Up for sale, a 2002 Epiphone Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot in showroom-clean, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and owner’s manual. Produced at the Terada factory in Japan and designed as a premium spin on the ES-335 platform, this finely crafted Elite is an early example, dating to the brief window before the series was renamed to “Elitist.” Faithful to vintage spec, tonewoods include a semi-hollow maple body (maple centerblock) and a slender mahogany neck capped with bound 22 fret rosewood fingerboard, while features include Grover Deluxe (Kluson-style) tuning machines and Gibson USA-made humbuckers.

But the feature that makes this Elite Epiphone exceedingly rare is the Gibson-style open book headstock carve. While virtually all of the Elite instruments had a different Epi headstock with the distinctive central “bump” at the top of the carve, a tiny percentage made only for the Japanese domestic market were manufactured with a Gibson-style open book shape as seen here.

The semi-hollow construction ensures a resonant, open acoustic response, providing an ideal platform for the Gibson USA-made 50S humbuckers. Wound in the PAF vein, these pickups are vital and distinct at each position on the switch, with a midrange-focused growl at the bridge and sweet, bell-like textures with plenty of meat at the neck. This Elite 1963 ES-335 Dot weighs 8lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and accurate intonation.

Neck Specs:

• Wood: Mahogany
• Shape: Slender ‘60s-style C, measuring .795” 1st fret, .905” 12th fret
• Fretboard: Rosewood, dot inlays
• Frets: Medium jumbo, no wear
• Scale Length: 24 3/4”
• Nut: 1 11/16”, bone
• Headstock: Open book shape
• Tuners: Grover Deluxe double-line (Kluson-style), greened keystone buttons
• Serialization: T2-prefix (Terada, 2002)
• Factory Markings: Epiphone Elite decal

Body Specs:

• Wood: Maple (maple centerblock)
• Pickups: 50S humbucker x2 (Gibson USA-made)
• Controls: Volume x2, Tone x2, Three-way pickup selector
• Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, stopbar (nickel-plated)
• Plastics: Four-ply pickguard, gold reflector cap knobs, cream, switch tip
• Label: “Epiphone Elite,” serialized

Exceptionally well-kept since new, there are just a couple tiny marks on the gloss Natural finish. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.

The original hardshell case is included, along with the owner’s manual.