The ES345 was introduced in 1959 in response to the need to upgrade the revolutionary new semi-hollowbody design of the ES335. However, this ES345 has been overhauled electronically, and the potentiometers and switches have been replaced by a simplified set in which the Vari-Tone is no longer present. These electronics make the ES345 the same as an ES335 in terms of functionality.

The ES345 was introduced in 1959 in response to the need to upgrade the revolutionary new semi-hollowbody design of the ES335. Gibson equipped the ES345 with distinctive details such as multi-ply binding, gold-colored hardware and split parallelogram inlays on the fingerboard. The model also featured a Vari-Tone switch that added six additional options to the tonal arsenal, all with a stereo output.

However, this ES345 has been overhauled electronically, and the potentiometers and switches have been replaced by a simplified set in which the Vari-Tone is no longer present. These electronics make the ES345 the same as an ES335 in terms of functionality, and the mono output also makes it slightly easier to use. The two Patent No. Humbuckers give the guitar both a warm clean sound and a solid rock 'n roll sound with some distortion.

This 1967 Gibson ES345 is finished in a Sunburst finish, and as mentioned previously has replaced electronics. The guitar is otherwise original and, due to its later construction year, also has the shorter pickguard and the trapeze tailpiece. The original electronics are included, so the guitar can be converted back to a correct ES345 if desired.

Furthermore, the guitar has playwear and crazing that are to be expected from an instrument of this age, but these traces only emphasize the charm and style of the instrument. The guitar plays and sounds like a semi-hollow Gibson, and certainly offers that feeling that only a vintage instrument can give you!

photos of: Actual Instrument