Gibson ES-335TDC Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1974), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 511052, black lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.

This is a very cool and fairly rare example of Gibson's classic ES-335TD in a stock black finish, made in 1974 but still with much of the feel of a late '60's instrument. This was the first year black was offered as a standard finish for this model, and it saw only 288 shipped, out of the very small total of 404 for the entire decade. This represents a VERY small proportion of the thousands of 335's shipped in other finishes.

The instrument features an overall deep "ebony" lacquer finish (as Gibson called it), a bound block inlaid fingerboard and chrome-plated hardware including the two "Patent Number" humbucking pickups, the older style Tune-O-matic and the "amp style" knobs introduced in the later 1960's. The label is the small white-and-purple rectangle used in this period.

The three-piece mahogany neck has the volute and "Made in USA" stamp typical of '70's instruments, the double-ring Kluson tuners are stamped "Gibson Deluxe". The nut width is still the narrow 1 9/16" adopted in late 1965; the entire neck has a slimmer feel than some, less chunky as it approaches the body. This guitar shows not too much play time over the last 50 years and remains a great-sounding and playing instrument, a seriously badass looking guitar in its "ebony" livery.

Overall length is 41 3/4 in. (106 cm.), 16 in. (40.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 17/32 in. (39 mm.).

For being over 50 years old this guitar is only very lightly worn, looking lightly played but not heavily used. The all-original finish is has some light typical checking and small scuffs and dings, the only really notable wear is scuffing to the back above the strap button, probably from an old strap. The back of the neck is very clean, even the headstock edges are less worn than many. The strap button itself was installed a bit off-center, that's the '70s for you. The original frets have been polished out with no subsequent wear and this is a fine player and a super sharp looking ES-335, ready to go in a modern HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.