Gibson ES-335TD Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1972), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 745798, cherry sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

This example of Gibson's classic ES-335TD was made in the early 1970's but still retains much of the feel of a late '60's instrument. It features a laminated maple body finished in a fairly lively cherry sunburst, nicely blended with a subtler shading than some; there is even a bit of flame figure to the top. Other features include the three-piece laminated mahogany neck with a bound, block inlaid rosewood fingerboard, chrome-plated Tune-O-Matic bridge and tailpiece, two Gibson T-top "Patent Number" humbucking pickups with the covers removed, "amp"-style black molded knobs and the small white-and-purple rectangle label used in that period.

The back of the neck has the volute and "Made in USA" stamp typical of '70s instruments; the narrow 1 9/16 nut width is in place as it had been since late 1965. This guitar shows only fairly minor play time and remains clean and original, showing only minor wear for 50+ years of use. It remains a great-sounding and playing instrument, perhaps not from Gibson's more esteemed "Golden Era" but a serious player's guitar still.

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 9/16 in. (40 mm.).

This is a clean and largely original guitar showing just some very light wear overall. The all-original finish is very well preserved with some minor scuffing overall and a few small dings and dents; some scuffing is also present on the pickguard. The seams of the heel joint have some minor glue fill visible, but there is no movement to the heel. There are some small laminate checks to the wood on the top beside jack and upper bridge post, and some deeper dings on the back of the neck behind the 10th fret area.

The chrome covers were removed from the original Patent # pickups, and it looks line an extra piece of electrical tape was wrapped around the coils to protect them. That was a "Thing to do" in the 1970s. The bridge is the correct style chrome Tune-O-matic but unmarked so an aftermarket replacement. The pickguard bracket has no outer nut but all else appears original. The chrome plating is very nice as well, with only light wear.

The original frets have been crowned down a bit; they and the fingerboard show very little wear and this is an excellent player, with the caveat that the neck is the very slim profile of this period. This 335 is a nice piece from Gibson's early 1970's arsenal, a fine feeling and sounding guitar housed in a nice original HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.