Gibson ES-335TD with Bigsby 1968- Cherry
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For sale is a vintage Gibson ES-335TD built in Kalamazoo, Michigan, finished in classic Cherry Red. This guitar is a fantastic example of a 1968 ES-335 with original electronics and pickups, paired with a factory Gibson replacement neck installed in the early 1970s.
This is a player-grade vintage Gibson with serious tone, not a refinished or parts guitar.
Body & Finish
- Original 1968 ES-335 body
- Original Cherry Red nitro finish
- Honest vintage wear, checking, and patina throughout
- No structural body cracks or repairs
- Finish wear consistent with age and use
Neck (Important Disclosure)
- Factory Gibson replacement neck, installed circa early 1970s
- Features “MADE IN USA” stamp and volute, correct for Gibson replacement necks of the era
- Serial number 929989 stamped on the replacement neck, consistent with Gibson factory practice
- Neck is straight, truss rod works properly
- Comfortable late-’60s / early-’70s Gibson profile
- Frets low but plays beautifully
- G string tuner bent but works as it should
➡️ Original neck was replaced long ago (likely due to damage); replacement is factory Gibson, not aftermarket.
Pickups
- Original Gibson Patent Number humbuckers (PAF successor)
- Patent sticker: 2,737,842
- Pre-T-Top construction
- Braided single-conductor leads
- Strong output, classic ES-335 warmth and clarity
Electronics
- Original CTS pots 1965
- Original Sprague “Black Beauty” .022 capacitors
- Original solder joints
- No rewiring or modern components
- Electronics function perfectly
Hardware
- Nickel hardware throughout
- Bigsby B7 vibrato (period-correct; factory option or early dealer install)
- ABR-1 bridge
- Witch-hat knobs
- Long black pickguard
- Hardware shows appropriate aging and patina
Playability and Tone
- Excellent acoustic resonance
- Classic ES-335 tone: warm lows, articulate mids, smooth highs
- Pickups clean up beautifully with volume control
- Bigsby operates smoothly
- A phenomenal player’s vintage Gibson
Summary
- 1968 ES-335 body
- Original pickups & electronics
- Factory Gibson replacement neck (early ’70s)
- Honest, well-documented vintage guitar
- Not all-original, priced accordingly
- No headstock breaks
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| Listed | 6 months ago |
|---|---|
| Condition | Good (Used) Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.Learn more |
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