Description:
Up for sale is a fantastic, highly unique transitional late-1969 Gibson ES-335TD in beautiful player’s condition. This guitar sits perfectly on the historic borderline between Gibson’s classic 1960s production and the incoming 1970s era, carrying a highly desirable mix of vintage specifications that prove its exact year.

The Restoration, Finish & Tone Story:
This guitar has an incredible history. I bought it in the mid-1980s. A previous owner had painted the instrument black. To bring it back to its former glory, the guitar was carefully sanded down to the bare wood, which beautifully revealed the original factory red underneath. It was then meticulously refinished to original Gibson specifications using professional cherry dye, classic cherry nitrocellulose lacquer, and several protective clear coats of nitrocellulose lacquer.

Acoustically, this guitar rings incredibly loud with a dry, woody snap that only 57 years of natural aging can produce. Plugged in, the tone is absolutely amazing. Because it was restored using a thin, historically accurate nitro finish rather than a thick modern poly coat, the vintage wood breathes and vibrates perfectly. The result is a stunning, vibrant finish that looks authentic, feels period-correct, and delivers the ultimate vintage Gibson sonic experience.

 The Transitional 1969 Proof:
Many players mistake early transitional models for 1970s guitars due to the neck contour, but this instrument features definitive late-1969 specifications:

• 1-Piece Mahogany Neck: This guitar features the premium, traditional solid 1-piece mahogany neck used throughout the 1960s. It completely lacks the 3-piece multi-laminate construction that Norlin standardized in early 1970.
• Early "Mosquito Bite" Volute: It features the very first, incredibly subtle, small headstock reinforcement bump introduced in late 1969—far smaller and less invasive than the heavy, sharp volutes of the 1970s.
• No "MADE IN USA" Stamp: The back of the headstock is entirely free of the "MADE IN USA" stamp, proving the neck left the factory before US customs regulations forced Gibson to implement the stamp on January 1, 1970.
• Faded Serial Number: True to many late-1969 models, the factory serial number was lightly stamped prior to finishing and has naturally faded into the nitrocellulose lacquer over the decades.

Hardware & Electronics:

• Pickups (100% Original): Both humbuckers are the original factory units. The bridge pickup is a spectacular, highly resonant vintage Gibson "T-Top" patent-number humbucker reading a beautifully balanced 7.64k ohms. The neck pickup is also completely original. Both feature their authentic vintage braided metal cable sheathing (detailed photographs of the back of both pickups are included in the listing). They deliver a beautifully clear, articulate neck tone with zero mud, and a sweet, biting bridge punch.
• Original Hardware: The factory Tune-O-Matic bridge and the original multi-ply black pickguard are both present, original to the guitar, and in great shape.
• Upgraded Pots: The original, worn-out potentiometers have been professionally replaced with premium, high-quality CTS pots. The electronics now perform flawlessly with smooth sweeps and zero scratchiness, completely ready for the stage or studio. (Note: Original pots are not included).
• Upgraded Tuners: The tuners have been upgraded to period-appropriate Kluson locking tuners, offering a classic vintage aesthetic while providing vastly superior tuning stability and easier string changes. (Note: Original tuners are not included).
• Headstock & Fretboard: Features the iconic Gibson Crown headstock inlay and elegant pearloid block markers across the fingerboard.
• Nut Width: Measures the classic late-60s narrow 1 9/16 inches, making for an incredibly fast, comfortable, and unique playing experience.
• Tailpiece: Equipped with the period-correct chrome trapeze tailpiece.

Condition & Playability:
Thanks to the upgraded CTS pots and Kluson locking tuners, this guitar is a player's dream—combining undeniable vintage 1969 mojo with modern reliability and road-worthy performance. It plays beautifully up and down the neck with a fantastic acoustic ring that translates into pure, articulate vintage bite when plugged in.

• Wear: There is some minor, honest wear on the back lower bout of the body. This superficial damage has been fully documented with up-close photos for your review. No headstock repairs whatsoever.
• Case: Ships safely housed in a heavy-duty, high-quality SKB flight/transportation hard-shell case for maximum protection.

 Pricing & Value Justification:
Because transparency is paramount when dealing with vintage instruments, this guitar has been priced carefully according to current market standards for "player-grade" 1960s Gibson instruments:

• The Valuation: A 100% untouched, collector-grade 1969 ES-335 typically commands premium market pricing.
• The Deductions: In strict accordance with vintage market appraisals, a standard 40% to 50% deduction has been applied to account for the cherry nitro refinish, along with a minor adjustment for the upgraded CTS pots and Kluson locking tuners.
• The Premium Assets: The asking price firmly reflects the presence of the highly sought-after, 100% original patent-number T-Top pickups (which carry immense standalone value), the original factory Tune-O-Matic bridge, the original pickguard, and the premium SKB transport case.

This guitar represents the absolute sweet spot for a player or gigging musician: you get the real 57-year-old tone-woods, the authentic acoustic resonance, and the legendary vintage Gibson electronics at a fraction of collector pricing. Reasonable offers are welcome, but lowball offers will be politely declined.

Ships securely packaged and fully insured. Don't miss the chance to own a rare, beautifully restored piece of Gibson transition history!