1968 Gibson ES - 345TDC Vintage Semi - Hollow Electric Guitar, Bigsby, T - Tops & Case
Item History & Price
Up for sale, a 1968 Gibson ES-345TDC in excellent condition and in perfect working order. One of Gibson's premier semi-hollowbody models and an enduring favorite, the ES-345TDC is an upscale version of the 335, with gold hardware and a six-position Varitione tone selector rotary switch, rewired for mono operation. Featuring a vibrant and soulfully aged original Cherry nitro lacquer finish, this ES-345 has a feel that is instantly comfortable and intuitive, delivering a surprisingly com...manding and full acoustic tone that translates flawlessly through the original patent sticker T Top humbuckers. Especially considering the inclusion of the original Bigsby vibrato, the guitar weighs in at a surprisingly light 8lbs 4oz and balances well on a strap too.
Through your favorite tube amp, the humbuckers have a richness and harmonic complexity that's reminiscent of the PAFs that came before them, and there's a delightfully clear and chiming quality from the bridge pickup with a sinewy top end snap and touch of growl. In contrast, the neck humbucker has a mellowness, warmth, and bloom to the notes that's ideal for complex Jazz chord voicings or thickening up an overdriven lead line. The Varitone is a modern iteration from Rothstein, and adding this circuitry into the mix allows for five very distinct tones (sixth position bypasses the Varitone) that accentuate midrange or conversely scoop those frequencies for great quack and a certain hollowness that can add distinction when fingerpicking. This ES-345TDC has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar and dialed in with 11-50 roundwound strings.
The mahogany neck has a unique C shaped profile almost exclusively seen on later '60s Gibsons, with a very slender C shape at the nut that fills out to full baseball bat chunk and roundness by the time you reach the 9th fret. In the higher registers, it's a substantial feeling profile that gives you plenty to grab on to when soloing, while being effortless to chord near the nut. The profile measures .795" deep at the 1st fret, graduating to .985" at the 12th. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard is a particularly dark and tight-grained cut of wood which features split trapezoid pearl inlays. The guitar as been refretted with wire that matches vintage width while having appreciably more height and crown, still being shy of "medium jumbo." The frets show no wear, and the nut has been upgraded to a hand-carved piece of bone for optimal clarity and sustain, measuring just shy of 1 9/16" in width. On the headstock, the original gold Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are intact with original greened tulip buttons, along with a cleanly inlaid Gibson logo and original "Stereo" truss rod cover.
All of the electronics work as they should and both pickups retain the remnants of their patent stickers on their baseplates, with unbroken solder joints on the covers. All of the original hardware and plastic parts are intact including the patent number ABR-1 bridge, witch hat knobs with gold inserts, Varitone dial, trapeze tailpiece, pickup covers and rings, and multi-ply black pickguard. The original factory-installed Bigsby B7 vibrato completes the look, perfect for subtle expressive warbles and dives, showing moderate patina through the gold plating, consistent with the edges of the ABR-1 bridge.
In terms of cosmetic wear, the guitar shows one spot of targeted buckle rash central to the back at the waist and a few additional minor scuffs and dings. The nitro lacquer Cherry gloss finish has broad lacquer checking and only one spot of targeted touchup on the treble side body horn, where an additional control was added and cleanly plugged with matching maple at some point in the guitar's lifetime. The neck profile has one spot of scuffing on the treble side adjacent to frets 9-10 which doesn't impede playability in the slightest.
The original hardshell case is included. The case features a clean "Gibson" silkscreen on the exterior, gold plush interior, and all original latches and handle.
Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, " and please let us know if we can answer any questions!
Shipping in the continental USA will be $85, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise, ” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import. We have all necessary CITES paperwork in-hand to ship rosewood worldwide.
We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Through your favorite tube amp, the humbuckers have a richness and harmonic complexity that's reminiscent of the PAFs that came before them, and there's a delightfully clear and chiming quality from the bridge pickup with a sinewy top end snap and touch of growl. In contrast, the neck humbucker has a mellowness, warmth, and bloom to the notes that's ideal for complex Jazz chord voicings or thickening up an overdriven lead line. The Varitone is a modern iteration from Rothstein, and adding this circuitry into the mix allows for five very distinct tones (sixth position bypasses the Varitone) that accentuate midrange or conversely scoop those frequencies for great quack and a certain hollowness that can add distinction when fingerpicking. This ES-345TDC has been professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar and dialed in with 11-50 roundwound strings.
The mahogany neck has a unique C shaped profile almost exclusively seen on later '60s Gibsons, with a very slender C shape at the nut that fills out to full baseball bat chunk and roundness by the time you reach the 9th fret. In the higher registers, it's a substantial feeling profile that gives you plenty to grab on to when soloing, while being effortless to chord near the nut. The profile measures .795" deep at the 1st fret, graduating to .985" at the 12th. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard is a particularly dark and tight-grained cut of wood which features split trapezoid pearl inlays. The guitar as been refretted with wire that matches vintage width while having appreciably more height and crown, still being shy of "medium jumbo." The frets show no wear, and the nut has been upgraded to a hand-carved piece of bone for optimal clarity and sustain, measuring just shy of 1 9/16" in width. On the headstock, the original gold Kluson Deluxe tuning machines are intact with original greened tulip buttons, along with a cleanly inlaid Gibson logo and original "Stereo" truss rod cover.
All of the electronics work as they should and both pickups retain the remnants of their patent stickers on their baseplates, with unbroken solder joints on the covers. All of the original hardware and plastic parts are intact including the patent number ABR-1 bridge, witch hat knobs with gold inserts, Varitone dial, trapeze tailpiece, pickup covers and rings, and multi-ply black pickguard. The original factory-installed Bigsby B7 vibrato completes the look, perfect for subtle expressive warbles and dives, showing moderate patina through the gold plating, consistent with the edges of the ABR-1 bridge.
In terms of cosmetic wear, the guitar shows one spot of targeted buckle rash central to the back at the waist and a few additional minor scuffs and dings. The nitro lacquer Cherry gloss finish has broad lacquer checking and only one spot of targeted touchup on the treble side body horn, where an additional control was added and cleanly plugged with matching maple at some point in the guitar's lifetime. The neck profile has one spot of scuffing on the treble side adjacent to frets 9-10 which doesn't impede playability in the slightest.
The original hardshell case is included. The case features a clean "Gibson" silkscreen on the exterior, gold plush interior, and all original latches and handle.
Check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, " and please let us know if we can answer any questions!
Shipping in the continental USA will be $85, fully insured and shipped via FedEx Ground. Expedited shipping available for an additional fee at buyer's request. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.
International orders will be declared as “merchandise, ” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery, as well as any additional charges involved with import. We have all necessary CITES paperwork in-hand to ship rosewood worldwide.
We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
