303-665-7733
Gibson
Serial Number: #A31065
After I unplugged this ‘59 ES-345, I was a bit at a loss for words–a rare condition for a person who enjoys the sound of their own voice as much as me. “Welp, that’s about as good as it gets,” I muttered to myself. How does one move forward after reaching the mountaintop of Gibson semi-hollow tone? Surely, other guitars have taken me there, and more will in the future, but it’s a strange feeling to go about your day... Read More...
Gibson
8.02 lbs.
.870 1st - .940 12th
Sunburst
After I unplugged this ‘59 ES-345, I was a bit at a loss for words–a rare condition for a person who enjoys the sound of their own voice as much as me. “Welp, that’s about as good as it gets,” I muttered to myself. How does one move forward after reaching the mountaintop of Gibson semi-hollow tone? Surely, other guitars have taken me there, and more will in the future, but it’s a strange feeling to go about your day after experiencing the apex of greatness of any variety.
At any rate, all I can do is try to capture why it made me feel so strongly. First and foremost: insane resonance! One of our guitar techs played it and said it sounded almost like an LG-2, and that’s not hyperbole. It is LOUD acoustically, and that translates to a wonderfully complex, full tone perfectly seasoned by age when plugged in.
In more concrete terms, it is absolutely resplendent with sweet, crystalline overtones that bloom over a strong, woody fundamental. The attack is percussive, but the winds of time have eroded all the harsh edges, so it sounds articulate and has a forceful growl when you dig in, but it never sounds harsh. The note blooms immediately after your pick strike, and you can really alter the instrument’s timbre with the way you squeeze the note with your left and right hands. It’s wonderfully expressive, and I had several “whoah, did I really just play that?” moments while taking it for a test drive.
Basically, if you’re after greatness in a Gibson semi-hollow, I think you’ll find this serial to be as good as it gets just like I did!
This ES-345 is one of the most gorgeous vintage guitars I’ve ever seen, and it’s in excellent shape! It shows the typical war wounds seen on fearsome mythical musical weapons of its ilk: light nicks, dings, scrapes, and scratches, and some chipping and flaking on the headstock. There’s also plenty of sweet-looking checking–mojo for days! The area around the neck joint has undergone some finish touch-ups, and the hardware has tarnished heavily.
Much of this instrument is original, too, including the tuners, which are a bit bent and stiff but work properly with no slipping. The pickups are original, too, and they still have the Patent Applied For sticker on them. The plastics look original, too. However, a previous owner swapped the original nut for one made of bone, and the frets are replacements, too. They measure .115” by .050” and they show extremely light signs of use. Most of the guts (the pots, switch, and jack) are non-original, although all but one pot can part and wire are in the case along with the choke for the Varitone.
Speaking of which, the Varitone has been disconnected, and the stereo jack has been converted to mono. It comes with what is either its original or an era-correct hardshell case, which is in serviceable shape.
Gibson
Vintage 1959 Gibson ES-345
Sunburst
8.02 lbs.
3-Ply Maple
Multi-Ply on Top and Back, Single-Ply on Fingerboard
3-Ply Maple
.870 1st - .940 12th
Mahogany
Brazilian Rosewood
12"
Parallelograms
24 3/4"
Non-Original Bone
1.675"
Original with Patent Applied For Stickers
2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch, Varitone
Stoptail
Gold
Original Kluson
ABR-1
Original Gibson Brown Lifton Hardshell
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After I unplugged this ‘59 ES-345, I was a bit at a loss for words–a rare condition for a person who enjoys the sound of their own voice as much as me. “Welp, that’s about as good as it gets,” I muttered to myself. How does one move forward after reaching the mountaintop of Gibson semi-hollow tone? Surely, other guitars have taken me there, and more will in the future, but it’s a strange feeling to go about your day after experiencing the apex of greatness of any variety.
At any rate, all I can do is try to capture why it made me feel so strongly. First and foremost: insane resonance! One of our guitar techs played it and said it sounded almost like an LG-2, and that’s not hyperbole. It is LOUD acoustically, and that translates to a wonderfully complex, full tone perfectly seasoned by age when plugged in.
In more concrete terms, it is absolutely resplendent with sweet, crystalline overtones that bloom over a strong, woody fundamental. The attack is percussive, but the winds of time have eroded all the harsh edges, so it sounds articulate and has a forceful growl when you dig in, but it never sounds harsh. The note blooms immediately after your pick strike, and you can really alter the instrument’s timbre with the way you squeeze the note with your left and right hands. It’s wonderfully expressive, and I had several “whoah, did I really just play that?” moments while taking it for a test drive.
Basically, if you’re after greatness in a Gibson semi-hollow, I think you’ll find this serial to be as good as it gets just like I did!
This ES-345 is one of the most gorgeous vintage guitars I’ve ever seen, and it’s in excellent shape! It shows the typical war wounds seen on fearsome mythical musical weapons of its ilk: light nicks, dings, scrapes, and scratches, and some chipping and flaking on the headstock. There’s also plenty of sweet-looking checking–mojo for days! The area around the neck joint has undergone some finish touch-ups, and the hardware has tarnished heavily.
Much of this instrument is original, too, including the tuners, which are a bit bent and stiff but work properly with no slipping. The pickups are original, too, and they still have the Patent Applied For sticker on them. The plastics look original, too. However, a previous owner swapped the original nut for one made of bone, and the frets are replacements, too. They measure .115” by .050” and they show extremely light signs of use. Most of the guts (the pots, switch, and jack) are non-original, although all but one pot can part and wire are in the case along with the choke for the Varitone.
Speaking of which, the Varitone has been disconnected, and the stereo jack has been converted to mono. It comes with what is either its original or an era-correct hardshell case, which is in serviceable shape.
A31065
Gibson
Vintage 1959 Gibson ES-345
Sunburst
8.02 lbs.
3-Ply Maple
Multi-Ply on Top and Back, Single-Ply on Fingerboard
3-Ply Maple
.870 1st - .940 12th
Mahogany
Brazilian Rosewood
12"
Parallelograms
24 3/4"
Non-Original Bone
1.675"
Original with Patent Applied For Stickers
2 Volume, 2 Tone, 3-Way Selector Switch, Varitone
Stoptail
Gold
Original Kluson
ABR-1
Original Gibson Brown Lifton Hardshell
