Gibson ES-330TDC Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1968), ser. #527040, original black hard shell case.

Gibson ES-330TDC Model Thinline Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1968), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 527040, cherry lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case. This is a very nice example of the final original version of Gibson's classic double cutaway thinline hollowbody, the ES-330TDC. This guitar exhibits the major design modification the ES-330 underwent in 1968: the neck joint was shifted from the 16th to the 19th fret, making it feel and play more like the semi-solid ES-335. This of course greatly improved fretboard access, and thus is one of the few examples of some players preferring the later 1960's version of a Gibson instrument to its earlier incarnation! The combination of the fully hollow thinline body with the extended fret access is quite rare in a Gibson.Other features on this ES-330 are standard for the late 1960's including chrome plated metal parts, "Witch hat" style knobs and the very thin 1 1/1/2" nut width used in the late '60's. This guitar has a lovely deep transparent cherry finish overall, with single binding on the body and a bound, block inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The two P-90 pickups are controlled by the standard Gibson one switch, four knob wiring.These "long neck" 330's were only in production for a few years made in smaller numbers compared to earlier 1960s examples so are comparatively rare. The ES-330TD in general is a great sounding very versatile guitar, one of Gibson's most adaptable designs. This model been heard in many styles of music since the instrument was introduced in 1959: Jazz great Grant Green used ES-330's extensively on his most well-regarded early-1960's recordings, as did many other jazz, blues and R&B artists. The 330 and its nearly identical sister guitar the Epiphone Casino were featured in countless '60's British invasion bands, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Kinks, Manfred Mann and many more. This is a nice example of the final 1960's version, a very friendly guitar all around.Overall length is 42 in. (106.7 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 1/2 in. (38 mm.). This guitar is in excellent playing condition, nicely preserved overall looking played but well cared for over the past 55 years. The original finish shows very nice color with hardly any fade to the cherry lacquer. It does have some typical checking, with minor dings, dents and scuffs overall (heavier on the back than the face) and no large areas of wear. There is a little chipping around the jack. The headstock edges have some minor chips and there is some minor touch up on the back of the beck just below the headstock where there was a noticeable scrape; there are no headstock breaks or cracks. All hardware is original and complete. The chrome plating shows just some minor wear, there is some scuffing to the pickguard. The original frets have some wear in the lower positions but playability is not affected. Overall this is a great sounding example and a very nice player, a super friendly guitar to play. It includes a the original yellow-lined black Gibson hard case with some noticeable wear but still fully functional. Overall Excellent - Condition.