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ES-330TD Serial number 66985

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« on: March 11, 2011, 06:29:48 PM »
Can anybody tell me where and when this guitar was made? It was left to me as part of an old friend's possessions, so I'm not looking to sell it, but I'd like to know a little more of it's history (and maybe a valuation for insurance purposes). Thanks in advance for any help.

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2011, 04:28:47 AM »
My guess with chrome hardware & reflector knobs, a 1966. All Gibsons at that time were built in Kalamazoo Michigan, USA. 8)  Aprox value is $2,500.00 to $3,100.00.
« Last Edit: March 12, 2011, 04:32:01 AM by George Porter »

Es-330td
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2011, 01:18:37 PM »
Many thanks, George - very helpful, although after I posted this query, I discovered a serial number listing .pdf file via the Gibson website (http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Support/SerialNumberSearch/) which seemed to imply this would more likely be in a 1964 series - would you agree? I forgot to mention that the number is stamped into the back of the headstock, in case that makes any difference. :)

eb2

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ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2011, 04:08:22 AM »
It could be.  Gibson serial numbers can be confusing, as most lists will tell you. They re-used them, they held partially finished guitars, they did all sorts of stuff.  You have to narrow it down by potentiometer codes and features.  The mid-60s 330s have metal covered pups, so you have to nail down nickle plate vs chrome.  It doesn't make much difference for these for value or quality if it is 64 or 66.
 
Funny thing is a few years back, these were worth hundreds more than the Epiphone version of the same guitar.  Nowadays it is the opposite.
boom

es 330
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2011, 10:26:37 PM »
Hi, newbie here.

I have a similar looking guitar only with black plastic pickups and a dot fret markers (plus some other differences). serial number 5xx6. supposed to be a 1962.

On mine, it looks very much like a previous owner took off the original bridge assembly and replaced it with a trapeze tail-piece arrangement. You can see the marks where the original bridge was located. Any ideas why they would do that?

cheers from UK

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2011, 03:20:51 AM »
It looks like your guitar might have had a Bigsby installed at one time. The previous owner may have taken it off & put the original trapeze tailpiece back one before he sold it. You should see other holes hidden behind the mounting screw of the trapeze tailpiece if this is the case. :shock:
 
Might be a B7
http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/bigsby-b7/
« Last Edit: May 17, 2011, 03:27:14 AM by George Porter »

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2011, 11:05:28 PM »
Quote from: George Porter;15934
It looks like your guitar might have had a Bigsby installed at one time. The previous owner may have taken it off & put the original trapeze tailpiece back one before he sold it. You should see other holes hidden behind the mounting screw of the trapeze tailpiece if this is the case. :shock:
 
Might be a B7
http://www.bigsby.com/vibe/products/vibratos/bigsby-b7/
Thanks George!  I think you might be right. On close examination, there is one small hole under the trapeze and another at the end of the tail piece where the strap attaches.  THis guitar also has the snot green tuning pegs, not the white ovals that you see on most 330's.  

Cheers

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2011, 08:23:13 PM »
Serial # 66985 dates to 1964 which means the guitar was made in Kalamazoo, MI.

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2011, 02:19:39 PM »
SERIAL NUMBERS Agree with previous posts on serial numbers: no logic. If 66985 can be dated to 1964, what about my 4 digit (5436) which I was told was 1962?

HEADSTOCK DAMAGE my guitar shows clear signs of headstock repair - I have read that is very common in 330/335 etc guitars. The head separates from the neck if you drop it. Usually caused by lifting the case without securing the latches. Anyone else notice such repairs?

jules

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Gibson headstock repair
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2011, 04:15:02 PM »
Quote from: nckwlch;16145
HEADSTOCK DAMAGE my guitar shows clear signs of headstock repair - I have read that is very common in 330/335 etc guitars. The head separates from the neck if you drop it. Usually caused by lifting the case without securing the latches. Anyone else notice such repairs?

 
Yes, headstock repairs are very common in 1960s Gibson guitars - they usually used mahogany - which is a brittle, easy to snap wood. The headstock/neck area is weak due to the truss rod adjustment cavity. Also the back leaning headstock.
 
These factors combine to make a backward fall put all the impact on that weak area.
 
I would say the main cause is leaning them against the amp briefly... then a knock makes them slide sideways, and then fall back. Make sure you have a hard case, and bring your stand to rehearsal!
 
In the mid seventies they used maple, with a volute which is much more durable - but there are still mahogany-necked Gibsons being made...

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2011, 11:20:16 PM »
Your 4-digit 5436 is probably not a serial number but an FON - factory order number, which was usually stamped inside the body, and not on the back of the peghead. However, we're talking about Gibson, and most of the time their numbering system doesn't make any sense at all.

TSC

ES-330TD Serial number 66985
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2012, 02:22:38 PM »
FON's stopped officially in 1961 - and every FON had a letter prefix. That was Gibsons second FON system - and it began in 1925 with an A-prefix... Fro Z to Q every year had it's own letter - Z in 1952 and so on: 1959 = S 1960 = R  1961 = Q. I've personally never seen a 330 or other Gibsons with a FON's prefixed Q. The first FON system began in 1908 beginning simply with 259...
« Last Edit: September 06, 2012, 02:23:31 PM by TSC »

 

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