piece of history in my hands. From the second I put this guitar in my hands I could tell that it wasn’t your run of the mill copy.. the neck was too straight the action absolutely precise, the weight, the feel and o boy... the sound!! Everything was spot on to a 70s era ES335
I bought the guitar sight on seen and started further inspection. The pickups are original stamped maxon pickups! No wonder it sounded so good. That if you know a bit of history, these were put in the higher end Gibson copies that Ibanez was putting out. My assessment is that this a post lawsuit ibanez unbranded and non serialized as to prevent any future lawsuits to happen and so they can further continue sales.
This guitars is a real diamond in the rough and would be ideal for anyone out there looking for a 70s era Gibson ES335 but on a budget but doesn’t skip out on any of the good stuff. Tuners feel great truss rod works like a charm and the frets appears to have been leveled and crowned sometime in its life and play great. The trem arm is non original but fits the guitar perfectly. Electronics have been meticulously tested and work as they should.
Guitar doesn’t include a gig bag or hard case but will be packed with the utmost of care to allow safe passage to its new home.
Sold as pictured
If you have any questions feel free to contact me