1978 Gibson ES-335TD Wine Red

Vintage 1978 Gibson ES-335TD. A semi-hollow body electric guitar known for its versatile tone, featuring characteristic late 70s elements like a slim neck profile and Original Gibson "Tarback" pickups. Gibson Bill Lawrence Super Humbucker Tarback pickups were a specific design from the 1970s and early 1980s, known for their distinctive epoxy-potted back (the source of its nickname) and ceramic magnets which gave them a brighter, more articulate sound compared to earlier Alnico magnet pickups. Introduced in the Norlin years, these pickups were Gibson’s bold step toward a brighter, more articulate humbucker. You’ll find them stock in models like the L-6S, ES-347, Marauder, and select Les Pauls — each one carrying Lawrence’s unmistakable design fingerprint. Hard to find clean and unmolested, this is a solid piece for the collector chasing originality or the player looking for that crisp ’70s Gibson voice.

The 1978 ES-335TD belongs to the "Norlin era" of Gibson production and features a construction that provides a unique blend of solid-body sustain and hollow-body resonance. Excellent condition for its age, with minimal wear. Upgraded Tuners and control knobs complete this 48 year old beauty. 

Key Features and Specifications

• Body: Laminated maple/poplar/maple with a solid maple center block to reduce feedback. It is a double-cutaway thinline design.
• Wine Red: A popular deep red finish introduced in the 1970s that exudes a sophisticated vibe.
• Neck: The neck is a three-piece maple with a slim taper or "C" profile, a notable feature of this era. Includes a volute on the back of the headstock for added strength.
• Fingerboard: Bound rosewood fingerboard with block inlays and 22 frets.
• Electronics: Original Gibson "Tarback" pickups. Three-way toggle selector switch, coil-split switch, and volume/tone controls for each pickup.
• Case: Original Gibson hard shell case included. 

Tarback Super Humbucker

• Nickname Origin: The nickname "Tarback" came from the black epoxy resin potting material visible on the back of the pickup, which was used to suppress microphonic feedback at higher volumes.
• Designer: They were designed by Bill Lawrence for Gibson, starting around late 1972 or early 1973.
• Official Name: The official product name used by Gibson was the "Super Humbucker".
• Magnet Type: A significant departure from the Alnico magnets used in the earlier PAF and T-Top pickups, Tarbacks used a ceramic magnet (specifically, Indox 7).
• Output and Tone: They generally have a medium-to-high output and are known for a sound with a distinct, rich mid-range response, aggressive push, and tight bass, which some describe as a "T-Top on steroids".
• Usage Era: They were commonly used in various Gibson models between approximately 1973 and 1984, including the L-6S, ES-335, ES-347, Marauder, and certain Les Pauls. 
• Vibration Control: The black epoxy was poured into the pickup cover to fully encase the coils, magnets, and baseplate. This was a design choice by Bill Lawrence to prevent microphonic feedback (squealing) at high volumes.
• Distinct Construction: Unlike traditional PAFs that used Alnico magnets, Tarbacks typically utilized ceramic magnets. This, combined with the potting, gives them a "greasy," aggressive mid-range and tight bass that is highly sought after for hard rock.
• Irreversibility: Because the internal components are "frozen" in this hard resin, these pickups cannot be repaired or modified if a coil breaks—they are essentially a single, solid block of electronics. 
• DC Resistance: They are known for a significant mismatch between neck and bridge positions.
• Tone: Clear, articulate, and powerful, often with more "bite" and attack than standard vintage Gibson humbuckers. 

Used – Excellent

Price

$7,000

+ $300 Shipping