Gibson 60's ES 335 Electric Guitar

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and were offered in only Natural and Sunburst finishes. By about midyear, neck specs began to change to a thinner and more elliptical feel and ultimately, production of the Natural ES-335TD would cease and the Cherry finish would take its place in the latter part of the year. It is this later version that many argue the 1960 ES-335TD's features had settled into their optimum form. With a fast new neck profile, striking new "insert" or "reflector" tone and volume knobs, the ES-335TD still retained early-spec details such as the dot fingerboard inlays, a kind of "Mickey Mouse" double cutaway profile, full-length maple centerblock, and nickel-plated hardware that players have long seen as indicative of the model's zenith. All these and more are brought back to life in the 1960 ES-335 VOS, a reincarnation of one of the most legendary semi-hollow electric guitar of all time. This inspired instrument features the later 1960 "fast neck profile" version, the most unique of the year, and is available in Antique Vintage Sunburst, Antique Faded Cherry or Antique Natural finish, all aged in Gibson's acclaimed VOS (Vintage Original Specs) process, and loaded with period-correct hardware including "insert" volume and tone knobs, double band tuners and a pair of accurate PAF-style 57 Classic humbucking pickups. Additionally the neck features a holly head veneer, tortoise shell side dot material and has been completely re-tooled with accurate truss rod channel depth and profile based on scans by the Gibson Custom Shop Engineering Team. Comes with a Custom silkscreened case, certificate of authenticity, manual and warranty info.Body and Finish This fantastic reproduction follows the bodylines of the original '60 ES-335TD, with its arched top and back, and deep double cutaways for outstanding upper-fret access. The top, back and sides of the 1960 ES-335 VOS are crafted with pressed-arch, laminated-maple/poplar/maple with solid maple centerblock construction used by Gibson to produce the first ES-335s 52 years ago. This marriage of a solid maple core with hollow "wings" and laminated maple top and back yields the optimum blend of warmth and definition, a tone that countless major artists have turned to for five decades. The guitar really does present the optimum marriage of solidbody and thinline hollowbody characteristics, with the benefits of both, and none of the drawbacks.The 1960 ES-335 VOS is hand-finished in nitrocellulose in a process that closely replicates the finishing process applied to original ES-335s of the late '50s and early '60s. Like the great Gibson electrics made 50 years ago, this instrument is finished with minimum build-up, in an effort to produce a finish that breathes with the guitar and enhances natural resonance, and will age elegantly and naturally to continually enhance the appearance and tone of this reborn classic. The guitar is finished to a buffed gloss, but the VOS process applied afterward gives it a rich, naturally aged patina that results in somewhat less shine and more of a semi-satin texture in the final guitar. It is available in three period-correct finishes, all aged with Gibson's acclaimed VOS process: Antique Vintage Sunburst, Antique Faded Cherry, and Antique Natural.Neck and Headstock The guitar's neck and headstock are made in the classic tradition of the original 1960 ES-335TD. Carved from a single piece of mahogany with a maple spline, and topped with a rosewood fingerboard. The design incorporates Gibson's lauded 17-degree back-angled headstock, which contributes greatly to the instrument's resonance and sustain. True to one of the significant evolutionary points of the model for 1960, the neck of the 1960 ES-335 VOS is carved to a fast, comfortable recreation of the '60 slim-taper profile that has been based on new scans of original 1960 ES-335TDs.Pickups and Electronics A pair of '57 Classic pickups capture that highly sought-after "PAF" style tone, noted for its unparalleled blend of warmth, richness and clarity. In the bridge (lead) position, the '57 Classic offers a bright, clear jangle through clean amps and more midrange snarl and bite through overdriven amps, accurately capturing the versatility of an original PAF humbucker in the bridge position. In the neck position, the '57 Classics present the optimum blend of warmth, depth, and clarity, a tone that is equally suited to blues, jazz, and sweeter, mellower pop and rock styles.The '57 Classic uses unpolished Alnico II bar magnets, just like many of the most prized original PAF humbuckers. CTS potentiometers with "bumblebee" tone caps and a Switchcraft selector and output jack translate the signal in pure vintage style. The coils are wax potted to combat microphony and feedback squeal at high volumes so, while vintage voiced, they are suited to high-gain playing, too. The number of windings in the two coils are also equally matched, an enhancement that provides a creamy, balanced performance that many players enjoy.Hardware The 1960 ES-335 VOS is equipped with Gibson's most accurate, period-correct reproduction hardware. Particulars include green-button Kluson-style tuners, a Tune-o-matic bridge and stop-bar tailpiece both made from the correct metals and plated in nickel, and Gibson's original aluminum strap buttons, all of which contribute to the vintage look and tone of the instrument.With its Antique Faded Cherry finish, the 1960 ES-335 VOS carries the black top-hat knobs with silver inserts, while the models with an Antique Natural and Antique Vintage Sunburst finishes wear gold top-hat "insert" knobs that display the Volume and Tone legends.
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