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1962 Gibson ES-330TD, Serial Number 86490

A stunning, collector-grade example of our fully hollow thinline dual-pickup electric, this 1962 ES-330TD is the cleanest example we’ve seen to date. Shipped from Kalamazoo on October 22, 1962, this guitar looks as though it left the factory just yesterday. Apart from a vintage-correct replacement nickel trapeze tailpiece and vintage nylon nut, this ES-330TD™ is all original and comes in its equally clean original black-and-goldenrod Lifton™ case, complete with an exceptional array of original case candy.

Introduced in 1959 and undergoing a series of cosmetic changes by 1962, this is the only year we see this combination of small block inlays (preceded by dots) and black P-90 pickup covers (followed shortly after by nickel-plated covers) atop a dark-bordered three-tone sunburst. Both original P-90 pickups deliver outstanding clarity and the clear, bell-like tone that defines this model. The neck pickup offers a deep, blooming low end, while the bridge remains tight and focused. The wiring harness is untouched and all original, featuring Centralab® potentiometers, a Sprague® Bumblebee capacitor in the bridge tone circuit, and a Sprague Black Beauty capacitor in the neck tone circuit. The slim, fast neck profile is exceptionally comfortable, and the original frets show only minimal wear.

As noted, the original trapeze tailpiece had been replaced with a modern replica, and a vintage-correct nickel example with a matching level of wear to the bridge was sourced and installed to bring this guitar fully back to original spec. The original ABR-1 bridge with nylon saddles is still in very good shape and functioning well. The gold Top Hat knobs are in excellent condition with no chips or dings, and the “Volume” and “Tone” lettering remains fully intact. The original Kluson® Deluxe single-ring white-button tuners are clean, tight, and function as they should.

At some point in the guitar’s history, it was fitted with a new nut made from the correct nylon material. Our team properly shaped the nut and inspected it to ensure stability, full functionality, and a period-correct look.

Accompanying this guitar is nearly every piece of original case candy you could hope for: the original Sonomatic Strings hang tag, Gibson warranty hang tag, ABR-1 instruction sheet, Gibson-branded yellow screwdriver, and a well-loved black Bobby Lee “No Mishap” guitar strap. The original case key envelope was still in the case, and we sourced an original Excelsior 6K11 key to complete the package.

The guitar ships in its original black-and-goldenrod Lifton™ hardshell case.

This 1962 ES-330TD is a fantastic-playing instrument and a museum-grade example of our 15-fret thinline hollowbody design.

This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, and a new Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Weight: 5.90 lb
Neck depth: 1st fret .81”, 12th fret .82”